About
Learn more about Bright Water Foundation
Who Is Bright Water?
The Bright Water Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation with an ambitious goal. Our mission is to transform lives by promoting and improving family health and self-reliance through water-borne disease prevention. This is accomplished by teaching effective safe water practices: rapid community water testing; household water treatment; and safe water storage.
We offer an innovative, extremely affordable and effective way to demonstrate and teach communities about water impurity, and the importance of safe water treatment and storage. As a nonprofit, we do not engage in political actions, do not affiliate with any particular religious organization, and do not become involved in causes not directly related to our stated purpose. Contact us to get involved and help us as we pursue this ambitious goal.
Meet Our Board Of Directors
Our executive team is a visionary group of health and science professionals. They are backed by a volunteer staff of industry experts who dedicate their free time to improving the world.
Rick Blodgett
Chair, CEO
Rick is currently the president/CEO of Blodgett Research, Inc. He has served on an international board for the non-profit, Solar Cookers International and is a pioneer in solar water pasteurization to reduce water-borne infectious disease in developing countries.
He has conducted extensive research in groundwater microbiology and he is currently investigating the impact of biofilm formation in well and distribution systems.
Ike Ferguson
Vice Chair
“Ike” spent most of the last two decades working on-the-ground in West Africa, where he initially served as the Area Welfare Manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ghana.
He recently accepted a seat on the Bright Water Foundation board of directors, where he is helping to implement the Bright Water Safe Water education model in Ghana. Since retirement, Ike and his wife have made 70+ trips to carry out volunteer training and international development projects.
Natalee allen
Secretary
NataLee Allen has a passion for humanitarian work and has been blessed to volunteer with multiple organizations in Guatemala, Kenya, Rwanda and the United States. More recently she served on a Bright Water Expedition to Sankubenase in Ghana.
She is an entrepreneur at heart, having studied it in college. Over the past 30 years she
expanded her entrepreneurial adventures while working in various family-owned businesses – eventually creating her own enterprise. She is the current Visionary and CEO for ClearBags – a specialized packaging company that ships about 300,000 orders a year. She has a supportive husband and two daughters and is very excited to serve with Bright Water in helping bring safe water to more of God’s children.
Nate Birchall
Treasurer
Nate is a seasoned financial executive with over 29 years of experience in a variety of industries and functions. He is currently an executive financial and transaction consultant, dba Lone Jack Capital, and a co-founder/executive of Goodboro Development, a real estate development and homebuilding company in Utah.
Nate began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he worked for a total of ten years, including over four years in Eastern Europe, two of which as a partner leading the practice responsible for all audit and advisory services to technology and media companies in Russia. Nate and Patty, his wife, love the people and cultures of the world and are excited to contribute in a small way to make it a better place.
Jay Pimentel
Attorney to Board of Directors
Jay has practiced business law in Northern California both as in-house counsel and as a law firm partner. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from University of California Berkeley and an MBA from California State University East Bay. He was a J. Reuben Clark Scholar in law school at Brigham Young University where he graduated in 1979. In addition, he has served the boards of directors of numerous non-profit organizations over the years.
sandra lunceford
Executive Committee Assistant
Sandra Lunceford, Executive Assistant, graduated with undergraduate and graduate degrees from California State University Sacramento. Her education lead into a profession of environmental consulting focusing in minority and low-income communities. She is also a board member of the California Pioneer Heritage Foundation which serves the California Living History Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Taking part in providing clean water and a safe environment to underserved communities and strengthening families with the knowledge of heroes from their past brings great joy to her. While her husband, four children and 22 grandchildren are the brightest light to her life, building strong families for others is a natural progression of her career, education and pathway to happiness.
Trina Bowen
Medical Advisor
Trina is a family physician (graduate of UC Davis) who is semi-retired after 35 years at the Occidental Area Health Center in Sonoma County. She is grateful for a career with a non-profit community clinic that provides high-quality, comprehensive and accessible health care for all, regardless of ability to pay.
With her husband and sons, she has enjoyed extensive travel–much of it in developing countries. She enjoys hiking, wildlife, art and baking.
