Leadership That Serves with Purpose

Eric Burger has led Shelter KC since 2019 and currently serves as its Chief Executive Officer.

Before joining Shelter KC, Eric was the Executive Director of Hiway 80 Rescue Mission in Longview, TX. With over 40 years of experience in rescue mission work, his leadership includes nearly two decades as an executive director, four years as an associate director, and twelve years as a director of youth services.

Eric holds an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Kent, WA, and actively serves on multiple boards and committees, including:

• Citygate Network (formerly the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions) – Board at Large
• Kansas City Rotary Youth Camp Board
• City of Kansas City Net Zero Homeless Task Force
• BioEthics Committee at Truman Medical Center

Eric and his wife, Robbyn, have two adult daughters and four grandchildren.

James Kohoutek, Shelter KC’s Chief Program Officer, has been serving in God’s rescue mission to those experiencing homelessness since the mid-1990s. He joined Shelter KC (formerly Kansas City Rescue Mission) in 2000 and has held various roles over the years, with much of that time spent in leadership.

James is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene and holds a master’s degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary. He is also a Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor and a clinical supervisor through the State of Missouri.

He is passionate about caring for the whole person in a Christ-centered environment and finds joy in witnessing the long-term transformation of the lives he serves.

Richard Feitz is the Chief Operations Officer at Shelter KC, where he has served for three years. He oversees accounts payable, facilities, and operations management, ensuring efficiency across the organization.

Born and raised in Kansas City, Richard previously worked as a project manager for various building maintenance companies, bringing extensive experience in organizational efficiency and facility oversight.

What he loves most about Shelter KC is seeing firsthand the life-changing impact it has on the people it serves.

Kara Feitz is the Chief Development Officer at Shelter KC, where she has served for nearly four years. She holds a BA in Counseling from Moody Bible Institute and is currently pursuing an MBA in Fundraising Management from City Vision University.

Kara is deeply passionate about Shelter KC’s mission and values, dedicating her efforts to building meaningful relationships that support its transformative programs. She is also an active member of Rotary Club 13 and the Crossroads Community Association.

Cordellia Clark-Bailey has dedicated over 25 years to recovery ministry, with a deep passion for helping individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. Before joining Shelter KC, she spent more than a decade with the State of Missouri’s Children’s Division, where she managed cases and provided supervision. Feeling called to serve those battling addiction, Cordellia transitioned to Shelter KC, where she began as the Life Skills Director at the Men’s Center. In this role, she developed programs designed to help men successfully reintegrate into the community.

In 2020, Cordellia became Shelter KC’s Women’s Center Director, where she empowers women facing trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges. She is committed to equipping them with lifelong skills, fostering healthy relationships, and guiding them toward a personal relationship with Christ. Her ultimate goal is to ensure that every woman at Shelter KC is treated with dignity, finds hope, and experiences God’s transformative love.

David Phillips, Shelter KC’s Men’s Center Director, began his volunteer work at a family shelter, and after several years of service, he graduated from Bible College and transitioned into full-time rescue mission work in 2006. With over 18 years of experience in both front-line and leadership roles, he joined the Shelter KC team in 2020, where he played a key role in creating our Shelter Launch program.

The most rewarding part of his job is witnessing God’s transformative work in the lives of our residents and staff. David is married to his wife, Christina, and together they have three children.

He is an active member of his church and enjoys exploring technology and the outdoors.