Kristen Dark is an award-winning producer who specializes in high definition. A member of the Consumer Electronics Association’s Academy of Digital Pioneers and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, she has produced a wide variety of productions including: documentaries, commercials, media tours, live concerts, live sports and promotional spots for technology companies.
She grew up in Georgetown, TX and is a graduate of Baylor University. She’s wife to HD Pioneer, Randall Dark and mom to a feisty Jack Russell Terrier named Beans. A passionate Dallas Cowboys fan, Kristen spends the NFL season talking smack with her 2 younger brothers and finely tuning her Fantasy Football team.
My name is Andrew Dyrhood. The last name is pronounced “deer-hood”….it’s tough I know. I’m from Fayetteville, Arkansas, home of the Razorbacks. Go Hogs! I was born and raised there by an incredible Mom and Dad who had a deep desire to see their kid’s(three of us) have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. My dad led me to the Lord at a young age. Through my cell group leader in high school, along with many strong friends I learned what it meant to walk with Christ daily and have a passion to see his will done in my life. Through the years I spent a lot of time traveling the nation wakeboarding. In 2007 I was brought to wakeboard camp to help out! The Lord set it on my heart to be apart of wakeboard camp, so in spring of 2008 I moved down! I was plugged in quickly here at the church with Broadcast 6.8. My goal is to see our students first, fall in love with Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It is the most important place to start before anything else and is strongly backed all throughout scripture; Mathew 22:37, Ephesians 3:17-19, John 21:15-17. I’m excited to be apart of everything going on here! All students can come to the middle school building to challenge me in a game of Mario Kart...You will lose.
Jim Flores grew up at the “World’s Most Famous Beach” in
Daytona Beach, FL. He graduated with a bachelors degree
in business from Florida State University and then went to
work for a large insurance agency. It was there where he
met his wife Stacy whom he adored from the very
beginning. Shortly thereafter they were married and along
came a beautiful girl by the name of Callie Rae. Jim
decided to become a stay-at-home dad and through which
he discovered his passion for everything video.
Shortly thereafter, he started his own production company
and began teaching himself the crafts of videography,
lighting and editing. Jim and his family relocated to Austin
to tap into one of the strongest independent film industries
in the nation. Arriving in Austin in 2008 they have quickly
settled in as members of the Ridge as well as the local
community loving everything - minus the allergies of
course. Jim loves God, his family, video cameras, playing
golf, and his iPhone.
Marilyn and her family are transplanted Dallasites -- and glad they are! They arrived in Austin in 1993 and joined The Ridge shortly thereafter. She served in women’s ministry for over 10 years before God led her to The Ridge Staff as Women's Ministry Director in 2006. Marilyn has a heart for working with women, and loves helping them find a place in the church where they can serve and lead. She and her husband, Will, both grew up in Garland and have three wonderful children: Preston and his wife Lauren who live in Lindale and Mason who lives in New York City. Marilyn, formerly a food editor for Southern Living magazine, enjoys cooking and having people into her home, walking at Town Lake, and traveling.
A product of Graham, Texas (home of America's largest downtown square), Eric Lee graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Communications, English, and Theater Arts. He has a strong background in music and the arts and has a passion for theatrical design and directing.
Eric spent a summer working with a church in Austria, a year teaching, and several years in graphic design, photography and theatrical consulting. He really found purpose, though, working in the Church where his love for Christ and kids, coupled with his passion for creativity, can stretch him to new heights. Eric is thrilled to be working at a place that values imagination and innovation. He enjoys a good book, writing, live theater and spending time with his loving family. He has a passion for helping others reach the potential God intends for them and for reaching out to kids in innovative ways so they can see the value of their uniqueness in Christ!
As Creativity Director he works to ensure that all aspects of family programming are mind-bogglingly awesome and is the point person for the Children's Ministry creative teams.
Scott came to the Ridge in July of 2007 to help guide the IT needs and enable the ministries to utilize technologies more effectively. A native Texan, he and his wife Tiffany have two children, Michael & Macie.
Besides working on computers, Scott also loves mountain hiking, wood working, riding ATV's, western movies, horses and old cars.
Michael was born and raised in Austin and came back here as quickly as he could. He attended and graduated from Baylor University in 2008 with a Theatre Performance degree with a minor in entertainment marketing and immediately moved to Nashville to work in the music industry. After a short time of working at a record label, he spent a few months on the road managing bands. Michael has wonderful parents and two older brothers...yes, the youngest kids are always the favorite! Michael is very excited to be working here at Austin Ridge and looks forward to seeing what God has in store for Broadcast Student Ministry and the church!
Amy is originally from Texas and received her BBA from Baylor in Management Information Systems. She met her husband, Grant here in the youth group back when the Ridge was Westlake Bible Church. They have been married for 12 years and have 3 amazing children ages 8, 6 and 3. In between running a busy household, Amy enjoys dates with her husband, Bible Study, spending time with her girl friends, and doing just about anything with her kids when they are having fun. She loves Mexican food, a quiet house before anyone wakes up in the morning, jeans, cowboy boots and college football.
Originally from a Llano cattle ranch, Josh made his way here with a brief stop in College Station where he met his beautiful wife Sheryl and managed to obtain a BS in Agricultural Development too. After several mission and outreach trips he made his way to Denton and breezed through Tommy Nelson's Discipleship Program.
He enjoys hunting, fishing, mountain biking, snowboarding--pretty much anything fun outdoors. He also enjoys welding and landscaping.
As technical Director of Austin Ridge, Jeff oversees all technical aspects, including audio, lighting, and video. He is blessed to be leading a talented group of volunteers.
Jeff feels that God blessed him at birth by making him a Native Texan. He was born in Dallas and has traveled all over this great state. He and his fantastic wife Dana settled in Austin in 1993, where they added two more Native Texans, Milo and Davis. After spending most of his years pursuing fame and fortune as a "rock and roll sound guy", he finally found his fortune in serving the Lord through using his gifts and talents in the building of God's Kingdom.
Jeff's interests include being with his family, 4X4's, coffee in the Rockies, crunchy guitars, and Sunday afternoons on the couch watching football or NASCAR!!
Though a Texas native, Eddie has lived in numerous places across the country--right now he lives on a hill. He is bald and the lover of one Lindy Michelle. Together they have 2 beautiful daughters. Kadison will most likely turn the world upside down with her pen. She will stand up for right and bring down injustice and do it all with a sweet French accent. Karissa will most likely change the world with her laugh and do whatever sounds fun at the time. Lindy (eternally 28) loves canoeing, painting, hugs, Kadison, Karissa, helping those that need helping, her Granny, creating, and photography. Eddie loves being close to Lindy, being a dad, and hanging out with other bald musicians and worship leaders. Sometimes he sings and plays guitar.