Right Beside Widowed Parents

After miraculously surviving a massive stroke at the age of 39, Kelly Orrico took time off from teaching to recover and support her family during their move to Knoxville.  Mrs. Orrico’s passion is for God, her family, and all children. She has a masters degree in Education Administration, has volunteered as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for children in Knoxville, served as a Rotarian in Roswell, GA, and has over 6 years experience in working charity events with Givesmart, a fundraising technology company. Kelly began researching the needs for widowed parents in January 2021, and in September applied for the charter of WPRP. Her and her husband, C.J., launched WPRP on National Widows Day, May 3rd, 2022. Her favorite past time is growing closer to Jesus and playing games with  her four children and husband.

As a lifelong entrepreneur, C.J. Orrico has built a career centered around serving others, including helping raise billions of dollars for more than 5,000 charities as an Equity Partner at GiveSmart. As a Co-Founder of Widowed Parent Relief Project, he recently stepped into his current role as Board Vice President.

After walking alongside his wife and fellow Co-Founder, Kelly, through her miraculous survival and full recovery from a massive stroke at the age of 39, C.J. experienced a glimpse of what life as a widower could look like. That experience inspired him to begin supporting widowed families within his personal network, eventually helping grow what started as a personal mission into a local Knoxville nonprofit and now a national support system for widowed families across the country.

C.J. is honored to be part of an organization making a meaningful impact in the lives of widowed parents and their children. He looks forward to continuing that mission and hopes many others will join him in supporting families through some of life’s most difficult seasons.

Jason Conklin entered retirement in July 2023 and is embracing this new chapter to the fullest. Before retiring, he led worldwide sales (exceeding $20 billion), service, and marketing for Caterpillar Inc.’s Earthmoving, Paving, Excavation, and Load & Haul machinery divisions. As a third-generation Caterpillar employee, Jason built a dynamic career with extensive roles in marketing, sales, product support, project management, and product management. He also served as the Presiding Managing Officer and Director of CSARL.

Now, Jason is channeling his passion and energy into his faith, family, friends, community, and health. Jason “believes strongly in the WPRP mission and vision and feels called to live out James 1:27.” He loves staying active with pickleball, volleyball, water and snow skiing, and hiking, all ofwhich fuel his adventurous spirit in retirement.

Rebekah practiced law for more than twenty years before stepping away from her practice in 2025. During her legal career, she specialized in employment law and commercial contracting, serving clients in both law firm and in-house roles. Since leaving the practice of law, Rebekah has embraced a new entrepreneurial chapter and now owns and operates a water filtration company serving commercial and residential customers.

With a heart for service and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, Rebekah is honored to serve as Board Secretary. WPRP’s mission is especially meaningful to her, and she is grateful for the opportunity to use her experience and skills to support its work and the families it serves.

Rebekah, her husband, and their daughter moved to Knoxville in 2023. She enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors, whether playing tennis or golf, hiking, or trying just about anything that keeps her moving. She also loves entertaining and, most of all, spending time with family and friends.

‍

George Steinbarger brings more than 20 years of financial and strategic leadership experience to the WPRP Board of Directors. With a background in accounting, finance, corporate strategy, and mergers and acquisitions, he currently serves as Vice President at Inhabit and advises companies on financial strategy and growth.

After witnessing the impact of WPRP’s Family Friend program firsthand and connecting with founders Kelly and C.J. Orrico, George felt called to support the organization’s mission and the families it serves. His financial expertise and strategic perspective help strengthen WPRP’s ability to grow and serve widowed families.

A Knoxville resident for eight years, George is the proud father of three children. He enjoys spending time on the water, on the golf course, and with his family. His faith is central to his life and guides his commitment to serving others.

As a Family Medicine Physician, Dr. Angie Liske has enjoyed working at amazing health care facilities including Lawndale Christian Health Center in Chicago, Siloam Health in Nashville, Interfaith Health Clinic in Knoxville, and she currently works at River Valley Health in Knoxville. She has seen first hand the challenges that widows endure, and how a community who shows love has the ability to support, encourage, and empower widows and their children.  She is happily married to Dr. Mike Liske, a pediatric cardiologist, and has 4 children, Her greatest joys are found in spending time with her family and friends, her walk with Jesus, and her passion for helping others.

