About Us

Bruce Peterson - President and his wife Sue are former owners of Navarro Canoe Company, located next to Christian Care in Rock Island, IL. They have three children, Kristin, Jessica and John, along with five grandchildren.

Mike Bragg - Vice President I retired from John Deere Parts Distribution Center after 34 ½ years. My wife Pam and I live in Carbon Cliff. We have three children and four grandchildren, and attend St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Colona.

Bob Swanson - Treasurer is a retired attorney, teacher, and athletic director. He served 14 years as Rock Island Athletic Director, 12 years in private law practice, and taught at the high school and college levels. Bob and wife Debbi have two grown daughters and four grandchildren. He is active in Rotary, Rock Island-Milan Booster Club, and the Rock Island Girls Softball League. Bob and Debbi reside in Rock Island.

Nicole Marty - Secretary has worked at Genesis Health System as a project manager for 5 years. She enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling to new places with her 3 young sons. She is a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Rapids City and volunteers teaching 7th grade Confirmation there at the church.

Shahana Brown is an active duty military officer with a career that began over 32 years ago. She enjoys cultural activities, serving at risk populations, and dreams of the day when no one will be cold or wet due to homelessness. Shahana is the mother of one daughter who is a registered nurse, an entrepreneur, and her hero.

Dale Hendricks is a retired Navy Captain and a retired John Deere engineer. Dale and his wife, Alison, live in Davenport. He is a member of Trinity Anglican Mission in Rock Island. His son and daughter in law and two grandchildren live in Cleveland, Ohio.

Anne McGlynn is retired from MidAmerican Energy, where she worked on legislation and regulatory processes to implement affordable energy programs for low-income customers. She first learned of Martha's House in 2014 at a presentation to the Rotary Club of Rock Island and volunteered there for several years. She has been a past-President of the Rotary Club and currently serves as their Secretary.

Tom Mielnik is a retired electrical engineer and planning manager. He has served on the board of an Area Education Agency. He volunteers at Christian Care, the Esperanza Center, Family Resources, and Rotary. He and his wife, Debbie, have lived in the Quad Cities area since 1986. They have three daughters, two son-in-laws, and four grandchildren.

Pastor Steve Peterson has been at the helm of Elim since Spring of 2014. Steve comes from a very diverse background working in churches and the missions field alongside his wife, Elizabeth and their children rachel, Abigail, and R.J. Steve current volunteers as a chapel speaker for the Rescue Mission.

Dean Sutton is a retired attorney, married to Darcie who is a retired teacher, with two children and six grandkids. He began his career working in legal assistance for low income folks and ended the same way, although in volunteer work. Thirty plus years in private practice separated the two stints. They are active members of Christ United Methodist Church in East Moline.