Higher Love Family

With a background in education and more than 30 years as a talent and speakers’ agent and church administrator, Ron Miller never imagined that a prison visit in 2000 would ultimately redirect his life.
 

Today, Ron serves full-time as Founder and Executive Director of Higher Love, Inc., overseeing its work throughout Florida and the growing Amplify Dormitory Program at Jefferson Correctional Institution. In 2026, he relocated to North Florida to be closer to the campus and the residents, staff, and volunteers who have become an important part of his life.
 

Ron also serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Corrections Foundation and remains passionate about a simple belief that has guided Higher Love from the beginning: every person deserves to know they are loved, have great worth, God is with them, and they are not forgotten.

Born and raised in Southern California, Anita holds a Master of Social Work Degree. As a facilitator of treatment groups for survivors and perpetrators of sexual abuse, she has worked for over 15 years in HIV/AIDS treatment and advocacy at Long Beach City College, and as an Adjunct Professor in the Master of Social Work Program at CSU Dominguez Hills.

Anita retired from Long Beach City College as the Director of Student Life, Student Health and Psychological Services. In addition to serving as Board Co-President, she volunteers in the concert tours and has been developing curriculum and teaching core courses in he Amplify Dorm Program.  

She currently divides her time between Long Beach, California and Florida, is married, has three children, five grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. 

Hailing from Wisconsin, Clint moved to Nashville in the 1990’s to further his music education and earn a degree in Computer Information Technology from Trevecca University.  Since then, he’s also added a Masters of Science in User Experience Design from Kent State University.

Clint has a passion for building and managing projects, and does so with exceptional communication skills and an ability to interface well with different personalities, generating collaborative and positive outcomes.

Clint has spent years developing online programs for Vanderbilt University, but spends many vacation weeks touring with Timothy’s Gift, handling the A/V for our concert tours.

Clint currently resides in Nolensville, TN, with his wife, Rachel, and their two boys.

A longtime resident of the Nashville area, Shelley has served as an administrator with Williamson County Schools for the past 7 years. She began as a classroom teacher in 2005 and earned a Master of Education in School Administration from MTSU in 2006. She went on to earn her Doctor of Education in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca University in 2016. 

Since 2014, Shelley has toured with Higher Love as a vocalist and has served as the tour co-director for the past four years. She specializes in the organization of tour logistics and thrives on utilizing her leadership skills and musical talents to impact the lives of inmates, staff and TG volunteers.  

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Born and raised in Springfield, MO, and relocating to Tennessee in 1992, Linda has spent the past 30+ years helping borrowers navigate the financing maze to attaining home-ownership.  Her best-known work, however, stems from her role as President of the widely-acclaimed Christmas 4 Kids organization.  Working with over 600 volunteers, Linda takes hundreds of low-income elementary school children Christmas shopping each year for bicycles, toys and essentials they might otherwise never have.

Linda has great compassion for all the marginalized in society, always encouraging everyone she meets to love and support the less fortunate… especially children!

Linda and her daughter, Jennifer, live in Gallatin, TN.

Vince lives in New Philadelphia, Ohio, with his wife of 34 years, Shelly. Together, they are active members of Faith Christian Church in New Philadelphia and are proud parents of three married children and grandparents to three grandchildren. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and has spent the past 35 years as a Certified Public Accountant, working in public accounting with both businesses and individuals.

As a partner at Troyer & Associates in Sugarcreek, Ohio, he brings extensive experience in taxation, financial planning, and fiscal oversight. Throughout his career, Vince has been known for his integrity, clarity, and steady counsel—qualities that align naturally with the mission and values of Higher Love.
 

Vince says, “I am honored to join the Board of Directors of Higher Love, Inc. and to support the meaningful prison work being done through its programs – especially the impact I see in the Amplify Dorm Program initiative.”

Originally from Ohio and currently a California resident, Jessica is a Registered
Nurse and healthcare leader who supports teams as they develop resilience while
working with patients’ trauma and tragedy every day. Her professional motto, “Do
all you can to be the best part of someone’s worst day! encapsulates the
understanding that everyone experiences some degree of vulnerability, and that
each of us can lend compassion and grace to those around us. She believes that
stellar communication amongst teams underscores psychological safety, which then leads to authentic
dialogue.

A critical care and emergency nurse for nearly 25 years, Laughlin has extensive experience in critical and
emergency care, nursing management, and hospital administration. Her professional research involves
establishing and maintaining healthy work environments, giving special attention to the care of caregivers
themselves.

Jessica received her Bachelor’s degree in nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing, her Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Systems, and Leadership from Jacksonville University, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Chamberlain University.

For over thirty years, John Starnes traveled around the world as a featured soloist with many of the world’s most prominent Christian ministries, including those of Dr. Charles Stanley, Bill Gaither and Jimmy Swaggart. 

John earned a B.S. in Liberal Studies from Belmont University at the age of 57, and an Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Music from Canada Christian College.

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After becoming an instructor with Walk Thru the Bible Ministries (WTB), he helped Ron Miller launch Timothy's Gift, and together, conducted  WTB seminars in prisons throughout Florida until 2012.  He has been on the TG Board since its inception, and remains a vital source of positivity as we face and overcome our challenges.

Chris Southerland was the first female assistant Warden in the state of Florida, and also the first female warden, having served at six different institutions over the course of her 35-year career!

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At each institution, Chris was known for her heart for service, undertaking both assistant and executive roles in youthful offenders, inpatient mental health, and, our favorite, re-entry.  It is her reputation for conscientious service that won her the Louie L Wainright award in 2012, granted each year to a person with outstanding contributions in the field of corrections.

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Her most recent assignment was warden at Florida Women’s Reception Center (FWRC) in Ocala, where she currently serves as a faith-based volunteer in addition to her development role at Higher Love.

Her experience, faith and knowledge have been invaluable in helping Higher Love establish the Amplify Dormitory Program, new for 2024!

Carol was raised in southern California and received her Master of Social Work degree in
1990. She is a retired clinical social worker, professor and has decades of experience in
group treatment with offenders, clinical practice and teaching in higher education. She is
the co-developer of the evidence-based programs and curriculum for the Amplify dorms.
 

Together with Anita, she teaches directly in the dorm while also strengthening Higher Love’s
funding base through grant writing.
 

Carol currently divides her time between Long Beach, CA, and Florida, is married and
shares a family of 3 daughters, 5 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and Archie, our
Golden Retriever