ChaplainCare Leadership
June 4, 2022 2025-02-24 17:06ChaplainCare Leadership
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM IS FOCUSED ON YOU
ChaplainCare's amazing team of seasoned professional chaplains are passionate about your workforce's well-being, engagement, and productivity.
Chairman
Joe Leidig
Vice Admiral Joe Leidig, U.S. Navy (Retired), is one of six children of Charles J. "Chuck" Leidig, Sr. (1932–2006) and Irma Hodson Leidig. In 1978 he graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He earned a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College as a distinguished graduate in 1994. Subsequently, he completed the National Security Management Program at the Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 2001.
He was the Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, U.S. Africa Command, from August 2010. Currently serving on the Board of SII, Inc., USNA Foundation Athletic and Scholarship Program, and is the President of Leidig Consulting Group, LLC.
Joe is also Chair of the CC Taylor Foundation Board of Trustees
Vice-Chairman
Luke McCollum
Vice Admiral Luke McCollum, United States Navy, retired in August of 2020 after completing 37 years of service in both the active and reserve component. His last assignment was in Washington DC, where he served as the 14th Chief of Navy Reserve from September 2016 - August 2020.
He previously completed a successful career as a corporate vice president, of Walmart Inc. at its Bentonville, Arkansas-based headquarters. He has held key leadership positions in the company’s supply chain, technology, and international divisions.
Luke also serves as Vice-Chair of the CC Taylor Foundation Board of Trustees.
Secretary of the Board of Trustees
Jerome R. White
Jerome R. White, is passionate about family, and paying it forward by developing future leaders, elevating the community where he was raised, and improving people, operations, and organizations. "J.R." retired in May of 2023 as a Captain in the U. S Navy Supply Corps, with 35 years of service. His last assignment was in Washington, DC, where he served as the Deputy/Chief of Staff Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development & Acquisition) and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Acquisition Policy & Budget).
Trustee Board Member
Charlie E. Taylor, Jr.
Mr. Charlie E. Taylor, Jr., is a founder and life member of the Reverend Charlie E and Cinderella S Taylor Sr Foundation. For the last 15-years, he has provided outstanding leadership as the Board Chairperson of this non-profit public charity and guided us to our present-day opportunities.
Mr. Taylor is a Mississippi Vocation Technical Training Center graduate, a retired Marshall County Schools Transportation Division supervisor, and an entrepreneur.
Trustee Board Member
DeNisa Lock
DeNissa Lock is a Texan travel writer specializing in global etiquette. Following her IBM career, she chaired Susan G. Komen's "Fashion Targets Breast Cancer" for four years, securing mobile mammography units for underserved communities.
In Beijing, she wrote for the Beijinger Magazine, connecting expat families and advising executives on Chinese cultural protocols. This experience reinforced her belief in maintaining one's faith regardless of location. Later in Rome, the contrast between Asian and European cultures strengthened her commitment to coaching families on practicing faith abroad.
Faith remains central to DeNissa's life. Now based in Dallas-Fort Worth, she continues her passion for travel, embracing the convenience of DFW Airport and exploring global destinations with her favorite airline, American Airlines.
Trustee Board Member
Otha Taylor
Mr. Otha Taylor is a founder and life member of the Reverend Charlie E and Cinderella S Taylor Sr Foundation. He is a graduate of Rust College with 25 years of experience with the University of Michigan Facilities and Operations: Logistics, Transportation, and Parking.
He is an entrepreneurial businessman. For the past 15 years, Otha has faithfully served as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
Trustee Board Member
Carol McKnight
Carol McKnight is the CEO of CM Professional Services in the Greater Denver, Colorado Area. As an Independent Education Consultant, she helps parents and students navigate the college process by starting as early as middle school.
Carol is the spouse of a military retiree, a volunteer math and science teacher at the Lion of Judah Christian Academy, and a former IBM Project Manager. She earned a Master’s Degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, a Master’s in Management Information Systems from Colorado Technical University, and a Master’s Certificate in Online Teaching from Webster University.
Trustee Board Member
Irv Elson
Rabbi Irving Elson was the Vice President | Director, Jewish Welfare Board Jewish Chaplains Council® Heads JWB Jewish Chaplains Council® and JCC Association Armed Forces and Veterans Services Committee.
He recruited Rabbis to serve in the armed forces and veterans affairs chaplaincies. He directed professional training conferences and lay leadership workshops. Rabbi Elson also advised the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs on matters of Jewish welfare in the Armed Forces and at Veterans Hospitals. As a part of his duties, he visited US Armed Forces bases and installations worldwide.
Trustee Board Member and Chief Financial Officer
Rubye Taylor-Poole
Mrs. Rubye Taylor-Poole is the Chief Financial Officer of ChaplainCare. As a chaplain’s spouse, she invested 28 years supporting military service members, civilian employees, and eligible family members.
She is a graduate of Rust College and served as an executive assistant at a nonprofit organization that provides free attorney representation and advocacy to ensure equal access to justice for the most vulnerable members of our society.
She is a philanthropist and has volunteered two decades of her time, talent, and treasure as a nonprofit chief financial officer.
Immediate Past Board of Trustees Chairperson
Shirley Byers
Attorney Shirley C. Byers currently serves as the Board Chairperson and is a loyal supporter of the CC Taylor Foundation. She is the attorney for Marshall County and serves as a Judicial Council Member of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
She received a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi Law Center in University, Mississippi, a master's degree in Public Administration with a specialization in Finance from the University of Mississippi, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Tugaloo College in Tugaloo, Mississippi.