She believes society should work hard to correct disparities in opportunity and access to resources. She believes health care is a human right, and access to safe water is essential for good health!
Our Program Committee
Ike Ferguson
Chair
“Ike” spent most of the last two decades working on-the-ground in West Africa, where he initially served as the Area Welfare Manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ghana.
He recently accepted a seat on the Bright Water Foundation board of directors, where he is helping to implement the Bright Water Safe Water education model in Ghana. Since retirement, Ike and his wife have made 70+ trips to carry out volunteer training and international development projects.
Joy Allen
Vice Chair
Joy received a scholarship to Choinard Art Institute (now Art Center College of Design, owned by Disney). Her work has been exhibited throughout the country including the Museum of Tolerance in Washington DC. She became Art Director and later General Manager of Weiler Printing & Publishing.
After switching careers in 1997 to illustrating children’s books, she illustrated over 60 books for most of the major publishing companies. She has received the Banker’s Award and has been on the cover of Publisher’s Weekly and featured in Los Angeles Times up and coming artists.
Martin Mortensen
Supply and Procurement
Martin loves figuring out how things work and making things. He earned a degree in Computer Engineering at CSUS and designed electronics at Intel for 20 years.
As a lifetime maker he also found time to make all kinds of things including kayaks, backpacks, tents, furniture, and clothes and teach at the local maker space. He is now applying his fabrication experience to supplying BrightWater with resources.
Kenneth Reiersen
Web Developer / IT Support Specialist
Kenneth received a degree in web graphic design and is CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+ certified.
He enjoys making websites and fixing computers for clients, and has assisted bright water foundation since its humble beginnings in 2014. He is glad to be a part of Bright Water Foundation and loves to use his talents to serve others.
Sam Eddings
Intellectual Property
Sam comes from a background of almost 25 years in the tech industry with 15 of them spent building a technology consultation firm specializing in systems architecture and technical business processes. While deeply involved in supporting public sector causes in the technical field, Sam is especially passionate about deriving solutions around human and cultural needs such as are found here at the Bright Water Foundation.
Program Expedition Teams
Natalie Dalley
Director of Programs
Natalie Dalley is a Registered Dietitian with special concern for maternal and child nutrition. She collaborates with several programs to combat food insecurity and currently manages a weekend food backpack program.
After raising six children, she returned to receive her Master’s in Public Health with the intent to improve familial health and decrease health disparities in developing countries. With a firm belief, this world has enough and to spare, she endeavors to educate and empower the most vulnerable.
Steve Hutchings
Ghana Project Director
Steve is retired Civil Engineer having over 30 years of experience in the various aspects of water and wastewater services, both in the private and public sectors. Steve has collaborated, over those years, with various governmental agencies that oversee water development and quality. Steve joined BWF is
2014. Steve recognized that there have been many organizations that have helped many countries throughout the world in developing clean water sources, such as wells. Steve joined the BWF group because of its unique mission of focusing on water quality in the household, that is water that is free from bacterial contamination. Steve has made three trips to Ghana with other team members to help
establish the BWF program of maintaining safe drinking water in the household.
Jim Stark
Latin America Projects
Jim was raised in the simplest of environments but always had desires to expand his experience beyond that available in a rural lifestyle. He earned a Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering, interrupting his school work for two years to serve a church mission in Peru. It was while serving in Peru that he learned first-hand how a vast majority of people in this world live, and of their lack of basic human needs such as clean water, food, and safe shelter. Jim was employed by Intel Corporation for 32 years holding various positions in manufacturing, engineering, and product development. While employed at Intel, he earned his Master of Business Administration. At Intel, he had the opportunity to travel much of the world and interact with and learn from multiple people and cultures. Furthermore, for the past 11 years he has also taught chemistry at Folsom Lake College. Jim recently retired from Intel and can now devote more time to pursuing his passions, including helping people around the world have access to clean water. Jim is honored to serve the Bright Water Foundation.
Dennis Agyekum
Ghana Project Manager
Dennis is an experienced teacher (15 years). 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 has a wife 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 little supervision. He is a great addition to the BWF family.
