Meet The Board

Executive Director

Gardner Andreas

I am thrilled to serve alongside our amazing staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners as we provide essential resources and support to our neighbors across Northwest Arkansas. Every day, the Samaritan Community Centers in Rogers and Springdale work to meet practical needs, build meaningful connections, and make a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve. Truly being the "hands and feet". I welcome you to join us in this mission as we continue creating hope and strengthening our community. See you soon!

Teaching Pastor at Fellowship Bentonville

Mark Schatzman, Board Chairman

I’m excited about the work that Samaritan Community Center does to meet the wholistic needs of our neighbors—physically, financially, medically, emotionally, relationally and spiritually. It’s a privilege to serve our community with dignity, compassion, and excellence.

Chief Operating Officer, JB Hunt

Nick Hobbs

Samaritan is one of the best organizations that works hard to meet the needs of the underserved in our community as it aligns with my faith in loving all of God’s people.

Director of Operations, Crystal Bridges

Scott Eccleston

I believe the Samaritan Community Center (SCC) profoundly impacts the lives of many in Northwest Arkansas through the Godly love of our dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters. Whether addressing food insecurity, mental health, clothing needs, dental care, or simply offering the power of a hug and a smile, SCC stands on the front lines, ready to serve.

Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Tyson Foods

Jeff Neil, Board Treasurer

Jeff Neil appreciates how Samaritan creates a welcoming place for anyone in need. He’s especially moved by the way small acts—like a hot meal or a smile—can lead to lasting change.

Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives - Sustainability, Walmart

Marco Reyes

Marco Reyes is proud to support a place where dignity is never compromised. He loves that Samaritan brings the community together to serve with empathy, respect, and purpose.

Senior Vice President, General Merchandise, Walmart, Retired

Deanah Baker, Board Secretary

It is an honor to serve on the board of the Samaritan Community Center. It supports members of our community in tangible ways, whether it be immediate meals at the Café, groceries through the Samaritan market or SnackPacks for Kids, to longer-term solutions via the dental clinic or counseling center.

Principal at Rogers Public Schools

Korienne Toney

Korienne Toney loves that Samaritan meets practical needs while also offering emotional and spiritual support. She’s inspired by the way volunteers and staff walk alongside people with genuine care.

Experience Strategy Consultant and Leadership Development Facilitator

Jessica Salmon

Jessica Salmon is an innovation and strategy leader with more than 15 years of experience spanning retail, higher education, and consulting. She is passionate about bringing people and ideas together to solve complex challenges through empathy, design thinking, and meaningful collaboration. As an experience strategy consultant, she partners with organizations to reimagine end-to-end experiences and designs immersive leadership experiences that help leaders build greater self-awareness, embrace vulnerability, strengthen trust, and lead their teams with greater purpose and impact. Jessica is married to Brian and is a proud mom to three daughters—Riley, Madelyn, and Mackenzie. Outside of work, she enjoys running and spending time with family and friends.

I love how Samaritan Community Center dignifies every neighbor that walks through the doors – whether it’s through a shared meal or monthly grocery shopping, the smiles on their faces when they walk out after feeling known, seen and loved is priceless!

Our Statement of Faith

Our statement of faith is the core foundation for our ministry as a faith-based nonprofit organization.

Scripture: We believe the Bible (both Old and New Testaments) is divinely inspired, and thus is the infallible, authoritative Word of God in all matters of faith and conduct. (Psalms 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

God: We believe there is only one living and true God who is eternally existent in three distinct persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 4:39; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Humanity: We believe God created all people in His image, which gives every person inherent value, equal dignity, and a divine purpose. Yet we believe all people have fallen in sin, deserving God’s judgment and needing His redemption. (Genesis 1: 26-27; Romans 3:23, 6:23; John 3:16-18)

Jesus: We believe in the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles and taught the words of God, atoned for our sin through His death, conquered death through His resurrection, ascended into heaven, and will return in power and glory. (Isaiah 9:6-7; John 1:14-18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Hebrews 2:17-18)

Salvation: We believe salvation is by God’s grace alone, received through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Only He redeems us from sin and reconciles us to God. (John 3:16; Galatians 3:26; Hebrews 10:10-12, Titus 3:3-6)

Church: We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ who together form one Church, diverse in form and expression, of which Christ is the Head. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-47; Ephesians 2:19-22)

Believer’s Conduct: We believe that salvation will result in righteous living and good works as the believer submits his life to the control of the Holy Spirit who directs the life of the believer in harmony with the Word of God. The follower of Jesus is called to live His Great Commandment to love God and others, and His Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. Samaritan Community Center pursues Jesus’ calling through its core values—"to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.” (John 16:4-15; Ephesians 1:13-14; Galatians 5:16-25; Matthew 22: 35-40, 28:18-20; Micah 6:8)

The SCC Statement on Unity and Belonging

As a faith-based organization, it is our goal to be a community that follows the command of Jesus to “Love our neighbor as ourselves” as so beautifully detailed in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

Our vision is that we are to do everything we can to share the love of Jesus to everyone we can, especially our most vulnerable neighbors. Because all people are created in the image of God, we constantly seek to identify and remove any barriers to ensure equitable access to all those we serve.

In a country that is so richly diverse yet so painfully divided, we seek to be more intentional around being a unified community characterized by mutual respect for one another and our commitment to love, justice, humility, and a genuine desire to glorify God.

We believe:

Every person is created in the image of God, being equally valued and loved by Him. (Genesis 1:27).
There is no distinction or hierarchy according to racial, ethnic, gender, or economic status in the body of Christ. (Galatians 3:28).
Diversity is essential to the unity and strength of the body of Christ. We should all have equal concern for each other as when one suffers, we all suffer with them. (I Corinthians 12: 12-31).

We commit to:

Self-examination both as individuals and as an organization. This involves repentance and an acknowledgement of any systems, norms, and behaviors that may have contributed to racial and ethnic disparities; to allow things that break God’s heart to break ours. (James 2: 1-9; Romans 14:10-13).
Seek forgiveness, restoration, accountability, and healing through Christ as we strive to be peacemakers in alignment with God’s call for reconciliation. (II Corinthians 5:16-20).
Creating policies and practices that foster right relationships, creating a sense of unity and belonging, for all who enter our doors: staff, volunteers, donors, and clients. (Ephesians 4: 1-6; Romans 15:5-7).
Intentionally soliciting and encouraging the perspectives, insights, creativity, and cultural contributions of all through our hiring practices, board member selection, and continuous input from those marginalized neighbors we serve. Our leadership and staff should reflect our community as a whole. (Romans 12:3-5; I Corinthians 1:10).
Educating our staff by providing ongoing training and orientation that teaches the value of diversity, unity, and belonging to strengthen our ability to relate meaningfully and humbly across our many differences. (Philippians 2:1-11).