Ethné Team

Tom Bohnert

Founder

Tom Bohnert was born and raised in the United States by a courageous single mom.  Helped by the social programs of the local government, faith-based programs for the poor, and the YMCA Big Brother program, Tom’s family survived and climbed slowly out of poverty.  Key people and programs helped the family through lean times, and helped his mom get educated, he and his siblings attend a good school, and by signing him up for sports, keeping him out of some of the problems plaguing lower income families.  He also learned the significance of earning pocket money by doing small little cleaning jobs, taking out people’s trash, recycling, and delivering newspapers.  This laid a foundation for the heart of what is now Ethne’ International Development.

Through college, Tom had the privilege of travelling to needy countries and see first-hand the plight of the poor.  This guided his studies in business and ministry.  After finishing college and marrying his wife, Connie, Tom served as the Director of Local and Global Outreach for his Alma Mater, Vanguard University of Southern California, guiding the students into service opportunities locally and globally.  Some of these expressions of care included a youth crisis hotline, juvenile hall visits and mentoring, feeding the poor and homeless, sports outreach, and building homes in Mexico for the poor among other activities.  This eventually led Tom and Connie to volunteer coach in the Himalayas in a short term capacity, and furthermore led to a move to the Philippines where they have been since 2004.

Thus, much of what this organization does is a result of years of experiences in their own lives and seeing the needs of the Nations.  Hence, Ethne’ started as a means to facilitate development among the unique ethnic and marginalized people in the world.  We invite you to join us in this effort!

Connie Bohnert

Co-Founder

Connie was born and raised in Orange County, California and was the middle of five children.  She started playing basketball, softball, and soccer year round while still in elementary school.  Coming from a large family, she was taught to work hard and to serve others.  She remembers one particular Christmas where the family decided to give their Christmas away.  They did not give or receive traditional Christmas gifts that year and instead gave the money to help a very poor family in Latin America.  She recalls, “I will admit that it was very difficult for me at that age not to get any presents for Christmas, but I had no idea the positive impact this event would have on how I view my purpose.”

After high school, Connie attended Vanguard University of Southern California as an English major while competing inter-collegiately in both basketball and softball.  She was awarded Athlete-of-the-Year her Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years.  After graduating, she finished her California Teaching Credential in English and was the Head Coach for Varsity Girls’ Basketball at Irvine High School in California while also coaching the JV Softball team.  She later moved to Villa Park High School in California as the Varsity Girls’ Basketball Head Coach where they were South Coast League Champions two consecutive years at which point she resigned from coaching and continued teaching for nine years before moving to the Philippines with her family.

Aaron Lohrke

President of the Board

Aaron Lohrke has worked in the Entertainment Industry for over 30 years in a variety of positions including, Executive Producer, Production Manager, 1st Assistant Director, and Associate Producer. He has assisted in filmmaking, which has been broadcast to audiences worldwide. Some of his clients include Samsung, Sony, Geffen, Elektra, London, Colombia, Stark, Atlas, 4AD, Volcano, Swivel, MCA, Golden Voice, Interscope, Revolution, RCA, Epitaph, Silverstone, to name a few.

Aaron has also been involved with Commercial Real Estate as a licensed Realtor for over 16 years. He has counseled customers on current market status for commercial and land markets. He has generated lists of properties compatible with buyers’ needs and financial resources. He educates clients on the current real estate market and answers any questions they have. He has written contract documents, purchase agreements and closing statements; assisted in developing marketing material for properties; and verified that the legal formalities were completed prior to closing dates. Aaron actively followed up with prospects and hot leads; communicated with owners regarding property and loan status; and followed up with prospects throughout the sales process. He gathered, distributed, and maintained all the materials for marketing plans; successfully guided buyers and sellers through sales and purchase of properties; assisted clients with corporate relocation services and negotiated contracts and coordinated with lenders, attorneys, and inspectors. Aaron was licensed through Allied Business Schools.

Aaron has been involved with local and overseas humanitarian work, including orphanages. He has served in Southeast Asia including Cambodia and Thailand and served in Europe throughout the poverty stricken areas of England and France.

Charles Karich

Business Development

Charles is passionate about serving entrepreneurs, businesses, and non-profit organizations. Charles also has been serving the real estate market for over 29 years. He was instrumental in building South Hills Properties into one of the leading independently owned non-franchised firms in Southern California. Charles’ knowledge, expertise and background in the residential resale market is extensive.

He is actively involved in the following organizations and Board of Realtors:
REOMAC, REOConnection, REOBroker.com, Employee Relocation Council (ERC)
His experience is extensive in the areas of 2009 Wilshire Broker of the Year; 1993 – Present
South Hills Properties, Glendora, CA , National Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors, CRIS, CLAW, !TECH, MRMLS Matrix, SoCal MLS, MLS Alliance.
Charles built the company into one of the largest and productive independently owned offices in Southern California; 1988 – 1993 Century 21 Masters, Walnut, CA. Consistent award winning “Top Producer” in the Century System and Ranked in top 3% nationwide.

Charles attended U.C.I. Irvine 1986 – 1987, Mount San Antonio College, Walnut, CA, Associate of Arts Degree 1984; Frankline School of Real Estate 1984; Member of the Employee Relocation Council in Washington D.C.

Dave Roseno

Secretary of the Board

Dave comes to the Ethne team with over 15 years of law enforcement experience and was recently voted Officer of the year for 2020 in his department. He has worked all aspects of patrol and investigations and has been a part of specialty units that focus on narcotics, gang enforcement, human trafficking, and terrorism. He has been a member of his department’s SWAT team for the last decade and is currently assigned to the sniper unit.

