Cal Farley’s is a leader in residential childcare services. For over 85 years, we’ve worked to meet the needs of children and families — at no cost to the people we serve, thanks to the continued generosity of our supporters, and without seeking state or federal funds to support our work.
Cal Farley’s provides professional programs and services in a Christ-centered atmosphere to strengthen families and support the overall development of children.
Cal Farley’s is a leader in residential childcare services. For over 80 years, we’ve worked to meet the needs of children and families — at no cost to the people we serve, thanks to the continued generosity of our supporters, and without seeking state or federal funds to support our work.
Richard Nedelkoff has been appointed to national and statewide leadership positions in human services and public safety by three different Governors and the President of the United States. He has also served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Chief Operating Officer (COO) of four different large national non-profits providing services to youth and families. Additionally, he has managed agencies with budgets as large as six billion dollars and directed organizations with over 4,500 employees. He is a recognized expert nationally and internationally in juvenile justice, child welfare, public safety and youth and family services.
Richard began his career gaining valuable direct-care experience in positions including a residential childcare worker, foster care coordinator, child protective services caseworker, Guardian Ad Litem, and a juvenile probation officer.
As Richard‘s career progressed, he held a variety of prominent leadership positions including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, the Executive Director of the Texas Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the United States Department of Justice, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Eckerd Youth Alternatives, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth of America, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Childhelp, and the Chief Business Development Officer for Pressley Ridge.
Richard received a Juris Doctor degree from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio. He earned a Master of Science degree in the Administration of Justice from the University of Louisville. He also received a Bachelor of Science degree from Bowling Green State University where he was recently named one of the 100 most distinguished graduates in the University’s 100-year history.
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Mark Strother oversees operations at Cal Farley’s Boy Ranch. He holds a master’s degree in education, a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is a licensed childcare administrator.
Before joining Cal Farley’s in 2002, Mr. Strother’s long career in social work and child welfare includes working for organizations such as the Methodist Home in Waco, Texas, and the Lee and Beulah Moor Children’s Home in El Paso, Texas.
Mr. Strother serves as President of the Boys Ranch Independent School District Board of Trustees and is a member of The International Child and Youth Care Network and Association of Children’s Residential Centers.
Chief Financial Officer
A Texas native, Megan Johnson has worked in the accounting field for more than a decade. She began her career in Florida before returning to Texas, where she earned her Certified Public Accountant certification in 2007.
Ms. Johnson is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is an alumna of Leadership Amarillo & Canyon and Leadership Women. She also holds a Chartered Global Management Accountant designation.
The most important thing to Ms. Johnson, though, is her husband, children and extended family. She enjoys camping, fishing and the great outdoors.
Vice President of Human Resources
A fourth-generation Amarillo native, Wendy Kritser-Howard spent the last 15 years in human resources for national companies based in Denver and Amarillo.
She received her SPHR and SHRM-SPC certifications from the nation’s top two recognized accrediting bodies of human resources professionals. Her work has covered the scope of challenges in HR, and she has had senior roles in organizational and strategic planning initiatives. Ms. Kritser-Howard has developed operational synergy with outside legal and related professionals working with the Boys Ranch executive team.
Ms. Kritser-Howard and her husband, Scott, share a home with their two German Shepherd dogs and two Bengal cats. She has been active in the community and local charitable organizations for the past 14 years.
Vice President of Engagement and Major Gifts
Darrin Murphy’s heart for children led him through special education, youth ministry and a private counseling practice before he became an advocate for at risk kids.
After his time as an area director with YoungLife and as a pastor and church planter in Texas and Indiana, he returned to Amarillo where he worked as the Coordinator of Behavioral Sciences for the Amarillo Independent School District and President of the Amarillo Children’s Home. Murphy joined Boys Ranch in 2019.
In Murphy’s current role as vice president of engagement, he works with donors so they can be assured that their life’s work and assets can make a difference in children’s lives now and in the future.
Darrin has followed his calling to impact the world through kids both professionally and personally. He is the proud father of eight children and considers impacting eight future families as his highest calling.
While in college, Murphy had dreams of combining his love for ranch life with his love for helping children. At Boys Ranch, he has been able to mesh them together. He remains passionate about making sure the children at Boys Ranch get the help, shelter and security they need to thrive.
Murphy has a bachelor’s in special education from the University of Oklahoma, as well as two master’s degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary, one in theological studies and one in Biblical counseling.
Chief Financial Officer
A Texas native, Megan Johnson has worked in the accounting field for more than a decade. She began her career in Florida before returning to Texas, where she earned her Certified Public Accountant certification in 2007.
Ms. Johnson is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is an alumna of Leadership Amarillo & Canyon and Leadership Women. She also holds a Chartered Global Management Accountant designation.
The most important thing to Ms. Johnson, though, is her husband, children and extended family. She enjoys camping, fishing and the great outdoors.
Vice President of Human Resources
A fourth-generation Amarillo native, Wendy Kritser-Howard spent the last 15 years in human resources for national companies based in Denver and Amarillo.
She received her SPHR and SHRM-SPC certifications from the nation’s top two recognized accrediting bodies of human resources professionals. Her work has covered the scope of challenges in HR, and she has had senior roles in organizational and strategic planning initiatives. Ms. Kritser-Howard has developed operational synergy with outside legal and related professionals working with the Boys Ranch executive team.
Ms. Kritser-Howard and her husband, Scott, share a home with their two German Shepherd dogs and two Bengal cats. She has been active in the community and local charitable organizations for the past 14 years.
Executive Director of Residential Services
Danny Pectol brings nearly 20 years of leadership in residential care for at-risk youth, with a focus on trauma-informed practices and team-centered leadership.
He holds a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington and has led high-acuity programs across Texas, including ACH Child and Family Services and the Children’s Home of Lubbock. Known for reducing critical incidents and improving client outcomes, Danny is passionate about creating healing environments for youth and supporting the professionals who serve them.
His commitment to service, trust, and transformation aligns deeply with the mission of Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch.
By telephone:
800-687-3722
806-372-2341
Visit or mail our Amarillo office:
600 S.W. 11th Ave.
Amarillo, TX 79101-3228
By fax:
806-372-6638
By e-mail:
info@CalFarley.org
If you are interested in visiting with an Intake Specialist concerning possible placement of a child, please call:
800-657-7124 · 806-372-2341