Board Members & Support

Jeff has been a Board Member of CCFI since 2019. He is a retired insurance consultant and author who previously lived in Ecuador for several years, and enjoys working with international students.

Peggy joined the board in 2017 and personally knows what is like to come to the US as an international, as she is originally from Cuba. Peggy is an avid traveler and has a great love for the world. She believes we can make our world a better place for future generations.

Pat has been a long-standing member of CCFI and is currently serving as the President of the Board of Directors. She enjoys meeting international students and has given her time to pick up arriving students at the airport, understanding the importance of a warm welcome.

Carol’s love for international travel began in 1962 as an exchange student in Germany. She has served 2 years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Brazil, and 4 years as an educator in Japan. Today, when she’s not spending time with her family, she serves as the CCFI Recording Secretary.

Jim has been involved with CCFI since the 1980s and has served several terms as Board President. He is a former Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Chile and has been instrumental in the development of the Council for International Visitors (CIV) program.

Courtney joined the board in 2022. She works as an English language lecturer, an international teacher trainer and she also serves as an English Language Specialist with the U.S. Department of State. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Education with concentration in English language learning. She currently serves as the Spanish leader with the Columbia World Affairs Council, a partnering organization of CCFI.

Marion’s life has been dedicated to international exchange – from hosting international students in her home to later becoming the Director for Ayusa Global Youth Exchange. Now retired, she splits her time between the Friday International Lunch Hour and the Arrival Assistance Program.

Melanie Dalton joined the Board of CCFI in 2021 with the ambition of supporting a safe landing for new residents of Columbia SC. Born in London, England and raised in Montreal, Canada, Melanie accepted a work transfer in 2000 and moved with her two sons to Lexington to enjoy new opportunities and adventures. She loves music, the arts, social activities, and supporting her community.

Robin joined the Board in 2009 and has been key in hosting the Friday Lunch Hour, sponsored by CCFI. She was a teacher in the English Programs for Internationals (EPI) at the University of South Carolina for 21 years. During her career, she had the opportunity to teach ESL in Japan. Now retired, Robin also serves on the board of the Columbia Green Board.

Tricia Goss has been involved with CCFI in airport pickups for the last few years. She is interested in getting more involved with student events and CIV. She ran a high school foreign exchange program in the Midlands for ten years and likes the opportunity to create and maintain international friendships.

Originally from PA, Janelle lives in Orangeburg. Much of her love of travel as an adult came from family travel. She finds great enjoyment meeting new people and exploring differences in culture and hopes to one day live in another country. Janelle is involved with CWAC and CCFI Arrivals. She enjoys volunteering in Orangeburg, Columbia & Charleston.

For over 10 years, Zina has been witnessing firsthand the value of linking cultures. Through her own non-profit organization she has been connecting students in Uganda with sponsors in the United States providing children with opportunities for education and medical care. She has a passion for exploring the world, engaging with people from diverse backgrounds, and believes in the power of forming authentic relationships. Zina has lived and worked in both Japan and Africa, has traveled to over 25 countries, and has an extensive background in volunteer work both in the US and abroad.

Dickson is the Executive Director of the Columbia World Affairs Council, a partner organization of CCFI. He is a native of Columbia and has had the pleasure of interacting with international visitors from an early age. Dickson joined the CCFI board in 2017 and is passionate about cultivating a supportive and connected global community.

Mauricio Orozco joined the Board in 2022. He currently serves as the IT Director, Data Privacy Liaison, and Information Security Liaison for the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs. He is also an Administrator of the Alianza Latina of the Midlands Facebook page and works closely
with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division to disseminate public safety information during emergencies.

Eileen became a CCFI Board Member in 2019 after living in South America. She enjoys welcoming international visitors to our country the way others welcomed her as a foreigner while living in another country.

Jane joined the board in 2009 to repay the kindness shown to her when she was a stranger in a foreign land. She has primarily focused on helping with the Friday Lunch hour. Her commitment to CCFI comes from her experiences living in foreign countries, including her time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania.

Chris is the Assistant Director of the office of International Student Services at UofSC. He works with CCFI to develop programs to integrate international students into the local Columbia community.

Julia has been involved with CCFI for 29 years. She currently works at the University of South Carolina, where she assists students and their families with off campus needs, including housing, educational, cultural, and other personal areas of support.

Ashlan is the Global Carolina Student Coordinator of the office of International Student Services at UofSC. Ashlan works with CCFI to coordinate airport pickups between CCFI and the international students arriving in Columbia for the first time.

Sewell is the CCFI Program Director for International visitor programs. He moved to Columbia in 2000 from Chicago, where he lived most of his life. A VietNam vet who has had a varied career in Social Work and business. He loves his work at CCFI organizing programs and meeting international visitors.

Board Members & Support

Jeff Sadler

Peggy Linton

Pat Lawter

Carol Gelhaus

Jim Byrum

Courtney Bailey

Marion Crane

Melanie Dalton

Robin Dean

Tricia Goss

Janelle Keith

Jim Lawler

Zina Lynch

Dickson Monk

Mauricio Orozco

Eileen Sadler

Jane Teas

Chris Reid

Julia Ferillo

Ashlan Andrews

Sewell Gelberd

Teri Tolbert Byrdic

Cindy Brown