Donna Yalch
Chief Program Officer
Donna Yalch is Chief Program Officer overseeing the Residential Services Division, Community-Based Services Division and Admissions Department.
Donna is a graduate of West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She has more than 20 years of experience in protecting children and strengthening families.
In 2001, Donna joined B&GH as a foster care consultant and, as a result, was introduced to two young children she and her husband, Joe, would later adopt. After the birth of their son, Adam, they welcomed Brandon and Megan into the Yalch family with open arms. Donna enjoys following Mountaineer football and spending time with her family.
Ray Cockrell, CFP®
Chief Mission Officer
Ray Cockrell is Chief Mission Officer, responsible for holding the organization accountable in protecting the mission, vision, values, heritage and identity of B&GH in all that we do and say.
Since joining the development team at B&GH in April 2005, his focus has been planned giving and major gifts. He is a Certified Financial Planner and holds both a bachelor and master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. In addition to his work, Ray is active in scouting and serves as the leader for the scouts in Troop 26 in Wilmington. He has coached both his son's athletic teams and is active in his church and the Wilmington Optimist Club.
Mike Garrell
Chief Operations Officer
Mike Garrell is the Chief Operations Officer, overseeing the day-to-day operations of a variety of departments across campus.
Mike joined B&GH in 2017 as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations responsible for writing grants. He was promoted to Development Director before taking on his current role.
A native of Columbus County, he attended Tabor City High School. He served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force with a specialty in missiles and satellite operations. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and then became a defense and intelligence consultant to government agencies in Washington, D.C. for 12 years. He worked as a real estate agent for several years before returning to his country home in 2015.
Mike has a Business Management degree from NC State University and a Masters from Chapman University.
Daniel Nolan
Chief Financial Officer
Daniel oversees the Finance Office, business development, utilization management & review, insurance billing, business contracts, audits & reviews, and investments.
He joined B&GH in November 2020 after more than six years working as a Revenue Field Auditor for the North Carolina Department of Revenue. During his time there, he was a co-founding member of the NCDOR's Business Intelligence Analytics Programs for Audit Selection where he assisted in the development of essential software and databases for audit initiatives. Daniel also served as a trainer across the state to implement those initiatives.
Daniel holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Accounting from Guildford College where he minored in Business Administration and Money & Finance. He is currently completing the coursework for a Master's Degree in Finance and Investment Management at the University of North Carolina - Wilmington with a projected graduation date of May 2021.
He has a longstanding family connection with the organization. His father was a B&GH resident from the age of 12 through adulthood. Both his parents served as house parents in the Civitan and Kiwanis Cottages and Daniel spent his early childhood on the B&GH campus.
George Ward
Chief Academic Officer
George oversees Thomas Academy operations, staff & faculty.
He has previously served as a principal, assistant principal and teacher in Wake County. He has also been involved in training STEM teachers throughout North Carolina and education policy work for the NC State Board of Education.
George earned his undergraduate degree in Middle Grades Education from North Carolina State University, a Master's Degree in School Administration from Western Carolina University and an Educational Specialist degree from North Carolina State University.
He enjoys streaming his losses in Fortnite with his super-sized Great Dane, Grayson, by his side in the recliner. He also occasionally catches a large bass while finishing at a nearby lake.
Courtney James
Chief Clinical Officer