Frank Akwah
Ghana Finance Manager
Frank is an aspiring and talented young professional. He served a 2-year mission for the LDS Church in Sierra Leone. He earned a Diploma in Basic Education and has worked as a teacher. He is currently completing a BS degree in Educational Psychology, as well as a BS in Public Health. His long-term objective is to work full-time in the public health sector. Frank serves as a counselor in the Abomosu
LDS Stake Presidency. He is happily married and has two small children. His educational achievements and high standard of integrity has qualified Frank for this important field assignment.
Our Development Committee
Louis Biggers
Chair
Louis has over 25 years of experience in the technology industry where he has held positions in engineering, planning, marketing and strategy. He is also a credentialed Project Management Professional.
Louis graduated from Virginia Tech in 1994 with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and a minor in Computer Science. He earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from University of California, Davis in 2008, with an emphasis on Marketing, Strategy, Finance, and Entrepreneurship.
Steve swarbrick
Vice Chair
Steve Swarbrick has over 27 years of experience helping clients make sound investments, preserve their assets, and create strategies designed for a successful retirement.
Throughout his career Steve has worked in collaboration with CPAs, tax attorneys and other financial professionals to ensure his clients have a comprehensive and complete financial and retirement plan.
Jeff Conover
Director of Communications
Jeff has spent 30 years serving others and protecting property as a professional firefighter. Now, as a retired Fire Captain, Jeff’s desire is to continue serving others.
Jeff has a degree in Fire Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Brigham Young University, in addition he has served as President of the San Rafael Firefighters Association. He has worked in an advisory/steering capacity on various local and county political campaigns and on numerous professional committees and boards. Jeff has also done humanitarian work in the Dominican Republic.
Jeff believes that “service before self” is always a good idea.
Joy allen
Donor Relations
Joy received a scholarship to Choinard Art Institute (now Art Center College of Design, owned by Disney). Her work has been exhibited throughout the country including the Museum of Tolerance in Washington DC. She became Art Director and later General Manager of Weiler Printing & Publishing.
After switching careers in 1997 to illustrating children’s books, she illustrated over 60 books for most of the major publishing companies. She has received the Banker’s Award and has been on the cover of Publisher’s Weekly and featured in Los Angeles Times up and coming artists.
Kenneth Reiersen
Web Developer / IT Support Specialist
Kenneth received a degree in web graphic design and is CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+ certified.
He enjoys making websites and fixing computers for clients, and has assisted bright water foundation since its humble beginnings in 2014. He is glad to be a part of Bright Water Foundation and loves to use his talents to serve others.
marilyn goff
Corporate Fundraising
Marilyn has lived in California for approximately 40 years and runs a busy real estate agency in Cameron Park. She and her husband raised two daughters and one son, and she loves being a grandmother. Every year since 1987 Marilyn and her efforts achieved the award-winning title of “Top Producer”. Other awards include an International President’s Elite Award and Outstanding Life Time Top Achiever with the El Dorado County Association of Realtors. Marilyn was a Director of the El Dorado Association of Realtors and is a Certified Residential Specialist, as well as a Certified Relocation Agent. Her professional achievements are complemented with long-
standing friendships in El Dorado County, and she has represented the best in the area. Marilyn’s work ethic, achievements and experiences spell success for her and for the Bright Water Foundation.
Molly Honda
Events
Molly Honda is a current online student through Brigham Young University – Idaho. She is getting her A.A.S. in Computer Information Systems.
She is excited to work with the great people who keep the Bright Water Foundation serving people around the world.
Patricia Birchall
Social Media
As a Southern California native, Patty loves the beach and sunshine, but her sense of adventure has led her to colder climates, including to Warsaw, Poland for 2 1/2 years as a newlywed and later to Moscow, Russia for 2 years with her husband and 5 kids. She loves meeting new people, experiencing other cultures, making memories with her family, and serving others. She currently coordinates volunteer service with many non-profits in San Diego for young adults. Patty has a BA in Humanities and an MS in Family and Human Development. She is passionate about volunteering with Bright Water Foundation, focusing on strengthening individuals and families.
