who we are
Feed the Future is a 501©3 Foundation created to acquire charitable donations to allow our foundation to donate aeroponic systems to various entities including schools, churches, homeless shelters, colleges, and other community organizations to foster indoor growing systems for food production.
ABOUT US
The Feed the Future Foundation leads the way on innovative approaches to transformative change in the way food systems currently operate. We bring together partners from across multiple agriculture disciplines.
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Some of the technologies we are currently working with include the first and only platform whose design integrates agribiopharmaceuticals/bio-technology and biopharmaceutical/biotechnology as well as biopharmaceutical/biotechnology data acquisition and management. This is advanced data procurement and evaluation of organic produce to ensure nutrient density in the global food supply.
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Another is a Nasa borne aeroponics technology that makes indoor farming simple to Achieve Year-Round Food Independence with Cutting Edge NASA Technology. This is an automated Indoor Aeroponics System that allows for growing a wide variety of fresh, organically grown produce right in someone's home or can be easily scaled for growing food in underserved communities, local school systems, homeless shelters or food banks.
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Using NASA-developed technology, the system makes it easier than ever to grow leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, strawberries, root vegetables, and more, without the need for harmful herbicides or pesticides. This is a scalable and revolutionary approach to farming and can help achieve food independence in underserved communities and improve overall health and well being.
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Our board of Directors
Dr. Tom Kelchner
Chairman/Executive Director
Actions speak louder than words. Dr. Kelchner has shown his belief in big action with big rewards throughout his career. He is a 33-year veteran of public education with the bulk of that served in Dallas ISD and Goose Creek CISD. He has worked in nearly every level of education, from a teacher to assistant principal, dean of instruction, principal, and director positions. He has served students at all levels, including elementary, middle, high school, and special education. The heartbeat of his pursuits has always been scholarship and learning…with one focus: the benefit of the children, adults, and communities in mind.
Dr. Kelchner has served on numerous school, district, and community committees working with students, parents, board trustees, superintendents, executive level management, and community leaders from all walks of life.
In 2016 Dr. Kelchner retired from public education to venture into the educational sales sector. He found more work to be done connecting vital academic service providers to better systems and solutions.
Tom is significantly involved in a number of community organizations and programs. He feels that he has been called to support the needs of those less fortunate in our communities and, in fact, the world. He is the Chairman of the Hands of Healing Residential Treatment Center. His calling led him to his involvement in the development of the Feed the Future Foundation and his role as Chairman.
Tom is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Baytown, has been named Rotarian of the Year twice, and recently was elected as the Rotary District 5890 Governor Nominee. He will assume the role of District Governor in 2025 – 2026.
Rick Harlow
Vice-Chairman
Rick is a highly accomplished technologist and business leader with over 25 years of experience. He is widely recognized by third-party analysts for his ability to drive innovation in multiple markets. Alongside his successful career, Rick has dedicated his time and expertise to volunteer work, particularly in non-profit organizations focused on feeding the hungry.
With a strong background in business creation, B2B business development, and revenue generation in the tech, energy, and manufacturing sectors, Rick brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role on the board. Throughout his professional journey, Rick has built an extensive professional and personal network comprising business leaders, government officials, and university administrators. This network serves as a valuable resource for connecting with key stakeholders and forging strategic partnerships for Feed the Future Foundation.
Rick has been recognized as an award-winning business leader in the global software and industrial IoT markets, achieving successful exits across multiple start-ups and global companies in various industries. His record of developing and scaling technologies extends to aerospace and defense, energy, transportation, maritime, as well as state and federal government sectors.
As a member of the non-profit board, Rick takes on the responsibility of spearheading business development and generating market opportunities. He engages in discussions and consultations on business objectives, strategies, and goals, leveraging his expertise to bring them to fruition. Additionally, he plays a crucial role in raising funds, creating joint ventures, managing senior management strategies, and identifying and structuring successful operations.
Rick Harlow's dedication to making a difference in the fight against hunger, combined with his extensive technological expertise and business acumen, makes him an invaluable asset to the non-profit organization and its mission to provide nourishment to those in need.
Leo Womack
Treasurer
Leo has spent his en4re career in Houston. Beginning as a CPA with Arthur Andersen, he purchased a CPA firm in the Texas Medical Center. In the early 80’s he merged his firm into a large na4onal firm to pursue private investments and entrepreneurial ac4vi4es and re4red from the profession. Leo was a co-founder and CFO of Park Plaza Hospital (376 beds) un4l it was sold to a NYSE Hospital Management Company. Later he was involved as the financial principal in founding one of the first surgery center companies, a long-term care hospital, and numerous other life science companies primarily in medical device.
Lynne Bentsen
Director
Lynne Bentsen is a results-oriented entrepreneur with a 35-year career as a consultant, investor, and board member in business ventures, investor programs, and venture capital sourcing in the entrepreneurial marketplace, while employing selective representation of businesses and product ventures focusing on the development of long-range business planning, capital formation and exit strategies.
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Her private sector experience is coupled with participation as a board member for 22 non-profits while founding two Foundations. Besides The Feed for the Future Foundation, she currently sits on the Advisory Board of the Hobby School of Public Policy at the University of Houston and is the Chairman of The Harry Ransom Center Advisory Council at the University of Texas.
Lanson Jones
Director
Lanson Burrows Jones Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Everlast Energy.
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Lanson is a passionate entrepreneur with experience in launching early stage innova@ve companies in the energy and technology sectors. He has extensive transi@onal experience before and aDer a successful Mergers & Acquisi@ons in the deregulated energy sector and brings key thought leadership in understanding, recognizing, establishing and staying ahead of market trends by leveraging technology and unique go to market strategies. Lanson sits on the board of several non profits with a passion for using innovation of energy and food technology to help solve humanity’s biggest problems.
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Donna Winfrey
Director
Donna is is a tenured Commercial Real Estate Broker with over 2 decades of transaction experience providing commercial property investment advice, structuring financially successful shopping center, retail, multifamily and industrial property transactions, and negotiating complex corporate office and commercial property sales and leasing contracts. She offers her corporate, business and not-for-profit clients a bundle of
related services that incorporate her years as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner and include site selection, pre-development services, easement negotiation, and parcel assemblages. On behalf of her clients, Donna achieves in-depth property due diligence, transaction financial feasibility, and coordination and management of third-party professionals, namely, bankers and equity investors, attorneys, architects,
engineers, and contractors. As a former investment banker, Donna structured transactions in tranches of $30 million for the development of affordable housing and mixed-use projects. These financing structures were presented to Housing and Finance Authorities nationwide. As a Development Officer for the State of Georgia, Donna underwrote transactions with multiple layers of financing, including the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. After graduation from Fordham University, Donna was a Paralegal at Chapman and Cutler Atlanta where she worked with a Managing Partner on Maynard Jackson’s Housing Task Force during his third successful run for Mayor of the City of Atlanta.
Donna is a 2023 recipient of The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Leadership, representing her 20+ years of service to her community. During her nearly 2-decade tenure at Coldwell Banker Commercial, Donna was the only woman inducted into the distinguished Pinnacle Society representing exceptional financial and beneficial accomplishments for her clients. Donna is a member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), a global networking and mentorship organization. The City Council recently appointed Donna to be a Director on the Municipal District Development Board.