EPN Board Members
Jose & Marla Barreda,
Founders of EPN
Jose’ and Marla Barreda have been married for 41 years. For 35 of those years they have resided in Tampa. Jose and Marla have pursued the vision of seeing every family impacted with Christian values through the youth of the community. They have enjoyed working in various capacities in business, education, community service, humanitarian and administrative positions in Christian Churches and ministry. They have mostly been involved in developing organization and assimilation in these professions.
For the past 17 years they have worked with the Public and Private Schools sectors. EPN Inc. is a vehicle to provide support to those in the Education Profession to expand their influence to this generation. (EPN Inc. was previously known as CA2Y International Inc. of Tampa Bay). Their experience brings them to this timely and unique approach of service to the field of education in bringing values to a mix-blend culture. As a teacher for 10 years and a coach for 18 years, Jose has seen the importance of imparting values to the hearts of the youth. As a personal assistant to the head Administrator in a school for 3 years, Marla sees the importance of supporting those in the position of leadership.
Their specialties include: Public speaking, Assimilation, Networking, Consulting, and Counseling. Being bilingual, they are able to identify and help cultures adapt in order to bring harmony within an organization. They used these skills and years of experience to integrate community service with schools, cultural reconciliation and value development through education. They help train leadership in athletic groups, with team dynamics, synergy and a positive coaching philosophy. Within this involvement they stress the importance of family development and how to work in conflict resolution and cooperation of cultural differences.
Glen Shamblen
Glen was born in Charleston, WV; raised in Tampa, FL. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a masters in pastoral studies both from Bob Jones University. Glen has also been a Florida licensed general contractor since 1999. He worked for Harper Van Scoik and Company CPA’s in Tampa Bay, twice, totaling 6 years. He has owned and operated several companies and has been a vital part of multiple successful turnaround stories in the bay area. Glen has prepared tax returns, personal and corporate financial statements plus complete loan packages for over thirty years.
Most recently, he was the executive director for a non-profit using both governmental and privately raised funds to build and donate mortgage free homes to disabled veterans living in the Tampa Bay area. Glen has been a member and treasurer to the nationwide organization, American Society of Concrete Contractors (1,600 member) for multiple years, along with assisting with the founding and holding multiple offices with the Decorative Concrete Council. Glen continues to serve on the local boards of Outback Bowl, Family Life Resources, Educator’s Professional Network.
He is married, with four sons, and two thrilling grandchildren.
Brenda Scarborough
Brenda Scarborough previously owned Accountable Management & Realty, Inc., located in Lutz, Florida and she has been a key player in the self storage industry for over twenty five years. Brenda has been involved with EPN for many years and feels passionate at the work that is done to give teachers a vehicle with which to come together and pray for each other and most important for their students.
A scripture that Brenda has lived by, not just in her business life, but also personally, Jeremiah 29: 11-14 (The Message)
I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home, I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out-plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me , I’ll listen. “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.”
There is nothing more that Brenda loves, than to spend time with her family and spoil her grandchildren.
Gary Nelson
Gary Nelson has been the President and Business Administrator of Galcom International USA since 1991 with his office and
residence in Tampa, Florida. Galcom International is a Christian mission agency that specializes in Christian Missionary radio ministry.
Gary retired from the United States Air Force effective August 1st, 1991 in the rank of Colonel after 29 years of active duty. He is a highly decorated combat veteran fighter pilot with over 5200 hours of jet fighter time in both the F-4 and F-16 fighter jets. He was head of the USAF ROTC Aerospace Department at MIT in Cambridge, Mass. for three years teaching at the college level and also taught on the senior faculty of the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA. Col. Nelson was born April 6, 1940 in Ethan, South Dakota, a small farming community. He graduated from South Dakota State College in June 1962, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and education. He received his MBA from the University of Tampa, in December of 1983.
Gary has been married for 55 years to his lovely wife Mary. Gary has published a book, He Who Has Ears To Hear, about the ministry of Galcom. He speaks and ministers in various places around the country and in many nations of the world. He often leads tours to Israel speaking and teaching throughout the holy land.
He brings to the board of EPN great experience in leadership, management, and teaching at MIT and The Armed Forces Staff College. His favorite Scripture verse is Joshua 24:15b “Chose this day who you will serve, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.
Bob Nelson
With 25 years of experience in the field of medical technology and real estate management, Bob Nelson brings
expertise and support to the purpose and vision of EPN Inc. He has been a board member for 10 years and has served with EPN for 3 years.
Fritz Ruhe
Fritz Ruhe brings 27 years of experience as a Pastor in the Tampa Bay Area, to support the purpose and vision of EPN Inc. Pastor Fritz has been a board member for 7 years serving EPN. He currently serves on the Staff of Grace Family Church.
Yvonne Whatley
Yvonne is a native Floridian and was born in Tampa. She has been married for 42 years and has two wonderful children and four grandchildren. She attended the University of South Florida where she received a B. A. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and a second major in Education. In 2012 she retired after thirty-five years as a high school science teacher. She also was the science
department head and in that capacity on served as a member of school leadership team and many committees for over twenty years.
Yvonne completed a 3-year course of study at Urban Bible Training Center of Tampa Bay and received a diploma allowing her to seek credentials through the Assemblies of God. She also completed a two- year Cleansing Stream Discipleship Course and has ministered at Cleansing Stream Retreats as an intercessor and prayer partner.
During most of her teaching career Yvonne coordinated and participated in a monthly educator’s prayer breakfast and prayer chain. These were a source of great encouragement to her and the other educators that attended. Yvonne is honored to serve in the Board of EPN. She hopes to be instrumental in providing other educators an experience similar to hers by giving participating educators the feeling that they are appreciated for the difficult job that they do and a platform for them to help and encourage each other.
Yvonne’s favorite life verse is - Psalm 27: The Lord is my light and my salvation –
whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?