OUR LEADERSHIP
Bob Pagett, Founding President of Assist International
Charlene Pagett, Co-Founder & Executive Administrator
Timothy Reynolds, Construction and Special Projects Consultant
Ray Schmidt, V.P. of Operations
Jim Stunkel, V.P. Executive Program Manager
Bob Pagett, Founding President of Assist International
Born and raised in Grand Junction, Colorado, Bob attended Mesa College majoring in music and education, graduated from Bethany College, then
attended Portland State University and Cascade College where he graduated with a B.A. Degree in History and then attended the University of Oregon Graduate School. He has been active in humanitarian projects overseas every year since 1968.
In 1990, Bob founded the non-profit humanitarian organization, Assist International. The work done through Assist International is accomplished in emerging countries through High-tech Medical Installations (procurement, training, maintenance), Power & Water, Caring for Orphans & Vulnerable People & Children (and people with HIV/Aids and widows) and Education and Empowerment (schools, vocational training, enterprise endeavors). Assist Internationa
l has built orphan villages in Romania and is a major provider for four orphan projects in Romania. Assist International has also built two orphan family villages in Uganda in East Africa, and an orphan village in Thailand.
Assist International received the Scotts Valley, California, Chamber of Commerce “Organization of the Year” Award for 1997. Assist International has been recognized in the United States Senate and by various organizations for its humanitarian activities. Over one hundred fifty humanitarian projects have been completed in over sixty countries around the world since 1990.
Awards and Honors:
- * Three times the recipient of Rotary District 5170 “Carl G. Orne” Award for the greatest personal commitment to world peace and understanding.
- * Honorary doctorate degree in Humane Letters from Bethany University, May 2002.
- * Santa Cruz County Red Cross “Lifetime Achievement” Hero Award, May 2006.
- * The Board of Directors of Rotary International bestowed the “Rotary Service Above Self Award” granted to only 125 world wide Rotarians from the 1.2 million Rotary members for the year, 2006 at the Rotary District Conference of the Bay Area in April, 2006. The award was given by a personal representative of Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar, President, Rotary International.
- * The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AMMI/ACCE) Robert L. Morris Humanitarian Award in Washington DC, June, 2006.
Charlene Pagett, Co-Founder & Executive Administrator
Char Pagett started Assist International with her husband Bob in 1990. Since the early days of working out of a spare bedroom in their home, the Pagetts have watched Ass
ist International grow into a highly respected agency operating in 56 countries on 5 continents (Australi
a and Antarctica so far haven't been visited by Assist International, but that could change). Char is instrumental to the success of our projects and always a calming presence when situations or budgets become tight...she is our guidepost in many ways, and we love her dearly!
Q & A with Charlene Pagett:
What's Your Most Memorable Moment with Assist International?
"(Yikes, there are lots of them.)
- Watching one of the first little orphan girls that was rescued in Romania come running up to Bob, grab his leg and say "Here's Pop Magic!"
- Visiting the maternity ward in Zanzibar, Africa. The first night there we saw two women laboring in the same bed without sheets on the bed. One of those women gave birth to twins that night. Being the grandmother of twins, I went back the next day to check on them and their crib said 'orphan.' Their mother had died in the night, but about that time another mother was in trouble and I ran upstairs and got our OB nurse, she ran back down to the Maternity Ward and immediately hooked this mother up to a monitor that Assist International had brought, and her life was saved because they could tell what was wrong with her.
- Making rooms of death into rooms of life with the modern medical equipment and training."
You have 30 seconds to tell someone about Assist International...
"Assist International works very hard to make a difference for some of the poor and needy of this world through building family villages and installing high-tech medical equipment."
What Assist International 'Issue' is Most Profound to You & Why?
"I would say the Orphan and Widow Projects...because when they are rescued and helped, you give them an immediate sense of hope and a much brighter path toward a real future."
Is there a country or region you have a particular affinity for?
"Probably Africa in general, because there is such need among orphans and women, and we feel such a sense of urgency to do all we can. Our donors and partners are key to helping us achieve dramatic results in a place used to so much tragedy."
