Meet The Master's Apprentice Team

Luis Villarreal

Executive Director

Luis is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Master’s Apprentice.

The Master’s Apprentice was born to provide young men and women an alternative career option through the construction trades. With the increased cost of college, a career in the trades seemed an excellent opportunity to provide an individual with a significant growing income in a highly technical trade career that is recession proof.

Luis was the Founder and President of Save Our Youth Mentoring, a 30-year-old mentoring ministry for at risk youth in Denver-Metro urban neighborhoods. Luis and his Save Our Youth staff developed a practical mentoring ministry model to provide mentors for low-income youth in the urban and suburban communities that lacked healthy adults to support and help guide their lives. Save Our Youth addressed the ABC’s of mentor program start up, and mentor and staff development/management for mentoring success that keeps mentor match longevity as a priority for long-term spiritual and emotional growth.

Luis is a Clinical Social Worker by training, beginning his work in urban Chicago in the field of mental health and for 16+ years was Pastor of two urban churches serving impoverished Latino individuals and their families.

Luis is married to Nancy (48 years), and they have three grown children and 7 grandchildren.

Luis filled the role of National Alumni Engagement Officer for ACE Scholarships, serving alumni in 8 market states.

JOHN OLIVER

CEO

With over 24 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, John has dedicated his career to providing life-changing opportunities for young adults, scaling organizations and empowering individuals. He brings a philosophy to MAP rooted in bridging the gap between despair and hope, unlocking unseen potential, and championing the intrinsic dignity of every person.

Prior to MAP, John served as Chief Operating Officer at Elevate USA, a national non-profit dedicated to connecting youth with mentors and building long-term, life-changing relationships, equipping them with he skills to thrive and contribute to their community. John also served as Chief Program Officer at ACE Scholarships. ACE Scholarships provides tuition assistance for low-income families to attend a private K-12 school. As CPO, John lead the program expansion process in new markets around the US that empowers families to choose the school that they feel is the best fit for their child.

Scott Flores

Chief Operating Officer

Scott Flores is a third generation Coloradan, was born and raised in Denver, He attended Thomas Jefferson High school and went on to study music at the University of Northern Colorado to pursue his dream of becoming a professional musician. Scott played professionally for many years before joining the family owned manufacturing business.

Over the last 30 years Scott has successfully grown the small company and now employs over 20 people in Northglenn, Colorado.

During his tenure as Chairman of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce he developed a passion for education reform and helped to establish 3 different charter schools for low income children. The experience from those schools enabled him to help launch the Master’s Apprentice program to provide urban young men a bridge into the skilled trades.

Scott has been married for 32 years to his wife Marlys, they raised 2 daughters and a son in Erie, Colorado and welcomed their first granddaughter last year.

Jude Carstensen

Director of Operations

Jude was born and raised in Circleville, Ohio where he developed an interest in science and naturalism. He studied Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife at The Ohio State University while being involved in campus ministry.

Jude moved to Denver in 2019 to volunteer full-time with Christ in the City, a homeless ministry non-profit. Spending his time interacting with persons experiencing homelessness left a deep impression of service on him.

After a brief period of trying out the construction trades himself as an electrician, he has found a home in providing opportunity to those in need of a second chance.

Jude enjoys the mountains, creative projects like furniture upcycling, and watching good cinema. When he isn’t doing those, you can find him spending time with loved ones and trying out a new board game.

PABLO CORREA

Program Director

Pablo was born in Lima, Peru. His parents were missionaries in Peru. His family moved to the United States when he was 9 years old. They lived in Madison, Georgia for a year and half, before moving to Denver, Colorado. He grew up in the Barnum area. He grew up playing soccer, basketball, and occasionally football. Soccer played a big role through middle school and high school.

Pablo attended Colorado Christian University for 2 years and then transferred to University of Colorado at Denver. He majored in Political Science, with a focus on International Relations. He worked various jobs and internships during college, ranging from market research to political campaigns. He was always involved in his church, including youth and music ministries.

