Our Team
Meet the Team
JIM DOTSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Email: jdotson@missiontriangle.org
Phone: 919-302-8737
Following a twenty-year career in corporate America, Jim started his own consulting firm in 2003, Upside-Down Leadership, helping corporate, nonprofit, ministry and church clients apply biblical leadership principles and truths within their organization. Jim serves on a number of boards and is involved in a wide-variety of ministry and nonprofit organizations.
Jim has a passion for ministry, a love for people and a desire to help organizations be effective stewards of the gifts and talents God has given to them and to maximize the Kingdom impact of their ministry.
DANIEL ALEXANDER, AREA DIRECTOR
Email: dalexander@missiontriangle.org
Phone: 919-802-4822
Originally from Atlanta, GA, Daniel has lived in North Carolina for the past 22 years (except for a little education and world travel here and there). From 2001 – 2011, Daniel taught Bible and History, coached wrestling and then served as Director of Advancement at St. David’s School. In 2007, he attended Columbia University where he obtained his Master’s in Organizational Leadership.
From 2011- 2018, Daniel served on the Jobs for Life staff, where he worked in various roles including Area Director, Regional Director and recently, Interim CEO for the national nonprofit serving those on the “margins” of society. Daniel is also a student of Mission Triangle, having attended just about every training imaginable over the past ten years. Daniel has four kids and an All-Star wife and looks forward to the next great adventure.
SALLY SMITH, PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Email: ssmith@missiontriangle.org
Phone: 704-880-1602
A North Carolina native, Sally has called Raleigh home ever since stepping foot on to NC State’s campus as an eager, excited undergrad! She loved Raleigh & the Triangle so much, she decided to call it home! Immediately out of college, Sally worked for WRAL-TV where she became an Emmy-award winning TV news producer covering stories on a local, state, national and international scale. Most recently, Sally served as a lead project manager for a marketing consulting firm in downtown Raleigh, managing dozens of enterprise-level brands.
In her current role, Sally applies her program/project management skills to help Mission Triangle reach and train area nonprofits in a strategic and efficient way. She is passionate about working with the local community and helping other ministries succeed in their calling to serve others and share the gospel. Sally especially has a heart for helping the homeless community. When she isn’t managing the ins and outs of Mission Triangle, you can find her hitting the soccer field, creating art through gardening, or spending time with friends and family.
![Kara Headshot[3] copy](https://missiontriangle.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Kara-Headshot3-copy-800x615.png "Kara Headshot[3] copy")
KARA SMITH
Email: ksmith@missiontriangle.org
Phone: 910-616-3144
Kara Smith grew up by the beach in Wilmington, NC and found her way to Raleigh to attend North Carolina State University in 2007. GO PACK! She was a part of the 2011-2012 Raleigh Fellows Program through the Church of the Apostles. It was during the Fellows Program that she met her now husband Ben (fun story!) and together they have the joy of raising to two adorable little girls!
She worked as the Assistant Director of Student Ministries at Church of the Apostles for 5 years before spending a few years in the corporate world doing marketing for a small Raleigh business, when the Lord drew her to a position with Mission Triangle. As an Executive Assistant, she loves to encourage and support the team by helping connect details and see projects come full circle. She also enjoys yoga (she is a certified instructor), being by Wrightsville Beach, and sitting down for coffee with a friend.
As the current President of Gateway Women’s Care in Raleigh and Durham, Melinda has shown her extensive knowledge of strategic planning, leadership development and major donor relations. Holding a Master of Arts in Philosophy & Religion from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, she is equipped with a biblical foundation to serve every organization that she is a part of. She currently serves on the Board of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is the Board Chairman of The Steward’s Journey.
George is a strategic thinker with broad experience in organizational development, business systems establishment, and operations leadership as an integrator. He has lived in the Raleigh area most of his adult life after receiving his degrees in engineering from NC State. He has a diverse background in for-profit businesses and has held various faith-based leadership positions, most recently at The Summit Church. George received his MBA from Duke University.
Matt is a strategy leader for mission-driven businesses and organizations. After 2 years serving on the mission field in Afghanistan, Matt and his wife returned to the Triangle and have been making a Kingdom impact through business as missions ever since. Matt has worked on an international missions strategy for the Southern Baptist International Missions Board in addition to serving in a number of capacities for The Summit Church. Matt was a co-founder and board member for ReCity Network, a co-working space serving the Durham community.
