About
The mission of WorldServe is simple:
to provide clean water, sanitation, education, and economic opportunities to alleviate suffering in Africa.
Our values support our mission:
Sustainability is our priority.
- Empowering local people to carry the responsibility of future growth is paramount. Aligned with national policy, local government, and faith leaders, our projects function successfully year after year.
Education is our foundation.
- Education is a dynamic tool we use to strengthen people. From creating jobs for local people as technicians to training entrepreneurs to take care of each project, we stand by the power of education.
Collaboration is our model.
- Powerful partnerships make us successful today and tomorrow. We cultivate unity and bring people together for a common cause.
Excellence is our path.
- We give Africa our best. Through careful project planning, equipment stewardship, a robust distribution system, and local leadership, every resource is used to capacity.
WorldServe International Board Members
WorldServe International was founded in 1996. In 2001, WorldServe dedicated its efforts to become a leading provider of clean water wells in sub-Saharan Africa. Board members past and present have helped tremendously in our endeavors to do just that. Thank you to our board (listed in alphabetical order, except for the President and Chairman)!
John Bongiorno
Board Member and President
John Bongiorno, originally of Erie, PA, is a businessman and visionary leader. As president of WorldServe International, an economic development organization, he became known as a renowned bridge-builder between the realms of business and charity. John’s greatest passion is connecting high-level business leaders with economic development opportunities in poor communities.
The creation and development of Maji-Tech Engineering is perhaps the best example of this. John was a founder of Maji-Tech Engineering and has been intimately involved in the leadership of the company since its start in 2001. Under John’s leadership, Maji-Tech has grown from just an idea to the largest private water drilling company in Tanzania with a fleet of seven drilling crews in the region. Ordained as a minister of the Gospel in 2020 through the Assemblies of God, John and his wife, Sandi, reside in Springfield, MO. One of their greatest joys is spending precious time with their grandchildren.
Michael Cardone III
Board Member and Chairman of the Board
Michael Cardone III is Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for CARDONE Industries, Inc. of Philadelphia, PA. CARDONE Industries is at the top of its class when it comes to new and remanufactured auto parts. The company has more than 4,600 employees operating 13 plants in the U.S., Europe, and Mexico, making CARDONE Industries a leading global supplier of automotive products for over 35 years. Cardone has held several corporate positions, including director of world trade, marketing manager for the pumps division, and manager of marketing development and project leader for a Mexico plant startup, among others. In addition to his role on the board of WorldServe International, he also serves on the board of The Cardone Foundation. The foundation supports ministries throughout Philadelphia, such as churches and battered women’s shelters. The family hopes these ministries greatly help neighborhoods such as those where their factory families may live.
Randy Barton
Board Member
Randall K. Barton is a senior executive, attorney, education entrepreneur, and development executive with over 40 years of experience in strategic leadership–advising and growing healthy, profitable mission-driven organizations. He currently owns Barton Law Offices, which specializes in serving large exempt organizations with international networks, private foundations, and family offices in education, non-profit financing, estate planning, business transition strategies, investments, and charitable planning.
Barton was formerly a founding Partner/CEO of SignificantSystems, a non-profit that provided online higher education solutions for small colleges and universities; Founding President/CEO of AG Foundation and AG Financial Solutions, Springfield, Missouri, which grew from a small organization with $25 million in assets to a $2 billion diversified financial services firm; Founder/Foundation Executive for Northwest University Foundation and Sr. Vice-President for Advancement of Northwest University, Kirkland, Washington; and attorney/partner specializing in tax and estate planning at the law firm of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Mr. Barton has substantial experience chairing, serving, and consulting Boards of Directors of local, national, and international non profit organizations and has served WorldServe International for over 20 years in various capacities. While working in advancement at Northwest University, he became involved in politics to increase community impact and served as a City Councilman and mayor of Kirkland, Washington.
