Mr. Brian Becker
Vice President for Ministry Programs

As the Vice President for Ministry Programs, Brian Becker manages Wheat Ridge Ministries’ program efforts, including grant programs and other resources and services designed to assist leaders who are developing new health-related ministries.  He also provides leadership for Wheat Ridge Ministries’ efforts to promote health and wellness and assists the president in the areas of planning and meeting facilitation.

Before joining the Wheat Ridge staff in January of 2006, Brian served as Senior Director of Development for Concordia University Chicago for six years.  In that capacity, Brian served as campaign coordinator for the $40 million comprehensive Campaign for Learning and Leadership.  He also worked directly with alumni and community relations, as well as interacting with the marketing department to coordinate events, publications and all fundraising functions for the university.

Prior to joining Concordia University, Brian was a self-employed consultant to a wide variety of organizations throughout the world, including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Cigna, Merck, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Kansas City Royals and Swiss Valley Farms.  His expertise in the areas of leadership, sales development and strategic planning are helping individuals to maximize their skills to have a dramatic positive impact on their organizations.

Brian is a member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, ALDE and the National Speakers Association (NSA) and is the Past President of the Board of Directors of the Illinois NSA.  He has twice received the NSA Member of the Year Award and was recognized by his peers for his “continued professionalism, dedication and contribution to the speaking profession.”

Brian received his bachelor’s degree from Concordia University (then Concordia Teachers College) and his master’s degree in music performance from DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois.  He and his wife, Kim, reside in Maywood, Illinois, and are the parents of two children, Anna and Jeff.  They are members of Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest, Illinois.