Our Board

Founder & CEO

Joel David Romelus

Who is Joel David Romelus in one word? Passionate. Joel Romelus is a man passionate about helping people grasp the gospel with all of its glorious implications. He is passionate about helping others know their worth, empowering them to live with purpose, and encouraging them to invest in the things that will matter in light of eternity.

Joel was born and raised in the inner city of Miami to Haitian-immigrant parents. While watching his parents work multiple jobs to make ends meet to support their family, he then decided, to do whatever it took to change his current position and path in life. After a period of running the streets and getting in trouble, he turned to sports as a way out of his struggle and immediately excelled at it. Starting as a freshman playing basketball, football, and track, it soon became apparent that football could be the breakthrough that could change his life forever, and it did. Garnering the attention of several division one programs, Joel found himself on the cusp of fulfilling his childhood dream to play Division 1 football. However, during the last game of his high school senior season, he suffered a major concussion that affected his memory for weeks. Doctors strongly encouraged Joel to stop playing, and being told everything he had worked so hard for was no longer an option brought him to one of the lowest points in his life. But it was in that moment he encountered the grace and love of God in all of its beautiful dimensions. This encounter came by way of a school teacher who led him to faith in Christ, mentored him, and helped him understand that he was made for more than just accumulating rushing yards. Today, Joel is passionate about helping student-athletes, especially athletes like him who are from the urban community, discover that they are made for more.

Over the past twelve years, Joel has served the local church as an Associate and College Pastor. He received his Bachelors of Science in Business Management with a minor in International Business from Johnson and Wales University in Miami, FL. He is continuing his education by completing his Master'sMaster's of Divinity (Graduating Fall 2022) from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.
Currently, Joel serves as the Chaplain for the University of Florida Football Team and has been in this role for six years. Along with giving chapel services, Joel enjoys speaking at churches, conferences, and retreats both here and abroad. He speaks on topics such as faith, marriage, diversity and justice, Old Testament theology, purpose, and prayer.

Joel is married to his beautiful better half, Stephanie Romelus, and together they have a son, Josiah Joel Romelus.

Jorge Munoz

Board Chairman
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Jorge Munoz served in the military for eight years before moving to Gainesville, Florida in 2002. In 2003 Jorge married the love of his life Allecia Munoz. After attaining his bachelors in Business Administration, Jorge return to civil service by working as a Contracting Officer for Natural Resource Conservation Services from 2003 to 2014. In 2014 Jorge began working a Contract Program Manager for Rural Development in USDA. While there Jorge supported a number of programs in Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands that assisted in the infrastructural development of rural communities by partnering with county, city and privately owned companies. The mission also supported Guaranteed Loan Programs that assist approved lenders in providing low- and moderate-income households the opportunity to own adequate, modest, decent, safe and sanitary dwellings as their primary residence in eligible rural areas. In 2018 Jorge began working with the Department of Veteran Affairs as Branch Chief for Servicing Contracting for North Florida and South Georgia. Working and assisting Veterans has brought Jorge back full circle to where he began as a service member himself. Although Jorge has enjoyed the job opportunities God has provided, nothing has fulfilled him more than the call to be a disciple and to make disciples of Jesus. Jorge has been a member of Greenhouse church since 2009, when he surrendered his life to Jesus. Since then, he had the privilege to serve as a Deacon and now part of the Elder Board.

Stephanie Romelus

COO
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Stephanie was born and raised in beautiful South Florida before moving up to Gainesville, FL in 2010 to pursue her bachelors in Special Education and then her Master’s in Early Childhood Education. She is Gator grad through and through. Upon moving to Gainesville Stephanie was connected to a local church; Greenhouse Church where she began her journey walking with God and living her life worshipping the lord and serving those around her. Stephanie has a passion for recognizing ability, and cultivating the potential in others. Her passion and expertise led to Stephanie’s career as an early interventionist and teacher working with children and their families from birth to five with special needs. Stephanie serves as a ministry leader for the worship team, loves working out, and enjoys cooking for those around her. Stephanie is happily married to the love of her life, Joel Romelus and is excited to be partnering as one in their dream of serving in ministry together. Stephanie and Joel are over the moon excited to be expecting their first child in early April!