He earned his J.D. in 1977 from the University of Idaho College of Law, Moscow, Idaho; his B.S. in Mathematics-Engineering in 1975 from Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho. He attended Northwest University, Kirkland, Washington (1972-73), and the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York (1971-72). He received executive training from Harvard Business School and Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. He is admitted to the Idaho State Bar.
John Bongiorno
Board Member and President
John Bongiorno, originally of Erie, PA, is a businessman and visionary leader. As president of WorldServe International, an economic development organization, he became known as a renowned bridge-builder between the realms of business and charity. John’s greatest passion is connecting high-level business leaders with economic development opportunities in poor communities.
The creation and development of Maji-Tech Engineering is perhaps the best example of this. John was a founder of Maji-Tech Engineering and has been intimately involved in leadership of the company since its start in 2001. Under John’s leadership, Maji-Tech has grown from just an idea to the largest private water drilling company in Tanzania with a fleet of seven drilling crews in the region. Ordained as a minister of the Gospel in 2020 through the Assemblies of God, John and his wife, Sandi, reside in Springfield, MO. One of their greatest joys is spending precious time with their grandchildren.
Doug Pitt
Board Member and Goodwill Ambassador to Tanzania
Goodwill Ambassador to Tanzania and Founder, Care to Learn Doug Pitt has spent his career as the owner of ServiceWorld Computer Center in Springfield, Missouri; now known as Pitt Technology Group. Outside of the tech field, Doug’s real estate development company, Pitt Development Group, is a speciality medical office developer currently building in Mo, Ark, Ill, Kan, and Oklahoma. For over a decade, many of Doug’s works as a photojournalist have been published and displayed in numerous galleries. Seeing a water well drilling operation on his first trip to Africa opened his eyes. “It is the obvious first step to release people from dire poverty. Clean water most come first.”
Doug is a director of Africa6000 International and WorldServe International. He is the former chairman of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. He started a nonprofit organization called Care to Learn to provide immediate financial and physical help to kids who come to school with emergent health, hunger or hygiene needs. In celebrating 10 years, Care to Learn has expanded to 34 chapters and served over 800,000 needs. He has the same passion for children in Africa and is working on a new initiative to bring together the two causes of education and clean water. In April 2010, Doug was named the first ever Goodwill Ambassador to Tanzania by President Jakaya Kikwete. Doug and his wife Lisa reside in Springfield, MO and have three children. Visit DougPitt.org for more information.
Michael Cardone III
Board Member and Chairmen of the Board
Michael Cardone III is Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for CARDONE Industries, Inc. of Philadelphia, PA. CARDONE Industries is at the top of its class when it comes to new and remanufactured auto parts. The company has more than 4,600 employees operating 13 plants in the U.S., Europe, and Mexico, making CARDONE Industries a leading global supplier of automotive products for over 35 years. Cardone has held several corporate positions including director of world trade, marketing manager for the pumps division, and manager of marketing development and project leader for a Mexico plant startup, among others. In addition to his role on the board of WorldServe International, he also serves on the board of The Cardone Foundation. The foundation supports ministries throughout the Philadelphia area such as churches and battered women’s shelters. The family hopes these ministries are a great help in neighborhoods such as those where their factory families may live.
Randy Barton
Board Member
Randall K. Barton is a senior executive, attorney, education entrepreneur and development executive with over 40 years of experience in strategic leadership–advising and growing healthy, profitable mission-driven organizations. He currently owns Barton Law Offices, which specializes in serving large exempt organizations with international networks, private foundations and family offices in education, non-profit financing, estate planning, business transition strategies, investments, and charitable planning.
Barton was formerly a founding Partner/CEO of SignificantSystems, a non-profit that provided on-line higher education solutions for small colleges and universities; Founding President/CEO of AG Foundation and AG Financial Solutions, Springfield, Missouri which grew from a small organization with $25 million in assets to a $2 billion diversified financial services firm; Founder/Foundation Executive for Northwest University Foundation and Sr. Vice-President for Advancement of Northwest University, Kirkland, Washington; and attorney/partner specializing in tax and estate planning at the law firm of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Mr. Barton has substantial experience chairing, serving, and consulting Boards of Directors of local, national, and international not profit organizations and has served WorldServe International for over 20 years in a variety of capacities. While working in advancement at Northwest University, he became involved in politics to increase community impact served as a City Councilman and mayor of Kirkland, Washington.
