
A NATIONAL CALIBER TEAM
You want the finest minds helping you improve your nonprofit organization, and that’s the idea behind The Savage Group. Led by seasoned leadership coach John Savage, our all-star team works together to help you do your work better. Our team’s

… make The Savage Group the best choice to make your nonprofit better.
MAKING NONPROFITS BETTER
Nonprofits make the world a better place. At The Savage Group, we’re dedicated to making nonprofits stronger so they can better serve their communities. But what makes them stronger? Adequate funds are essential, but they are not sufficient. Nonprofits need the right executives and board members, but leaders will struggle unless they’re working within a healthy, functioning system. And underlying all of these components are the messages that nonprofits communicate to their internal and external stakeholders.
Like a finely-tuned machine, these four components of nonprofits must be working in tandem if the whole organization is to be effective. That’s why The Savage Group employs an integrated approach, stressing the right leaders, healthy systems, sufficient resources, and powerful messaging. When all four are in place, nonprofits thrive. Our goal is to help you get there.
EMPOWERING YOU TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
In the end, it’s all about your mission. Nonprofits aid human flourishing in innumerable ways. Our national-caliber team of subject-matter experts harness their combined expertise to strengthen nonprofits and empower them to make a difference in their communities. By doing so, we help you make an impact for good on the local, national, and even global level.
EXECUTIVE TEAM

John B. Savage, EMBA
Founder and CEO
John B. Savage, EMBA, is a seasoned consultant and coach. For over thirty years, his big ideas have been helping nonprofits develop the organizational health, capacity, and capital they need to make the world a better place. John’s creative solutions have benefited agencies from entrepreneurial startups to organizations celebrating their hundredth anniversaries. John is most often retained to help clients grow their revenue, build their board, and transition through changes in leadership. He can be found teaching fundraising, leadership, stewardship and board development at various national conferences and events throughout North America, including Christian Leadership Alliance, Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, Association of Gospel Rescue Mission, Association of Biblical Higher Education, Christian Camping and Conference Association, and the Association of Christian Schools International, among others. John is an avid sailor and outdoorsman often found enjoying new ports and people wherever his travels take him! JOHN’S ROLES: Teacher Leadership coach Revenue revivalist Organizational strategist Partner in board development and board retreats JOHN’S SERVICES: Create and cast vision Develop and fund strategic plans, capital campaigns, and new program initiatives Coach boards and executive leadership to greater effectiveness and mission alignment Provide interim executive CEO and CDO leadership during critical transitions TYPES OF NONPROFITS SERVED: Private schools Foster care agencies Rescue missions Large and small church boards Family and church foundations Camps Overseas ministries Hospitals Inner-city agencies serving the poor Museums Colleges Family businesses And more EDUCATION: B.S. in Physics from Denison University (minor in Latin American Studies) Executive MBA from Pepperdine University EXPERIENCE: VP for Development, Union Rescue Mission, Los Angeles, CA Chair, United Way’s Hispanic Leadership Institute Produced a mentor/protege audio training program and a stewardship audio training program Host, Leadership Lifestyles, a daily radio program in Seattle, WA Teaching faculty, City Vision College Independent Study Advisor in Leadership, Bakke Graduate University Planning Commissioner, City of Des Moines, WA Chair, Board of Des Moines Creek Classical Cristian Academy, Des Moines, WA PUBLICATIONS: National columnist and contributor, InSite Magazine National columnist and contributor, Church Executive Magazine National columnist and contributor, Planned Giving Today Publisher, Boardwise, a bi-monthly newsletter on stewardship and leadership for board members of Christian ministries
CONSULTANTS

