Our Team

More than 125 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 is a leading advocate in Arizona for children and families. Prior to joining Christian Family Care in 2007, Mark served as the Executive Vice President and Provost of Phoenix Seminary. He currently serves on the Governor’s Council on Child Safety and Family Empowerment, the Prevention Workgroup of the Council on Child Safety and Family Empowerment, and the Department of Child Safety Community Advisory Committee. In addition, Mark has served on the Board of Pinnacle Forum AZ, Arizona Life Coalition, Bible Education Legacy Fund of Phoenix Seminary, Arizona Serves Task Force, No Child Waiting Executive Committee, Child Welfare League of America, and the Scottsdale Bible Church Elder Board. Mark is a true family man. With his wife of close to 50 years, he enjoys spending time with their three children and 12 grandchildren, four of which were adopted.

Bobbie Rill, MA, LPC
Regional Clinical Director – Southern Region
Bobbie has been a Licensed Professional Counselor for more than 30 years focusing on relationship dynamics, common mental health issues, and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Bobbie served as the Executive Director of a multi-state network of counseling centers where she supervised a staff of 50 including both Master and Doctorate level therapists. She is a frequent event speaker and has been a guest on numerous radio shows. Prior to Bobbie joining the CFC staff, she and her husband, Bob, founded The Grief & Wellness Group in Tucson, Arizona. 

Brandon Jones, LPC, MAPC
Regional Clinical Director – Central Region
Brandon brings 15 years of experience in the behavioral health field serving in various clinical roles. Brandon is an independently licensed therapist and holds a Master’s in Professional Counseling with a concentration in trauma, abuse, and deprivation. Since joining CFC in 2012 Brandon has held roles as a Licensing Specialist, Foster Care Supervisor, Family Coaching Supervisor, and Child and Family Therapist. Brandon has a deep passion for empowering Christ-followers to serve those in need and carrying out the mission of Strengthening Families and serving at-risk children in the name of Jesus Christ.  

Britni Earnest, MA, LPC
Vice President Community and Human Flourishing
Britni has worked in many levels of behavioral health and psychiatric care. In 2009, she co-founded Life Renovations, an outpatient behavioral health and psychiatric practice in Abilene, Texas. In 2018, she became Chief Operations Officer of Ascend Healthcare until she joined our team at Christian Family Care in 2022. She is passionate about creating and implementing innovative healthcare solutions. She has a wonderful husband and son and enjoys spending time with her family when away from work. She is excited to incorporate her love for Jesus Christ even more intentionally in the workplace as a leader at Christian Family Care.

Marissa Menchaca
Director of Youth Permanency
Marissa has served in the social work field for over 8 years supporting at-risk youth, adults and children with special needs, and people with a history of substance use and the criminal justice system. Marissa holds a special place in her heart for youth in foster care, specifically for those close to aging out or who have aged out. She is passionate about quality service delivery, capacity building, and staff & leadership development. Marissa is returning to Christian Family Care after being away fulfilling other roles within the field and earning her Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness. She is excited to serve the populations of youth permanency here at CFC.

Chad Mabee, MA, LAC
Statewide Director of Family Services
Chad has over 10 years of behavioral health experience working in various roles with children, families, and adults. He has a passion to help those in need and strives to use his talents given by Christ to serve others.  He has extensive experience working with clients from beginning of life to end of life, as well as walking alongside individuals who have presented with trauma, mental health issues, crisis, and addiction. Chad has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from ASU and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Phoenix.

Nicole Salusky
Vice President of Social Services
Nicole began serving at-risk families and children in 2001. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Human Services in 2005 and her Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Leadership and Management from ASU in 2019. Prior to joining the team at Christian Family Care, she spent 13 years at A New Leaf serving children in Residential Treatment. She came to serve Foster Families with Christian Family Care in 2014 where she was a Foster Family Specialist, Coordinator, Supervisor, Program Manager, and Statewide Director. Nicole’s passion is to help programs and staff flourish and grow as they serve at-risk children in the name of Jesus Christ.

Shelly Utzke
Statewide Director of Foster Care
Prior to becoming the Statewide Director of Foster Care, Shelly served as a Foster Family Specialist, Coordinator, Supervisor, and then as the Program Manager. Before her employment with Christian Family Care, she spent 14 years at A New Leaf serving youth and families. Shelly and her husband fostered for 25 years and have adopted two children. Shelly earned her associate’s in Early Childhood Development, a bachelor’s in Psychology, and is close to completing her Master’s in Management.

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Board of Directors

• Michael Hunter, Board Chair
• Sheila Mengarelli, Vice Chair
• Bruce Everette, Treasurer
• Pastor Burke Montoya, Secretary
• Doug Napier, Member at Large
• Huron Claus
• Steve Whiteman
• Margie Youngblood
• Dr. Linnea Lyding, Ed.D.
• Matt Miller
• Peter Gentala

Southern Arizona Advisory Council

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