He earned his J.D. in 1977 from the University of Idaho College of Law, Moscow, Idaho; his B.S. in Mathematics-Engineering in 1975 from Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho. He attended Northwest University, Kirkland, Washington (1972-73), and the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York (1971-72). He received executive training from Harvard Business School and Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. He is admitted to the Idaho State Bar.
Dean Riesen
Board Member
Dean Riesen is Managing Partner of Rimrock Capital Partners, a real estate investment company based in Phoenix. Dean is also the Chairman and stakeholder of Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Before he founded Rimrock, Riesen was Chief Financial Officer of Carlson Holdings, Inc. (parent of Carlson Companies, TGI Fridays, Radisson Hotels, Seven Seas Cruises, Carlson Wagonlit Travel) and General Partner and CEO of Carlson Real Estate Company, LP.
Riesen serves on the boards of Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. and Meridian Bank, N.A. Riesen served on the board of Thomas Cook Holdings (U.K.). Riesen was Vice Chairman of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce and Vice Chairman of the Minneapolis Downtown Council.
Riesen also served as a director of NAIOP-Minnesota Chapter. Riesen was a founding director of the Center of the American Experiment (a state-based conservative think tank in Minneapolis, MN). He also served on the board the Taxpayer’s League of Minnesota and was Finance Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota.
In 2002, Riesen was Director of Policy for Minnesota Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty’s transition team and member of his kitchen cabinet.
He currently serves on the board of the Goldwater Institute, Chairman of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and serves on the board of the Arizona School Choice Trust.
Riesen, via the Riesen Foundation, is active in village water development in the Singida District of Tanzania recently completing an innovative $1 million multi-village project with the World Bank and Government of Tanzania.
Gary Renaud
Board Member and Secretary/Treasurer
Gary Renaud of Erie, Pennsylvania has an extensive real estate and business management background. He is currently active through his commercial and residential real estate development companies: Renaud Peck Real Estate Development Company; Citadel Development Company; Renaud Peck Real Estate LLC; and The Reno Company LLC, a real estate and business consulting firm. He is the former CEO of Erie Steel Products (structural steel fabricator) and Lake Erie Supply Corp. (architectural hardware), both family-owned businesses.
An active entrepreneur, he founded the Nautilus Fitness and Racquet Club, a health club voted one of the top 100 in America, and Family First Sports Park, a regional sports and recreational facility.
Gary serves or has served on several corporate, civic and charitable boards including St. Vincent Hospital, Mercyhurst University, Erie West Camp Gideons, and WorldServe International. Gary enjoys golfing and fishing. He and his wife, Diane, have been married since 1972 and have three children.
Jeff Britton
Board Member
Jeff Britton is the Vice President of Product Design for Digital Monitoring Products (DMP), a security alarm manufacturing company founded by his grandfather in 1975 in Springfield, Missouri. Despite the family connection, Jeff did not start out in this critical role at DMP. Starting out by sweeping floors as a high school student, Jeff grew into his leadership and received his undergraduate business degree from Missouri State University.
DMP is a family-run business with a tremendous passion for giving back to those in need. Every member of the DMP embraces the Britton family’s commitment. Says Jeff: “The greater purpose behind DMP is to generate profits which can support gospel-centered outreach for those in need.”
Today, Jeff lives in Rogersville, Missouri with his wife Shannon and their six children. The Britton children’s ages span 13 years, making for lots of busy time. The family spends plenty of that time together as active members of James River Church in Ozark, Missouri.