Cliff is a Managing Partner at American Homesmith, LLC, a North Carolina homebuilding company serving eastern NC. He’s worked in the areas of investment and asset management since 2001. Cliff serves on the board of several local nonprofits and serves as Board Chair of Mission Triangle. He lives in Raleigh, NC with his wife, Anna, and three children.
Justin has spent the past five years in the homebuilding business and currently is the Sales and Marketing Director for Beacon Street Development Company, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. Previously, Justin served for over six years on staff in various capacities with Mission Triangle. Justin is a graduate of Kansas State University and has a master’s degree in Biblical Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Justin lives in Raleigh, NC with his wife, Gi, and their two children.
Traynor currently serves as Vice President and Financial Advisor for CAPTRUST where he is responsible for providing comprehensive wealth management and retirement advisory services to his clients. Traynor received both his BS and MBA from Baylor University. Today, he serves on the boards of several local nonprofits and lives in Raleigh, NC with his wife, Morrow.
Mary has enjoyed many years as a musician, having served in numerous capacities from minister of music to pianist, organist and choral director. Mary’s talents and love for music remain the focus of her ongoing community service as both mentor and weekly volunteer for the Durham Rescue Mission. Mary lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband, Tom, and they have five children and are proud grandparents.
Cheryl had a 38-year career in the foodservice industry both at a corporate level and as a McDonald’s franchisee. In 2012, Cheryl sold her business and has been on the board of various national nonprofits ever since. Of late, her work has focused on how businesses can serve Jesus Christ in the marketplace. She’s an active member of C-12 in Raleigh, NC and has three children and four grandchildren.
Vaneetha is a writer and speaker. She is the author of the book The Scars That Have Shaped Me: How God Meets Us in Suffering, is a regular contributor to John Piper’s Desiring God and blogs at www.danceintherain.com. Vaneetha has worked in the business world in several fields including consulting, product marketing and banking. She holds a BS in Commerce from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Vaneetha and her husband, Joel, live in Raleigh, NC and have four grown daughters.
Jay is the president of Sagamore Institute, a think tank he co-founded in 2004 with U.S. Senator Dan Coats. Jay also serves as managing director of an impact investing vehicle called Sagamore Renewal Fund, and as a fellow at Baylor University’s Institute for the Studies of Religion. Jay has served in both state and national government positions, including serving as Deputy Assistant to President Bush and as Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives. Jay and his wife, Mary Jo, live in Indianapolis, IN and have three children and one grandchild.
John Luckett is the President and CEO of the Raleigh Rescue Mission and has 25 years of executive leadership in nonprofit and service industries. After graduating from the University of Memphis, John moved to Atlanta to begin his career in banking, but ultimately settled as a franchise operator for Chick-Fil-A Inc. and Wendy’s Inc. Before joining the RRM, he was the CEO of The Good Samaritan Health Center in Atlanta, GA. During the process of expanding the health center’s services to an increasing number of families and individuals experiencing homelessness, John and his wife Cynthia felt God calling them to Raleigh to work with the Raleigh Rescue Mission.
Shannon Williams is a leader of the Armstrong McGuire team, a full service firm in Raleigh that provides counsel to nonprofit organizations. She frequently leads capital campaign readiness efforts, art of the ask training, strategic planning and annual board retreats. Shannon is a talented case writer, strategic fundraising counselor, and development coach. She has worked with independent schools and human service organizations, focusing on both annual and capital development and is an active volunteer in the community. Shannon and her husband Jeff live in Raleigh and have two sons.
Bo is a 45-year veteran of the foodservice industry and launched Batchelder & Associates in 2015. Bo is active in his church, leads a men’s weekly Bible study and serves on the board for several nonprofits. Bo and his wife, Judy, live in Raleigh, NC and have three children and seven grandchildren.
Cliff Benson, Jr. is a Raleigh native and is retired from the building supply business, and is now involved in residential homebuilding in Eastern NC. Cliff is a co-founder of Mission Triangle along with Jim Branch, and has served on the board for 24 years. He is the proud grandfather of 6 grandchildren and lives in Raleigh with his wife Peggy.
Jim enjoyed a 40-year career in real estate sales and development in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. In his retirement, Jim is a private investor in local companies and serves on the board of North State Bank and The YMCA of the Triangle, where he chairs the Christian Leadership Committee. Jim is a co-founder of Mission Triangle and has served on the board for 24 years. Jim is known as a community advocate by raising funds for scores of Christian and community nonprofits as emcee, auctioneer and committee member. Jim and his wife, Liz, live in Raleigh, NC and have four adult children and five grandchildren.