Our Team: Champions for Arizona's Children

More than 165 people have dedicated their lives to serving children, families, and the community at Christian Family Care. Some of us were foster children or adopted ourselves, making this calling especially personal.

Leadership

Mark Upton
President / Chief Executive Officer
Mark joined CFC in 2007. He has a deep and abiding love for our Lord, a love for children and families, and a passion for excellence. Previously, he served as executive vice president/provost of Phoenix Seminary. He and his wife of over 43 years enjoy their three children and 12 grandchildren, four of which were adopted.
 
Pam Giardina
Chief Programs Officer
Pam’s passion is to bring help, healing, and wholeness to hurting children and adults through the opportunity of experiencing quality social and clinical services. She brings seasoned leadership to CFC’s programs and shares her child welfare expertise with various affiliations: Arizona KIDS Consortium, Council on Accreditation, Arizona Foster Family Treatment Association, and Arizona Council of Human Services Providers. She and her husband of over 44 years have two daughters and one granddaughter. 
 
Jeff Fellman
Statewide Director of Foster Care
Jeff holds degrees in Public Health from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary.  His experience includes developing Christian mental health centers in both Tucson and Phoenix, and pastoring churches for 12 years in Minnesota and Arizona.  He was a child abuse investigator with Arizona’s Child Protective Services for nine years and also worked at CFC as a Foster Family Specialist in both the regular and high-risk programs for four years.
 
Dan Utrera
Statewide Director of Clinical Services
Dan brings to Christian Family Care an ability to build relationships, as well as a passion for training and development. Since 1993, he has served in various behavioral health, social service, and educational organizations. Most recently, he spent six years with a Fortune 500 company which provides behavioral healthcare services for government healthcare programs.  He and his wife, Tia, have one son. 
 
Don Bishop
Director of Family Services
Don has been with Christian Family Care since 2016. Prior to his role at CFC, he developed and managed residential housing programs for homeless veterans and other high-risk homeless populations with a clinical focus. He has also worked as a Mental Health Therapist for adults and adolescents. Don is a veteran of the United States Army where he served as a combat medic. 
 
Gary Miller
Director of Marketing & Advancement
Gary brings over 35 years of marketing, development, design, and communications to Christian Family Care. His passion is to communicate and market CFC’s amazing work and changed lives, all for the glory of God. Prior to joining CFC in 2012, Gary was founder and president of The M. Group, a Phoenix-based identity management firm. Gary and his wife, Amy, have four sons and two daughter in-laws. 
 
Sharon Brown
Human Resources Manager
Prior to coming to Christian Family Care, Sharon served as the director of human resources for Phoenix Seminary for seven years. Sharon has a passion for serving the Lord and people through providing human resource services to faith-based ministries. She is married to Jim and has six wonderful children and three grandchildren.  

Board of Directors

  • Mark N. Upton, President
  • Steve Whiteman, Board Chair
  • Dennis Wilson, Vice Chair
  • Bob Stave, Treasurer
  • Brad Edson, Secretary
  • Michael Hunter
  • Julie Bartolini
  • Linda Bowers
  • Huron Claus
  • Sheila Mengarelli
  • Doug Napier
  • Tony Muller

Southern Arizona Advisory Council

  • Warren Braun
  • Evan Carlson
  • Robert Davis 
  • Jen Anderson