Camp Tekoa is directed by the Reverend James Johnson, who began his professional camping career as a counselor at Tekoa. Tekoa's other permanent staff includes Mike Pruett-Program Director, Karen Rohrer-Business Manager, Melisa Coates-Administrative Assistant/Registrar, and Greg Trollinger-Maintenance Driector. To contact our staff, please use our online contact form.

James Johnson; Executive Director
James joined the Camp Tekoa Staff in January 1997. James has a beautiful family, his wife Jerrilyn and their sons, Baden, AJ, and Lewis and their two Labradors, Sunny and Samson. James first served at Tekoa during the summers of 1989 and 1990. He holds an undergraduate degree from Pfeiffer University in Religion and Christian education. He also has a Master of Divinity Degree from Duke University. James is an ordained Elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served as associate minister at Jamestown UMC in Jamestown, NC before being appointed to serve at Tekoa. James is an active member in the Christian Camp and Conference Center Association and the American Camp Association.

When he is not having fun at camp, James enjoys day hikes with his family, running, playing with the dogs, reading, and playing on the Little Rascals volleyball team. James loves his job at Tekoa, "I remember the first time I drove into camp and thinking to myself, Wow! What a beautiful place to serve God and enjoy the beauty of God's creation".

Mike Pruett; Program Director
Mike first attended Camp Tekoa as a rising 4th grader in 1988. He started out as a mini-camper then attended the week long resident camp every year after that until he was old enough to join the staff at Tekoa. Mike became a CIT in 1995, and then served for four summers as a Staff Assistant and a Counselor in 96', 97', 98' and 2002. He met his wife, Sarah, at Tekoa in 2002 and they were happily married in September of 2007. He completed his Bachelor Degree in Recreation Management from Appalachian State University in 2001 and is currently working toward a Master Degree in Counseling from Western Carolina University.

Before Mike returned to Camp Tekoa full-time in January 2004 as the Program Director he worked as Activities Director for Blue Ridge Village Resort in Banner Elk, NC. When he is not at camp running programs and hosting groups he's likely spending time with his wife Sarah and dog Maddie, or spending time outdoors mountain biking, road biking, snowboarding, swimming or hiking.

Karen Rohrer; Business Manager
Karen joined the Camp Tekoa staff in May, 2001. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Duke University. She has also completed some graduate work in business & accounting at Xavier University & WCU. Karen has been married to her husband Jim since 1978 (a child bride!). She is also Mom to Joseph, age 22, a senior at NCSU and Becca, age 16, a junior at TC Roberson High School. The family also includes 2 dogs (Comet & Pluto), a cat (Jasmine).

Karen is a member at the Skyland United Methodist Church where she is active in Strategic Planning, and Evangelism. She also volunteers as usher, greeter, & nursery worker. Karen’s hobbies include:  hiking (the easy kind!); walking; reading; and cheering Duke Men's & Women's basketball teams.

Melisa Coates; Administrative Assistant/Registrar
Melisa is the newest member of the Camp Tekoa Team. Melisa joined the staff in January, 2007. Since her start, she has helped Tekoa transition to a fully "live" summer registration system and has implemented a proactive communication plan between Tekoa and its registrants, donors, board members and conference churches. Melisa is currently studying Information Technology at AB Tech. in Asheville.

In Melisa's free time, when she isn't answering phones or registering campers, she actively volunteers in the local Emmaus/Chrysalis Community and serves as Vice Chair on the Chrysalis Board. Melisa also enjoys hiking, running, camping and spending time with her family and friends.

Greg Trollinger; Maintenance Director
Greg Trollinger has been Tekoa's Maintenance Director since 1995 and is responsible for keeping the buildings and grounds beautiful and efficient. Greg is always working on projects that continually upgrade the facilities and infrastructure. In the summertime, Greg is often seen transporting campers to their off-site activities in Tekoa's activity bus, or hosting wagon rides for the day camp program.

Much of Greg's free time is spent with his wife Eleanor, daughter Caroline, and son Charlie. As a family they enjoy activities such as camping and swimming. Greg also enjoys playing the banjo, riding his road bike, and doing auto mechanic work.