Board of Directors and home staff
 

College Guidance Counselor
Kumon Leysin Academy of Switzerland

In 1996, Jay Comfort was transferred to Kumon Leysin Academy of Switzerland (KLAS) from the Kumon Kokusai Junior/Senior High School in Kanagawa, Japan. Prior to his transfer to the Kumon Gakuen Group he was employed by Kumon Institute of Education from 1991 – 1993 and was involved in the startup project-teams of KLAS and the Kumon Kokusai Gakuen. In 1989, he entered a Kumon-related organization call Educational Future Institute for new school startups because of his extensive background in cross-cultural training and understanding. These innovative educational programs are part of Kumon Institute of Education’s effort to prepare Japanese youth as leaders for Japan in the 21st century. In 1987, Comfort moved to Japan and taught for two years at the Sakura Prefectural High School in Chiba, Prefecture as part of Japan’s Exchange and Teaching (JET) program(me) and lived in Japan until his 1996 transfer to Switzerland. Prior to moving to Japan in 1987, Comfort worked at the Washington International Center (WIC) of Meridian House International in Washington, DC as a program coordinator. WIC is one of the most respected non-profit organizations in the world in cross-cultural training, and one of a handful of cross cultural training and understanding centers which provides cross-cultural orientation for the Agency of International Development (AID) contracts to thousands of AID-sponsored representatives from developing countries around the world. Comfort holds a bachelor’s of science degree from Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia (1983). He attended Wesley Theological Seminary and completed his coursework in 1990. Other education includes three years of study at Elim Bible Institute (biblical studies) in Lima, New York (1974 – 77) and a year at Guilford College (psychology) in Greensboro, North Carolina (1978 – 79). In addition, he holds a Master Trainer’s Certificate in Cross-cultural training methodology (1986). He is married to Nazuna Konishi of Minoo, Osaka, Japan and lives with his wife and two children, Marina and Aria, in Leysin, Switzerland.

Vice President of Beyond Tears Worldwide

Mr. Lou Felo has been a long time resident in Europe, first arriving with his family in 1976. He has a Masters in Family Counseling and is a member of the National Association of Nouthetic Counseling. Originally from New Jersey, Mr. Felo has worked in different parts of the world promoting the notion of service based on his philosophy that we must train the next generation to make meaningful impact on those who choose to hurt others through oppression or war. Mr. Felo believes in the importance of working with those who suffer, by standing in their plight. He has been a pioneer in establishing charitable organizations whose hallmark characteristics include the notion of serving from the heart and living and working within a troubled area in order to properly understand the dilemma. Mr. Felo and his organization, Beyond Tears are currently developing a literary center for women in Afghanistan and are in the process of building the Friendship School. Mr. Felo has worked on the Administrative team at Black Forest Academy and has directed housing construction and orphanage work in Afghanistan, Nepal, Bosnia, and Kosovo. He has also served others in the war zone that was Croatia from 1991-93. Since arriving in Switzerland in 1997, he has mobilized many schools and their students to be involved in the aftermath of war in both Afghanistan and Bosnia.

Bookkeeper

Mrs. Elsie Hunter, shown here with her husband Lewis, who was deceased in December 2004, is the bookkeeper for Beyond Tears Worldwide. Elsie grew up in southern Ohio. She and Lewis served together in the pastorate in the United States in several churches in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. They also served as missionaries in South Africa for 20 years. Elsie is excited about her opportunity to be a part of the work with Beyond Tears Worldwide. She is presently residing near Scranton, PA.

President of Beyond Tears Worldwide

Robert Muir is a Co-Founder of Beyond Tears Worldwide. Over the past twenty years, Robert has gone on many different humanitarian aid trips, including the last five summers to Gorazde, Bosnia. Robert’s deepest desire is to see Beyond Tears Worldwide unite the disciples of Jesus Christ into fulfilling the Great Commandment of “Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself”, and showing the world that true love does no harm to its neighbors. Professionally, Robert has spent the last thirteen years working as a Trust and Estate attorney in New Jersey, as well as serving on several non-profit boards. Prior to going to law school, Robert worked as an Accountant for three years. Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Lebanon Valley College, a Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law and an LLM in Estate Planning from the University of Miami School of Law. Robert has been married for thirteen years and lives with his wife, Wendy, and their five sons in Stanhope, New Jersey.

Board Member

Born 11 September 1947 in Vancouver, Canada Married in 1969 Two grown children and three grandchildren

Education:

• 1967 Diploma in farm management – University of Guelph, Ontario Canada
• 1970 Diploma in Biblical studies – Ontario Bible College

Employment:

• 1971 to present – The Evangelical Alliance Mission of Canada
     2002 to present – administration TEAM France (treasurer) in Lyon France
     1999 – 2002 business manager – The American School of Lyon, France
     1981 – 1999 manager family conference center at Chamrousse – French alps
     1977 – 1981 church construction & maintenance in Paris area – France
     1973 – 1977 hospital construction & administration – Chad Africa
     1971 – 1973 language learning in France
• 1967 – 1971 farm management

Senior Vice President and Chief Learning Officer
Cendant Real Estate Franchise Group

In 2003, George Selix was promoted to lead the learning function for the Cendant Real Estate Franchise Group, which includes the Century 21®, Coldwell Banker®, Coldwell Banker Commercial®, ERA® and Sotheby’s International Realty® brands. From 2000 to 2003, Selix served as Chief Learning Officer with Century 21 Real Estate Corporation. During this time, he was responsible for developing the Century 21 Learning System, which provides blended learning to more than 100,000 franchise system members worldwide. The Century 21 Learning System was recognized as a “Training Top 100” program by Training magazine for three consecutive years and also received the TechLearn 2003 Pioneer Award from the Masie Center, an international e-lab and think tank. Selix joined Cendant in February 2000 after completing a 21-year career in the United States Air Force as a combat rescue helicopter pilot, operational test pilot and weapons school instructor. The latter portion of his Air Force career focused on the design, development, and implementation of technology enabled training programs. Selix holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Norwich University, a master’s degree in management from Clarkson College, and a Ph.D. in organizational learning from the University of New Mexico. He is married with two children and lives in Flanders, New Jersey.