What Assist International Program is Most Profound to You & Why?
"I would say Caring for Orphans & Vulnerable People... because when they are rescued and helped, you give them an immediate sense of hope and a much brighter path toward a real future."
Is there a country or region you have a particular affinity for?
"Probably Africa in general, because there is such need among orphans and women, and we feel such a sense of urgency to do all we can. Our donors and partners are key to helping us achieve dramatic results in a place used to so much tragedy."
Ralph Sudfeld is a native of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where he graduated from the University of Alberta with B.A.'s in both Economics and Sociology. He went on to complete his M.A. in Communications, Marketing & Research from Wheaton Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois.
Prior to coming on board as Vice President at Assist International (AI), Ralph had been involved as a volunteer since its inception. One of the highlights from his earliest trips include the opportunity, together with Bob Pagett, to meet with Mother Teresa and her lead cardiologist in Calcutta, India, when Assist International installed the first high tech cardiac equipment for the poor in India. Ralph has also been involved in projects in Guatemala, Romania, Uganda and Kenya.
In addition, Ralph has been involved in an outreach project near the Assist International Distribution Center in Ripon, CA where a weekly feeding program for the poor takes place in the inner city of Modesto, CA.
Ralph and his wife, Michelle (who also has a M.A. from Wheaton University) have five children. Michelle has been involved in AI projects in Africa, as well as other humanitarian projects in Mexico. His sons, Zach (University of Nevada football tight end), Matt (Brown University football wide receiver) and Nathan (recent quarterback commit to University of Arizona) have also been involved in some of AI's projects in various countries, including Romania, Myanmar, Uganda, Kenya, Senegal, Cuba and Guatemala. His two younger daughters, Juliana and Sarah can't wait to be old enough to be a part of AI projects overseas. For now, they volunteer with newsletter distribution and other stateside projects.
Ralph brings a unique set of eyes to the AI team, and has a passion to communicate the vision of Assist International to foundations and corporations who want to make a difference in the world.
Timothy S. Reynolds, Construction and Special Projects Consultant
Tim is a graduate of Bethany University and has completed courses at Notre Dame in Advanced Negotiations. Tim was an executive staff member at Assist International since 2001 and is now serving as Project and Infrastructure Consultant.
Before coming to Assist International, Tim lead teams of volunteers to build two houses at Caminul Felix Village II in Romania and was instrumental in the purchase of property for a church in Cefa' Romania, and property for the Eastern European Bible College in Oradea, Romania. His heart for missions, strength in leadership, and skills in construction management have enabled him to be a long-time substantial partner with Assist International.
Tim lives in Bend, Oregon with his family. Tim has overseen multiple infrastructure projects for major corporations getting involved in Humanitarian projects and also secured and completed a six unit project of affordable homes for the city of Ripon. Tim manages the construction of our orphan village projects in Romania and Uganda.
Tim has quickly established a reputation as the "go-to" person when something needs to get done. Whether he's somewhere in the field or coordinating efforts stateside, Tim is absolutely essential to the success of a project, and we are fortunate to have his skills and dedication.
Q & A with Tim Reynolds:
What is Your Most Memorable Moment with Assist International?
"My first trip to Afghanistan, right after the major conflict was 'declared' over by President Bush, was one of my most 'on-the-edge' experiences I've had since joining Assist International. It was intense."
You have 30 seconds to tell someone about Assist International....
"Assist International is awesome because it addresses some of the major needs around the world by providing improvements to health care for wo
men and children and building new homes for abandoned children. It provides hope where there is no hope and helps people do for themselves, what they could not dream of doing before Assist International came alongside."
What Assist International Program is Most Profound to You & Why?
"Orphans and Vulnerable People (and widow assistance) is the big thrill for me. To see all those little faces smiling and secure in good families with a real shot at a better future. It doesn't get any better than that."
Is there a country or region you have a particular affinity for?
