Our Team

Executive Director | al.nodarse@faithfulfriendspdx.org
Al comes to Faithful Friends as Executive Director after a career spent in business growth and revenue. Raised in Texas to a Spanish-speaking household, he and his wife and son lived in California before moving to the Portland area in 2007. Al has served on over 10 non-profit boards/committees focused on helping youth and is excited to shift careers from the for-profit to non-profit worlds. He began his mentoring journey as a college student in Texas and hasn't stopped, believing firmly that most of the problems in society could be solved through mentoring. On weekends Al and his family love to check out car meets.
Director of Operations | tim.cowley@faithfulfriendspdx.org
Tim and his family of six moved to Portland in 2016 after 13 years abroad in east Africa working in spiritual and community development. He has been involved in faith-based non-profit work for nearly 30 years and on staff with Faithful Friends since mid 2021 in a part-time role as Communications Manager. In May of 2023, he went full-time as Interim Executive Director for a short while before becoming Director of Operations. He studied communications at Cedarville University (B.A.) and Digital Storytelling through Asbury University (M.A.). He is an avid networker and outdoor enthusiast who is especially drawn to winding trails best suited for trail running or mountain biking.

Program Director | chon.armsbury@faithfulfriendspdx.org
Chon is a Portland native, graduating from Grant High School and earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon. Before joining the team at Faithful Friends, he spent 24 years mentoring youth through the Friends of the Children program. Chon is honored to be a part of the Faithful Friends team where he can continue to see the transformational work of mentoring in children’s lives. He is a husband, father of 3 daughters and a lover of people. In his free time Chon enjoys traveling, working out, watching sports, hanging out with friends/family and eating good food.
Program Coordinator | cia.howell@faithfulfriendspdx.org
Cia was raised north of Seattle and came to Portland for college where she earned her bachelor’s degree from Concordia University. While attending Bridgetown church in downtown Portland she learned of Faithful Friends, became a mentor, and fell in love with the program. She was a para-educator for middle school students and works with the children’s ministry at her church. She loves seeing the significant impact mentorship makes in the lives of young children and is grateful for the opportunity to help Faithful expand mentor friendships throughout the city. In her free time she enjoys running and hiking with friends.

Board of Directors