Staff & Board

The staff and board members of Ithaka Fellowship are comprised of men and women uniquely gifted to address the threefold mission of the study center. If you have any questions for any of our leaders, feel free to reach out and email them or call our office to speak to Pastor Duane.
  • Don Johnson, Board Member, Secretary

    Whether serving as a commercial lender or PCA pastor, Don has always been captivated by God’s glory and grace in the ordinary moments, people, and places of creation. Don joined Ithaka's board in 2015 and resides in West Chicago with his wife and three daughters.

  • Melody Green, Board Member

    Melody serves Urbana Theological Seminary as Dean. She has a wide variety of experience teaching at multiple institutions of higher education. Her research interests include the intersection of faith and literature, as well as the authors J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and George MacDonald. She has published several articles on these and related topics, and spoken at a wide variety of conferences. Melody received her PhD from Illinois State University.


  • Tom Becker, Board Member

    Tom  founded The Row House, Inc in 2010 and serves as President. He hosts The Row House Forum and speaks regularly for groups on community building, cultural discernment, and interpersonal communication. As Assistant Pastor at Wheatland PCA, Lancaster, PA, he guides his congregation in examining current culture as a means to broadening Christian discipleship and deepening relationships with neighbors outside the church. The Network is an emerging ministry among young adults Tom heads up, as well, with his wife Becky.

  • Dustin Webb, Dust2Glory Fitness Director, Board Member

    Dustin is a husband, father, and Elder at Christ Church, PCA in Normal, IL. He is passionate about cultivating gospel transformation in both the physical and spiritual areas of life.  Dustin enjoys disciplining people as they realize their physical goals as a means to teach them to overcome obstacles and persevere through trials.  Dustin has a Masters of Divinity from Urbana Theological Seminary, is a Cross Country and certified Spartan Race SGX coach, and is working towards a personal training certification.

  • Tim Trouten, Board Member

    Tim is from Dundee Michigan. He met his wife, Kim, while in high school working together at Taco Bell and together they attended Michigan State. It was during college that Tim really began to understand how the gospel should impact his faith. Tim loves reading theology, teaching, and playing board games. He's been serving at Christ Church PCA since June of 2014. Tim and Kim have two energetic boys, Xander and Zack and a lovely daughter named Penny. 

  • Krystal Kay Lyon, Program Director

    Krystal is originally from North Augusta, South Carolina. Her love of God, beauty, art and community led her to Bloomington and Ithaka in 2014. Since her move to the area Krystal has started writing for an online film blog out of St. Louis called ZekeFilms. She presently serves at Christ Community Church of Chenoa as Ministry Coordinator and enjoys spending time with the artist community of B-N.

  • Al Hany, Board member

    Al and Keri have been with Ithaka Fellowship since the beginning. Al recently retired  and is a faithful churchman and community servant in the Gridley and Chenoa area. He has his masters degree in theology at Urbana Theological Seminary, Urbana, IL.

    Al is a jack of all trades, he loves playing his guitar, bike riding and traveling with his dear Keri. 



  • Duane otto, Founder & President

    After ten years of pastoral ministry in the southern regions of the US, Duane and his wife, Julie, moved their family to Illinois in 2007 and founded Ithaka Fellowship. Duane is an ordained minister, farmer, and is serving as lead pastor at Christ Community Church of Chenoa. Duane received a BS in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois, Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Masters in Counseling (MAC) from Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO, and a Doctorate of Ministry (DMin) in spiritual formation and creation care from Northern Seminary, Lisle, IL. Duane and Julie live on a farm in Gridley with their children.

  • Joel Presley, Board Member

    Joel is a native of North Augusta, SC and lives there with his wife, Tracy, and four children. Joel was graduated from Liberty University with a BS in Journalism. After college, he served for six years as an officer in the US Air Force. Currently, he is the owner of Presley Realty, working in development, construction, and brokerage of land and commercial properties. Joel enjoys music, good stories, beautiful land, traveling and adventures with his family. He is an active leader in his local church and supports causes like 40 Days for Life and Central Savannah River Land Trust.