Christopher Padbury, Executive Director

Chris is a former US Air Force Pilot and is the father of five adopted children.  He received his undergraduate degrees from the US Air Force Academy and Colorado Christian University, and his Masters degree from the University of Colorado.  Major Padbury served 12 years in active duty status and is now in the Air Force Reserves.  While in the Air Force, Chris served as a C-130 pilot, an instructor pilot, and a staff planner for US Northern Command for its support of the space shuttle program.  He gave up his wings to become the Executive Director of Project 1.27. His passion for the ministry springs from his great experience as an adoptive father. Chris and his wife Sarah have adopted through every means possible in the US including international and domestic private agencies, an adoption lawyer outside the state and most recently through the Colorado foster care system.  These three infant and two older child adoptions give them a unique understanding of the orphan crisis worldwide. In July 2004, Chris assisted Pastor Robert Gelinas in creating and implementing Project 1.27.  He now has the joyful and immensely busy task of directing and managing Project 1.27, its wonderful staff and supporters.  This position allows him to act as a bridge between government and communities of faith to impact the lives of families and orphans through foster care adoption.

Rhonda Miescke, MSW, Training  Team  Manager

Rhonda has over 29 years of experience in child protection, foster care, and adoptions.  Prior to joining Project 1.27, she supervised a large Colorado metro county’s adoption program for 15 years.  She supervised the foster care placement, matching, adoption placement, and Court process for over 400 adoptions for children while serving as the adoption program supervisor.  In 2006, as a county employee, she presented a workshop entitled “Dancing to a New Beat:  Government and Faith Based Organizations Working Together”  jointly with Chris Padbury, Project 1.27 Executive Director, and Sharen Ford,  the Colorado State Department of Human Services Permanency Manager.  Rhonda is the manager over the training opportunities Project 1.27 provides for our adoptive families.

Lisel Harkless, Adoption  Process  Manager
Lisel brings a wealth of training, experience and passion for adoption. In her words, "I have always wanted to work in adoption ministry." Her B.S. in Human Services from Hannibal LaGrange College is especially helpful. She brings experience as a crisis intervention worker, a probation and parole agent, a child abuse and neglect investigator, and an office assistant. Lisel works with families as they complete their adoption paperwork through Project 1.27 and the state of Colorado.

Susan Wright, Adoption  Process  Manager

Susan has 20 years of experience in child protection and foster care services.  She conducted home studies, trained and supervised foster families in two, large Colorado counties for the majority of her career with Human Services.  She also assisted caseworkers in the decision making process for foster/adopt matches and placements.  On a personal note, Susan and her husband, Mickey, are adoptive parents.  Over a decade ago, they adopted a teenage girl who was in the foster care system.  With Project 1:27, she will be assisting families as they move through the adoption application and placement process.  She is excited to be a part of the adoption mission of Project 1:27, as it is an answer to her prayer to be joined with fellow believers who serve Colorado’s foster care orphans.

Rick Valore, Support  Team  Manager

Rick has a wide variety of previous work experiences that enhance his position as Support Team Manager. Rick served for seven years as an assistant pastor at Smoky Hill Vineyard where he served as Children’s Pastor, the Alpha Course leader, men’s pastor and adult education pastor. He also has a BA in Business from Southern Methodist University and has 14 years experience in sales and real estate. Additionally, Rick spent seven years as a professional ski instructor in the Lake Tahoe area.

He loves to work with people from different denominations for a common “Kingdom” goal. Rick teaches parenting, marriage and leadership classes.

Rick has been married to Nancy for 13 years and has two daughters. His hobbies include skiing (of course), riding bicycles and motorcycles, golf & going on adventures with his girls.

Merinda Taylor, Office Administrator

Merinda is a newlywed and a recent college graduate from Liberty University.  She was first united with Project 1.27 when a friend who knew of her heart for adoption suggested she ask for an internship opportunity with this wonderful ministry.  She was among the first group of interns working through the summer of 2007.   After the summer ended she went on to finish and receive her Bachelors degree in Psychology with honors.  Soon after she was thrilled to accept a position with Project 1.27 saying that God has called her heart to this mission and is thankful that the Lord has provided a place for her within this team.   

Brian Felker, LCSW, Program Trainer

Brian has a BA from Metro State College and an MSW from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. He has 15 years of experience as a psychotherapist and social worker for both the public schools and counseling centers specializing in foster/care adoption issues. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, he has developed and taught at a number of training workshops and conferences for parents and professionals. He has presented three times at the Colorado State Foster Parent Association's Annual Conference in Glenwood Springs, CO. Brian assists with Project 1.27 strategy, teaches several of the adoptive family classes, and facilitates our support group meetings.

Sarah Padbury, Project Assistant

Sarah has a BA in theater and 20 years experience in writing, editing and acting.  She also was an executive assistant for several years.  She is now the mother to five adopted children with her husband, Chris.  Between homework and kids’ events, she finds time to assist Project 1.27 in strategic planning, media development and is the Class Leader for one of our trainings, Unconditional Love in Adoption.  Sarah is an appointee to Colorado Governor Ritter’s Task Force on Foster Care and Permanency.