Daphnee Camille

Secretary
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Daphnee was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She moved to the US at the age of 12 to Orlando, Florida. After graduating High School, she attended the University of Florida to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Finance in 2007. She has worked in HealthCare Administration for Pediatrics at the University of Florida for the past 9 years. Daphnee enjoys serving and working behind the scenes. She serves as a ministry leader for the worship team at Greenhouse Church. She enjoys working out, hosting dinner parties for friends and family.

Marcus Ford

Treasurer
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Marcus Ford is a Gainesville native and so is a lot of his aunts, uncles and cousins.  He has over 100 family members that live here in Gainesville alone.  His father graduated from the University of Florida and his grandfather helped to build Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.  

Marcus passion for helping kids began when he was a child himself.  He saw a lot of his peers led astray to the streets or jail due to a lack of role models and low self-esteem.  His grandmother would sing the song “this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine,” and as Marcus became older this became one of the themes of his life.  Marcus knows firsthand the depression/mental anguish that can occur in Gainesville from being a middle and high school athlete.  He played basketball his freshman and sophomore year at Buchholz High School. Not being able to continue basketball was devastating for him and anger along with self-destruction soon followed.  Fortunately, he began to realize some of his mental struggles by taking a psychology course at Santa Fe College where he graduated from in 2000.  This class laid the groundwork to begin the emotional healing process for him and over time, removed the stigma of counseling.  Marcus continued to pursue knowledge and understanding of the mind at the University of Florida where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2004.  Not wanting kids to experience some of the struggles he did as a youth, Marcus began to look for ways to give back to the community.  In the early 2000s, Marcus worked at the Dignity Projects afterschool program in which he mentored at risk youth and helped repair donated cars to give to single mothers.  Marcus has been in the financial service industry for the past 15 years, he is currently a Financial Advisor at a large regional bank.  He has also recently volunteered with junior achievement.   He is married to his wife Jermonica and the have 3 beautiful children.  His goal is to be a light in the darkness and to give hope to the hopeless.  We were made for more.

Eddie Daniels

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Eddie Daniels currently serves as Assistant Vice President for Business Services in the Business Affairs Division at the University of Florida. Daniels began his career in local government, serving in various professional roles in the City of Indianapolis, IN, and as Government Management Specialist at the Northeast Georgia Area Planning and Development Commission, Athens, GA. Subsequently, Daniels made a career shift to higher education. Over the last three decades, Daniels has held positions in Student Affairs at various universities: Program Advisor, Department of Student Activities, University of Georgia; Associate Director for Programs (4 years) and Director of the Russell House University Union (5 years), University of South Carolina; Director of Student Activities and the Student Union, University of Virginia; Director of Campus Activities and the Student Union, University of Connecticut; Executive Director of the J. Wayne Reitz Union, University of Florida (12 years); and currently Assistant Vice President, Business Services at the University of Florida (since July 2017). Eddie holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Zoology from Indiana University, and a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) Degree from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).

Ryan Beacher

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Ryan was born and raised in New Orleans, LA and made his way to Gainesville to attend the University of FL with the intent of playing baseball for the Gators. Although baseball didn’t work out long term, he remained at UF and graduated with a degree in Sport Management. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership, has been a General Manager at Gainesville Health & Fitness, VP of the Newberry Jonesville Chamber of Commerce, and a pastor at Greenhouse Church. Ryan started a brand, Kids & Heirs, to encourage families to be intentional about legacy, and another business, Legacy Visioneering LLC, coaching in investing, real estate, and entrepreneurship. He also has a real estate business (Ryan Beacher, PLLC), works as a Realtor® for Team Dynamo at Keller Williams, and is passionate about speaking and mentoring youth and young adults through a KW program called Quantum Leap, which is designed to engage the next generation of entrepreneurs and world leaders in conversations that matter, and give them concrete tools to identify their purpose and achieve their goals. He is married to his best friend, Lynette Beacher, and they have a wonderful son, Jonathan.

LaTroy Strappy

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LaTroy’s passion for serving others and building streams of opportunities began during his adolescent athletic career. As a young athlete, he learned about the essence of team development and service to others. He refined his niche to serve through his extensive academic tutelage and community service.  His post academic and athletic career led him to the world of education and social service, whereas a transformational leader, LaTroy has served as an educator and coach with a commitment to inspire others and positively impact everyone he encounters. Throughout his career, he has served as a teacher, academic advisor, guidance counselor, multi-sport coach and is currently an esteemed middle-school Principal.  Over the last 18 years, LaTroy has remained enthusiastic about developing others and his community through building relationships, leadership, and partnerships. He continues to nurture his commitment to his profession and remain in a space of continual learning and development. LaTroy highest degree is a Specialist in Educational Leadership from the University of Florida, in is a certified guidance counselor and 6-12 Science Instructor. He has served on the Florida League of Middle School and mentors many. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, working out and playing golf. 

