Staff Biographies - Current Openings - Job Descriptions - Application -

Mark Miller, Executive Director
Mark has been involved with Advent for over 30 years. Born in Pasadena, California, and raised in Northern California's Morgan Hill area, Mark is married and has two children.
Earning a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, he continued his education by receiving a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University and is now a Licensed Family Therapist.

Prior to joining Advent, Mark worked as an Assistant Teacher in San Quentin State Prison's Literacy Training Program.

During his free time, Mark enjoys fly fishing, woodworking, movies and reading.

When asked why he joined Advent, he replied, "Coming out of college, I was looking for a place to integrate my Christian faith with a strong interest in social justice-Advent seemed a very unique opportunity."

Carol Fryer, Human Resources Director
Prior to joining Advent, Carol worked for Bethany College in Santa Cruz, CA, and for 11 years assisted her husband in the Youth Ministry at Cathedral of Faith Church. Raised in Spokane, Washington, she attended Northwest Christian High School and went on to study Psychology at Bethany College here in the Bay Area.

Carol enjoys sports, reading, and singing professionally with her husband as "DCF Ministries".

The reason Carol joined Advent over 12 years ago shows her valuable contribution to the ministry as a whole: "For me, being able to gain experience and knowledge in an atmosphere that is sensitive to God gives me a foundation on which to better help those children who are hurt, abused and confused."

Ann MacLaren, Director of Program Development
Ann MacLaren had been with Advent Group Ministries for over 30 years. Ann earned her BA in Psychology and Biblical Studies from Azusa Pacific College and her Masters in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling at Santa Clara University with an emphasis on the Alcoholic Family. Ann gained experience working with people who were hurting by working as a Crisis Intervention Volunteer before joining the Advent team.

Since joining the Advent Group Ministries team, Ann has been the Recovery Group Home Program Director and Director of Program Development.

Ann is single and has her dogs to keep her busy at home. She enjoys camping, in-line skating, and "surfing the 'net" in her free time.

She says she was "called by God to do this" when asked the reason she joined Advent Group Ministries.

Stacy Hall , Recover Program Co-Director
Bio to be updated

Aaron Grusonik , Recover Program Co-Director
Bio to be updated

Amanda South, Program Supervisor

Dale MacGowan, Director of Foster Care Program
Dale has been with Advent Group Ministries for more than 30 years. Growing up in Los Altos, California, he attended Stanford University, where he earned his BA in Psychology, and Santa Clara University, where he received his Masters degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling.
Dale has been working in the helping profession with people in need since his college days when he worked as a Firefighter/Rescuer for the Stanford Fire Department, and did his Internships at James Boys Ranch in Morgan Hill and at Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall's Probation Department. Dale gained experience as a Resident Counselor at the Ahwahnee School for Boys and then by joining Advent Group Ministries as a Resident Counselor.

Since joining the Advent team, Dale has been Program Director and Director of the Foster Care Program. In his free time Dale enjoys playing basketball and gardening.

Dale believes the reason he is at Advent is, "To serve God."

Daniel Mahan, Chief Administrative Officer

Bio to be updated