Right Leaders Division Leader
Dan Bronson
Dan has over 20 years’ experience in executive search for corporate positions and not for profit Christian organizations. He previously led the Colorado Office of Lasher Associates for nonprofit clients including Christian Schools, Youth Organizations, Various Church Denominations and Para-Church Organizations. Dan is a former member of The Society for Human Resource Management, Vice President of the American Society of Training and Development, Board of Directors at Westminster Christian School, Miami, FL, Board Member, Youth for Christ, Miami, FL, and active member of The Presidents Club of Michigan State University and The Anglico Association, United States Marine Corps. He holds a BA from Michigan State University and served 6 years of active and reserve duty in the USMC including Vietnam service. He was a corporate HR executive for Racal Electronics, PLC in the US for 25 years. DAN’S SERVICES: Executive Recruitment TYPES OF NONPROFITS SERVED: Christian Schools Youth Organizations Denominations Para-Church organizations LOCATIONS: Throughout the U.S. EDUCATION: B.A. in Liberal Arts from Michigan State University EXPERIENCE: Senior V.P. for Lasher Associates Executive Search Senior V.P. Human Resources for Racal Electronics, PLC United State Marine Corps

Senior Consultant
Ed Lamoureaux
Ed Lamoureaux has over 30 years of experience in integrated marketing, social media, digital media, public relations, non-profit marketing and strategy, broadcast and multimedia communications, content marketing and consultative selling and sales management for organizations ranging from Fortune 100 companies to major 501(c)(3) non-profits to local businesses and non-profits. As a marketing and storytelling expert, Ed understands the complex environment every organization exists in today. He has deep experience in helping organizations discover or enhance how to connect with audiences and drive results, be it for: fundraising purposes, branding and consumer engagement, or internal communications and cross-team functionality. Ed recently made the move from “secular to sacred” and now dedicates his life and career to building better non-profit organizations and leaders that affect positive change in the world. Ed is passionate about his relationship with Christ, his family and his duty to serve His kingdom. Ed has spoken at conferences and has been featured in news publications, magazine articles and on television as a marketing and social media industry expert. ED’S ROLES: Branding Consulting Multimedia and Video Production Expertise Storytelling and Content Marketing Consulting Media Relations Expertise and Consulting Leadership Coach – individuals & teams Type of NonProfits Served: 501(c)(3) – Religious, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary, Testing for Public Safety, to Foster National or Int’l Amateur Sports Competition, Prevention of Cruelty to Children or Animals Organizations Education: B.A. in Communication Studies from Montclair State University

Publishing Division Leader
David Welday
David is an out-of-the-box thinker, gifted communicator, marketing strategist, copywriter, publisher and coach. In addition to his role with The Savage Group he is President of HigherLife Publishing and Marketing, Inc. Providing professionals, business owners, authors and non-profit organizations with creative and compelling marketing and brand strategies that lead to more profitable connections. Through his work with The Savage Group, David is committed to bringing to the culture innovative strategies and resources built on positive, life-changing messages. David has served in the publishing and marketing world for more than 30 years and has vast experience in; direct response marketing, magazine publishing, book publishing, curriculum and digital resource development and organizational development. He has acquired and worked with multiple New York Times bestselling authors. His experience includes work in traditional, collaborative and self-publishing models. He does “Contagious Brand Strategy” engagements for both corporations and not-for-profit ministries. David also heads a 501C3 non-profit ministry called Next Generation Institute where he provides parent coaching and leads seminars for today’s overworked and overwhelmed moms and dads looking to raise children to live with significance purpose and joy. He helped chart the growth of multiple nationwide periodicals, overseeing the growth of one national monthly from 40,000 distribution to a quarter million in paid circulation. He is a former president of the Florida Magazine Association and has served as publisher and vice-president of product development for a multi-media company where he took their book publishing division from about 15 titles per year to over 112 titles per year. Dave does seminars and intensives in the areas of publishing, parenting, marketing, brand strategy, specialty sales, business development, non-profit donor development, children’s ministry and Christian education. In addition to running HigherLife, he pioneered the start-up of a curriculum company, is a published author, hosted national conferences, launched a non-profit organization and consulted with multiple international organizations. Clients he has served include: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, New Tribes Mission, Voice of the Martyrs, Assist Network International, The Climb, World Compassion, Change This World, David C. Cooke, Gospel Light, Charisma Media, BOSS the Movement, Kingdom Global, Lionshare, Texas Health Resources and many others. David is a member of the Christian Chamber of Commerce, Christian Small Publishers Association and serves on the board of multiple charitable, non-profit organizations. David lives in Oviedo Florida, has been married to his lovely wife Amy for more than 37 years. He and his wife have three grown sons, David, Darren and Jason. DAVID’S ROLES: Brand strategist Communications and content creator Publisher and publishing consultant Marketing and audience builder Donor development leader Leadership and creative coach Copywriter DAVID’S SERVICES: Develop and strengthen your brand Create compelling copy platforms Identify new sources of revenue Create content marketing strategies Increase your audience awareness and connections EDUCATION: B.S. in Marketing and Business Administration Miami University Ordained minister Certified Professional Coach EXPERIENCE: President HigherLife Publishing and Marketing President Welday Consulting and Coaching Founder/Executive Director Next Generation Institute Director of Marketing Christian Life Missions Writer and Speaker Board Member Christian Life Missions/Young Life NEO BOOKS: Shaping Your Family Story – How imperfect parents create hope and promise for their children (book) Dare to Be a Daniel (Tween youth curriculum) How to Market Your book (book) Get Your Book Published! (book) The Guide to Effectively Training Children (book) How To Create a Contagious Brand (book)