Jason Hurst

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Jason Hurst is a Chicagoland native who graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2005 with a Masters of Business Administration from the School of Business & Industry at Florida A&M University with a concentration in Finance.  He has 7 years of successful experience with a variety of Fortune 100 companies such as Pfizer, Inc., JP Morgan, and State Farm Insurance.  Jason began his career as a Private Wealth analyst in Manhattan with JP Morgan Private Bank and has endeavored into both finance and sales during his corporate career.  Jason also has experience as a savvy entrepreneur as he has run three successful businesses across various industries throughout the State of Florida. Jason served for six years as a Director and Senior Vice President at Avison Young as a leading Agency Leasing broker for the Florida Retail Team. Jason had the pleasure of representing institutional clients such as Kimco Properties, Regency Centers, Site Centers, Washington Prim and several private shopping center owners throughout the state of Florida.  Personally, Jason serves on the Community Investment Committee at The United Way of North Central Florida and as an active member of ICSC and ULI North Florida Chapter, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Kevin Sides

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Kevin Sides has served as a full time Missionary with Athletes in Action, the sports ministry of Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) since 2002.  As a football player at the University of South Carolina, Kevin experienced life-changing discipleship that helped him learn how to integrate his faith in Jesus into his sport and every area of his life.  Graduating with a double major in Business Management and Marketing, Kevin spent his first five years on staff working directly with the President of Athletes in Action and served in various administrative leadership roles.  Following his marriage to Stephanie Cloud and her subsequent 2 year field training, Kevin and Stephanie moved to Bangalore, India serving from 2006-2007.  They worked alongside another Athletes in Action couple to train India Campus Crusade for Christ staff in using Sports Ministry as an effective strategy for ministering to the more than 16 million enrolled college students in India.

In early 2008, Kevin and Stephanie moved to Gainesville, FL to launch Athletes in Action ministry at the University of Florida.  Serving as a voluntary spiritual resource to the athletic department, Kevin and Stephanie seek to multiply the same life-changing discipleship into the next generation of athletes, coaches, and administrators.  They labor to develop men and women in sport with strong character and integrity that is founded in a personal relationship with Jesus, teaching them to use the platform they have to impact others. 

Matthew P. Cowley

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Matthew P. Cowley was born and raised in Dothan, AL, and received both his Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Master of Education in Administration of Higher Education from Auburn University. During his time at Auburn University, Matthew was licensed and ordained as a Baptist minister. He served as an Associate Pastor for Cross Road Missionary Baptist Church and Sardis Missionary Baptist Church in Auburn and Dothan. Upon graduating with his master's degree, he relocated to Gainesville with his wife, Aisha, to begin his career in higher education at the University of Florida. Currently, Matthew serves as an associate director at the University of Florida’s Career Connections Center (C3) – overseeing the strategic implementation of career development efforts to further the professionalization of students for postgraduate success. Matthew is the founder of Find Your New Direction, LLC (FYND), a career coaching and consulting business committed to helping working professionals walk in their purpose while supporting career and personal development for under-resourced and underrepresented populations through the resources it generates. Matthew is also a doctoral candidate in Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Florida. His research examines the intersections of race/ism and higher education policy, curriculum, and post graduation outcomes.

Shontel
Dove

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Shontel Dove was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida. She is a sophomore at University of Florida majoring in Marketing for the opportunity to use her creativity to attract customers. Through entrepreneurship, she hopes to appeal and satisfy others with a brand that exhibits her artistic abilities. Shontel's journey begins with her custom sneaker business, Dove Studios, to which the sneakerbecomes her canvas. She started her business in2019 at the age of 17. It has been flourishing eversince then with all glory given to God.With gratitude, Shontel looks forward to usingthe gifts God has given her to serve Made forMore as a Marketing and Creative Arts Intern.Through her visuals, graphics, a apparel designsshe aims to reach those in need ofencouragement to become more.

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Made For More PO Box: 357373 Gainesville, FL 32635 | (786) 955-3108
Jromelus@madeformoreinspire.org