Alex Rasmussen
Photographer
Alex Rasmussen is a young self-taught photographer and filmmaker. He has been freelancing for small businesses and organizations for just under 5 years. Just after graduating from UVU in Digital Marketing Alex saw a great opportunity to help document and spread Bright Water’s message. He has created many multimedia assets for Brightwater and has recently attended a Bright Water Expedition to Sankubenase in Ghana.
Alex continues to lend a creative hand in Bright Water’s marketing efforts to make sure they evoke purpose and emotion. He has an amazing wife, who is also a photographer, an adorable toddler and he hopes to take them on another Bright Water expedition with him.
Our Finance & Administration Committee
Natalee allen
Chair
NataLee Allen has a passion for humanitarian work and has been blessed to volunteer with multiple organizations in Guatemala, Kenya, Rwanda and the United States. More recently she served on a Bright Water Expedition to Sankubenase in Ghana.
She is an entrepreneur at heart, having studied it in college. Over the past 30 years she
expanded her entrepreneurial adventures while working in various family-owned businesses – eventually creating her own enterprise. She is the current Visionary and CEO for ClearBags – a specialized packaging company that ships about 300,000 orders a year. She has a supportive husband and two daughters and is very excited to serve with Bright Water in helping bring safe water to more of God’s children.
Nate Birchall
Vice Chair
Nate is a seasoned financial executive with over 29 years of experience in a variety of industries and functions. He is currently an executive financial and transaction consultant, dba Lone Jack Capital, and a co-founder/executive of Goodboro Development, a real estate development and homebuilding company in Utah.
Nate began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he worked for a total of ten years, including over four years in Eastern Europe, two of which as a partner leading the practice responsible for all audit and advisory services to technology and media companies in Russia. Nate and Patty, his wife, love the people and cultures of the world and are excited to contribute in a small way to make it a better place.
Linda hansen
Assistant Treasurer/Bookkeeper
Linda has spent the last 12 years involved in humanitarian work in Ghana, West Africa. She helped manage the office for a non-profit organization, spear-headed golf tournaments, and dinner fundraisers, and organized and lead volunteer expeditions to Ghana. Her love for the Ghanaian people continues drawing her back, time and time again. The Ghanaians truly are the happiest people on earth … and
happier as Bright Water Foundation teaches, tests, and treats their water to keep them healthy.
Phil dold
Planning
Phil believes access to safe water is a worthy goal that demands attention. Phil is a passionate collaborator and enjoys dissecting problems, planning, organizing and implementing projects.
Now retired from 34 years of technical management and support services, he finds working with Bright Water Foundation a fulfilling and rewarding opportunity.
Jay D. Pimentel
Attorney to Board of Directors
Jay has practiced business law in Northern California both as in-house counsel and as a law firm partner. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from University of California Berkeley and an MBA from California State University East Bay. He was a J. Reuben Clark Scholar in law school at Brigham Young University where he graduated in 1979. In addition, he has served the boards of directors of numerous non-profit organizations over the years.
Kenneth Reiersen
Web Developer / IT Support Specialist
Kenneth received a degree in web graphic design and is CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+ certified.
He enjoys making websites and fixing computers for clients, and has assisted bright water foundation since its humble beginnings in 2014. He is glad to be a part of Bright Water Foundation and loves to use his talents to serve others.
Teri Swarbrick
Conferences
A Northern California Native, Teri enjoys being involved within the community having worked as a P.E. teacher and volunteer for community organizations. She has eight years of experience planning and executing service and educational events for the community. She is excited to be part of the Bright Water team and educating communities.
Rick blodgett
Volunteer Coordinator
Rick is currently the president/CEO of Blodgett Research, Inc. He has served on an international board for the non-profit, Solar Cookers International and is a pioneer in solar water pasteurization to reduce water-borne infectious disease in developing countries.
He has conducted extensive research in groundwater microbiology and he is currently investigating the impact of biofilm formation in well and distribution systems.