Board of Directors
Otis Hardy
Otis Hardy serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Bridge the Gap Mission. Otis was in prison from 1979 till 2000 when he received a pardon from then-Governor Jim Hunt. Otis while in prison served as the personal chef to Governor Hunt. His life changed in prison during Disciple Bible Study with Dr. William Green, one of the pastors at First United Church in Cary. Since 2000 he has served in ministry to persons in poverty. In 2002 he was honored for his volunteer work with a private dinner with President Bush at the White House. He is in demand as a speaker throughout the state. Becky Viersen, Kellan Duffy and Otis Hardy met at the Celebration Service at First United Methodist Church in Cary and founded Bridge the Gap Mission.
Becky Viersen
Dr. Viersen retired from Wake County Public School System after 38 years. Her last job was as an assistant principal at Washington GT Magnet Elementary School for 13 years. All of her education degrees – Masters in Early Childhood, Masters in School Administration and Doctorate in Educational Leadership were from UNC at Chapel Hill. Her work with families at Washington Elementary who lived in Walnut Terrace Housing Project prepared her for Bridge the Gap Mission. She continues to volunteer at Washington. Dr. Viersen teaches high school equivalent preparation classes. She and Bob Umstead along with volunteers teach Beginning Basic Computer Skills.
Bob Umsted
Bob Umstead is a retired Elementary School Principal with 30 years of service, mostly in the Wake County Public School System. He earned a Bachelor's and Master's degrees from UNC-CH. He works with Ms. Viersen teaching basic computer skills.
Gil Arnold
Gil Arnold has been a volunteer at Bridge the Gap since its inception and now joins us as a board member focused on Technology. He is a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Cary and has served there on the Board of Trustees, Admin Board and other groups. Gil is currently a board member of the Fine Arts League of Cary. He has served in a variety of roles in software and publishing for 50 years and still writes on subjects including technology, health news, and other topics.