Our Board of Directors

Thomas J. Rachal, Chairman- Thomas J. Rachal is a Business Development Manager for Bulwark Protection, a division of Workwear Outfitters. He is a graduate of The University of Texas in Austin TX. Tom was a Senior Vice President at Riverside Manufacturing Company and served on the Presidential Council Board.  Throughout his professional career, he has worked on various charitable boards, such as SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center.  Tom has a special interest in serving as Chairman of the Board for Rays of light. He and his wife Denise, have a child with special needs, Sam.  Tom has experienced first-hand the rewards that the program affords this special community.  He has witnessed how Rays of Light has changed the lives of these awesome kids and their families.

Stephen L. Arata, Treasurer-  Stephen L. Arata is Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for Next Wave Energy Partners. Stephen is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and received his MBA from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.  Stephen was one of the original volunteers for Night Lights in 2001, has been an active volunteer since then, and has been on the Rays of Light board since its formation. Stephen is married with three children, the youngest two of whom were also active volunteers at Night Lights.

Christine (Chris) Sanner Berry - Chris has been an active community volunteer for over three decades.  Chris’ community involvement has included numerous organizations and philanthropic efforts with a focus on children and youth, education and health.  Organizations in which Chris has been actively involved include Parent Teachers Association (P.T.A.), Girl Scouts, Grant Haliburton Foundation, Wesley Rankin Community Center, and Parish Episcopal School events fundraising and programs.  In these and other organizations Chris has served in various capacities including board level, fund raising and hands on volunteerism with youth and Children.  Chris was introduced to Rays of Light several years ago through her children who served as volunteers and she and her husband Jim have since been active supporters of the organization. Chris is a proud native Texan and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1985. She enjoys cooking, traveling and reading in her spare time.

Alden Brosseau - Alden and her family came to Lover’s Lane UMC through the Rays of Light Ministry in 2003.  She joined the Board of Directors in 2017, and received the Outstanding Service Award at the 2026 Rays of Light Gala. Alden is a graduate of the University of Texas and received her Masters of Science degree from the University of Texas at Dallas.  Alden has dedicated her professional career to working with school-aged children with special needs and their families.  Alden and her husband, Chip, have two children.  In her free time, Alden enjoys volunteering, attending her boys sporting events and reading. 














Charlotte Thompson Hickey- Charlotte Thompson Hickey, a Dallas native, currently works at Merritt Capital Partners, a commercial real estate company, as its Chief Financial Officer. Her experience includes corporate lending, oversight of venture capital portfolios, sales of distressed loan packages, and corporate finance. In connection with her venture capital duties, she served as a director of several portfolio companies. Through her childrens’ educational years, she served as PTApresident, treasurer and in many other capacities at all three schools they attended. More recently she has been involved with the Delta Delta Delta Alumnae organization, serving as President of the House Corporation in Austin, and ten years as the treasurer of the Dallas Alumnae Group. Mrs. Hickey is a 1980 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, with a BBA in Finance.

April Mihelich - April Mihelich became the KIDS Ministry Director for Lovers Lane UMC in June of 2025, and serves as the LLUMC staff liaison for the Rays of Light Board. April spent the first 12 years of her carerr in the classroom teachin Pre-Kindergarten before stepping into ministry. She is a graduate of Tarleton State University with a degree in Child & Family Studies with a minor in Special Education. April enjoys live music, live sports, spending time with friends and family. She and her fiance, Eric, are planning a January 2027 wedding.



Sarah Strother -Sarah Strother is a Principal Consultant at Okorio, a Dallas based consulting firm. She grew up in Dallas, attending W.T. White High School in North Dallas and graduating from the University of Texas with a BBA in Finance. She is an active volunteer with the children's ministry at Lovers Lane UMC as well as Rays of Light respite programming. In her free time, she is on a mission to visit all of the US National Parks and introduce friends and family to the beauty of the Parks system along the way.



Sarah Velvin -Sarah Velvin is an Early Careers Legal Recruitment Manager at White & Case LLP, a leading global law firm. She grew up in Dallas, attending Parish Episcopal School and graduating from TCU with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies, having minored in Business and Film as well as TV & Digital Media. Sarah first became involved with Rays of Light as a volunteer in high school. Sarah loves spending time with family and friends, especially in the mountains where she can enjoy the great outdoors - with cooler temperatures.


Roger Wyche -  Roger Wyche has over 20 years experience as a Commercial Real Estate Broker & Lender, financing such projects as Southlake Town Square, Hyatt Regency Dallas, Kierland Westin Resort & Spa, Kierland Commons Shopping Center, and Uptown Center.  Roger is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a BBA in Marketing as well as a scholarship member of the UNT Golf Team.  He has been actively involved with the Preston Center Rotary Club since 2013 and has been an active part of the Rays of Light Board since 2010.  “The support and caring among the Board Members is awesome as everyone pulls together to really support this program for our Special Kids”, says Roger.  “Being a part of the ROL Program provides a great lift in my life and puts my own priorities in perspective very quickly as well.”