Mike Adams - Founder and President

Mike Adams is the Founder and President of Adams Thermal Foundation (ATF). Mike also chairs the Foundation Board and is responsible for the strategic direction and overall operations of ATF.

Mike is also the Founder and CEO of the Adams Companies, which are organizations that provide highly engineered vehicle cooling systems and structural manufacturing components for various industries including on-road and off-road vehicles. The Adams Companies are headquartered in

 Canton, South Dakota with additional locations in Iowa, Germany, India, Mexico, Ethiopia and China. 

Mike is not only passionate about business, but also caring for and ministering in Jesus’ name to the “least of these” in our world.  Mike is married to his high school sweetheart, Kim, and they are the proud parents of 9 children, living with their family in Sioux Falls, SD.

Kim Adams - Co-Founder

Kim Adams is the Co-Founder of Adams Thermal Foundation (ATF) and serves as Child Advocate for our Foundation’s children and family-based programs. She also serves on the ATF Board of Directors. Kim has a bachelor's degree in Psychology as well as a master’s degree in Counseling.

Kim believes that she is called to make a difference in the lives of children, and she has a strong heart for the plight of the poor and the orphan. Kim also felt the call to adopt, together with her husband, Mike, on four different occasions. These children from Ethiopia and Uganda have blessed their family and given them a unique perspective from which they are able to conduct the work of the Foundation.

Justus Adams - Legacy Steward/Board Member

Justus Adams, the eldest son of the founders Mike and Kim Adams, has been actively involved with the foundation since his appointment to the board in 2023. Raised with a deep connection to the foundations mission, Justus began engaging with its work at age eight, traveling to Ethiopia to witness adoption of his sister, Eva. Over the years he accompanied his family on additional adoption journeys for siblings Amani, Selena, and Shakira, forging a personal commitment to the foundation's efforts in Ethiopia. 

A graduate of Minnesota State University - Mankato with a degree in Business Administration, Justus channels his expertise and passion into advancing the foundation's initiatives. He actively sponsors multiple children in Ethiopia, mirroring his parents' dedication to addressing poverty in the region. 

Currently residing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Justus balances his role at Adams Thermal Systems with his foundation responsibilities. As one of nine siblings, he remains deeply rooted in family and service, driven to expand the foundation's impact for years to come.

John Warden - Director of Operations

John Warden is the Director of Operations for Adams Thermal Foundation (ATF), where he manages day-to-day operations, oversees development, and leads projects. In addition to his operational responsibilities, he serves as the chaplain for employees of the Adams Companies, offering spiritual guidance and support.

With more than 20 years of experience in both pastoral and non-profit sectors, John has a rich background in leadership and cross cultural ministry. He and his family spent three years as missionaries in South America, where John served as the Director of Church Strengthening for Food for the Hungry in Sucre, Bolivia. Before joining ATF, John was the Global Staff Pastor for Reconciled World, gaining valuable experience in global missions and cross-cultural initiatives. He has also played a key role in local churches, helping to foster awareness of global missions, and has served as a chaplain at various companies in the Sioux Falls area.

John and his wife Jennie have two daughters, Ella and Lydia.

Samuel Getachew - Director of Ministry / African Operations 

Reverend Samuel Getachew serves as the Director of African Operations and Ministry for Adams Thermal Foundation. Samuel is responsible for all Ethiopian operations. He also oversees ministry-based opportunities and represents the Foundation in the clergy community. In addition, Samuel serves as a chaplain for employees of the Adams Companies and Director for MKA Ministries.

Samuel began his ministry at a young age with the Meseret Kristos Church and went on to serve in teaching, preaching, and leadership roles within Ethiopian Evangelical churches across the country until his move to the United States in 2005. He holds a Master of Divinity and a Doctoral degree from Sioux Falls Seminary and is ordained by the Christian & Missionary Alliance (C&MA).  He is the founding pastor of Gospel of Mercy Church in Sioux Falls, SD. Prior to joining Adams Thermal Foundation; He was a full-time chaplain at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls where he continues to serve as a PRN chaplain. He has served as advisory board member for the Salvation Army and as executive board member for African Churches Association of the C&MA . 

Samuel and his wife, Azeb, have three children.

Jeri Abraham - Sponsorship Coordinator

Jeri serves as Adams Thermal Foundation’s Sponsorship Coordinator, connecting what she calls, “some of the most generous people in the world” with their sponsored child(ren) in Hosanna and Ottoro, Ethiopia at ATF Academies.  She also manages the communication database and technology that helps our sponsors, and their children stay connected in each other’s lives.

Earning her degree in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University, Jeri loves data, math and all things involving details, but she loves children even more. For most of her entire adult life she has nurtured children (she has six adult children of her own). In 2019, Jeri and her husband Mike moved to Phoenix, where she served as the director of a pregnancy center in Mesa, Arizona.  Jeri loves being outdoors and you can usually find her on her mountain bike or paddleboarding.

Kuan 'Jason' Zhang - Director of Asian Operations

Jason Zhang is the Director of Asian Operations for Adams Thermal Foundation (ATF), managing all outreach programs in China. Jason also serves as a Partner Advocate for ATF, representing Asia-based organizations.

Jason is also the General Manager of Adams Thermal Systems, Inc. (ATS) in China with responsibility for development of international business, supply chain administration and management of the ATS office in Hangzhou.

Jason joined ATS in 2005 and holds an MBA from Zhejiang University.

Nega Megersa - Ethiopia Country Director

Nega Megersa is the Country Director for Adams Thermal Foundation Ethiopia (ATFE). Nega works alongside our senior management team at our Ethiopia offices in Addis Ababa and is responsible for all Ethiopia-based outreach programs including our schools and self-help groups.

