New Staff Join the Milo Family

Several new staff members have joined Milo Adventist Academy.

Matt Melashenko is the new computer network administrator. Melashenko, an accomplished singer and pianist, wants to be a daily positive influence to students. He and his wife Cindy have two children, Kayla and Kirk.

Hilde Barrera is the new vice president for finance. Barrera moved from Rhode Island where he worked for a mortgage company for 11 years. Barrera and his wife Deborah strongly believe God led them to Milo. They have three sons, Brandon, Bryan and Benjamin.

Cindy Melashenko and Ellen Morgan are sharing the accountant duties formerly covered by Teresa Wilkens, who is assisting her husband in his new ministry.

Mike Shinn, the new maintenance and grounds director, comes from Sunnydale Academy in Missouri. He says Milo is one of the most beautiful campuses he has ever seen. Shinn and his wife Karen have one son.

Three new taskforce workers have joined the staff. Ian Wilkinson, assistant boys' dean, recently graduated from Walla Walla University with a degree in history. Wilkinson did his student teaching at Milo last year and felt the school had an awesome spiritual program. Erica Buckner, assistant girls' dean, is a sophomore secondary education major from Andrews University. Buckner desires to help her dorm girls develop into the people God wants them to be. Anthony Cooksley, a 2005 Milo alumnus, is assisting Jeff Miller in the technology department. Cooksley recently graduated with an associate degree in applied service management.

Executive chef Janrry Telah (Chef Ray) has endeared himself to the students with his cheerful friendliness. A native of southern California, Telah loves working at the school. He is joined by his wife Marie and daughter Haylee. Sous chef Pierre Mays brings 20 years of culinary experience from major cities such as New York and Atlanta. Mays hopes to be a positive role model like the ones he had while attending Adventist schools. Larry Griffith, dining commons cook, comes from Pine Springs Ranch in southeastern California. Griffith says he is enjoying the country setting.

Jeff "PJ" Deming has accepted the pastoral position at the Milo Church in addition to counseling and teaching junior Bible classes. He replaces Carl Wilkens, who is doing full-time humanitarian work.

What a blessing to have these new staff join the Milo family!

Featured in: October 2008

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