Shield Bearer Announces New Executive Director

HOUSTON, TX - The Shield Bearer Board of Directors announced Thad Cardine as Executive Director effective July 15, 2019.

Mr. Cardine moved his family from Virginia to Texas four years ago when he felt compelled to return to the non-profit/ministerial sector of work. He joined Fullness of Truth Catholic Evangelization Ministries in August 2015. Thad has been active in a variety of non-profits and religious ministries throughout his young and adult life. He
spent years traveling throughout the United States volunteering and working with the Baptist Home Mission Board. He worked in domestic violence shelters, inner-city homeless missions, with Cambodian refugees, and he was involved in the cleanup of the Exxon-Valdez oil spill in Alaska. After receiving his undergraduate degree in English and Russian Linguistics he lived and worked in Moscow, Russia for a year before realizing he left his heart in Arkansas. He returned and married his sweetheart, Jamie, in 1999. Jamie and Thad have now been married for twenty years and have five children.
 
After receiving his graduate degree in education and curriculum design, he began a career in education and taught English in both private and public schools for twelve years. He has been active in church ministries, teaching C.C.E., and the Knights of Columbus. He became a Master Catechist through the Arlington Diocese of Virginia in 2009.
 
While he enjoyed the intrinsic benefits of being an educator, Thad continued to seek an opportunity to merge his love of his faith and non-profit work. He feels exceedingly blessed to join the Shield Bearer family and participate in the front-line battle to restore marriages, heal hearts, and help build and strengthen communities throughout the greater Houston area.

“We are excited Thad has joined Shield Bearer and look forward to building upon the exceptional counseling services, prevention programs, and training currently offered. He brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the organization,” shared Shield Bearer Board of Directors Chairperson Esther Halford. “We’d also like to thank Melissa Rotholz, Allie Scott, Michelle Kohl, and the entire Shield Bearer team for their leadership and dedication during these months of transition. Their love for the community and this mission is evident in all they do. The future is bright!”

Shield Bearer is a 501c3 nonprofit counseling and community resource center that provides services on a sliding scale. Shield Bearer has six locations in Houston and serves individuals, couples, and families including those recovering from the trauma of human trafficking, domestic violence, crime, abuse, war, and natural disasters. Additional information about services and programs can be found online at shieldbearer.org or by calling (281) 894-7222. If you are interested in joining the fight for hearts as a volunteer, email volunteer@shieldbearer.org.