Prior to joining ATFE, Nega served as the Program Manager for Voice of Wilderness Developmental Organization (VWDO), an Ethiopian non-profit whose mission is to provide empowerment to women, children, and the disability community. Nega has extensive experience in public and private schools as both a teacher and administrator. In his spare time, Nega serves as a Lecturer at MK College in Bishoftu, Ethiopia.

Nega and his wife, Wuddie, have two children.

Daniel Gebre - Business Development Director 

Daniel Gebre is the Business Development Director at Adams Thermal Systems Foundation Ethiopia (ATFE), leading initiatives to drive revenue and support the foundation's mission through new business ventures in Ethiopia. With a strong background in manufacturing, business development, market analysis, and operational management, Daniel brings a wealth of experience to his role. 

Before joining ATFE, Daniel built an extensive career in manufacturing and business development. He held leadership positions, including General Manager roles in various manufacturing industries. His hands-on experience across multiple sectors has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of Ethiopia’s business landscape.

Daniel lives in Ethiopia with his wife, Mekdes, and their two children.

Tigist Siyum- Sponsorship Director

Tigist Siyum is the Sponsorship Director at Adams Thermal Systems Foundation Ethiopia (ATSFE), where she manages both the database and field operations for the sponsorship program.  In her role, she ensures seamless coordination between data management and the on-the-ground sponsorship activities

Before joining ATSFE, Tigist worked for seven years as a Quality Control Team Manager at BE-Media PLC. She started her career in healthcare after earning her BSc in Nursing, serving as Head Nurse of the ICU at Jimma University Specialized Hospital and later leading a team for over two years.

Her experience across healthcare, media, and nonprofit sectors has shaped her into a strong leader who thrives both in teams and independently.

Abebe Lemma - Human Resources Director

Abebe Lemma is the Human Resources Director for Adams Thermal Foundation Ethiopia (ATFE). Abebe works alongside our senior management team at our Ethiopia offices in Addis Ababa and is responsible for all human resource administration for the Foundation, our schools, and our Self-Help Groups.

Prior to joining ATFE, Mr. Lemma served as an Administration and Finance Department Head for a regional agriculture research institute in the southern region of Ethiopia. Abebe also has extensive experience from other public-service organizations where he held a variety of positions for 12 years.

Abebe and his wife, Betel, have four children.

Bizuayehu G/michael - Finance Director

Bizuayehu G/michael is the Finance Director for Adams Thermal Foundation Ethiopia (ATFE). Bizuayehu works alongside our senior management team at our Ethiopia offices in Addis Ababa and is responsible for all financial operations of the foundation and schools.

Prior to joining ATFE, Bizuayehu served as the Finance Director for Micro Pharm PLC, an Ethiopian private organization. Bizuayehu also has finance experience with another Non-Government Organization (NGO) and a private organization in the roles of Senior Accountant and Finance Director.

Bizuayehu and his wife, Azeb, have three children.

Bahru Ageza - MKA Country Director

Bahru Ageza is the Country Director for MKA Ministries Ethiopia (MKAE). Bahru works alongside the ATFE senior management team at our Ethiopia offices in Addis Ababa and is responsible for our spiritual outreach programs including coordinating our MKA Masters-Level training.

Prior to joining MKAE, Bahru served as an ordained pastor in different churches in Ethiopia and abroad. Bahru was a missionary in the northern part of Ethiopia and while also serving as a full-time minister for the Meseret Kirstos Church in Ethiopia. He was a missionary in northern Sudan for eleven years and served as Lead Pastor of Agape International Church. Over the past six years, Bahru founded The Fellowship Church in Ethiopia and planted 14 new church locations. He has also served as a Lecturer for various Bible schools in Sudan and Ethiopia.

Bahru and his wife, Mekedes, have three children.

Jabe Bekele (PHD) - Project Director 

Dr. Jabe Bekele Hirgo is a distinguished educator and leader with over 17 years of experience in national and international non-profit organizations. His career includes roles in teaching, academic leadership, advisory, and project management, with a strong focus on educational institutions, women’s empowerment, child rights advocacy, and educational development. 

Dr. Jabe currently serves as Project Director for the Adams Thermal System Foundation Hosanna project office in Ethiopia, overseeing key initiatives for children, women, and education. He previously served as an Esteemed Assistant Professor at Wolkite University and as an educational expert and instructional leader at the Hadiya Zone Education Department. 

Dr. Jabe and his wife, Eto, have four children: two daughters and two sons.

Demeke Jekamo - Senior School Director

Demeke Jekamo is the Senior Secondary School Director at Adams Thermal Academy Hossana (ATAH). Demeke works alongside our senior management team at Adams Thermal System Foundation Ethiopia and is responsible for all educational programs at ATAH.

Prior to joining ATSFE, Mr Jekamo served as both a primary and senior secondary school biology teacher and primary school director at different governmental schools for about 16 consecutive years.

Demeke and his wife Sara Amanuel have five children, one daughter and four sons.

Awoke Lendabo Kelbore - Senior School Director - Ottoro

Awoke currently serves as the Director of Adams Thermal Academy Ottoro School, where he oversees the daily operations and leads the staff and administration.

Before joining the Adams Thermal Systems Foundation in Ethiopia, Awoke built a strong professional background working at various primary and secondary schools as a teacher, vice director, and director within the government education system. In addition to his educational leadership roles, he has actively contributed to community service initiatives and held leadership positions within religious organizations, particularly with the Evangelical Church of Mekane Yesus in the West Gibe and Central South Synods.

Awoke brings a wealth of experience in educational leadership and community engagement to his role at Adams Thermal Academy, demonstrating a deep commitment to academic excellence and social development.

Awoke and his wife, Etenesh, have six children.