Who we are

Annemarie Dugan, Founding Executive Director

A visionary performing arts director, Annemarie has a gift for bringing together talented, passionate people to accomplish wonderful things. In the summer of 1989, Annemarie served as a collegiate ambassador to the Jerusalem International YMCA, where her world view was rocked—and she grasped the staggering potential of what is possible when diverse people put their heads and hearts together:

Love happens. People are served. God is glorified.

This truth drives her pursuit of Christian unity and passion to engage in humanitarian relief. A trained musician and media & public relations specialist, Annemarie has mounted large-scale productions and events for thirty years. She has held positions with such organizations as the Christian Medical & Dental Associations/Global Health Outreach, where she helped launch a Mobile Medical Unit, bringing much needed healthcare to underserved children and families in Central America.

Annemarie currently manages media and special events for Art to Heart, an international organization that helps people experience God through the world’s great art via talks, worship resources and tours in the US & Europe. She serves as a guest director at Trinity Arts Center in East Tennessee, where she lives with her family

Jeff Dugan, COO

Jeff has made a living in fiber-related research. When he’s not working on Mila Vox business, he is a co-founder and Vice President, Research for Fiber Innovation Technology, which is possibly the world’s most innovative fiber producer. In 2019, Jeff presented the world’s first and only TED Talk on the subject of bicomponent fiber technology.

A longtime explorer of the connection between art and worship, Jeff is the founder of Art to Heart, a ministry that seeks God’s inspiration in the world’s great visual art.

Our Board Members

James Lee Harlan, II

Recently retired as VP of Integrated Global Supply Chain with Eastman Chemical company, Jim spent four decades successfully filling a variety of technical and executive leadership positions within engineering, operations, business and supply chain spanning twelve countries and four continents, including time with his family as expats in both The Netherlands and Singapore.

A native East Tennessean & Harvard Business School graduate, Jim is a recipient of numerous awards in the logistics profession, and in 2019, was inducted into East Tennessee State University’s College of Business & Technology Hall of Fame, receiving their Lifetime Achievement Award. Jim currently serves as the ETSU Executive-in-Residence in the Department of Management & Marketing.

Achievements and stellar career notwithstanding, Jim aspires most to investments that yield an eternal return. Jim’s philanthropic passion is education, both domestically and internationally. He believes education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty across our world and for the last eighteen years, Jim has led teams to Mexico and Guatemala doing construction and medical/dental missions.

Regionally, Jim has served on and presided over numerous boards, including United Way of Greater Kingsport, Coalition for Kids, Kingsport Community Foundation, Quest Foundation for Washington County Schools, East Tennessee Foundation, Johnson City Public School Foundation and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, among others.

Chad Whitfield, J.D.

A graduate of East Tennessee State University and St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami Florida, Chad is an attorney with extensive expertise in tax, planning and design within the estate, trust and wealth management and planning niche. Since 1996, Chad has held positions at such firms as Klein & Associates, P.C. in Johnson City/ Kingsport Tennessee, First Tennessee Bank and as Equity Partner, in the Estate Planning Group, Hunter Smith & Davis, LLP in Johnson City, TN.

Currently an Estate Planning Attorney at the Andersen Firm, Chad has served on numerous boards and councils, including the General Council, Johnson City Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation and as President of the Tri-Cities Estate Planning Council. Chad is also a speaker at various Estate Planning CLEs.

An avid tennis player, golfer and coach, Chad has mentored and taught many young people throughout the years in his various leadership roles in the church as deacon, youth Bible Study teacher and all-around great guy. Chad has a heart for service and volunteering and is passionate about family.

He and wife, Lisa, founded Rock Steady Boxing, Johnson City, a non-profit boxing/fitness program proven to delay the progression of Parkinson’s Disease and empowers patients to fight back. Chad and Lisa have served the community in countless ways through their kind generosity and unique team-leadership style. They have three grown children, Colin, Garrett and Kayla.

Kara L. Keys

Currently a Senior Manager with Project Program Management at Aetna and CVS Health, Kara Keys is a Revenue Cycle specialist (CRCR) and has vast expertise and experience in the health care industry, having lead teams in the areas of Management, Communications, Public Relations, Resource Management, and Quality.

Holding a BA in Advertising & Mass Communications from East Tennessee State University, Kara has held various positions with Ballad Health, especially enjoying her tenure at the Niswonger Children’s Hospital, where she served as Marketing and Communications Manager. In her leadership roles, Kara engaged in numerous service projects involving charities that serve at risk children and their families.

A seasoned veteran in graphic design and marketing, Kara is also skilled in the areas of government relations and crisis communications, having served as Communications Specialist for BWX Technologies, Inc. and Nuclear Fuel Services in Erwin, TN. Kara is an invaluable adviser and member of the Mila Vox team, serving as Researcher and steering the ministry on many levels with her enormous heart for missions.

Hailing from Rockford Illinois, but growing up in Bristol, Tennessee, Kara lives with Marty, her husband of 24 years and has two grown children, Andrew and Erin. Kara is a member of Central Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN, and loves to help improve the lives of people in her community.