The John Jay Institute Staff
The Rev. Alan R. Crippen II is founder and president of the John Jay Institute. Previously Mr. Crippen served for nine years as founding rector of the Witherspoon Fellowship, a leading civic and cultural leadership development program for college-age students based in Washington, D.C. He has two decades of experience in non-profit executive management and college level teaching including vice-president for policy and academic affairs at Family Research Council, senior fellow at the Institute for Family Studies in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and director of development at International Students, Inc. in Colorado Springs. His military service includes platoon and battery command as well as various battalion staff operations and planning positions in the U.S. Army Field Artillery. Mr. Crippen's vocational passion is for the formation of young leaders who aspire to public life. He is particularly inspired to prepare them with the contours of a worldview, knowledge, and piety requisite for faithful Christian service in the public square. Mr. Crippen holds degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary (M.A.R.) and Philadelphia Biblical University (B.S.) and is an ordained presbyter in the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). He, his wife, Michelle, and their five children make their home in Colorado Springs and worship at St. George's Anglican Church (CANA).
Jeffrey F. Bone is the Vice-President for Advancement at the John Jay Institute. In this capacity he serves the Institute as its chief fund-raising officer and directs its major gifts development and planned giving programs as well as marketing and public relations activities. Prior to joining the Institute Mr. Bone served as a strategic gifts officer for Prison Fellowship. Other organizational leadership experience includes service as the former chief operating officer for MOPS International, Inc. and the as the chief technology officer for the American Bible Society. Mr. Bone was also a member of the senior leadership team for Crosswalk.com, Inc. during its rise to become the largest Christian website and now part of the Salem Web Network. Prior to his non-profit organization work, Mr. Bone founded the software company Infomedia, Inc. and served as its president and chief executive officer. A native son of Alabama, he is a graduate of Samford University. Mr. Bone is a MBA candidate at the University of Colorado and is concurrently pursuing graduate theological studies at New Geneva Seminary. An ordained deacon in the Presbyterian Church in America, Mr. Bone has been nominated for ruling elder. He and his wife, Leta Sue, have five children and make their home in Colorado Springs and are members of Village Seven Presbyterian Church.
Maeta Emmons is the executive assistant to President Alan Crippen at the John Jay Institute. In this role Maeta manages the organization's online database, coordinates literature mailings, and directs special events and projects. She also heads the John Jay Institute Guild, a group of nearly 40 local volunteers who assist the Institute in various tasks including: administration, information and technology management, library science, housekeeping, gardening, carpentry, plumbing, and physical plant maintenance. In 2001 Maeta retired from Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs and since that time has been involved in a variety of volunteer activities including the Colorado Division of Wildlife and a local thrift house in addition to her work at the Institute. Music and movies are favorite hobbies. She is a member of the Pikes Peak Flute Choir and a smaller ensemble that plays for local non-profit affairs. Maeta and her husband, Joe, are members of St. George's Anglican Church (Anglican - CANA) in Colorado Springs.
Blakely Dibble is a Program Coordinator for the John Jay Institute. Ms. Dibble coordinates various organizational activities including educational colloquia programming and events management. She holds a bachelor's degree from George Fox University where she majored in communications, minored in political science and graduated in Spring 2006. Ms. Dibble is a 2007 John Jay Institute Fellow and recently served in the Festival department at the Luis Palau Association in Portland, Oregon. Born in southern California, much of her family now calls Oregon home. Blakely and her husband, Kevin, make their home in Colorado Springs.
Rebekah Sharpe is a Program Coordinator for the John Jay Institute. Ms. Sharpe coordinates various organizational activities in support of marketing, Fellows programming and development. She earned a bachelor's degree in Internationl Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ms. Sharpe is a 2009 John Jay Institute Fellow and served her externship with the North Carolina Family Policy Council. Recently relocated to Colorado Springs, her hometown is Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Jerod Patterson is a research associate with the John Jay Institute. His current work includes a historical project on the life and writings of John Jay. While maintaining academic interests in the history of religion and social thought, Mr. Patterson's professional background includes both student ministry and communications. He previously served as a minister to students in Austin, Texas, and for five years ran a political communications business. Mr. Patterson holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a master of divinity degree from Wake Forest University, and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in religion and politics at the University of Texas - Austin. His academic memberships include the American Academy of Religion and the American Society of Church History. Jerod and his wife, Sara, make their home in Austin, Texas.