Beth Eichhorn is excited to serve as a Board Member, Family Friend, and bookkeeper with WPRP. Having witnessed her mother navigate widowhood from a young age, she was deeply inspired by scripture’s call to care for widows and orphans, leading her to embrace WPRP’s mission.

Since 2018, Beth has been the Practice Administrator at Rocky Hill Animal Hospital in Knoxville. Her diverse career includes roles as a medical practice office manager, banking officer, and business owner, along with treasured years as a dedicated stay-at-home mother. She holds an MBA from George Mason University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Frostburg State University.

Active in her church, Beth enjoys serving others, Jazzercise, yoga, and traveling to visit her children and grandchildren. She and her husband, Tim, have three grown children and four grandchildren.

Melissa Mijares has worked in financial services for 12 years and currently serves as a Senior Wealth Advisor at TVAMP in Knoxville. She holds an MBA and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Passionate about helping clients achieve financial security, Melissa believes that when finances are in order, individuals can focus on what matters most in their lives.

Melissa, her husband, and their two young children moved to Knoxville in March 2021. She is actively involved in her church and her children’s school and is a member of the Knoxville Association of Women Executives. She also founded An Evening to Replenish, a monthly event at Fox Den Country Club designed to connect and educate women in the community.

Deborah Noe holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a J.D. from the University of Georgia. Licensed to practice law in Georgia and Tennessee, she specialized in education law, dedicating her career to representing school boards in employment and special education matters. After stepping away from her legal practice, Deborah devoted herself to raising her two children and embraced the role of a “professional volunteer” for over 20 years.

Deborah’s greatest joys come from time spent with family and friends, leading in women’s ministry, and enjoying long walks and travels with her husband of 24 years. She is thrilled to support the Widowed Parent Relief Project (WPRP) and help raise awareness of its mission in the community.

David Luhn is a Knoxville attorney whose practice focuses on estate planning, business and corporate law, probate, wills, and tax law. Since beginning his legal career in 2003, he has helped individuals, families, and business owners navigate important financial and legal decisions.

A Knoxville native, David earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting), magna cum laude, from the University of Tennessee and his Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law, where he received the Dean's Citation for Extraordinary Contribution to the College of Law. He currently serves as President of the Knoxville Estate Planning Council and has presented educational programs for attorneys, accountants, community organizations, and the University of Tennessee.

David is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Widowed Parent Relief Project and support its mission of caring for widowed parents and their children throughout East Tennessee and beyond.

Ryan is a growth marketing consultant based in Knoxville. Throughout his career, he has helped organizations sharpen their voice, grow their reach, and connect more meaningfully with the people they serve. He now brings this expertise to advancing WPRP's mission and expanding its impact across East Tennessee and beyond.

Ryan lives in the Knoxville area with his wife Ashleigh and their three boys. His faith is central to work and family life, and it's what drew him to WPRP's calling to care for widows and orphans. He's honored to serve alongside a board so committed to walking with families through some of life's hardest seasons.

Stephanie Evans-Hall oversees WPRP’s volunteer program, recruiting and supporting Family Friends and other volunteers while helping connect families with valuable community resources. She brings experience in education, church leadership, and volunteer engagement, having served as Student Information Services and Registrar at Farragut High School and previously as Director of Welcome and Connect at First Baptist Concord.

With experience as a widow raising two teenagers, Stephanie understands firsthand the challenges families face after the loss of a spouse. She is passionate about building meaningful connections and sharing the comfort, hope, and support that faith and community can provide for widowed families.

Dana Karnowski approaches her work with compassion and a strong focus on achieving results as a dedicated advocate for individuals and families in need. A University of Tennessee, Knoxville graduate, Dana has a deep commitment to her community, particularly to those facing substantial challenges. Her passion for service is evident through her involvement with local nonprofits like Catholic Charities of East Tennessee and St. Christopher’s Truckers Relief Fund, as well as in her roles as a Regional Case Manager for the State of Tennessee and Independent Support Coordinator for Arm’s Reach. Dana has provided crucial support to individuals and secured over $1 million in funding through her effective grant writing, positively impacting numerous agencies across East Tennessee.

Outside her professional life, Dana remains actively involved in numerous volunteer projects and enjoys writing a blog. She also cherishes time spent with her three adult children, her husband, and their dog, Rico.