LEADERSHIP PROFILES

Stan Dobbs - Founder and CEO

Stan Dobbs is the founder of Apartment Life, Lionheart, and Skylark. After a career in the computer industry, Stan attended seminary in Fort Worth, Texas and developed a passion for serving apartment communities while on staff at a church. His passion is to birth and develop “businesstry” visions which are spiritually effective, scalable and sustainable via integrated business models. He lives in the Dallas area with his wife Vicky.

Jake Collins - President

With an eclectic array of interests and passions, Jake has experience in the medical, educational, travel, and Christian camping industries. He most recently spent 8 years at Pine Cove Christian Camps where he served in a variety of positions, his latest as a leadership development coach for young professionals. He has a track record for using creative solutions to further God’s Kingdom purposes and further human development. Jake is pursuing an MDIV from Southwestern Seminary with intents of completing a doctorate shortly after. When he is not around the classroom creating fun for kids, you can find him enjoying his own fun as a mountaineer, leading study tours, photography, writing, or running with the bulls in Spain.

Julie Barker - SVP - Financial Services

Julie has over 25 years of experience in Accounting and Finance both in for-profit and not-for-profit companies. She has been an AVP and Controller for multiple organizations. She is a CPA and holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from Angelo State University and an M.B.A. from Texas Tech University. She has served with Skylark since its’ inception. She took 3 years (2005-2008) to serve on the mission field in Mexico City as a teacher at Mexico City Christian Academy and taught middle school and high school students in Math, History, Science, and Bible. She enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her two dogs.

Baylee Blankenship - HR Partner

Baylee is from a small town in north Louisiana. She spent most of her life there and even stayed and went to Louisiana Tech University. Throughout her time at LA Tech, she spent her summer as a camp counselor at Pine Cove Timbers sharing the good news to 8th and 9th grade girls. After her college days, she explored different career avenues to find where the Lord was calling her to be. She spent time in ministry at the Austin Stone Community Church, The Bridge Community, and financial institutions. During this time, she also met her incredible husband, Reeves, while he was finishing up his football career at LA Tech. Through much prayer and patience, Baylee and Reeves found themselves in Dallas. Baylee loves serving, developing, and preparing people for life and for the Kingdom!

Brent Buell - Camp Director at CityBridge Community Church

Brent grew up as a youth pastor’s kid in Fort Worth, so the life of goofy, high energy ministry has shaped him for as long as he can remember, though you’d never guess it if you saw him in his happy place– sitting in a coffee shop, earbuds in, reading and journaling. From Fort Worth, Brent left for Wheaton College, where he graduated with a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies. Go Thunder! Brent has spent every summer since 2016 working at camp, where his louder, energetic side comes out more than anywhere else. Some of Brent’s favorite things include spending time with his family in Fort Worth and exercising, especially running.

Karis Childres - Camp Director at Irving Bible Church

Karis is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University! She was born and raised in East Texas, but dreams of living in the mountains one day. Karis has always loved working with and serving families. She has gotten to do this through babysitting, serving in children’s ministries, and being a counselor at Pine Cove for a few summers. Karis is a peopleperson and loves traveling, being outside and texting with exclamation points! Also, she can make almost anyone feel funny considering she laughs at everything. Karis is thankful and pumped to be a part of the Skylark team!