MEET OUR STAFF

Executive Board

Headshot Rick Blodgett

Richard Blodgett

Founder, Board Chair

Rick is the founder and Board Chair of Bright Water Foundation. He is the owner/director of Blodgett Research Institute for Waterborne Infectious Disease and the California State certified, Water Environmental Testing Laboratory. Rick worked as a Water Quality Chemist for the City of Sacramento for (33) years. He volunteered as a member of the El Dorado County Search and Rescue serving as Chief of Logistics. He worked as a Forensic Scientist for the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office. Rick received his Ph.D. at Walden University in Public Health Epidemiology and a BS from CSUS in Water Quality Microbiology. Rick served as a Scoutmaster for 25 years with the Boy Scouts of America.

Ike Furgeson headshot.

Isaac “Ike” Ferguson

Board Vice Chair, Operations Committee Chair

Ike serves as Bright Water Foundation’s Board Vice Chair and Head of its Operations Committee. Trained in preventive medicine and public health, he spent several years as a university professor, before taking on a career in international health and development. He has experience in managing research projects and in-field program development, both in the U.S. and in Central and South America, Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa. For more than 25 years he directed worldwide research and development programs. Later he served four years as humanitarian service program manager in West Africa. Since retirement in 2007, he, with his wife, has devoted most of his time to his Church and non-profit agencies, aiding with international program development strategies and operations. This work has spanned 15 countries on 4 continents.

Kiera Ritterbusch headshot.

Kiera Ritterbusch

Board Member, Support Committee Chair

Kiera is a Board Member, Executive Committee Member, and Committee Chair for the Bright Water Foundation. With a background in education, health, and humanitarian work, she brings strong leadership and a commitment to community improvement. Having served six years as PTA President, Kiera is also a certified health coach and former special education paraprofessional, focused on inclusive education and preventive health. Her work aligns with the Foundation’s mission to promote well-being, and she is passionate about empowering individuals to create meaningful, lasting change.

Headshot Debra Raphael

Debra Raphael

Board Member, Secretary

Debra serves as a board member and brings her organizational skills to the foundation in her role as the secretary of Bright Water Foundation. She has a B.S. in Business Administration and Finance. She retired from 35+ years providing corporate clients with consulting and technical services related to establishing and administering employee retirement and stock ownership plans including resolving compliance issues with governmental agencies. She enjoys diving into complex issues, coordinating resources and providing administrative support to the organization.

Joy Allen headshot with friends

Joy Allen

Board Member, Art Specialist

Joy Allen, the Board of Director’s Art Specialist at Bright Water Foundation, brings nearly 30 years of illustrating experience to her role. Over the past 7 years, she has showcased her unique artistry by illustrating the foundation’s training and education manuals, and its school health club program materials, demonstrating her commitment to supporting the foundation’s mission through her creative talents. Joy’s exceptional illustration style has garnered widespread recognition, with over 40 publications in various genres including mass market, trade, education, religious, early readers, and picture books. Her work has been featured on prestigious platforms such as The Today Show, the New York Times, and Oprah’s Children’s Book List, earning her accolades such as the Excellence in Media Silver Angel Award. A devoted mother of four and grandmother of nine, Joy’s passion for art and storytelling shines through in her impactful contributions to Bright Water Foundation’s initiatives.

Martin Mortensen headshot.

Martin Mortensen

Board Member, Supply & Procurement Specialist

Martin, serves as a board member while being a retired computer engineer and active “maker,” serves as our Supply and Procurement Specialist at Bright Water Foundation. With a wealth of experience in engineering and a passion for hands-on creation, Martin takes responsibility for assembling our Portable Microbiology Laboratories, ensuring they meet the highest standards of functionality and efficiency. His expertise extends beyond procurement to lending his making skills wherever they can benefit Bright Water, contributing immensely to our mission of delivering innovative solutions for a brighter future.

Ghana Team

Dennis Agyekum

Ghana Program Manager

Dennis is an experienced teacher (17years). He has taught in both the public and private sectors. He earlier served as an education coordinator for World Joy. In 2020 Dennis earned a master’s degree in education administration from the University of Cape Coast. He will complete a second master’s degree in higher education later this year. He has a wife, Jemima, and two children. His love for humanity and a better life for all fueled his ambition to work with World Joy and now with Bright Water Foundation. Dennis is a team player and self-starter who works effectively with little supervision. He is a great addition to the BWF family. 

Headshot Frank Akwah

Frank Akwah

Ghana Finance Manager

Frank is a dedicated professional serving as Secretary on the Bright Water Foundation Ghana Board of Directors. With extensive experience and a background in education, including a Diploma in Basic Education and a BS in Educational Psychology, he is now pursuing a BS in Public Health to contribute further to public health initiatives. Frank’s commitment to service is highlighted by his two-year mission in Sierra Leone for the LDS Church, where he honed his leadership skills. Alongside his professional endeavors, Frank serves as a bishop within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, emphasizing his strong community ties. He enjoys a fulfilling family life and is recognized for his integrity and leadership qualities.

Key Contributors

Headshot Natalie Dalley

Natalie Dalley

Natalie Dalley brings a wealth of expertise in nutrition, public health, and community outreach to the Bright Water Foundation. As a Registered Dietitian with a Master of Public Health Nutrition degree, Natalie serves as the Manager of the Five 12 Foundation, overseeing a weekend food backpack program that supports food-insecure children in 3 Utah counties. In addition to her role at the Foundation, Natalie is an Assistant Professor in Nutrition at Utah Valley University and the Project Coordinator for the Master of Public Health Program at Utah State University. At Bright Water Foundation, Natalie wears multiple hats as an Expedition Leader, In-country Staff Trainer, and Developer of Education Manuals, showcasing her dedication to empowering communities through education and sustainable practices.

Headshot Stan Zenk

Stan Zenk

Stan Zenk is a seasoned editor, writer and communication specialist with 30 years experience in content development and media production. He has a BA in communications, has extensive background in publishing and teaching and is the author of three books. Along with a passion for humanitarian service, he brings to Bright Water professional skills in developing concepts and ideas into written and visual content that is clear, impactful and engaging. As part of Bright Water’s materials revision team, he’s been instrumental in leveling-up the organization’s field training materials and household education tools used to teach safe water principles to families.

Headshot Jared Oliphant

Jared Oliphant

Rick is the founder and Board Chair of Bright Water Foundation. He is the owner/director of Blodgett Research Institute for Waterborne Infectious Disease and the California State certified, Water Environmental Testing Laboratory. Rick worked as a Water Quality Chemist for the City of Sacramento for (33) years. He volunteered as a member of the El Dorado County Search and Rescue serving as Chief of Logistics. He worked as a Forensic Scientist for the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office. Rick received his Ph.D. at Walden University in Public Health Epidemiology and a BS from CSUS in Water Quality Microbiology. Rick served as a Scoutmaster for 25 years with the Boy Scouts of America.

Eric Mensah

Eric fills the key role of IT Manager. He is a current undergraduate of Brigham Young University Idaho in Software Development. With a strong passion for leveraging technology to advance humanitarian efforts, Eric plays a vital role in streamlining the foundation’s digital infrastructure and ensuring that its systems operate efficiently. Eric’s expertise spans IT project management, network administration, and the development of user-friendly solutions that enable seamless collaboration within the organization.