Our Staff

Terry Maughon – Founder and President (1987)

Upon graduating with a BA degree in Pastoral Greek from Moody Bible Institute, Terry worked with a small group of men to form Grace Fellowship Church in Johnson City, TN. He was the first staff member and was initially hired 20 hours a week to oversee preschool, elementary, junior high, senior high, and college ministries. Desiring to serve as many students as possible in the most efficient manner, Terry had the idea to conduct a one-week summer camp—elementary kids would be the campers, teens would serve as staff, and college students would be leaders. Using rented facilities, this one-week camp grew over the next 13 years and was the catalyst for the formation of Doe River Gorge Ministries. After 16 years, Terry left Grace Fellowship Church to take on full-time duties at Doe River Gorge. Terry and his wife, Karen, and have three children and seven grandchildren.

Ryan Vernon – Program Director (1995)

After attending Montreat College, Ryan graduated East Tennessee State University with a BS degree in Outdoor Recreation & Safety. During the development years of Doe River Gorge, Ryan volunteered as activity instructor and facilitator, later coming on full-time staff as Program Director. His certifications include: Lifeguard Instructor, Wilderness First Aid Instructor, CPR/First Aid Instructor, USSF Soccer Coach & Referee. Ryan is married to Jennifer, and they have two sons: Riley and Reece.

Jennifer Vernon – Discipleship Coordinator/Teen Leadership Supervisor (2022)

Jennifer holds a BSW in Social Work from East Tennessee State University and a Masters in Recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from UT Knoxville. She has been actively involved in ministry at Doe River Gorge, serving as an instructor, facilitator, Bible study leader, and summer staff trainer. With a career in the mental health field since 1995, Jennifer also spent five years with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, working on college campuses. She has a passion for mentoring high school and college students. webpage

Clif and Hannah Jensen – Website (1996)

As a graduate of Cedarville College (1972) and Moody Aviation (1976), Clif and his wife Hannah were missionaries in Amazonas, Brazil for 11 years in Amazonas, Brazil where Clif was a pilot. Clif and Hannah felt called by the Lord to come on full-time staff at Doe River Gorge Ministries in 1996 and have served in various roles, including videography, website design, landscaping, vehicle maintenance, food service, and other areas as needed. They have five children and sixteen grandchildren. webpage – newsletter

Mark Milbourne – Technical Services (1997)

Mark graduated from Wheaton College in 1987 with a degree in Computer Science/Math. For 9 years, Mark worked for DuPont as a Systems Analyst. In 1997, Mark joined the full-time staff as IT director where he has overseen computer and phone systems, as well as AV and other communications systems. Mark also has many years of experience with railroad maintenance and operations and assists with that department. His wife Nancy also served on staff 1996-2000. They have two children, Jon (2001) and Kate (2003).
webpage – newsletter

David Legge – Maintenance Supervisor (2004)

David is a graduate of Marshall University with a degree in Business Administration. He later completed Bible courses through Moody Bible Institute and moved to East Tennessee to train with Moody Aviation. David and his wife Samantha joined the staff of Doe River Gorge in 2004 where David serves as facilities manager. They have two daughters, Micah and Hannah, and two sons, Joseph and Jesse. webpage

Matt Kellerman – Maintenance (2012)

Matt graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a BS in Aviation Maintenance. After graduation, Matt worked for Bell Helicopter and later served as a Deputy Sheriff with Carter County Sheriff’s Department. Matt enjoys a variety of maintenance tasks and is currently serving as lead fabricator and mechanic on the steam locomotives. Matt and his wife Merritt have 9 children.

Scott Freemon – Business Manager (2016)

Scott served on Summer Staff at Doe River Gorge from 2010-2015. After graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Computer Science, he assisted in the development of the one-year internship program (Exponential) at Doe River Gorge. His transition to business manager came over a period of time where he was mentored by previous DRG business manager, David Jensen. Scott’s wife, Trinity, teaches as Providence Academy in Johnson City.

Michael Maughon – Outdoor Education (2017)

Michael grew up at Doe River Gorge catching every frog and snake he could find. Joining the Science Hill High School diving team in his freshman year, Michael broke the all-time Science Hill diving record in his first dive meet. He later became the Tennessee State Champion in diving, breaking an all-time state of Tennessee record. After high school, Michael was recruited as an acrobat to perform in the top-rated show in Las Vegas, Le Reve, where he served for a few years. Michael has a passion to teach Creationism and has over 60 animals that he uses in various presentations. Michael heads up the Exponential program at Doe River Gorge as well as teaching at the other various ministries. Michael regularly appears on Genesis Science Network, an international 24/7 television channel dedicated to Biblical values. Michael and his wife Sara have two children, Spires and Charlynn (Charlie).

