The Board of Directors of Grace Brethren Investment Foundation (GBIF), the church extension fund of Charis Fellowship, is very pleased to announce that Ryan Bowell has been selected as the next president and CEO of the organization. He will immediately be named CEO designee and will formally assume the CEO role on May 14, 2020, at the spring board meetings.
Mr. Bowell joined GBIF in July 2013 as director of credit services. In November 2013, the Board further appointed him as vice president of the organization. Prior to GBIF, he was employed nearly 15 years by Encompass World Partners, the global arm of Charis Fellowship, first as controller and later as the director of finance. Prior to Encompass, Mr. Bowell worked in public accounting at the CPA firm of Owens and Co. as a staff accountant. He also has served as an adjunct professor at Grace College.
A Grace College graduate (magna cum laude) with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting, Mr. Bowell is a certified public accountant and holds the Series 63 license. He is an active member of the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, where he currently serves on the business commission and is the leader of an Adult Bible Fellowship. Ryan has been happily married to Sharmion for nearly 25 years, and they are the proud parents of four children.
“We are delighted to have Ryan as our next CEO,” said GBIF Board Chairman, Richard Stair. “Ryan has a deep passion for both the Charis Fellowship, as well as, GBIF and its role to encourage and support the Fellowship in fulfilling its mission. Ryan’s time at GBIF and Encompass has uniquely positioned him with an in-depth view of GBIF and the Fellowship. The Board looks forward to working with Ryan in the future to serve the needs of our stakeholders.”
“I am incredibly excited to be appointed to this role and to be able to serve the Fellowship and its affiliated organizations,” says Mr. Bowell. “I look forward to working with the Board and the GBIF staff to serve the needs of all constituents – investors, borrowers, and contribution recipients. GBIF has a great legacy and heritage in our Fellowship and I’m humbled to be selected to lead the organization into the future.”
The Board wishes to thank Ken Seyfert for his leadership of GBIF these last 23 years, and we wish him and Donna well as they embark on this new life phase. In honor and appreciation to Ken, and as an introduction to Ryan, the Board will be hosting an ice cream social at Access2020 this summer. We hope you can join us to mark this occasion.