He spent a lot of his work experience in and with education. He spent 8 years working at Colorado UpLift, which provided life skills and character building to urban youth. Then he was part of 3 start-up schools. One was Compass Academy, as Dean of Campus Culture, before transitioning to Colorado Early Colleges. At CEC, he helped start 2 new campuses, Aurora and Castle Rock. He was Director of Admission and Director of Advising.

He loves spending time with his family. Pablo and his wife are kept very busy by their 3 wonderful kids. That includes coaching soccer, watching dance performances and other sports the kids are doing. They are very involved at their church and enjoy playing board/card games. They also enjoy watching movies when time allows it.

JULIE HYDE

Office Manager

Julie was born and raised in Colorado. Growing up, she enjoyed learning a variety of subjects, soaking up the Colorado sunshine, and spending lots of time in band classes.

She attended Benedictine College in Kansas where she earned degrees in Theology and Business Management. After college, she spent time in an administrative role at a FedEx warehouse. She enjoys being active in her church, dancing, and spending time with family and friends. Julie loves getting to know all different kinds of people and is energized by the hope and success of the students at The Master's Apprentice.

TORRENCE JACKSON

Director of Development

Torrence Jackson grew up in Grand Rapids Michigan and at a young age quickly developed a love for many things, including sports, outdoor fun and a love to see people grow and develop. Torrence spent most of his career in South Florida as a School Principal, Educational Director and Musician. He moved to Denver in 2014 and found success as a School Administer in Denver Public Schools, private schools in the Douglas County area and Director of Leadership and Learning, Coach and Consultant in several companies.

Most recently, Torrence’s experience as a director in a local Water and Sewer company has left him with a passion for the Trades. He brings a passion, drive and ability to help recruit others to come together around a mission that can change others and our world.

Torrence enjoys playing golf, performing music, anything outdoors and spending time with those he loves!

SHANNON DANDO

Program Coordinator

Shannon is a Colorado native. She is creative and upbeat and has a passion for adventure. Her heart for people and genuine desire to get to know them has helped her cultivate meaningful connections, ultimately bringing her to The Master’s Apprentice.

Shannon’s family is her backbone, and while watching her son grow into a man has been bittersweet, she still gets to engage her inner child by spending time with her nieces and nephew. She has experienced her share of hardship, which gives her a zeal for living and serving the Lord. In her free time, she enjoys leading a bible study for women in recovery and taking random road trips with her loved ones. She's naturally competitive and tries to live life in the moment… because tomorrow is never promised.

Roy Hanschke

Success Coach

Growing up in a town outside of Chicago was filled with the adventures of climbing trees, playing softball and football with neighborhood kids in the empty lot at the corner, and experiencing the joy of working with my dad in the family wood shop. As a young teenager I knew I had to get serious about what to do with my life. Fortunately, God got ahold of me and from that time on my passion became helping others find their way in life.

After college, seminary and a few years in church ministry, I spent seven years doing a variety of things in the marketplace including property management for a small commercial real estate company. One day someone told me I had a good voice and should be in radio. I believed them, took a short course in radio, and spent the next thirty-eight years working at two different Denver Christian radio stations, mostly hosting the morning show, developing community relationships, writing for publication, and training others in vocal communication skills. Life, directed by God, has been a wild and exciting ride.

On June 30 of this year, I chose to end my radio career and seek out something where I could spend time with a young generation of people helping them find their way in life. The Master’s Apprentice, thanks to Luis Villarreal and Scott Flores, is now my next exciting challenge. I am so pleased to be part of the staff assisting young adults in finding success in the construction trades and in life itself.

What do I do for fun? I spend a lot of time with my beautiful wife, our family of 28 awesome people (including a bunch of grandchildren and three great grandchildren) and our two dogs.

our team

Meet our Management Team and Volunteer Coaches!

Management Team

Coaches

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