Board of Directors

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  Chris Knippa is a native Texan, born in Ft. Worth and raised in Dallas. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University and has been residing in Boerne, TX for 14 years with his wife of 25 years. Together they have two children, Riley (23) and Dean (18). They have been members of St. John Lutheran Church for 14 years. It is at St. John that Chris was introduced in to the Uganda ministry while he was serving as chairperson on the church Outreach Committee. Chris joined the board of Uganda Tree of Life in 2012 and has served as president of UTOLM since 2016. Chris focuses his efforts and talents on water well missions in Uganda. 

Vicki is also a native Texan and a 32 year resident of the city of Boerne, located in the Hill Country northwest of San Antonio. She is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center where she received a degree in nursing. Vicki has three children and seven grandchildren ranging from 7 to 18. She learned of UTOL in 2009 from other members of her church, First United Methodist. In 2009, she went on her first mission trip to Uganda and in 2010, joined the UTOL Board as medical advisor. Her focus is on reaching the most vulnerable children living in remote areas where there is no healthcare.

Gary Wilson has been a member of the UTOLM Board since 2016 serving as Treasurer. He and his wife Carol have been members of First United Methodist Church in Boerne for 17 years. Gary retired from the oil industry in 2019 after 49 years with various organizations. He and Carol have been married for over 50 years and are long-time residents of the San Antonio/Boerne area. They enjoy spending time with their two sons and four grandchildren. 

Sheree Stevens is a Dallas native and retired to Boerne in 2009 with her late husband.  Sheree and Sam were in the Real Estate Brokerage and Appraisal business for many years in the D/FW area.  Retiring to Boerne and the Hill Country was a 20-year dream.  Sheree learned of UTOLM through her church, FUMC Boerne and became a sponsor in 2013 and joined the Board as Secretary in 2016.  She is also on the Board of the Boerne Community Theatre and is on stage with their Reader’s Theatre program and occasional productions.  Traveling, volunteering and being Mom to Frankie Cat keeps her busy.  Sheree is blessed to be a part of this sweet ministry, helping spread the gospel through education, medical help and clean water.  

Meli Villalvazo-Dick serves as a member of the UTOLM Board as the Child Sponsorship Coordinator. She and her husband, Abram are parents to a six month old, AJ. Meli has previously worked in the fundraising side of the non-profit world, working with educational organizations such as Great Hearts and the SAISD Foundation, and Abram serves as a Youth Pastor and is also a Missionary with San Antonio Youth for Christ.  Meli visited Uganda in 2019, and left with a new appreciation for live, and has never been the same. She enjoys being the sponsorship coordinator because of the difference it makes in the lives of children who otherwise wouldn't be able to receive an education. 

Reverend Kim Burke is an Elder in the United Methodist church and serves our board as spiritual director. She is currently serving as Senior Pastor of North Shore United Methodist in Canyon Lake.

Kim has been involved and serving UTOL since 2009. Since that time she has sponsored children, traveled many times to Uganda and is currently focusing on digging water wells to the most needy communities assisting in bringing clean water and the Living Water of Jesus Christ to our Ugandan friends. Kim also has a passion for Women’s leadership and works closely with our Women’s Ministry in Uganda providing training and empowerment.

 Lee Bowers, a follower of Christ, was born in Austin, TX but has lived in the San Antonio/Boerne area for over 45 years. For 37 years, he has been married to Cindy and together they have three beautiful daughters, three fabulous sons in laws and 7, soon to be 8, precious grandchildren. After joining Mike & Kim Gaunt and Greg Lewis on mission to Uganda in 2006, Lee has returned several times and thoroughly enjoyed building friendships and expanding God’s Kingdom in Uganda. Lee assisted in creating UTOL, served as President of the Board and continues to serve on the Board today.