Samuel M. Coryell
Board Member
Sam Coryell currently holds the positions of the President of Coryell Enterprises and President of TLC Property Management in Springfield, Missouri. TLC owns and manages over 4,700 apartments. The current total estimated value of their units under management is $350 million.
Mr. Coryell is also the managing member for eleven multifamily properties in and around Springfield, Missouri. He has been building, managing, and owning apartment units since 1994. He has a bachelor’s degree in construction management from Missouri State University.
He is a National Apartment Association and Springfield Apartment and Housing Association member. Mr. Coryell was a part of the 911 Advisory Committee to the Governor of Missouri. He has served as an adviser, friend, and benefactor to many organizations in Springfield, including the March of Dimes, the Price Cutter Charity Championship Golf Tournament Board of Directors, and the Ozarks Regional YMCA Board of Directors. In 2006 he was selected as one of the Springfield Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and in 2015 as one of SBJ’s Men of the Year.
Dr. Lesley Hawley
Board Member
Dr. Lesley Hawley is a board-certified dermatologist whose primary focus is medical dermatology and laser surgery for scars, burns, and vascular anomalies.
Dr. Hawley completed her undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis and her doctor of medicine degree at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
Dr. Hawley completed her internship and residency at the Naval Medical Center San Diego and served nine years in the U.S. Navy as a physician and dermatologist. She rose to the rank of Lt. Commander, ultimately serving as the head of the laser department at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. She and her team treated active duty soldiers and wounded warriors with the goal of enhancing their ability to return to service or live high functioning lives otherwise through a renewed ability to use their limbs or prosthetics without additional injury.
Returning home to Missouri – Dr. Hawley grew up in Lexington, Missouri and her younger brother, Josh Hawley, serves Missouri as the youngest member of the US Senate – she joined the Ozarks Dermatology Specialists in 2018. There she continues to advance her leadership in laser dermatology and enjoys spending time with Missouri family.
Jack Nicklaus II
Board Member
Jack Nicklaus II has followed in his father’s footsteps in more than just his name. Following a successful collegiate career at the University of North Carolina, Jack II enjoyed competitive success first on the amateur circuit and professional circuits including the PGA Tour, the Canadian PGA Tour, and the Australian, European and Ben Hogan (now Nike) Tours.
In the late 1980s Jack II decided on a career in golf course design, designing his first golf course in 1991. A leading force in Nicklaus Design, he serves as President of the firm and works as both a solo designer and in collaboration with his father.
In 2000, Jack II was named to Golfweek’s “40 Under 40,” a list of 40 individuals under the age of 40 from the golf industry that the magazine felt would “most likely shape the game–and the business of the game–for the next 10 or 20 or 30 years.” The same year, Jack II was accepted into the prestigious American Society of Golf Course Architects, of which his father is also a member.
Jack II has received numerous accolades for his design work and many of his designs or co-designs have hosted touring professional events or high-profile amateur championships, including The Club at TwinEagles and Heritage Course at Ibis Golf and Country Club.
Doug Pitt
Board Member and Goodwill Ambassador to Tanzania
Goodwill Ambassador to Tanzania and Founder, Care to Learn Doug Pitt has spent his career as the owner of ServiceWorld Computer Center in Springfield, Missouri; now known as Pitt Technology Group. Outside of the tech field, Doug’s real estate development company, Pitt Development Group, is a speciality medical office developer currently building in Mo, Ark, Ill, Kan, and Oklahoma. For over a decade, many of Doug’s works as a photojournalist have been published and displayed in numerous galleries. Seeing a water well drilling operation on his first trip to Africa opened his eyes. “It is the obvious first step to release people from dire poverty. Clean water must come first.”
Doug is a director of Africa6000 International and WorldServe International. He is the former chairman of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. He started a nonprofit organization called Care to Learn to provide immediate financial and physical help to kids who come to school with emergent health, hunger, or hygiene needs. In celebrating 10 years, Care to Learn has expanded to 34 chapters and served over 800,000 needs. He has the same passion for children in Africa and is working on a new initiative to bring together the two causes of education and clean water. In April 2010, Doug was named the first-ever Goodwill Ambassador to Tanzania by President Jakaya Kikwete. Doug and his wife Lisa reside in Springfield, MO and have three children. Visit DougPitt.org for more information.
