Fred Smith, President 
Fred Smith is a graduate of Denver University and Harvard Divinity School. He spent several years as teacher and administrator at Charlotte Christian School and The Stony Brook School before joining Leadership Network, where he served as President for 12 years. Fred is the President of The Gathering, an international association of individuals, families and foundations giving to Christian ministries. As well, Fred is the Chairman of Fourth Partner, a non-profit organization focused on Christian philanthropy and community development within the East Texas area. Fred and his wife, Carol, reside in Tyler, Texas and have two grown daughters, a son-in-law, and a grandson.

Melea Edwards, Conference Manager
Melea Edwards is a graduate of East Texas State University (now Texas A & M University - Commerce) and spent 10 years in the Human Resource Department at Buford Television, Inc. From there, she joined Leadership Network and spent 7 years as a conference and meeting planner. She is the Conference Manager for The Gathering and other regional events. Melea and her husband, Don, have two grown daughters and reside in Tyler, Texas.

John Kelly, Director of Media Communications  
John is a graduate of Southern Oregon University. With over twenty years in communications for higher education and the corporate world, John has run the gamut from media producer, host of an international webcast and writer for national clients and magazines. John manages all aspects of media communications for The Gathering. John and his wife, Dawn, live outside of Longview, Texas on a farm with a menagerie of dogs, cats, horse & cows.