Consultant
Peter Tropper
Peter has spent more than 30 years equipping urban students with the tools needed to move forward and become successful men and women. He has worked in the non-profit world through local churches, Urban Young Life, and a nonprofit Christian high school. Under his leadership, he was able to impact thousands of unique students for Christ, and recruit and train hundreds of adult volunteers. He was regarded for his never-ending belief in the kids. Most recently, he transitioned a traditional private Christian high school to a school specializing in educating underserved students from San Francisco’s toughest neighborhoods. He has an excellent track record of collaborating with staff and outside agencies to accomplish the task of moving statistically at risk students through a successful educational process. Peter has excellent people skills with the ability to cast vision, drive organizational culture, and promote a relationally focused mind-set. PETER’S SERVICES: Comprehensive fundraising strategy and revenue generation plans Creating a healthy growing environment TYPES OF NONPROFITS SERVED: Christian Schools Youth Ministries Christian Camps Churches EDUCATION: B.S. Chemistry and Secondary Education, Northeastern Illinois University Advanced Studies Program, Moody Bible Institute EXPERIENCE: Executive Director, Bridgemont High School Area Director, Young Life Urban-San Francisco Owner Operator, Austin/Lincoln Citgo Science Teacher

Consultant
John Henry
John is a focused global learning leader and project manager with more than 25 years’ experience driving development, implementation, and coordination of international internships, events, and publications. He serves TSG clients through Direct Organizational Consultations, Executive Coaching, and our Group Learning Experiences He has equipped hundreds of student volunteers to sensitively engage people from other cultures to effect positive change through their faith and their fields of study in over 40 countries. Through a strong collaborative leadership style, John has developed a proven record of adapting to the changing demands of partner agencies.

Consultant
Patty Riva
Patty has over 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, event management, branding, promotions, and donor development. She spent the majority of her career in the non-profit sector where she successfully designed and implemented in person events from inception to execution for audiences of up to 10,000. With a special emphasis in radio marketing and promotions, Patty is skilled at donor development, outdoor advertising, and radio campaigns to help increase revenue for clients. She has a passion for helping organizations reach their full potential, and reinventing how non-profits and small businesses tell their stories. In 2018 Patty started Embracing You Events, a platform which encourages women to network and engage around issues such as body image, mental health, parenting, and other challenges they may be facing. Patty resides with her husband in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She enjoys biking, reading, and spoiling her two dogs Kirby and Winston.