Gary Renaud
Board Member and Secretary/Treasurer
Gary Renaud of Erie, Pennsylvania has an extensive real estate and business management background. He is currently active through his commercial and residential real estate development companies: Renaud Peck Real Estate Development Company; Citadel Development Company; Renaud Peck Real Estate LLC; and The Reno Company LLC, a real estate and business consulting firm. He is the former CEO of Erie Steel Products (structural steel fabricator) and Lake Erie Supply Corp. (architectural hardware), both family-owned businesses.
An active entrepreneur, he founded the Nautilus Fitness and Racquet Club, a health club voted one of the top 100 in America, and Family First Sports Park, a regional sports and recreational facility.
Gary serves or has served on several corporate, civic and charitable boards including St. Vincent Hospital, Mercyhurst University, Erie West Camp Gideons, and WorldServe International. Gary enjoys golfing and fishing. He and his wife, Diane, have been married since 1972 and have three children.
Dean Riesen
Board Member
Dean Riesen is the Managing Partner of Rimrock Capital Partners, a real estate investment company based in Phoenix. Dean is also the Chairman and stakeholder of Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Before founding Rimrock, Riesen was Chief Financial Officer of Carlson Holdings, Inc. (parent of Carlson Companies, TGI Fridays, Radisson Hotels, Seven Seas Cruises, Carlson Wagonlit Travel) and General Partner and CEO of Carlson Real Estate Company, LP.
Riesen serves on the boards of Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. and Meridian Bank, N.A. Riesen served on the board of Thomas Cook Holdings (U.K.). Riesen was Vice Chairman of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce and Vice Chairman of the Minneapolis Downtown Council.
Riesen also served as a director of NAIOP-Minnesota Chapter. Riesen was a founding director of the Center of the American Experiment (a state-based conservative think tank in Minneapolis, MN). He also served on the Taxpayer’s League of Minnesota board and was Finance Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota.
In 2002, Riesen was Director of Policy for Minnesota Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty’s transition team and a cabinet member.
He currently serves on the board of the Goldwater Institute, is Chairman of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, and serves on the board of the Arizona School Choice Trust.
Riesen, via the Riesen Foundation, is active in village water development in the Singida District of Tanzania, recently completing an innovative $1 million multi-village project with the World Bank and Government of Tanzania.
Anthony Tolliver
Board Member
A member of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and Secretary/Treasurer of the NBA Players Association, Anthony Tolliver was born in Springfield, Missouri, the only son of 7 children. A graduate of Creighton University, he was named to the Dean’s List throughout his four years.
Anthony has had a successful career playing professional basketball in Europe and the US, including as a member of the San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and other NBA franchises.
Involved in business nearly as long as basketball, he has developed a successful portfolio including real estate holdings, the development of senior housing properties, and active investments in an array of entrepreneurial businesses. One key effort – Lil’ Anglers LLC – incorporates his love of fishing through children’s fishing products and opportunities. His height – 6’8” – made him a natural spokesperson and investor in Big Blanket Co., which offers oversized blankets targeted at big and tall men.
When he is not on the court or in the board room, Anthony makes his home in Springfield, Missouri, with his wife, Jessica, and their four children.
Samuel M. Coryell
Board Member of WorldServe International
Sam Coryell currently holds the positions of the President of Coryell Enterprises and President of TLC Property Management in Springfield, Missouri. TLC owns and manages over 4,700 apartments. The current total estimated value of their units under management is $350 million.
Mr. Coryell is also the managing member for eleven multifamily properties in and around Springfield, Missouri. He has been building, managing, and owning apartment units since 1994. He has a bachelor’s degree in construction management from Missouri State University.
