JAARS Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

JAARS has 6 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, operations, and aviation.

Driven by a mission to deliver God's Word, JAARS provides essential logistical solutions that empower Bible translation partners worldwide, reducing barriers and easing burdens through specialized training and off-the-grid support.

Leadership Roles at JAARS

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Eldon Barkman
  • Chief Financial Officer - Timothy Staples
  • Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer - Denise Shockley
  • Finance Chief Financial Officer & Vice President - David Reese
  • Base Operations Chief Operating Officer & Vice President - Craig Sheppard
  • President - Bernard May
  • Eldon Barkman - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Eldon Barkman, the President & Chief Executive Officer at JAARS, directs the organization's overarching strategy and operational execution. This leadership role involves guiding JAARS' mission to reduce barriers for Bible translation partners, ensuring the effective training, equipping, and deployment of individuals and teams. Eldon Barkman oversees the integration of specialized services, from pilot training and mission aviation to remote technology and communications support, all designed to make Bible translation a reality in challenging environments. The President & Chief Executive Officer ensures JAARS' logistical solutions are robust and sustainable, directly impacting the pace and success of global scripture dissemination. This executive drives the vision for JAARS' continued innovation and service delivery, aligning all functions with the core objective of delivering God's Word.

    Timothy Staples - Chief Financial Officer

    Timothy Staples, the Chief Financial Officer at JAARS, manages the organization's financial health and strategic fiscal planning. This role involves overseeing all financial operations, including budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting, to ensure the sustainability of JAARS' mission-critical work. Timothy Staples provides essential financial oversight for the diverse services offered, such as mission aviation and technology support, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to maximize impact. The Chief Financial Officer works closely with other leaders to develop financial strategies that enable the organization to reduce barriers and ease burdens for Bible translation partners. By maintaining rigorous financial discipline, Staples ensures JAARS can continue to equip, deploy, and sustain individuals and teams dedicated to proclaiming the gospel through effective Bible translation efforts.

    Denise Shockley - Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer

    Denise Shockley, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at JAARS, provides strategic financial leadership and oversight for the organization's global initiatives. This role involves managing complex financial structures to support JAARS' mission of reducing barriers for Bible translation partners. Denise Shockley ensures robust financial controls and reporting mechanisms are in place, facilitating the effective allocation of resources for training, equipping, and deploying personnel. The Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer collaborates with executive leadership to develop financial strategies that enhance the delivery of off-the-grid logistical solutions, including mission aviation and technology support. By guiding financial operations, Shockley directly contributes to easing burdens and making God's Word accessible through translation.
    Denise Shockley

    David Reese - Finance Chief Financial Officer & Vice President

    David Reese, the Finance Chief Financial Officer & Vice President at JAARS, oversees critical financial functions that enable the organization's mission of supporting Bible translation. This executive role involves managing financial planning, analysis, and reporting to ensure the efficient deployment of resources for training, equipping, and sustaining individuals and teams. David Reese works to optimize financial operations, supporting the provision of essential off-the-grid logistical solutions, such as pilot training and communications support. The Finance Chief Financial Officer & Vice President plays a key part in developing financial strategies that reduce barriers and ease burdens for translation partners worldwide. Through diligent financial management, Reese ensures JAARS can continue its vital work in making God's Word accessible through translation.

    Craig Sheppard - Base Operations Chief Operating Officer & Vice President

    Craig Sheppard, the Base Operations Chief Operating Officer & Vice President at JAARS, directs the critical logistical and operational infrastructure that supports Bible translation efforts. This leadership position encompasses the management of JAARS' physical base operations, ensuring the readiness and efficiency of aviation services, technology deployment, and equipment maintenance. Craig Sheppard oversees the teams responsible for providing off-the-grid logistical solutions, directly enabling the work of proclaiming the gospel in remote areas. The Base Operations Chief Operating Officer & Vice President ensures that training, equipping, and sustaining individuals and teams are supported by seamless operational execution. By optimizing base functions, Sheppard facilitates the reduction of barriers and burdens for translation partners, making Bible translation more accessible and achievable globally.

    Bernard May - President

    Bernard May, the President at JAARS, leads the organization's strategic direction and operational oversight, focusing on empowering Bible translation partners. This executive role involves guiding the provision of essential services, including mission aviation, technology support, and specialized training, to reduce barriers and ease burdens for those translating scripture. Bernard May ensures that JAARS' logistical solutions are effectively deployed to sustain individuals and teams working in challenging, off-the-grid environments. The President drives initiatives that enhance the organization's capacity to equip and deploy personnel, directly contributing to the proclamation of the gospel. By leading JAARS, May facilitates the critical work of making God's Word accessible through translation efforts globally.
    Bernard May

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding JAARS Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads JAARS?
    JAARS is led by Eldon Barkman (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Timothy Staples (Chief Financial Officer) and Denise Shockley (Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of JAARS’s executive team?
    The executive team of JAARS includes leaders such as Eldon Barkman (President & Chief Executive Officer), Timothy Staples (Chief Financial Officer), Denise Shockley (Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does JAARS have?
    JAARS has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in JAARS’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of JAARS includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Finance Chief Financial Officer & Vice President, Base Operations Chief Operating Officer & Vice President.