Senior Coach & Consultant
Tony Cooper
Tony Cooper has 43 years of experience as a pastor and mission director as well as a bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology from Toccoa Falls College and a master’s degree in counseling from Troy State University. Under Tony’s leadership, the Jimmie Hale Mission has become one of the most recognized and respected non-profit organizations in Central Alabama. A mission where he humbly served as Executive Director for 29 years. He is a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is a founding member of Alabama Rescue Services Association and Alabama Association of Christian Recovery Ministries, a member and former national board member of the Citygate Network (formerly Association of Gospel Rescue Missions) and is also a member of Gardendale First Baptist Church. In 2016, Tony was honored to receive the Russ Reid Rescue Award for Lifetime Achievement. Experience Executive Director, August 1990-January 2020 Jimmie Hale Mission, Birmingham, Alabama Pastor, January 1987-August 1990 Midway Baptist Church, Gulf Breeze, Florida Program Director, January 1977-December 1986 Waterfront Rescue Mission, Pensacola, Florida Specialist 5th Class (E-5), January 1969-April 1972 U.S. Army, July 1969-April 1972 Education Ordained Minister-Southern Baptist Bachelor’s Degree-Bible/Theology Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, Georgia Master’s Degree-Counseling Troy State University Troy, Alabama Involved in Ministry 43 years Pastor-4 years Rescue Mission-39 years Birmingham Business Journal 2019 Non-Profit CEO of the year

Consultant
Marilyn Hughes
Marilyn has been consulting for twenty years in the areas of nonprofit management including executive coaching, fundraising, grant writing, and budgets and sustainability. Her clients have included rescue missions, churches, Christian schools, international ministries, and health care organizations. Prior to her consulting career, Marilyn was Director of Development for 10 years at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission. Marilyn has been a board officer on three nonprofit organizations with a community and regional focus on homelessness, transitional housing for women, and fundraising. Marilyn is an Adjunct Professor at City Vision University (an accredited online university headquartered in Kansas City, MO) teaching Grant Writing and Fundraising. She serves TSG clients from her home base in Asheville, NC Experience Director of Development, Orlando Union Rescue Mission Director Grants Management, First Orlando Foundation National Public Relations Director, Glenbeigh Hospitals Education MBA in Finance, American University, Washington, D.C. BA in Psychology, Boston University, Boston, MA Types of Nonprofits Served Rescue Missions Healthcare Organizations Christian Schools Churches Universities International Ministries Endorsements “You have been most helpful in advancing this ministry. Your expertise in grant writing, communications and building relationships with grantors and community stakeholders has benefited the Mission many fold and will leave an imprint upon this ministry for years. Thank you for walking along side us with Christ as our leader.” Ron Willoughby, former Executive Director and CEO, Springfield Rescue Mission.

Senior Consultant
Kevin Singleton
Kevin Singleton is a nonprofit youth development expert and mentor, a cross cultural musician, and a Grammy Award winning songwriter. As a platform speaker, teacher, and enduring musician he has performed at conferences and school assemblies for more than 3 million students and educators in 20 countries around the world. He employs components of what he calls “The Mailman Method,” which he learned from his college basketball coach, Bill Peterson, who created the workout method for Karl Malone. Kevin continues to add to his songwriting repertoire, where his songs have been sung by faith-based organizations globally. In 2009 Kevin founded Elevate New York, accredited by the New York City Department of Education as an in-school/after-school mentoring 501c3 serving those in the poorest congressional district in America. Over the last decade, he has raised and invested over $3 million into NYC Community School district 8. The conservative Social ROI is now over $20 million, because of their dropout prevention rates and the state or federal funds no longer needed to subsidize their graduates. Kevin is most often asked to develop leadership among teams and bring inspiration and innovation to program development. In response to the overwhelming amount of requests for understanding a cross-cultural approach to music, mentoring and faith, Kevin is also developing a music and mentoring online subscription program, along with other tools and resources he has developed and brings to his TSG clients.

