Meet the leadership team
Bob Hentzen
President and Co-founder
Bob's vision and leadership have guided CFCA from its founding in 1981. He first answered a call to missionary work as a Christian Brother in Colombia, South America, where he served from 1959 to 1963 and in Guatemala from 1967 to 1973. After serving as a Christian Brother, he continued teaching at the high school and university levels. A desire to return to his missionary roots and walk more closely with the poor led him to found CFCA with former Jesuit missionary Jerry Tolle and three Hentzen siblings: Bud, Jim and Nadine Pearce.
Bob lives with his wife, Cristina, in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala, where he oversees CFCA's international operation and travels extensively to visit CFCA projects around the world. Bob has six children and eight grandchildren.
Francis 'Paco' Wertin
CEO
Paco joined CFCA in 1991 after 14 years of service and leadership as a missionary priest. His years at CFCA have taken him from directing the work of a shelter for homeless youth to directing the work of our Sponsor Services team.
Since 2002, Paco has served as CEO and is fully accountable to CFCA's governing board. He is responsible for the implementation of board policies in a prudent and ethical manner, including coordinating the implementation of international policy and strategy with the president.
Paco is full of joy for the worldwide CFCA community that, by the grace of God, is emerging.
"All over the world families living in poverty struggle heroically against tremendous odds. It is a privilege to be involved in CFCA's mission to walk with them in love and humility."
- Paco Wertin
Paul Pearce
Director of Global Strategy
In 1997, Paul took sabbatical leave from his career and spent that time volunteering for CFCA in Guatemala. He was so inspired by the families he met and worked with that he left his career with a major international health care technology corporation to join CFCA after his year of service ended. He brought significant leadership qualities and management experience to his new role, ensuring that families living in poverty would have more choices in their lives.
As CFCA's director of global strategy, Paul is responsible for overseas organizational structures and program direction. He monitors the fiscal effectiveness of benefits and programs provided to sponsored individuals and leads a team that travels extensively to evaluate CFCA projects around the world.
Paul has an MBA from Rockhurst University. He and his wife, Kris, live in the Kansas City area.
"I love CFCA for really believing in the families. I find it an honor and privilege to work alongside CFCA sponsored members, their parents and the international staff. They continue to be the inspiration and at the center of CFCA international decision-making processes."
- Paul Pearce
Raelene Dietz
Director of Sponsor Experience
Raelene's background as a company president and as owner of a chain of retail stores gives her a combination of business and people skills.
As director of sponsor experience, Raelene guides teams that focus on CFCA's mission with sponsors. The teams led by Raelene provide sponsors with ongoing support and facilitate communication between sponsors and their sponsored friends throughout their relationship.
Raelene and her husband live in the Kansas City area.
"Witnessing the beautiful generosity of sponsors and their impact on the children and aging is a blessing! I'm thankful for the opportunity to be part of this movement."
- Raelene Dietz
Elaine 'Laney' Haake
Director of U.S. Outreach
With a background in business and management, Laney joined CFCA in 1995 and holds an MBA from Rockhurst University.
Having served in a variety of roles at CFCA, Laney has developed a breadth of knowledge and experience that serves her well as director of U.S. outreach.
Laney oversees CFCA's outreach efforts to personally invite people to sponsor through CFCA's Hope for a Family program, to get involved as a volunteer or to donate to one of the many programs designed to help families realize their dream of a better life. In addition, her teams lead CFCA's online strategies, develop community partnerships and shepherd media relations.
Laney lives in Kansas City with her husband, David.
" I am inspired on a daily basis by the lives of the families we meet and the dedication and hard work of the staff in our Kansas City office and around the world."
- Laney Haake
Martin Kraus
Director of Finance
Martin is a certified public accountant with more than 25 years experience in public accounting and corporate finance. He is a graduate of Rockhurst University and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Missouri Society of CPAs.
As director of finance, Martin provides financial and strategic leadership to CFCA. He is responsible for the areas of income processing, accounting and reporting, internal controls, financial planning and long-term gift planning. Martin leads a dedicated finance team that insures the transparency, accuracy, timeliness and openness of CFCA financial information.
Martin and his wife, Mary, have three sons and reside in the Kansas City area.
"Families living in poverty have many, many things in common with my own family. They just need a little help to realize their potential."
- Martin Kraus
