SFA Board of Directors

Mr. Jeremy Creech
Board Chair

Jeremy is passionate about Alaska’s prosperity. With a career journey as a business leader, educator, network engineer, and infantryman, he is fully invested in the power of people to make the world a better place.

With a history of working among the Fortune 100 in Silicon Valley (Cisco Systems, Inc. and VMware, Inc.), he uses a diverse skill set in the domains of business, technology, and education to partner with people worldwide solving problems. Having been raised in Wasilla, Alaska, Jeremy lives there now raising his family with his wife, Rachelle; both having degrees in business management, they share a passion for whole families, healthy communities, successful businesses, and personal wholeness.

Jeremy also serves the University of Alaska System advising on technology education and can sometimes be found teaching courses in Information Security and Cybersecurity at Matanuska-Susitna College.

Judge Gregory Heath
Vice Chair

Retired Palmer Superior Court Judge, former District Court Judge and Palmer Public Defender.
Judge Heath has been married to Phyllis Heath for 41-years, who is a retired Mat-Su schoolteacher.
They have four children: Sarah Heath, Melissa Ray, Joel Heath, and Michael Heath.

“I am very excited for the opportunity to serve on the board of Set Free. My heart both as an attorney and a judge has been to see restoration and healing for those held captive by addiction and mental health issues. I look forward to being part of an ever-growing family of individuals who through hard work, dedication and love are changing the lives of so many Alaskans,” said Judge Heath.

Joshua Garvey
Treasurer / Secretary

Josh Garvey was born and raised in Alaska. He currently lives in Homer, Alaska with his wife Elizabeth and their three children. Josh has a Masters in Accounting and Finance, and currently works as the COO for Shopanova, an online advertising company and he also conducts sales and leadership coaching for Southwestern Consulting.

He values community transformation via marketplace ministry, and believes that a healthy family is critical to the building of a healthy community. One of his greatest passions is to see people set free and empowered to fulfill the life they were destined to live.

Elizabeth Garvey
Director

Elizabeth Garvey is a third generation Alaskan who lives in Homer with her husband Josh and three children Ariela, Raphael, and Gabriel.

Liz holds an undergraduate degree in Theology and Psychology, and she has a Masters in Business with an emphasis on Human Resources. She believes each individual struggling with addiction will find freedom in a loving community and through faith-based programs like Set Free Alaska. Liz has volunteered overseas in the Middle East, Mexico, Europe. One of her greatest passions is to see people come alive in their destiny, build loving communities with strong values, and live the fullest life we were intended.

Dr. Ryan Ray
Founder/Director Emeritus

As an accomplished social innovator, Ryan is driven by a deep passion to see people experience God’s love and thrive to fullest of their potential. Throughout his career in the public and nonprofit sectors, Ryan witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of substance misuse in Alaska. This experience inspired him to found Set Free Alaska in 2008.

Ryan currently serves as the Founder and CEO of 61Sixty, LLC, a social innovation research and development lab. Through 61Sixty and his well-cultivated network of global partners, he is actively engaged in a number of innovative projects that make a difference in the lives of others. Ryan maintains a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification from Villanova University; a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Southern California; and a Doctor of Social Work in Social Innovation degree, also from USC. Ryan currently lives in Palmer with his bride Melissa and their son Jackson.

Tom Stein
Director Emeritus

Tom endeavors to cultivate a culture and atmosphere of honor in the community.  As a Field Manager with twenty nine years experience in the electrical construction industry, Tom views it not only as an opportunity but also a privilege to bring his experience and passion to the marketplace.

Tom is a talented leader with an in-depth understanding of operational excellence. Along with Joy, his bride of over twenty-five years, the two have championed efforts to bring freedom to the broken-hearted through leading, ministering and facilitating in the areas of pre-marital teaching, marriage reconciliation, abuse intervention, personal finance, budgeting as a lifestyle, pressing in through intersession, and inner healing.

Linda Hendrickson
Director

Linda served with Teen Challenge and CRISTA Ministries in Seattle before relocating to Alaska in 2001. After 16 years as executive director of Chugiak Senior Center she is ready for the next part of her wonderful journey.

Owner of several business’s in the valley and lower 48, Linda desires to bring Biblical principals intertwined with everyday business management expertise to the marketplace in Wasilla.
After losing two of her siblings to addiction Linda made a decision to answer the call to serve in any way possible to see people set free from the grips of drugs and alcohol. Linda counts it an honor and a privilege to serve in this successful organization.

Einar Gonder
Director

Krista and Einar have been involved in Set Free Alaska as consultants and supporters for many years. Their passion for those in addiction being not only healed but trained and equipped to become productive members of society is evident.

They are the owners of Alaska Tags and Titles a DMV Express business which operates in various locations around Alaska, and part owners in Northern Industrial Training with offices located in the Matanuska Valley, Anchorage, and North Dakota.

They are very committed to the health and wellbeing of the communities in which their businesses operate.

Krista Gonder
Director

Krista and Einar have been involved in Set Free Alaska as consultants and supporters for many years. Their passion for those in addiction being not only healed but trained and equipped to become productive members of society is evident.

They are the owners of Alaska Tags and Titles a DMV Express business which operates in various locations around Alaska, and part owners in Northern Industrial Training with offices located in the Matanuska Valley, Anchorage, and North Dakota.

They are very committed to the health and wellbeing of the communities in which their businesses operate.
Krista is a top 40 under 40 award winner.

Rachelle Creech
Director

Rachelle has been invested in the health and future of her fellow Alaskans for many years. Her service as director of an inner-healing organization equipped teams across Alaska to identify and address aspects of mental unhealth. With her leadership, the organization scaled its effectiveness through programs, curriculum, and instruction that were offered statewide enriching Alaskan communities.

Rachelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Human Resources. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, she applied her studies to the unique aspects of reducing recidivism and preparing reentrants in Alaska.  Additionally, her focus includes sustainable practices that generate stability, safety and resilient mental health for impacted individuals, families, and communities.

Rachelle is grateful for the opportunity to advance the mission of Set Free Alaska and see the people and communities of Alaska healthy and thriving.

Derek Alley
Director

Derek was born and raised in Willow, Alaska and now resides In Wasilla, Alaska with his wife Janelle and their 4 children, CJ, Adrian, Megan, and Rowan. He holds a B.S. in Business Management from University of Alaska, Anchorage.  Upon graduation he entered the Medical field as a Practice Manager for a local therapy clinic and in five years helped the company to expand its operations into two states.  He later moved into a consulting role with multiple organizations throughout the west coast and Alaska.  His strengths quickly brought stability and efficiency through his expertise in Human Resources, Project Management, and leadership as Chief Operating Officer.  Derek currently serves as the Director of Operations for Sound Decisions, LLC.

Derek has a passion to build relationships and connect with people by serving, helping wherever he can, and by encouraging others to pursue excellence in all areas of life.  He enjoys teaching, coaching, and mentoring and believes that the attitude in which we do anything is just as important as doing things the right way.  He is a regular volunteer at his local church and in the community with other organizations like Reach 907.