Events & Marketing Consultant
Drew Spanding
A Faithful follower of Jesus, Husband, and Dad of three amazing kids…. “Drew” has spent 5 years working with at risk students full time, traveled around the entire world in which he visited 14 different countries in 6 months, spent 3 years working as a land developer – successfully bringing to completion a high end neighborhood in Walloon Lake MI, and 16 years as the executive director and President of White Stone Project 501c3 (produced the Big Ticket Festival along with many other events). Drew serves TSG clients to maximize their brand and engage donors and consumers into the nonprofit mission. Drew also is a founder, shareholder, and CEO of Price Slide LLC (a Social Dynamic Sales Platform). Price Slide is unique in that it leverages the “early bird sale” in a way that will 2x-4x that sale when used properly. Price Slide just closed its first round of funding and currently holds a pending patent for the embodiment of “social dynamic pricing” protecting how their software uniquely leverages this dynamic group buying process to engage 3rd party reference marketing to a level never seen in a controlled and replica table process before. Price Slide’s “engineer team” currently takes projects from concept to completion with vast experience in UI/UX design, web development & optimization, social media, customer/client services, overall project management and event production expertise. The team Drew leads for TSG not only bring an ability to execute a great product but also bring years of experience in event production especially in the music industry.

Writer Extraordinaire
Stephanie Geier
Stephanie is a highly creative, results-proven Development leader and people manager who has extensive experience building effective donor engagement and stewardship programs in large, high performing organizations. She also has demonstrated success in identifying, developing, and promoting talent within organizations in the University and non-profit sectors. Stephanie has directed numerous inspiring, donor-centric communications and she leads with a passion for continuously improving the donor experience. Stephanie holds a Master of Liberal Arts from the University of Chicago and earned her Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri Columbia

Senior Consultant
Jack Fiscus
Jack has been ministering in the local church for over 30 years. He spent many years as a Student Pastor in Texas and Louisiana before becoming the Evangelism Pastor at First Baptist Church West Monroe, LA. Jack went on to serve as the Marketing Director for Student Life in Birmingham, AL prior to spending eight years as the Education Pastor at First Baptist Church Orlando, FL. Since 2016, Jack has served as Executive Pastor at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL. Jack was raised in West Monroe, Louisiana, and graduated from Louisiana College with a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems before earning a Master’s in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. What is immediately apparent about Jack is his energetic spirit and warm, empathetic heart. He is a creative leader who thrives by using out-of-the-box solutions for Gospel-centered Kingdom work. Jack’s enthusiasm for evangelism and discipleship is at the center of his ministry. His wife Kasey is a data analyst for the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries. Jack and Kasey have two amazing children, Trenton and Tori. Trenton graduated from Samford University in December 2019 with a Nursing degree and recently married his wife, Abby. Jack’s daughter Tori and son-in-law Peyton live and work in Birmingham, AL. In his free time, Jack enjoys being with his family and cheering for the LSU Tigers.

Consultant
Chase Hairston
Chase is the TSG Director of Group Learning & Content. He helps to bring cohesive messaging to all of our constituents while applying his love of learning and students to our Group Learning Experiences (GLE). Chase also serves as Professor of Literature and Worldview at Mid-South Christian College. He has used his writing and Composition teaching skills to serve in many capacities as an editor and advanced reader, helping writers sharpen their craft and clarify their message. When not serving in a variety of teaching and preaching roles in local churches, he is an online teacher of English for students in China (during his early morning hours). Prior to his China engagement, he taught for 5 years at an international online high school. Chase holds an M.Div. from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Memphis. He lives with his wife, Katelyn, and their three children in Memphis, TN.

Senior Consultant
Richard Mabion
Richard Mabion was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas, and served a 2-year tour of duty for the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict (66-68). He graduated from Phillip University in 1971 with a BS in Education and a minor in Psychology. He then spent the next three decades as a self-taught urban/inner-city human behaviorist in Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. Since 2006 he has worked as an independent community organizer in the environmental movement in Kansas City, metropolitan region. In 2007 he founded an Environmental Literacy organization called Building A Sustainable Earth Community. He has since then been recognized for his commitment to involve more people of color in environmental causes, a responsibility that led to the creation of an Environmental Literacy conference called Breaking The Silence from 2007 – 2012. As a result of his efforts, the Pitch News organization selected Richard as their 2008-Activist of the year for Kansas. In 2011 Building A Sustainable Earth Community was one of two organizations selected by the Midwest Sociological Society for its’ annual Social Action Award, given to exceptional grassroots organizations working to further social justice in the Midwest. In January 2012, the Kansas Sierra Club elected him as their first statewide Black Board member. Then in 2013, the National Sierra Club selected Richard as their 2013 Achiever of the Year. In 2014, the Kansas City, Kansas NAACP Branch elected Richard as the president of their Branch. He ran on an Environmental Literacy ticket. Then in 2016, he was selected as the man of the year for the EPA Region 7 Environmental Justice department. In 2019, Cornell University selected Richard from over 600 applications to join this small community of 40 professionals from 28 countries dedicated to climate change mitigation.