Karen Sizemore – Food Service Director (2018)

Karen began serving on housekeeping staff in 2007. With her remarkable culinary skills, she later became the director of food services. Alongside her staff, Karen prepares fantastic meals for all guests at Doe River Gorge. Karen is also an excellent pastry chef, creating beautiful and delicious works of art.

Chuck Lyle – Chief Development Officer (2018)

Chuck is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and Cumberland School of Law. He practiced law in Tampa, FL for 13 years before becoming a real estate developer. He and his son have
enjoyed Father/Son Challenges and Adventure Quest at Doe River Gorge. Chuck took on the role of director of advancement in 2018. Chuck and his wife Angie have four children: Connor, Catherine, Chase, and Christin.

Jacob Thomas – Assistant Program Director (2021)

Jacob began his connection with Doe River when he attended Father-Son Retreats with his dad. He served as a Summer Staff from 2017 to 2020. With his excellent skills in high adventure activities, Jacob came on full-time staff in 2021 where he now serves as Assistant Program Director.

Joel Hurst –  Assistant Program Director  (2021)

Hailing from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Joel came to Doe River Gorge as a middle school camper in 2001. After graduating high school, Joel served for 3 years as a firefighter in Florida. In 2011, he came to DRG as Summer Staff where he met his wife Angela. For the next 10 years, they served at Christian camps in California and Texas before bringing their expertise to Tennessee to join the DRG full-time staff. Joel and Angela have three sons: Silas, Jedidiah, and Elias.

Theo Fadrow – Guest Services Host (2022)

Theo studied culinary art at Waukesha County Tech Center in Wisconsin before attending Carroll University to study ethics, religion, and philosophy. After graduation, he joined Youth With A Mission where he served in Paisley, Scotland for 2 years. After involvement with several ministries in Eastern Europe, he joined Summer Staff at Doe River Gorge in 2022 and transitioned to full-time staff where he serves as Guest Host.

David Poteat – Railroad Maintenance & Operations (2023)

When DRG needed a steam locomotive mechanic, God had provided before we asked. David and his wife Kathy from Sebring, FL had visited Doe River Gorge on several occasions. David and his team had rebuilt the steam locomotive used in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes (A&WP 290), and served in Operations & Engineering with the New Georgia Railroad. Hearing the need for a steam locomotive mechanic, David and Kathy felt God’s call and moved to DRG. They have two daughters and 3 grandchildren.

Ivi Williams Vernon – Guest Services (2024)

Ivi first came to DRG as a camper, later served on Summer Staff, then completed the 9-month Exponential gap year program. Following that year, she completed an additional 1-year internship program before being recruited as Guest Services Coordinator. Ivi met her husband, Riley, at Doe River Gorge, and they were married in the fall of 2024.

Brooke Crabeels -Summer Staff Recruitment and Marketing  (2024)

Brooke began her journey at Doe River Gorge as a camper where she first felt the camp’s transformative impact. She returned as Summer Staff in 2023, followed by a1-year internship, including another summer staff term in 2024 which deepened her faith and further developed her leadership skills. Brooke joined full-time staff in the fall of 2024 and now serves as staff recruiter.

Jay and Katrina Locklin – Maintenance  (2025)

Jay worked in construction for 25 years as well as serving alongside Katrina in youth ministry for the past 20 years. Jay and Katrina reside in Roan Mountain TN with three of their five children, Jacob, Jennifer and Halley. Their son Jacob works with Jay in construction and maintenance as well.

Katrina holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance from The Boston Conservatory of Berklee and has been teaching for over 35 in a variety of schools across the country. Katrina operated her own studio and dance ministry for 10 years before coming to Doe River Gorge. Katrina serves as the volunteer coordinator and representative for Doe River Gorge in our community engagement. NEWSLETTER

Rob Yelland – Business Development Coordinator (2025)

Rob graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in Electrical Engineering with a minor in computer science, where he worked through the Baptist Student Union discipling other student athletes. He worked at Texas Instruments for 10 years before transitioning to the health industry working for Natural Factors in sales and new business development. Rob is expanding Doe River Gorge’s awareness in private schools, churches and other organizations.

Jill Yelland – Retail Ministry Team Leader (2025)

Jill graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in Communications and a minor in Marketing. She had a successful sales career in the health industry working for both Solaray and Natural Factors. She also had her own staging business for 15 years. Jill leads the Retail Ministry Team during summer camp season, supports Jennifer in mentoring and ministering to summer staff, and travels with Rob in the off season prospecting new Doe River Gorge clients.