The people behind every filter

Bart spent the first part of his life chasing success as an entrepreneur—building and selling companies. Yet despite attaining wealth and status, he remained restless and unfulfilled. At times, he allowed success to pull him away from God—choices he deeply regrets, but now have become part of his testimony he frequently shares with others.

Through years of ministry involvement and mission trips with various groups and his family, Bart believes God was always at work in his heart. Seeing families living in extreme poverty—struggling without even the most basic necessities of life—stirred something deep within him and began to change his understanding of what truly matters.

In the early 2000s, Bart fell victim to a major wealth management fraud, losing millions of dollars. As he navigated that season, he began to seriously question his purpose and direction in life. Even in that challenging time, God was miraculously at work—answering prayers, working in Bart’s heart, and providing restoration for him and his family. In 2011, Bart committed himself to a new calling: serving those in need and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ.

In 2013, Bart founded Filter of Hope, a ministry dedicated to providing safe clean drinking water to families in need while creating opportunities to share the gospel and connect them to the local church. The ministry became a 501(c)(3) in 2014, and what began as a small initiative has grown into a global mission—bringing clean water to over 2 million people in more than 80 countries. Each household water filter distributed meets a huge physical need while opening the door for conversations about the “Living Water”—Jesus Christ.

Filter of Hope now partners with hundreds of churches, schools, and volunteer groups across the U.S. and leads short-term mission trips throughout Latin America, giving thousands of people each year the opportunity to participate in the Great Commission firsthand. The ministry has since expanded beyond Latin America, focusing on evangelism and church planting among Unreached People Groups. Through strategic partnerships in more than 20 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, Filter of Hope brings both clean water and the gospel to those who have never heard the name of Jesus.

Bart and his wife, Sissi, live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where Filter of Hope is headquartered. They have three children and seven beautiful grandchildren. Sissi serves alongside Bart in the ministry, sharing his passion for seeing lives transformed.

Looking back, Bart knows his purpose was never about worldly success—it was about serving those in need around the world and helping build God’s Kingdom. His passion is to see lives changed—one family, one filter, and one gospel conversation at a time.

Tony loves history, genealogy, magical realist literature, and Latin American food. He enjoys experimenting with new tech—from podcast mics to lawn tractors. Tony, wife Sarah, four kids, and five cats live in beautiful Maryland. He loves helping more people discover how to make an impact through volunteering and generosity.

Stephanie is a grant professional with decades of non-profit expertise. She has secured millions in funding for missions that matter, including Trout Unlimited, Faith Comes by Hearing, Deaf Bible Society, and The Refuge for DMST (domestic minor sex trafficking). Born into a military family, Stephanie is well-traveled but loves rural life, gardening, and serving her local church. She is excited to join Filter of Hope and help bring clean water and the gospel to those in desperate need of both.

Wendy and her husband Geoff live in Gordo, AL where he is the pastor at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. They have 1 son, Jacob, who is an engineer in Dallas, TX. Wendy loves serving the Filter of Hope team in her role at our headquarters. She and her husband are also looking forward to participating in future Filter of Hope mission trips where they will be able to help share the gospel and clean water with those in desperate need of both.

Don has a background in engineering and, after 25 years on church staff, he spent 15 years as a corporate sales manager. With Filter of Hope since its inception, he brings a wide range of experiences to bear. Don directs our sales efforts as well as our partnerships with churches and other missions organizations. He lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with his wife Christy. They have 2 adult children and 2 grandchildren.

Monica, originally from Colombia, is a business administrator with established experience in administrative and financial operations. She is dedicated to advancing the mission’s work in Latin America by contributing to the effectiveness and care of those serving in the field. She lives with her husband, Pastor David, and their two sons, Josué and Pablo.

Brenda served as a Children’s Pastor for 25 years and upon retirement, she and her husband, Paul, moved to Gadsden, Alabama. They have two adult sons and four grandchildren: Reagan, Cohen, Olivia, and Charlie. Brenda remains passionate about Children’s Ministry and has a heart to serve, encourage and inspire Children’s Pastors. She believes kids can make a difference and loves showing them how, through Filter of Hope's Kids' Clean Water Project, they can have a tangible impact on the global water crisis and share the good news of Jesus with kids just like them.