Consultant
Patty Prasada-Rao
Patty has worked with non-profits for over 20 years both in the US and overseas, including community development, organizational and professional leadership development, campus ministry and national association work. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology/Pre-Med from The Johns Hopkins University and a Masters in Public Health Education/Community Development from the University of North Carolina. Ongoing training and education have come most strongly by living with and learning together from community leaders and mentors in the Sandtown (Baltimore) and Lawndale (Chicago) neighborhoods. Patty served with various ministries of New Song in Sandtown (Baltimore) from 1998-2012, including resource development director positions and as Co-Executive Director of New Song Urban Ministries (2007-2012). In these capacities, Patty led staff development efforts, directed fundraising campaigns (including a $5 million capital campaign), coordinated marketing/PR efforts, helped launch a small corner coffee shop, provided board facilitation, worked with leadership transition issues, and oversaw budget/finance management She most recently served as Chief Operations Officer for the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) headquartered in Chicago, where her responsibilities included oversight for accounting/finances, human resources, technology, staff development, infrastructure/operations, facilities, board management, strategic plan implementation, fundraising strategy, communications coordination, and support for members around the country. She recently returned to Sandtown and is excited to be back “home.” Patty’s background also includes work in public health (technical assistance to state and local health departments), geriatric research, corporate marketing, psychiatric program management, college campus ministry, and in leadership development/support for NGO’s in India and Kenya. She has extensive experience working cross-culturally in the States and abroad. Patty was born to Indian parents in the U.S. with an extended family network, which instilled in her a strong value for community and what it means to belong together. She has offered her community development expertise and faith-based leadership on numerous boards both domestically and internationally, including CCDA, Communities First Association (CFA), Kupenda for the Children (Kenya) and PRIA Ministries (India). You can often find Patty listening to music (gospel, jazz, folk and classical at the top of the list), cooking (mostly Indian food, spinach balls and banana muffins) for her neighbors, on the floor hanging out with little ones, somewhere with any one of her huge Indian extended family, gallivanting around the globe, or playing with Tiger & Fulton (two of the craziest cats ever!).

Consultant
Tami Orendain
Tami Orendain is a writer and editor, experienced in creating engaging, impactful communications pieces for nonprofit organizations. She graduated from Chapman University with both a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Master of Arts in English, and since then has volunteered and worked for various nonprofit organizations in Southern California. Passionate about connecting dedicated donors with powerful causes, she enjoys writing compelling grant applications and proposals, as well as creating engaging stewardship materials. Always excited about improving her craft, Tami also writes essays and fiction pieces for online publications including DisneyExaminer and She Leads Daily. Tami has also held ministry roles at Calvary Presbyterian Church for over a decade and currently remains involved in outreach and youth ministries.

Senior Consultant
Josh Shoemaker
Josh brings over 13 years of experience in strategy, operations, project management, program development and commercialization. Josh is at his very best bringing new ideas to life and solving the most complex problems an organization may face. As a consultant, Josh has worked on dozens of projects and with various non-profits and businesses seeking to solve important issues related to social and health issues. Josh lives near Seattle, WA with his wife, Stephanie, and their three children. They are part of Trinity Church Seattle. Josh grew up in Seabeck, WA and went to college at Seattle Pacific University where he earned a BA in Christian Education. Initially, Josh attended seminary to pursue pastoral ministry, but as gifts and skills became more apparent, a different path emerged through an MBA from Baylor University which equipped him well to serve his clients.