Leadership

Board of Directors

Chairman		Andy Santamaria
Vice-Chair		Dale Cross
Treasurer		David Van Zomeren
Secretary		Walt Rogers
President/C.E.O.		John M. Anderson
Director		Jerry Hammer
Director		Malcolm Lee
Director		C.N. "Gus" Petsas
Director		Bob Robertson
Director		Lip-Bu Tan

President/C.E.O.

John and his wife, Debra, serve as the directors of the Bay Area Rescue Mission, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, which is dedicated to helping the homeless and impoverished of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area.

Born and raised in Columbus, Indiana, John graduated from Columbus High School in 1971 and attended Greenville College, Indiana University, Western Kentucky University, and the University of Miami, specializing in computer science and business, while establishing a successful career in the field of data processing.

In 1973, John went to work for Arvin Industries in Columbus, Indiana, as a computer operator. During the next four years he advanced to the position of Manager of Computer Operations Support and Data Processing Manager.

In 1979, John moved to Miami where he established his own computer operations consulting service, specializing in mainframe computer system conversions and operating systems training. In addition, he worked for Exxon as their computer operations analyst for South American, Central American, and Caribbean computer operations.

In 1982, John’s life took a devastating turn, when his addiction to cocaine prompted him to walk away from his career and family. John traveled across the country, and by November of 1982, he was homeless and living on the streets in San Diego, estranged from family and friends.

In January of 1983, while living at the San Diego Rescue Mission, John placed his personal faith in Jesus and began a spiritual journey that has been the driving force in his radical career change. For twenty-one years, John has dedicated his life to helping the homeless and impoverished (in San Diego until August of 1993, and subsequently in the Bay Area).

While articulating the change that occurred in his life through faith in Jesus Christ, John has been able to use his past occupational expertise to bring innovative educational and job skills training programs to the homeless and impoverished. His experience in business has served well in establishing sound business procedures and practices in non-profit ministry.

In 1993, John met his wife, Debra, (a former professional jazz musician and site director for a child care facility for at-risk children) when she applied for a position at the Bay Area Rescue Mission.

John and Debra have four children, two daughters from John’s former marriage, and Debra’s two sons, Charles and Ben, whom John adopted. The Andersons live in Rodeo, CA.