Jim Hicks
President/Chief Executive Officer

As President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Thirst Relief International, Jim serves as the primary visionary and is responsible for overseeing the overall operations of the organization. Jim is a self-employed photographer by profession and offers eight years of entrepreneurial experience in leading and creating his own business. In addition, Jim brings over five years of extensive travel to remote and third world countries where he has seen first hand both the incredible need and the incredible cure for the world water crisis. As the primary visionary for Thirst, it is Jim's job to dream big, motivate to action, and lead beyond the limits of the confines of our own little worlds. It is with great passion, excitement, and hope that Jim spearheads this effort to save lives and change the world.

Jim and his wife Lara partner together in raising their children (Ashton, Brayden & Carsyn) as well as operating and running their photography business. As co-founders of Thirst Relief International, Jim and Lara consider it a privilege to take their partnership beyond their own personal lives and into the ends of the earth.

Gregory Gibbs
Vice President / Chief Operating Officer

As Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Thirst Relief International, Greg directs the day-to-day activities of the organization. Greg is a mechanical engineer by degree and profession, and brings ten years of corporate experience to the organization, including project/program management expertise from both the automotive and electric utility industries. Aligned as Jim's polar opposite from a personality perspective, Greg provides the complimentary action and detail behind Jim's seemingly limitless vision and creativity. Greg is privileged to be able to use his skills in communication, implementation, and administration to help bring clean drinking water to those in need around the world.

Greg is married to wife Jennifer, and has three children, Morgan, Ethan & Mackenzie. Jennifer is a stay-at-home mom, and also works part-time as a physical therapist. Although Greg holds the officer title, Greg and Jennifer serve the organization as a team effort, and volunteer their time, talent, and energy to further the mission of Thirst Relief International.

Gary Sammons
Vice President / Chief Legal Counsel

As Vice President and the Chief Legal Counsel of Thirst Relief International Gary oversees the legal regulatory matters affecting the organization and helps manage and execute the day to day operations of the organization. He resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife Karina where he is a licensed attorney by profession. He also has five years business consulting experience in which he managed process improvement and information technology implementation projects with Fortune 500 companies.

“Karina and I have been on several relief trips to poverty stricken areas in third world countries and have seen first hand the tremendous need for basic life-sustaining necessities which we take for granted, the most basic of which is clean drinking water. The statistics are stunning by themselves, but to witness the desperate conditions in which millions live everyday is overwhelming. The most troubling, and yet equally promising, aspect is that so much of the horrible conditions are so easily preventable. That is why we are involved. We have been blessed with so much in our lives and we firmly believe that from those to whom much has been given, much is required. We find it impossible to sit back and enjoy the comforts of our lives while millions of children cry out for help every day.

We are so thankful to have been given the opportunity to serve with such an amazing organization and have been overwhelmed by people’s generosity in providing support. Together we can build a solid foundation for people in need by providing clean, healthy drinking water which will give hope where it is needed most and will build strong communities for generations to come.”

Brent Westermeyer
Vice President / Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

As Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Thirst Relief International, Brent oversees the financial operations of the organization and also leads the grant development and corporate sponsorship request process. Brent has a bachelors of science in finance from the University of Illinois and brings eight years of progressive experience within the healthcare industry to the organization, including financial planning and analysis, leadership development and mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Brent is energized to use his financial management, project leadership and strategic thinking capabilities as he volunteers with Thirst Relief International in an effort to bring clean drinking water to those in need around the world.

Brent is married to Lyndsey and together they have two children, Will and Daniel. Lyndsey is an occupational therapist who is currently working full-time as a stay-at-home mom. Although it is Brent who is contributing his financial expertise and time, he is backed by Lyndsey's encouragement and shared interest in the mission of the organization. They are both enthusiastic to see their efforts, partnered with the support of others, further the reach and impact of Thirst Relief International.

Richard Ranck
Marketing Manager

As Marketing Manager for Thirst Relief International, Richard is engaged in raising awareness and the funding necessary to fulfill the organization's vision to save lives and change the world. Richard brings 17 years of experience in Sales and Marketing to the organization. Richard felt called to serve the organization as a result of educating the financial advisor community about the tremendous opportunities and need for clean drinking water around the world.

"Today, many Americans and people in the Developed world take for granted that we can go to our kitchen sink, refrigerator or nearly any public place (restaurant, park, sporting event, etc.) and consume the water without fearing we will get sick or die. Many tourists travel to Mexico every year (just south of Texas) and those tourists are advised to not drink the water . . . imagine what is going on in the many undeveloped / emerging market countries around the world! By raising awareness and asking people and businesses to help, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND SAVE LIVES".

Richard holds a BA in Business and Economics from Wheaton College and an MBA from The University of Memphis. Richard is married to Rachel and together they are raising five children (Emily, Ian, Evie, Eli and Ellie). Rachel is a Speech Pathologist who is currently working as a stay-at-home mom.