Prior to his law enforcement career, Dave has a background in non-profit leadership and has led teams to provide relief efforts in several countries outside the US. Dave received his MBA from Grand Canyon University and is excited about bringing opportunities for growth to underdeveloped nations around the world. Dave’s life mission is to build healthy, whole families, one child at a time.

Dave is married to a beautiful woman and has 3 great kids to keep him balanced and under control. Despite his youthful appearance, he has been married for over 22 years and will easily make it to 50.

Joy Burke

Athletics Director

Joy was a Division 1 women’s basketball student-athlete at Arizona State University, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Master’s degree in Communication.

Joy’s professional career consists of six seasons of professional basketball, starting with winning a championship in Denmark in 2015. She then played five seasons in Australia earning MVP and Female Athlete of the Year awards. Joy has also represented her national team, Chinese Taipei in the 2015 and 2017 FIBA Asia Championships as well as the 2018 Asian Games. In 2019, Joy was selected to play for Team World in the Inaugural Aurora Games.
As a Nike athlete, Joy had the opportunity to be the face of a Nike Women’s Campaign in 2019, encouraging women across Asia to dream and achieve. Recognizing the unique platform basketball has given her, Joy utilized her off-season to give back and engage in sports philanthropy projects around the world. In 2016, Joy volunteered at the Shanghai Healing Home, an orphanage for infants with disabilities. In 2017, Joy coached Aboriginal youth in basketball in the regional areas of Australia for Hoops Against Violence, an organization dedicated to give hope to Aboriginal youth by introducing them to basketball. In 2018, Joy joined Ethne International on a trip to the Himalayas and the Philippines to coach basketball. In 2019, Joy developed and managed a range of mentorship and empowerment programs for underprivileged and at-risk youth in the community through partnerships with the city government and local schools in Ballarat, Australia.

Joy’s professional career consists of six seasons of professional basketball, starting with winning a championship in Denmark in 2015. She then played five seasons in Australia earning MVP and Female Athlete of the Year awards. Joy has also represented her national team, Chinese Taipei in the 2015 and 2017 FIBA Asia Championships as well as the 2018 Asian Games. In 2019, Joy was selected to play for Team World in the Inaugural Aurora Games. As a Nike athlete, Joy had the opportunity to be the face of a Nike Women’s Campaign in 2019, encouraging women across Asia to dream and achieve. Recognizing the unique platform basketball has given her, Joy utilized her off-season to give back and engage in sports philanthropy projects around the world. In 2016, Joy volunteered at the Shanghai Healing Home, an orphanage for infants with disabilities. In 2017, Joy coached Aboriginal youth in basketball in the regional areas of Australia for Hoops Against Violence, an organization dedicated to give hope to Aboriginal youth by introducing them to basketball. In 2018, Joy joined Ethne International on a trip to the Himalayas and the Philippines to coach basketball. In 2019, Joy developed and managed a range of mentorship and empowerment programs for underprivileged and at-risk youth in the community through partnerships with the city government and local schools in Ballarat, Australia.

Joy’s dream is to help others have the opportunity to dream and discover their unique gift to the world. “As much as I love basketball, I am so grateful for all of the lessons, opportunities, places, and the people that have helped shape who I am today. I have always been more than just a basketball player. More than any achievements or success I may have attained on the court, there is nothing that brings me more joy that the philanthropic work I get to do around the world. Whether I am working with the privileged or among the poorest of the poor, people are my passion and I love going to the ends of the earth to discover treasures within each people group and find ways to be able to give back. There is nothing I love more than sharing the game I love with people from all over the world and empowering the next generation.”

Joy Burke’s Qualifications are:
CHAMP10N Sports Life Coach™ Certification – Patterson Sports
Ventures 2020.
Level 1 Basketball Coaching Certification – Basketball Australia 2019, Master of
Communication and Advocacy – Arizona State University 2014, Bachelor of Marketing – Arizona State University 2013

Her Basketball Career Highlights are Playing 5 seasons for Arizona State University and graduating with a Master’s Degree; winning a championship in Denmark in her first season as a professional basketball player. Playing for her country, Chinese Taipei on multiple occasions; 2015 FIBA Asia Championships , Wuhan, China; 2017 FIBA Asia Championships , Bangalore, India; 2018 Asian Games, Jakarta, Indonesia; and playing in Australia.

Treasurer of the Board

Richard has been the President of Palm Desert Tax, Palm Desert, CA from 1987-Present. His firm prepares over 1,100 tax returns annually. He was also the Owner of Income Tax Men in San Bernardino, CA from 1980-1985 and a Tax Consultant at Peterson, Slater, & Butevidas in Indio, CA from 1985-1987.

Richard’s Education consists of 1983-Present, Continuing education for Enrolled Agent status; B. A. Equivalent Business 1983-1985, California State University, San Bernardino, CA.

Experience 2016-Present includes Director of Finance and Buildings. He supervised building an 1,800 square foot children’s building almost debt free. Richard built a new building and park debt free; established after school programs for neighborhood children and youth and established bus transportation and other programs.

David’s wife Joy Varnell taught in Private Schools 1976-1978 and Public Schools from 1982 to 2006. Joy holds an Ed. D. in Education. She has taught at California State University, College of the Desert, Chapman University, Ontario campus and Bethany University, adjunct professor at Global University and professor at APTS.

Daughter, Christine Durkee is a Vanguard Graduate, married to Bruce Durkee. Christy taught in public schools for four years and has two daughters.

Son, Matthew Varnell is a Vanguard Graduate, married to Heather Varnell. Matt and his wife have one son and two daughters.