Our People

Matthew Gwinner
Interim Director

Matthew and his wife, Angela joined the Tanako team in March 2021.

​I have been blessed with a wide range of ministry training and experience which I believe has prepared me for this opportunity within your ministry.  I have 2 years of full-time camp and retreat leadership experience, combined with over 10 years of full-time youth ministry experience, 14 years of supervisory experience in business and office environments, and many more years of volunteer work in camping, children’s, youth, and family ministry.  The specific duties among these experiences include supervising staff/employees, maintenance, kitchen and food service, scheduling of groups and staff, phone contact and ministry, retreat and event planning, and much more.  While all these duties do not fit neatly under a Program Director title, I am aware that in a camp setting it is often all hands on deck, and I actually enjoy “leading from the front” and by example.

My strengths include a gifting and love for building relationships with people of all ages and backgrounds, including church youth and children’s groups, at-risk youth and families, and college-age groups and individuals.  I also work well with small groups in the areas of discipleship and evangelism, and have a tremendous love for missions and Christian Camping.
 
My wife Angela and I have two children, 24 year old Hannah (along with her husband of three years, Jake), and 19 year old Matthew, who is a drama major at Tulsa Community College.  My “outside” hobbies include sports, hiking and other outdoor activities, travel, and spending time with my family.

Board of Trustees

Camp Tanako is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees of fifteen to twenty-one members. Trustees are nominated by the Board itself and ratified by the Arkansas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, serving four-year terms in covenant with the Conference and The Book of Discipline. The Board sets the camp's strategic direction, oversees operations, and stewards the property held in trust for the Annual Conference.

Kelly Curran, Board Chair
Rev. Dr. Hammett Evans, Vice Chair
Lori Canada, Secretary
Rev. Michelle Amos
Stephanie Brown
Mason Cozart, Finance Chairperson
Whit Logan, Personnel Chairperson
Michael McMurray
Nancy Meredith, Buildings & Grounds Chairperson
Rev. Dr. William O. (Bud) Reeves
Don Riggin
Rev. Peaches Smith
Rev. Judy Rudd, ex-officio
Rev. Brittany Richardson Watson, ex-officio
Julie Smith, ex-officio