In Greek mythology, Soteria symbolizes safety, deliverance, and preservation from harm. Often associated with a divine sense of protection, she represents a safeguarding presence — a shield in moments of danger and uncertainty. In ancient Greece, festivals known as the Soteria were held to celebrate deliverance from crisis and the restoration of safety after conflict.
For us, the name reflects the role we strive to fulfill in disaster response — providing protection, restoring stability, and helping communities move from crisis toward recovery.
Our work didn’t begin with an organization — it began with people showing up. Volunteers responding to hurricanes, floods, and community emergencies, doing what they could with what they had.
In those moments, one thing became clear: while the willingness to help was always there, stronger organization, training, and resources were needed to make a greater impact.
Soteria was built from that realization — to bring structure to that willingness, and to create a team that is prepared, coordinated, and ready to respond when it matters most.
Soteria Disaster Response is built on service, strengthened through training, and driven by the belief that we can always do more — and do it better — for the communities we serve.
Mission Statement
Soteria is a veteran-led nonprofit dedicated to delivering rapid, skilled relief in the wake of a disastrous event. Powered by a coalition of first responders and civilian volunteers, we provide our critical services—search and rescue, medical aid, aerial support, debris clearing, and community outreach—at no cost to affected individuals or local officials.
We stand ready to sponsor long-term recovery for families and small businesses when resources allow, and we collaborate with aligned organizations to amplify the impact. Through ongoing training and education, we empower communities to prepare for and respond to emergencies with resilience and confidence.
Soteria will harbor alliances with other organizations to achieve our overall mission and values. Rooted in service, guided by integrity, and driven by compassion, Soteria exists to be a steadfast force in times of crisis—restoring hope, rebuilding lives, and reinforcing the strength of the human spirit.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Terrance brings nearly 24 years of Army aviation and operational experience to Soteria Disaster Response, including service as a UH-60 Blackhawk mechanic and crewmember, OH-58D Scout Pilot, CH-47F Chinook pilot and Aviation Safety Officer. His military career included multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, medical evacuation support, special operations aviation training, and high-risk flight operations in complex environments. After retiring from the Army, Terrance continued serving communities impacted by disasters, volunteering extensively in East Tennessee, Western North Carolina, and West Virginia following Hurricane Helene and regional flooding events. His background in aviation, safety, rescue operations, and disaster response brings invaluable experience to Soteria’s mission.
Darrel brings decades of hands-on leadership, technical expertise, and disaster response experience to Soteria Disaster Response. A longtime business owner and HVAC professional, he has operated Glacier Cooling & Heating in Texas for over 30 years. Darrel also served in the Marine Corps Reserves during Desert Storm. Following Hurricane Helene, he volunteered extensively in East Tennessee and North Carolina, assisting with debris removal and recovery operations using heavy equipment. He later responded to flooding in the Texas Hill Country near Kerrville, continuing his commitment to serving communities impacted by disaster.
Carol brings over 40 years of professional experience to Soteria Disaster Response. She has held leadership roles in human resources and training with organizations including Ponderosa Steakhouses, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and Citigroup, where she served as Vice President of HR for a 3,000-person call center.
Later in her career, Carol earned her BSN in Nursing, combining her leadership background with compassionate, patient-centered care. Her experience in both corporate leadership and healthcare provides valuable insight in supporting volunteers, donor relations, and organizational development. Now retired, she is committed to helping build Soteria into a trusted and effective disaster response organization.
Jennie grew up in a small farming community in southwest Ohio, where she developed a lifelong commitment to service and community support. She began her professional career in the financial industry before pursuing fine art and eventually building a successful design and remodeling business, which she operated for more than 15 years. Alongside her professional work, Jennie became deeply involved in volunteer efforts ranging from poverty relief and missing person searches to disaster response and recovery operations. Following Hurricane Helene, Jennie spent months supporting relief efforts across East Tennessee, Western North Carolina, and Florida, assisting with medical supply distribution, logistics, welfare checks, search and recovery efforts, volunteer coordination, and long-term recovery support. These experiences, and the dedicated volunteers she served alongside, became the foundation for Soteria Disaster Response.