Our mission

We provide Help for whole Family Healing

Eagle Ranch is a Christ-centered nonprofit organization that takes a whole family approach to restoring and renewing relationships for children and families. Our affordable and accessible services meet families at their point of need, providing guidance, practical resources and hope for a more flourishing future.

Our Core Commitments

We have an unwavering faith in Christ

We humbly partner with families on their healing journey

We create a peaceful, stable environment

We steward our mission with quality and expertise

We boldly chart the future, following God’s lead

Our Story is a testimony to God’s Faithfulness

It started with a guileless teen’s observation one day in church. As that teen grew into a man, he saw that children faced many challenges in their lives. He became particularly burdened by children who were struggling with their families. He believed there had to be a way to help make their lives better. So he began a journey that led him from Birmingham, Alabama to the Chestnut Mountain community of Flowery Branch.

Eagle Ranch Founder Eddie Staub made headlines in the early 1980s as an ambitious young man attempting to fund and establish a home for struggling boys. Because of its extraordinary formation and early growth, the Ranch was called “the miracle on Chestnut Mountain” by CNN television during the initial phases of construction and development.

From the opening of our first home in 1985, Eagle Ranch has grown well beyond one person with a dream. Today, we are a community that helps thousands of boys, girls and their family members. Our wide range of services promotes whole family healing.

Leadership

Be Strong and Very Courageous

The Eagle Ranch community embodies humility, experience, compassion and strength. Our leadership is focused on developing and guiding a team that cares deeply about serving children and families. We work to create and nurture a beautiful, peaceful environment that promotes healing, learning, transformation and renewal.

Executive Director

John Shackelford

John Shackelford is the second Executive Director in Eagle Ranch history, succeeding Eddie Staub in July 2021. John leads all staff, organizational strategy and operations of the Ranch. Prior to Eagle Ranch, John spent 10 years at Chick-fil-A in the corporate Marketing department. In his most recent role, he led Chick-fil-A’s Brand Planning team. He previously led national partnerships with ESPN, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. Additionally, John helped start the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy program and Chick-fil-A’s fleet of food trucks. Originally from Orlando, Florida, John attended Wheaton College in Illinois with a double-major in Business and Theological Studies. John and his wife, Stephanie, are proud parents to three children.  

Founder

Eddie Staub

Eddie Staub is the Founder of Eagle Ranch and CEO of The Wings Center at Eagle Ranch, which offers outpatient counseling, retreats and training. In addition to his leadership, Eddie heads up Wings Consulting, which counsels new and existing children’s programs and nonprofits throughout the United States and abroad. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Eddie graduated with a B.S. in Science Education from Auburn University and was a member of the varsity baseball team. He also has a master’s degree in Physiology from Auburn. Eddie and his wife, Kayanne, have five adult children.

Leadership Staff

Steve Watts

Director of Finance, IT, & Administrative Support

Kelly Brewer

Director of Development and Outreach

Femke Côté

Director of Human Resources

John Cunnings

Boys' Program Director

Fred Haselden

Director of Education

Jeannine Keller

Girls' Program Director

Andy Nelson

Director of Spiritual Life

Wade Pearce

Senior Director of Program Services

Tim Wilson

Director of Facilities

Board of Directors

Tim Ayres

Partner
Moore Colson & Co.

Greg Boyd

CEO
Intellicom Wireless Management, Inc.

Mike Callahan

Retired President and CEO
Gypsum Management & Supply

Lynn Chastain

Retired Senior VP and General Counsel
Chick-Fil-A

Jim Copeland

Retired Human Resources Executive
Wrigley

Blair Cunningham

Partner
SignatureFD

Tom Fuller

Retired EVP, CFO
Guided by Good, Inc.

Roy Jones

Partner
Seven Hills Strategies, LLC

Mart Martin

Facilitator and Author
Attentional Living

Michael Mohr

Partner and Managing Director
Cresset Capital Management

Dave Polstra

Retired Co-Founder
Brightworth

Sara Storck

Director: Brand Strategy, Planning & Design
Chick-fil-A

Dee Ann Turner

Founder and CEO
Dee Ann Turner & Associates

John Vardeman

President
Morton, Vardeman & Carlson

Our Advisors

Courtney Amos

Community Volunteer

Dan Cathy

Chairman
Chick-fil-A

Elizabeth Harris

Former First Lady of Georgia

Dr. Tim Irwin

Managing Partner
Irwin, Inc.

Glen Jackson

Co-founder
Jackson Spalding

Earl Leonard

Retired Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
The Coca-Cola Company

David Ratcliffe

Retired President and CEO
Southern Company

Wendell Starke

Founding Partner
Invesco

John Wieland

Chairman and CEO
John Wieland Homes

Philip Wilheit

President
Tom Wilheit Packaging Company

Jenner Wood

Chairman, President and CEO
Suntrust Bank, Georgia

Careers

Living out A Culture and A Calling

Eagle Ranch is a close-knit community of caregivers, counselors, educators and administrators all committed to helping further our mission. We believe in the support and encouragement of one another and everyone we serve.

Open Positions

Respite Houseparents

Serve as houseparents for a temporary period
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First Step Assistant

Provide hope and guidance to inquiring families
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Program Assistant

Professional and personal growth, meaningful work
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Houseparents

A fulfilling opportunity for married couples
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Financials

Dedicated to Effective & Transparent Stewardship

We are vigilant about the careful stewardship of all that is entrusted to us – from the children and families we care for to the contributions of faithful supporters. We believe that excellence of our organizational operations is crucial to caring for children and families. We are committed to a debt-free status, a long-term mindset, and financial independence.

Where We've Invested Your Contributions in 2022

We have remained debt-free since our inception and no loans or financing have ever been used to acquire land or pay for construction. No money ever goes toward paying interest on debt. Our annual budget is funded through the generosity of private individual donors, along with churches, businesses and community, family and corporate foundations.

Each year, the budget process is started from scratch, with all expenses reviewed before the annual budget is approved. Eagle Ranch is accredited through the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), which provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations.

In addition to the oversight of the ECFA, Eagle Ranch’s financial records are audited annually by an independent accounting firm, and the Finance Committee of the Eagle Ranch Board of Directors provides ongoing financial oversight. Eagle Ranch is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Our program has consistently earned us the highest rating from Charity Navigator, a leading global charity monitor.
Eagle Ranch is accredited through the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, which provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations.
Eagle Ranch was recognized in 2024 by Excellence in Giving, one of the nation’s best charity evaluators.

Resources

Privacy Policy

2023

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2022

Eagle Ranch Audit

2022

990

2021

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