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Meet The Advisory Team
Rob Dawson
President
Bio: Rob and his wife Carla moved to Saddlebrooke in May of 2020. Both were long time residents of California. They have three adult daughters and four grandchildren. Rob’s previous professional career was in the Fire Service. Now retired he volunteers as a Tucson Area Links Players Representative, and helps to establish Links Fellowship groups in the greater Tucson area. He also serves as the President of the Saddlebrooke Links Players Fellowship group. His interest in Links Players began in 2015 when he attended a Links Fellowship group in Nipomo, CA. Rob and Carla attend The Ridge Christian Fellowship in Tucson.
Scott Antes
VP / Web Site Consultant
Bio: Scott and his wife Taylor moved to Saddlebrooke in April of 2021. They were lifelong residents in the state of Washington, but felt Gods call to move to Arizona.Scott's background education is in global & urban economics. Scott also is involved in golf course design.Scott retired after 36 years as a CIO & COO executive.With Scott's passion for God and golf, it was a perfect fit when Rob Dawson invited Scott to join Links. Scott's focus with Links is to bring more men into the Links fellowship and support doing life together.They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. They attend The Ridge Christian Fellowship in Tucson.
Dennis Jennings
Team Member
Bio: Dennis Jennings retired from the U.S. Army in 2005 after serving 25 years. He achieved the rank of Colonel while serving in peacetime assignments in Texas, Kansas, North Carolina, Egypt, and Italy and deployed in 3 armed conflicts in Grenada, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. God blessed him with a wonderful wife of 40 years, Kim who is an accomplished artist and mother.Kim and Dennis have 3 daughters and 1 granddaughter. They moved to Saddlebrooke over 3 years ago and Dennis was invited to join the Links fellowship by Alan Culley shortly thereafter.
Allen DeHart
Team Member
Bio: Allen and wife Dorothy moved to Saddlebrooke in 2008. Allen and Dorothy have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. In 2010 Allen and Buck Wyles met with Derek Wong, Links Arizona area representative, to discuss starting a Links Fellowship in Saddlebrooke. Buck and Allen discussed it with their Thursday Bible study group which included Jim Tayburn, Dave Thomas, Kent Banta and Tex Whitney. A decision was made and Jim became the leader of our new fellowship. Allen retired in 2002 after 25 years in financial management with Daimler Trucks North America. Allen and Dorothy are members of the Community Church in Saddlebrooke.
Mark Steinsdoefer
Team Member / Golf Coordinator
Bio: Mark and his wife Terry moved full-time to Saddlebrooke in 2012 from Illinois after seeing how much better the desert life improved Terry’s health. They have a daughter living in Arizona and a son with three children in Michigan. Mark was introduced to Links at a clinic in Saddlebrooke which was conducted by Don Pooley and Cindy Rarick. He has appreciated how much Links golf reminded him of his old Christian golf group in Wheaton and likes how spending time on the golf course provides the perfect opportunity to get to know likeminded believers. Mark retired in 2017 as controller for a Tucson law firm after working in corporate accounting positions. Terry and Mark are members of Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene.
Tex Whitney
Team Member / Treasurer
Bio: Tex and Carole moved to Saddlebrooke fulltime from Washington State in 2012. They met in high school (Anacortes, WA) after Tex's family moved from Texas. Both of them graduated from the Univ. of Puget Sound in 1965. Tex spent 40 years in banking (Puget Sound Natl and Columbia). Carole spent 30 years as a classroom teacher.Tex and Carole will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in 2024. They have been very involved in community both in Washington and in Saddlebrooke.Tex became involved in Links Players in 2010. They have 2 sons and 5 grandchildren. Tex and Carole attend the Community Church of Saddlebrooke.
Marvin Swafford
Team Member
Bio: Marvin and wife Kathy moved to Saddlebrooke in 2014. Marvin and Kathy have 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild. In 2015 Marvin was invited to join Links Fellowship by Dave Thomas and have been a member ever since. Marvin is retired from previously owning and operating auto repair businesses in Iowa. Marvin and Kathy are currently members of Oro Valley Church of Nazarene.
Rick Gutierrez
Team Member / Photographer
Bio: In 2019, Rick and Helen Gutierrez left the cold winters of Michigan for the sunny days of southern Arizona. Prior to moving, Rick completed a 25 year career in juvenile corrections.Shortly after arriving to AZ, he was introduced to LINKS by a neighbor, and now fellow LINKS advisory team member, Dennis Jennings. LINKS Players organization has not only allowed him to play more golf, but more importantly, it has created meaningful friendships that focus on studying God’s Word and implementing it into their daily lives.Rick has always enjoyed capturing memories by taking photographs. As such, he jumped at the opportunity to serve as the photo/video tech for LINKS.
Dave Thomas
Team Member
Bio: Dave and wife Joanne spent 20 years searching for the perfect retirement community. After one visit to SaddleBrooke in 2006, the search was over. Dave worked 32 years as a Chemical Engineer in a variety of assignments. Joanne spent 30 years as a classroom teacher. Dave was part of the group that started the Links Players Fellowship in SaddleBrooke in 2010. Dave and Joanne recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. They are members of the Community Church at SaddleBrooke
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