The former deputy director of the historic home of President Ronald Reagan, Clark has more than two decades of experience in building high impact nonprofits. He loves setting audacious goals & seeing them through to their completion. Clark & his wife Monica enjoy being outdoors with their three kids. An endurance athlete, skier, cyclist, & ultra runner based in Santa Barbara, he is excited to join Filter of Hope to help bring clean water and the gospel to those in desperate need of both.

Dave’s background includes executive leadership roles in areas of marketing, customer care and leadership development and 30 years as an international motivational speaker and presenter. He spent 10 years as a Public Relations Manager for NFL players, responsible for their public appearances, various forms of media contact, and negotiating contracts with major football shoe corporations. After recently retiring Dave felt Gods call to ministry and joined Filter of Hope where he will serve in the area of donor relationships and assist the CEO with special presentations. Dave lives in Brandon, Mississippi with his wife Kathy and close to their 2 grown children and 4 wonderful grandchildren.

Todd is the Senior Accountant and Chief Financial Officer for Steve Richardson & Company, PC. His focus of practice is Small Business and Individual Taxation and is the Director of our Nonprofit/Church Auditing and Consulting Practice. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama Accounting Program and has been with the firm since 1997. He has a beautiful wife, Aimee, and three children. Todd serves as worship leader at Northport Baptist Church and is involved in several local charities and activities.

Robbie Barrineau was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and earned her degree in elementary education from the University of Alabama. She taught 4th and 5th grade for 16 years before settling in Tuscaloosa, where she has lived for over four decades. Robbie and her late husband, Dr. Bony Barrineau, shared a deep love for Jesus and a passion for missions.

A devoted wife, mother of four, and grandmother of six, Robbie has faithfully supported Filter of Hope since its inception—giving generously of her time, resources, and energy. For over 20 years, she has served on mission trips in numerous countries, always drawn to people in need and eager to share the hope of the Gospel.

She deeply loves helping people, riding horses, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with her family. Robbie brings to the board a compassionate heart, a teacher’s wisdom, and a deep commitment to reaching those in need of clean water and the “Living Water” of Jesus Christ.

Steve is the CEO of Empower Partners and has over 32 years experience in developing sales organizations by recruiting, training and managing sales teams. Steve is an expert in business turn-around, strategic planning, sales force structure and national account programs. Steve is committed to using his God given talents to do Kingdom work. Steve resides in Canton, GA with his wife, Ann Gladden Hillis. He and Ann have 3 sons and 2 beautiful grandchildren.

Jerry grew up as the son of a Baptist preacher. He studied medicine at the University of Akron and Ohio State Medical School. After his Oncology Fellowship, Jerry served in the US Navy before starting his own practice in 1980. Dr. Palmer has served as the Medical Director for the Northport Medical Center and the VP of Medical Affairs for the DCH Health Systems. Dr. Palmer has a love of the ocean and sailing and spends a lot of time on his boat. He and his wife Mary Etta live on a farm and raise livestock, chickens and ducks.

Louise began her connection with Filter of Hope when she traveled on a mission trip with FOH to Haiti and the Dominican Republic in 2011. She continued to reflect on this experience and years later found herself wanting to get more involved. She began working for FOH and helped create the initial Kids’ Clean Water Curriculum. She has a heart for culture, diversity, the nations, and spreading the good news of Jesus which is what has connected her deeply to the mission and vision of Filter of Hope. She teaches Spanish in Mountain Brook, Alabama, and is involved in various community and charitable organizations. Louise and her husband, Bradford, have three children.

Vicky worked in the corporate world for over 20 years before returning to college. She received her Masters Degree in Economics from Middle Tennessee State. She worked at the Center for Economic Education at MTS before moving to Nashville to teach Micro and Macro Economics at Belmont University. Vicky has traveled extensively teaching families living in poverty how to start sustainable small businesses. She was instrumental in the formation of Filter of Hope and now resides in Louisville, Kentucky.

Dr. Bony Barrineau faithfully served on the Filter of Hope board from its inception, offering decades of medical expertise and a deep passion for providing clean water and the Gospel message to those in need. A retired orthopedic surgeon from Alabama, Bony brought wisdom, humility, and Christlike compassion to every aspect of the ministry. His legacy of service and commitment to Kingdom work continues to inspire our mission today.