Camp Tekoa - Full Time Staff

James Johnson - Executive Director

James joined the Camp Tekoa Staff in January 1997. James and his wife Jerrilyn have four children, Baden, AJ, Lewis, and Kayla. James first served at Tekoa during the summers of 1989 and 1990. He holds an undergraduate degree from Pfeiffer University in Religion and Christian education. He also has a Master of Divinity Degree from Duke University. James is an ordained Elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served as associate minister at Jamestown UMC in Jamestown, NC before being appointed to serve at Tekoa. James is an active member in the Christian Camp and Conference Center Association and the American Camp Association.

When he is not having fun at camp, James enjoys day hikes with his family, running, playing with the dogs, reading, and playing on the Little Rascals volleyball team. James loves his job at Tekoa, "I remember the first time I drove into camp and thinking to myself, Wow! What a beautiful place to serve God and enjoy the beauty of God's creation".

John Isley - Assistant Director

Summer camp in NC mountains John joined the Camp Tekoa staff in 2013. He has spent over ten years in youth ministry at Bethlehem UMC in Waxhaw and First UMC in Hendersonville. He also ran a camp for Livada Orphan Care in Romania. He served on summer camp staff in 1999 and 2000 where he worked as a resource for backpacking and rock-climbing. He met his beautiful wife Carrie at Camp Tekoa (in front of the rocking chairs to be exact) and also proposed to her at camp. They have three children. John graduated from Campbell University with a BA in Graphic Design and Studio Art. He also has an MDiv from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is a Deacon in the Western North Carolina Conference of the UMC.

When not at camp, John enjoys hiking with the family, backpacking, disc golf, mountain biking and pretty much anything else in the woods. Camp Tekoa involves his greatest passions of serving children, discipling staff and ministering in an outdoor environment.

Karen Rohrer - Business Manager

Summer camp in NC Mountains Karen joined the Camp Tekoa staff in May, 2001. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Duke University. She has also worked on her masters degree in business & accounting at Xavier University & WCU. Karen has been married to her husband Jim since 1978. She is also Mom to Joseph, an executive chef, and Becca, a marketing manager for a non-profit.

Karen is a member at the Skyland United Methodist Church where she is involved in new member ministry and volunteers in several other ministries. Karen's hobbies include hiking, walking, reading, and cheering Duke Men's & Women's basketball teams.

Melisa Coates - Administrative Assistant

Summer Camp in NC Mountains Melisa joined the camp staff in January 2007. Since her start, she has helped Tekoa transition to a fully "live" summer registration system and has implemented a proactive communication plan between Tekoa and its registrants, donors, board members and conference churches.

She is a full-time student, working toward her Master's degree in counseling.

Melisa is the founder of a non-profit ministry that she manages in her spare time. Melisa also enjoys hiking, running, camping and spending time with her family and friends.

Alicia McClain - Let's Grow Outside Director

Alicia joined the Camp Tekoa staff in 2015. She has spent over ten years in camp and afterschool programs in Western North Carolina and Orange Park, Florida. She served with Bahamas Methodist Habitat on the island of Eleuthera, where she hosted volunteer teams, directed afterschool, and participated in special community events. She has a Siberian Husky puppy named Blaze, and a county fair goldfish named George. Alicia graduated from Stetson University with a BS in Psychology. She also has an MS in Youth Development Leadership from Clemson University.Alicia loves encouraging campers and their families to PLAY as often as possible, preferably outside. She enjoys lifeguarding at the lake, hiking with her dog, and short backpacking trips through the woods. Some of her goals are to become an author, section hike the AT, and meet Kid President.

Greg Trollinger - Maintenance Director

greg Greg Trollinger has been Tekoa's Maintenance Director since 1995 and is responsible for keeping the buildings and grounds beautiful and efficient. Greg is always working on projects that continually upgrade the facilities and infrastructure. In the summertime, Greg is often seen transporting campers to their off-site activities in Tekoa's activity bus.

Much of Greg's free time is spent with his wife Eleanor, daughters Caroline and Julia, and son Charlie. As a family they enjoy activities such as camping and swimming. Greg also enjoys playing the banjo, riding his road bike.

Leroy King - Maintenance

Summer Camp in NC mountains Leroy brings a wealth of experience to his role at Camp Tekoa. He has spent time in construction and concrete work over the years. He has a willing heart and kind personality that is a tremendous blessing to everyone at Camp Tekoa.