"Although I spend a lot of time in Africa and really like it, I would have to say Latin America. I've always had a heart for Spanish-speaking cultures."
Ray Schmidt, V.P. of Operations
Ray is a graduate of Eugene Bible College, where he graduated Suma Cum Laude in 1986. After spending two years in Germany as a German club basketball player and coach, he returned to the U.S. and worked for Professional Media Networks in Eugene, Oregon, as a radio show engineer, writer and producer. He then worked as a Desktop Publisher and Marketing Coordinator for United Horticultural Supply in Salem, Oregon, before becoming the Youth Pastor for Keizer Faith Center in Keizer, Oregon.
Ray joined Assist International in 1997 as the Operations Administrator. His duties include project logistics including equipment and supply procurement, equipment refurbishing and preparation, shipping, volunteer teams, project budgeting, and project oversight in the field. He is also responsible for maintaining USAID and other government related aid program relationships.
Q & A with Ray Schmidt:
What's Your Most Memorable Moment with Assist International?
"One of my most memorable moments happened in Zanzibar where a mother who had just given birth was dying and 5-6 nurses and a doctor were standing by her bedside unable to do anything to help. Our nurse trainer, Betty Earle, and I were standing and watching this scene unfold. Betty told the doctor that the mother's life could be saved. He hesitated but then instructed the hospital's nurses to do what Betty said. She jumped in to help, connected the patient to the monitor and then began directing the staff. After a few minutes the patient was stabilized and her life was saved."
You have 30 seconds to tell someone about Assist International:
"Assist International strives to impact the poor and needy in developing countries by providing homes and assistance to orphaned and abandoned children and improving healthcare for those most in need."
What Assist International Program is Most Profound to You & Why?
"I enjoy bringing life-saving medical equipment to hospitals and clinics that have watched patients die because of a lack of equipment, particularly when that equipment is for infants. I have seen the lives of mothers and babies saved because of the equipment we were able to install and the training we were able to provide. Saving lives never gets old."
Is there a country or region you have a particular affinity for?
"Picking a favorite country is tough because every nation, every culture, has so much to offer. But if I had to choose, it would be Vietnam. Every time I go I am blessed by the warmth and the kindness of the people."
Email Ray Schmidt
Jim Stunkel, Executive Program Manager
Jim is a veteran team member & leader with 15 years of volunteer experience with Assist International projects in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Jim has also provided administrative, logistic and fund-raising support here in the U.S.
Jim joins Assist International from a career of over 35 years as a professional firefighter, including 14 years as Battalion Chief with the City of San Jose Fire Department.
Q & A with Jim Stunkel:
What's Your Most Memorable Moment with Assist International?
"Working with Assist International has impacted my life so powerfully it may be difficult to choose a single standout moment, but certainly my first experience joining Bob Pagett and Tim Reynolds to Romania in 1994 and discovering the little children seeking shelter in the sewer pipes from the cold and winter snow was stunning. But the good news is be that some of these children were able to be rescued. Most memorable is seeing the joy in the eyes of a child whose life has been saved."
You Have 30 Seconds to Tell Someone About Assist International:
"The strength of Assist International is the model of partnership established by Bob Pagett to connect resources with needs. Volunteers, corporations, service organizations, connecting to the most needy in the world. When these teams of volunteers assemble to build a home, or provide life-saving medical equipment, they are truly making the world a better place."
What Assist International Program is Most Profound to You & Why?
"Protecting the innocent and the helpless (Orphans & Vulnerable Children). Particularly, the children... that live alone, victims of war and extreme poverty, existing in conditions that are so desperately brutal that it staggers our ability to describe or even comprehend."
Is there a country or region you have a particular affinity for?
"It is the United States. I can really identify with how easy it is to be absorbed with the very real demands of our society, and so preoccupied that we fail to take notice of the rest of the world. I get that. But, I also believe that because our nation is so blessed (with resources and capabilities), I believe we have the responsibility to look beyond ourselves. The problems stemming from extreme poverty are not impossible to address; it is simply up to all of us to do what we can."
