Christopher Padbury, Executive Director

Chris is a former US Air Force Pilot and is the father of five adopted children.  He received his undergraduate degrees from the US Air Force Academy and Colorado Christian University, and his Masters degree from the University of Colorado.  Major Padbury served 12 years in active duty status and is now in the Air Force Reserves.  While in the Air Force, Chris served as a C-130 pilot, an instructor pilot, and a staff planner for US Northern Command for its support of the space shuttle program.  He gave up his wings to become the Executive Director of Project 1.27. His passion for the ministry springs from his great experience as an adoptive father. Chris and his wife Sarah have adopted through every means possible in the US including international and domestic private agencies, an adoption lawyer outside the state and most recently through the Colorado foster care system.  These three infant and two older child adoptions give them a unique understanding of the orphan crisis worldwide. In July 2004, Chris assisted Pastor Robert Gelinas in creating and implementing Project 1.27.  He now has the joyful and immensely busy task of directing and managing Project 1.27, its wonderful staff and supporters.  This position allows him to act as a bridge between government and communities of faith to impact the lives of families and orphans through foster care adoption.

Rhonda Miescke, MSW, Training Team Manager

Rhonda has over 29 years of experience in child protection, foster care, and adoptions.  Prior to joining Project 1.27, she supervised a large Colorado metro county’s adoption program for 15 years.  She supervised the foster care placement, matching, adoption placement, and Court process for over 400 adoptions for children while serving as the adoption program supervisor.  In 2006, as a county employee, she presented a workshop entitled “Dancing to a New Beat:  Government and Faith Based Organizations Working Together”  jointly with Chris Padbury, Project 1.27 Executive Director, and Sharen Ford,  the Colorado State Department of Human Services Permanency Manager.  Rhonda is the manager for the support and training components for adoptive families served by this organization.  This includes the coordination of donated goods, services, support groups, volunteers, and training opportunities for our families.

Lisel Harkless
Adoption Process Manager
Lisel brings a wealth of training, experience and passion for adoption. In her words, "I have always wanted to work in adoption ministry." Her B.S. in Human Services from Hannibal LaGrange College is especially helpful. She brings experience as a crisis intervention worker, a probation and parole agent, a child abuse and neglect investigator, and an office assistant. Lisel works with families as they complete their adoption paperwork through Project 1.27 and the state of Colorado.

Brian Felker, LCSW, Program Trainer

Brian has a BA from Metro State College and an MSW from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. He has 15 years of experience as a psychotherapist and social worker for both the public schools and counseling centers specializing in foster/care adoption issues. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, he has developed and taught at a number of training workshops and conferences for parents and professionals. He has presented three times at the Colorado State Foster Parent Association's Annual Conference in Glenwood Springs, CO. Brian assists with Project 1.27 strategy, teaches several of the adoptive family classes, and facilitates our support group meetings.

Sarah Padbury, Project Assistant

Sarah has a BA in theater and 20 years experience in writing, editing and acting.  She also was an executive assistant for several years.  She is now the mother to five adopted children with her husband, Chris.  Between homework and kids’ events, she finds time to assist Project 1.27 in strategic planning, media development and is the Class Leader for one of our trainings, Unconditional Love in Adoption.  Sarah is an appointee to Colorado Governor Ritter’s Task Force on Foster Care and Permanency.