FLS Staff
Julie Abel
The Board of Directors recently appointed Julie Abel as the new Executive Director of Family Life Services. Prior to this appointment, Julie served on the FLS Board of Directors for almost a year. Her working career has been dedicated to serving in ministry positions that utilize her gifts and impact local communities.
Julie brings over fifteen years of non-profit organizational experience to the Family Life Services executive leadership team. She and her husband Jeff reside in Colorado Springs with their two children Jacob and Jessa.
Ron Bennett AM, ACSW, LCSW
Ron serves as the Program Director at Family Life Services. He received his BA degree from Wheaton College and his AM degree from the University of Chicago. He joined the staff as Executive Director in 1969. In subsequent years he directed the transition from a Children’s Home, to a family program, to a single parent program. He is passionate about ministering to families through counseling and the resident program.
Family Life Services offers daily opportunities to live out the instruction from Ezekiel 16:49, “…to strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.”
Ron enjoys hiking, fishing and travel. He and his wife, Sharon, have one son, David.
Peg Wiederholt
Serves as Office Manager at FLS. Once the administrator of a 10-doctor office, she felt called out of “retirement” to bring her administrative skills to FLS. Formerly a single mother, Peg says God has given her a heart for women and their families. She has been married to her husband Mike for over 30 years and they have two married children and five grandchildren.
Gay Williams MA, NCC
Gay Williams joined the staff of Family Life Services having just completed her two year internship. Gay is our Counselor for Resident Families, and accepts outside clients as well. She completed her BS in Psychology from University of Maryland and her MA in Counseling from Denver Seminary. She has served as a youth leader for over 25 years and currently volunteers as a chaplain for the Colorado Springs Fire Department. Gay has been married to her husband for 26 years and they have four sons and one daughter-in-law. She enjoys living in Colorado Springs and traveling the globe.
Eric Garrett
Serves as Child and Youth Coordinator at FLS. He received his BA degree from Kansas State University. He moved to Colorado Springs after graduation to attend the Institute at Focus on the Family. He then worked with troubled teens at The Children's Ark in Green Mountain Falls, CO until December 2008.
Eric enjoys basketball, baseball, football, and the Colorado outdoors.
Linda P. Orner, M.A. LPC
Serves as a Counselor at FLS with emphasis in individual therapy with the single moms in FLS' program. Linda has a passion for ministry and service with the disenfranchised and marginalized populations of our society. For many years she balanced her career as a wife and mother and a professional volunteer, active in church and community agencies.
In midlife - Linda entered the academic arena as a nontraditional student. She has a BA in Psychology, M.Ed. in Counseling and MA in Family Therapy. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas and Colorado and has a private practice working primarily with women and issues related to Domestic Violence, Abuse and Trauma.
Linda's interests include food, cooking, reading and research, antiques and travel. She and husband Ted are married 47 years, have two daughters, one grandson, two granddaughters, and one dog - Oreo.
John Chapman MA
John serves as Counselor at FLS. Over the years John enjoyed volunteering and leading youth groups; then he discovered counseling through a friend. While he presently works fulltime as an IT professional he hopes to be a fulltime counselor when he grows up. He and his wife have four children—three girls and a boy. John enjoys almost any outdoor activity.
Kris Waterhouse
Serves as Controller for FLS. Kris has been associated with Family Life Services through her father, Herb Stelzer, since the early 70's. He served FLS for over 20 years, assisting with strategic financial direction, tax consultation and review. Kris assisted with the Financial Review for FLS from the early 90's until shortly after her father's death in 1996. She returned to Family Life Services in the Spring of 2009 and is now serving on a part-time basis. She worked in her father's CPA practice for 15 years and has continued serving her father's clients through Bruce L. Eskew, CPA. She is currently a QB Proadvisor and consults with businesses to help them streamline procedures, and maximize their efficiency and accuracy throughout the accounting process. She brings over 20 years of experience with non-profit bookkeeping, financial reporting and tax preparation.
She and her husband Chris reside in Colorado Springs with their four children, Becca, Eli, Micah, and Isaac.
Stan & Linda Peters
Serve as Resident Staff for non-work hours. Stan also serves as FLS’ Operations Manager. The Peters have a heart for single parents. Before their marriage, Stan was divorced and single-parented two daughters for 6 years, while Linda was widowed and single-parented a son for 2 years. They've also lead single adults’ bible studies and DivorceCare™ classes. They have three children and five grandchildren.
Tish Trulli
Although officially retired, that doesn't mean she doesn't do anything! Whether sorting or addressing mail or just opening doors, Tish is always around. She's possibly the most visible staff member and loved by all staff and residents. Tish has been a vital part of FLS since 1952.
All staff photos (except Tish) were taken by Inspired Studio Group
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