Kim became the sixth Center Director of Spring Canyon in December 2013. A 1986 graduate of USAFA, he retired with almost 28 years of service as an aviator in the T-37, EF-111, F-15E, and T-53. He commanded at the squadron and group levels. Kim first attended Spring Canyon in 1982 during a USAFA work party. He and his wife, Kari Ann, met at Spring Canyon and were married there in 1990. A Wheaton College graduate, Kari Ann first experienced Spring Canyon with her family in 1969. Kim served 15 years on the OCF Council, most recently as Council Vice President, and together he and Kari Ann served 25 years on the Spring Canyon Advisory Council. They’ve been blessed to pass this legacy on to their three children, Ki, Erin, and Amy Grace, third generation attendees who all served on Spring Canyon staff. The Hawthornes pray that Spring Canyon will be for you what it has been for their family all these years: a home away from home, where you can reconnect in the Rockies. When you come, may you taste of Christ’s Living Water and be refreshed on your journey, equipped with solid biblical teaching, and inspired to continue to serve where God has placed you.
Todd Plotner is the Spring Canyon Director of Operations; he and his family joined the Spring Canyon ministry team in December 2019. Todd and his wife Andrea have been married over 25 years and have three sons: Everett, Brian and Nate. Todd is a 1993 graduate of USMA, where OCF and Navigators were foundational in helping him take ownership of his faith and begin leading small groups. Todd served 21 years as an Army Corps of Engineers officer, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving as ROTC Professor of Military Science at Washington State University. Andrea also served and led Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC), including serving as the PWOC International President. The Plotners’ unique hobby (Todd calls it “the most unexpected mid-life crisis ever”) is owning pet rats (remember we are a family with three boys). Watch “Amazing Rat Tricks” on YouTube and you may understand.
Andy and Heidi met at the Air Force Academy where they attended Fellowship of Christian Athletes together. They served in the Air Force as a Finance Services Officer and Deputy Budget Officer, and a Services Officer, respectively. After separating from active duty, Andy excelled in numerous career fields: sales rep, skilled nursing facility director, financial planner, controller, and the national director for Classical Conversations overseeing all US communities. Heidi separated to become a stay-at-home mom and also worked for Classical Conversations overseeing all international and military communities. The Truitts homeschooled for 20 years and raised three fabulous young men. They’ve now added a sweet new daughter to their family (introduced to them all while on Spring Canyon summer staff), and see two more wonderful ladies joining in the near future (one is from the PEAK intern program). Spring Canyon sparks great relationships :). The Truitts love to spend time together, hiking, skiing, backpacking, traveling, playing games, and watching movies. Spring Canyon is a favorite place for the whole family – including their newest addition: a grandson!
Bio Coming Soon!
Caleb spent most of his life in Harrisonburg, Va surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and wonderful West Virginia where at an early age he found his love for the outdoors being an avid hunter and fisherman. Caleb graduated from Regent University majoring in biblical studies. He has worked several jobs gaining experience in general construction, and facility maintenance . The Lord has blessed Caleb with the credentials to serve at this amazing place giving him the chance to grow spiritually, mentally and physically along with countless opportunities to serve in this ministry.
Chef Rory Gillett was born and raised in Iowa (which is where he gets his corny humor). He came to know Jesus through his family in grade school. Rory went to college in Arkansas, where he studied Animal Science/ Pre-veterinarian studies. He was involved with the Navigators during college and worked at Glen Eyrie Conference Center in 1986, where he started his professional cooking career and met his wife, Jane. Rory and Jane have 3 children–Zac, Veronica, and Matthew. He has been cooking for over 30 years, and has served at Macaroni Grill, Little Caesar’s, The Broadmoor Hotel and Golf Club, the Antlers Adam’s Mark Hotel, First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, and Trail West Lodge in Buena Vista. Rory has had family members in every branch of the the Armed Forces (except the Coast Guard) and is excited to be a part of the OCF ministry here at Spring Canyon.
Growing up with a Navy Veteran mom and an Air Force Officer father, all Katherine knew was military life until moving to college. She was involved with OCF through her parents and was often the babysitter for Bible study nights or other events, and worked at Spring Canyon on Cornerstone staff for two summers in high school. After receiving a degree in Accounting from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, she moved to Dallas to work as a project manager in the hospitality industry. When she felt God’s calling to leave the big city, she applied to work on Summer Staff at Spring Canyon as a transition job. But toward the end of working as the Young Women’s Staff Leader during the summer of 2021, the opportunity arose for her to stay at Spring Canyon as the Business Manager. With her love of the Colorado mountains and the special place of Spring Canyon in her story, she jumped at the opportunity and is so excited to have joined the Spring Canyon team. Turns out God had a bigger plan! She and the maintenance manager, Caleb, hit it off and got married in November 2022.