Board of Directors

Mary Olson

Board Chairman

Mary Olson is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Speech Pathology. She has served on the Orlando Union Rescue Mission’s Board of Directors since September 2006.

Prior to joining the Board, Mrs. Olson contributed to Orange County Public Schools as a speech pathologist, as well as an officer for many Parent-Teacher Associations. She has also been a member of the Dow Jones Investment Club for 40 years, holding the offices of President and Treasurer. Currently, Mrs. Olson is the Beta Lambda House Corporation Treasurer at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and is very active in events and activities that take place with the university’s Tri Delta Sorority. Mrs. Olson also finds time to serve as Board Secretary for Aquafiber Technologies Corporation. Her diverse experience also includes 30 years of association with Olson’s Investments, which deals with private portfolios and real-estate transactions.

Allen W. Harden

President/CEO

Allen Harden is a native of Central Florida and a graduate of Stetson University.  Allen has also earned advanced seminary degrees in Pastoral Ministry and Theology and holds certification in Church Business Administration from the National Association of Church Business Administration, the Southern Baptist Church Business Administration Association and the Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church.

Prior to joining the Orlando Union Rescue Mission, Allen worked as a Senior Federal Bank Examiner, Executive Vice President of a bank holding company, bank President, corporate Chief Financial Officer and President of a securities trading company.  Allen also served for many years as a Southern Baptist Pastor and Church Administrator.

He and his wife, Darla, have been blessed with two children, Christie and Aaron, who are graduates of the University of Central Florida.

Donald E. Moody

Executive Director Emeritus

Donald E. Moody served as Executive Director of the Orlando Union Rescue Mission between 1978-2010. Mr. Moody began his service to the homeless over 40 years ago and has faithfully served at a variety of rescue missions along the east coast including: Union Mission (Charleston, WV), City Rescue Mission (Jacksonville, FL), and Huntington City Mission (Huntington, WV).

Since Mr. Moody began his work at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission, the following milestones have been reached:

• Renovations completed for the Men’s Division—The new shelter includes 44 dormitory beds, chapel facility upgrades and dining room expansion.
• Launching a 16,000-square-foot Bargain Store—Although a major fire destroyed the original facility, the store was rebuilt with 6,000 additional square feet.
• New family shelter opened—As the population of homeless women, single mothers, and families increased, the Mission built a special facility dedicated to meeting these needs in 1988. An additional wing was opened in 1993.
• Family Life Center built in 1998—This facility provides literacy and job training, daycare while parents go to work or attend school, Bible studies and other support to help families get back on their feet.
• Acquisition of a 3,468-square-foot Donation Center—The additional space allows the Mission to accept more gifts in kind and provides a centralized location where they can be efficiently collected and distributed to each facility as needed.

Mr. Moody and his wife, Patricia, reside in Clermont, FL. They have two daughters and six grandchildren.

Through Mr. Moody’s faithful leadership and stewardship at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission, thousands of men, women and children have not only found refuge in a place to call home, but have also come to know the hope that Jesus Christ has to offer.

Mary S. Olson

Board Chairman

Speech Pathologist

Fred B. Clayton

Board Vice Chairman

President, Medical Curriculum Technologies

Ralph Meloon

Board Second Vice Chairman

Retired President, Correct Craft Corporation

Michael W. Smith

Board Secretary

Certified Public Accountant

Maylinda Detweiler

Board Assistant Treasurer

V.P. Financial Operations, Central Meridian Corporation

Albert W. Todd, Jr.

Board Treasurer

Certified Public Accountant

Pat H. Telan

Assistant Secretary

Partner, Grower, Ketcham, Rutherford, Bronson, Eide & Telan, PA

Board of Directors (Members)

Joan B. Clayton

Owner, JBC Properties, LLC

 Pearl Ings

Orange County Public Schools, Energy Conservationist

David Satcher

CPA, Senior Partner, Scearce, Satcher, and Jung, P.A.

J. Don Phillips

President, Certifine Fruit Company