Our Board of Directors serve to support the vision of Surge Soccer.
David Irby
USSF ‘A’ Coaching License; Master’s Degree in Teaching (University of La Verne); B.A. in Social Science and Physical Education (Azusa Pacific University)
Salem, Oregon
CEO, Surge International • U.S. Soccer ‘A’ Coaching License; M.A.T. (Teaching), University of La Verne (California) A native of Southern California, Dave played soccer on the first team at Azusa Pacific University. At the age of twenty-three, he became the Cougars Head Coach, twice being named Coach of the Year, while at the same time playing with the Athletes-in-Action soccer team. A pioneer of soccer ministry he has literally crisscrossed the global as a soccer coach, player, and speaker. He was the first coach for the Sports Life team (WA) and the original full-time staff member, and founder of the Seahorse soccer team for MAI (CA); before going on to found Surge International, commonly known as Surge Soccer. Dave and the soccer teams he has led, have traveled to thirty-five countries of the world, bringing hope to those they meet. His teams have helped with reconciliation in Uganda, after the civil war and peace in Sudan during their civil war. More recently he and his colleagues used soccer for “civil war “prevention” in Burundi. He spent three years developing soccer projects to help refugees integrate into Austria after they fled tragic circumstances in their own countries. He recently coached the Southern California Seahorses in the National Under-23 League (PDL); and a youth team for the LA Galaxy; and was a Head Coach with the Capital FC Timbers Academy, a branch of the Portland Timbers. Currently, Dave resides in Salem, Oregon with his wife Susan. He splits his time mostly, between Oreg
Allen Lotz
B.A. in Liberal Studies & M.S. in Christian Education
Rome, Georgia
Al represents Surge International from Rome, Georgia. He has been a career missionary in MK education in the context of cross cultural church planting. He played soccer at Azusa Pacific University (CA) and also with one of the first soccer ministry teams before entering the world of MK education overseas. As teacher, coach and administrator in three different countries on two continents, he brings expertise in organizational leadership, multicultural settings and member care. Using soccer as a tool for outreach has been a common thread in these endeavors. After returning to the US from overseas, he travelled extensively as a consultant for MK education providing a broad range of international experience and networking that has proven beneficial to expanding the impact of Surge International. More recently he has focused on teaching Bible in several countries and is now working on developing courses that can be viewed online.
David Welk
CFO, Aztec Washer Company
Poway, CA
Co-captain of the Surge Over-50 team, Dave now helps organize the Over-50’s special projects. Dave helped pioneer soccer ministry, first as a player at Azusa Pacific University and then as a long-serving board member for Surge International. He has made regular trips to the RSJB orphanage and has traveled on multiple soccer mission trips with the Surge. David currently serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer.
Dave Smith
Tustin, CA
Dave is a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church’s (Santa Ana, CA) Missions Committee and the Missions Care team with his wife Kathy. He is the Maintenance Supervisor at Phoenix House (drug rehab facility). He and his wife Kathy serve refugees in the OC and Dave has served refugees in Austria on a Surge short-term mission trip.
Likius Hafeni
MDiv Candidate, Corban University, Salem, OR & B.S. in Exercise Science, Corban University
Salem, Oregon
Likius grew up in Mariental, Namibia where he was involved in his local church and Youth for Christ. As the pioneer of soccer ministry in his country, Likius became the facilitator for sports ministry in Namibia and Church Sports Coordinator for Southern Africa with the International Sports Coalition. In 2009 Likius played for Surge International’s Cascade Surge PDL team in Salem, Oregon leading to him settling in Salem to pursue his education at Corban University. Likius graduated from Corban with a B.Sc. in Exercise Science and his Master of Divinity (MDiv). Likius has extensive coaching experience in Namibia and the U.S. and currently holds a FIFA Grassroots Coach Educator Certificate and a F.A. Level 2 Coaching License (UEFA). Through Surge, under Likius’s leadership, Calvary Chapel (Salem, Oregon USA) and The Salem Leadership Foundation founded the Grass Roots After School soccer/learning program that has expanded from one to thirteen public elementary schools. Likius also spearheaded Calvary Chapel’ summer soccer project for the community, with as many as 250 children attending. One day soccer tournaments have also taken place for the schools. Likius runs soccer camps throughout the Northwest of the United States and will continue to develop sports ministry in his home country of Namibia and throughout Africa.
Doug DeVries
B.A. in Cross-Cultural Communications & Linguistics
Bellingham, WA
Doug joins the Surge Board with over 15 years experience in business & various non-profit ministries. He has lived in both Ecuador & Bolivia as a missionary and teacher. His business life has focused on helping local businesses succeed with their IT and web presence. He is currently working to develop Charity Director to help accelerate workplace giving to see sustainable thriving communities around the world.