He is a member of the National Apartment Association and Springfield Apartment and Housing Association. Mr. Coryell was a part of the 911 Advisory Committee to the Governor of Missouri. He has served as an adviser, friend, and benefactor to many organizations in Springfield including the March of Dimes, the Price Cutter Charity Championship Golf Tournament Board of Directors and the Ozarks Regional YMCA Board of Directors. In 2006 he was selected as one of the Springfield Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and in 2015 as one of SBJ’s Men of the Year.
Jack Nicklaus II
Board Member of WorldServe International
Jack Nicklaus II has followed in his father’s footsteps in more than just his name. Following a successful collegiate career at the University of North Carolina, Jack II enjoyed competitive success first on the amateur circuit and professional circuits including the PGA Tour, the Canadian PGA Tour, and the Australian, European and Ben Hogan (now Nike) Tours.
In the late 1980s Jack II decided on a career in golf course design, designing his first golf course in 1991. A leading force in Nicklaus Design, he serves as President of the firm and works as both a solo designer and in collaboration with his father.
In 2000, Jack II was named to Golfweek’s “40 Under 40,” a list of 40 individuals under the age of 40 from the golf industry that the magazine felt would “most likely shape the game–and the business of the game–for the next 10 or 20 or 30 years.” The same year, Jack II was accepted into the prestigious American Society of Golf Course Architects, of which his father is also a member.
Jack II has received numerous accolades for his design work and many of his designs or co-designs have hosted touring professional events or high-profile amateur championships, including The Club at TwinEagles and Heritage Course at Ibis Golf and Country Club
Riesen serves on the boards of Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. and Meridian Bank, N.A. Riesen served on the board of Thomas Cook Holdings (U.K.). Riesen was Vice Chairman of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce and Vice Chairman of the Minneapolis Downtown Council.
Dr. Lesley Hawley
Board Member of WorldServe International
Dr. Lesley Hawley is a board-certified dermatologist whose primary focus is medical dermatology and laser surgery for scars, burns, and vascular anomalies.
Dr. Hawley completed her undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis and her doctor of medicine degree at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
Dr. Hawley completed her internship and residency at the Naval Medical Center San Diego and served nine years in the U.S. Navy as a physician and dermatologist. She rose to the rank of Lt. Commander, ultimately serving as the head of the laser department at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. She and her team treated active duty soldiers and wounded warriors with the goal of enhancing their ability to return to service or live high functioning lives otherwise through a renewed ability to use their limbs or prosthetics without additional injury.
Returning home to Missouri – Dr. Hawley grew up in Lexington, Missouri and her younger brother, Josh Hawley, serves Missouri as the youngest member of the US Senate – she joined the Ozarks Dermatology Specialists in 2018. There she continues to advance her leadership in laser dermatology and enjoys spending time with Missouri family.
Anthony Tolliver
Board Member of WorldServe International
A member of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and Secretary/Treasurer of the NBA Players Association, Anthony Tolliver was born in Springfield, Missouri, the only son of 7 children. A graduate of Creighton University, he was named to the Dean’s List throughout his four years.
Anthony has had a successful career playing professional basketball in Europe and the US, including as a member of the San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and other NBA franchises.
Involved in business nearly as long as basketball, he has developed a successful portfolio including real estate holdings, the development of senior housing properties, and active investments in an array of entrepreneurial businesses. One key effort – Lil’ Anglers LLC – incorporates his love of fishing through children’s fishing products and opportunities. His height – 6’8” – made him a natural spokesperson and investor in Big Blanket Co., which offers oversized blankets targeted at big and tall men.
When he is not on the court or in the board room, Anthony makes his home in Springfield, Missouri, with his wife, Jessica, and their four children.
All Directors of WorldServe International have voting privileges and serve minimum three year terms, holding office until a successor is qualified and elected. WorldServe Directors—other than John Bongiorno who also serves as President of WorldServe International—serve without compensation.
