Meet Our Board

Key Skills & Core Competencies

• Company/Non-Profit Management
• Leadership & Team Building
• Fundraising
• Public Relations & People Skills
• Business Operations & Strategy
• Effective Communication & Delegation
• Adaptability & Determination
• Pastoral Counseling
• Forward Thinking & Calculated Risk Management
• Marketing
• Client Outreach
• Budgeting
• Research & Development
• Case Management

Employment

• Published Author & Speaker
• Founder/CEO: Heaven’s Army of Resources (2010-Present)
• Founder/CEO/Speaker/Victims Advocate: VoiceUP! (2012-Present)
• Founder/CEO: Heaven’s Army-Home of Amazing Grace (Women’s Home) (2015-Present)
• Founder/CEO: Heaven’s Army-The Freedom House (Transitional Living) (2023-Present)
• Founder/CEO: Heaven’s Army-The Winston House (Men’s Sober Living) (2023-Present)
• Founder/CEO: Heaven’s Army-Brewtique & More (2024-Present)
• Mental Health Coach (2023-Present)
• Accounts Payable: Lone Star College (2008-2009)
• Executive Assistant/Accounting: Epcon (2007-2008)
• Accounts Payable: Action Handling (2005-2008)
• Financial Liaison: CPS Liberty County (2001-2002)
• Executive Assistant: Polk County Indigent Health Care (1998-2001)

Memberships & Trainings

• Member of the Montgomery County Human Trafficking Coalition
• Houston’s Human Trafficking Victim Service Providers Committee
• Coldspring Chamber of Commerce & Ambassador
• Ambassador for the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce
• Member of East Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
• Member of Dayton Chamber of Commerce
• Certified Trainer for the Texas Center for Missing & Exploited Children Internet Safety
• One of the Founding Board of Directors for the NCISD Education Foundation
• Member and Active Advocate for Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA)
• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) Speakers Bureau
• Graduate & Alumni of the Montgomery County Constables Citizens Academy
• Texas Notary
• CPS Faith-Based Partner & Resource Provider
• Volunteer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• Light University-Mental Health Coach
• Crime Victims Coordinator for the State of Texas
• Traffick911 Training
• Darkness to Light Training
• U.S. Office for Victims of Crime
• East Montgomery County Republican Women’s Club Member since 2017
• Liberty County Republican Women’s Party (2024)
• Women’s League San Jacinto (2024)

Awards

LaNora Purvis has received numerous community awards & recognition for her work & commitment to the community & surrounding areas.

• KSBJ 89.3-Partnership
• Children’s Protective Services-Service Award
• Gateway to Hope-Service Award
• EMC Fire Dept-Citizen of the Year
• Community Compassion Award-Hurricane Harvey Relief
• Building Better Families-Volunteerism Award
• Diamond Award-Woman of the Year for work done in combating addiction
• Women’s Club of Cleveland-Combating Human Trafficking
• Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce-Business of the Month, Ambassador of the Month
• Coldspring Chamber of Commerce-Runner Up Non-Profit of the Year
• Special Guest on numerous radio stations, local talk shows, and podcasts
• Numerous newspaper articles
• Author, “You Would Never Know”
• Humanitarian Award (2024)
• Hometown Hero (2024)

“Healing from your past brings HOPE for your future!”

On October 14th, 2009, LaNora was arrested on her third DWI offense and was facing prison time. At that time, she cried out to God whom she had never known. She told God that she would do whatever He asked her to do if she didn’t have to leave her children. She was released from jail on bond and reported to her probation officer who invited her to church. She went with the intention of showing her probation officer what a “good person” she was.

She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior on November 1, 2009, and began to have dreams and visions of what God wanted her to do to fulfill the plan that He had for her life according to Jer. 29:11. On February 2, 2010, she along with her husband, Howard, founded Heaven’s Army, being obedient to the voice of God but without any idea of where this journey would take her. On April 7, 2010, with no money, no job, 6 kids, a mortgage, a car note, and all the expenses of life, she leased her first building (commercial frontage but destroyed). On June 12, 2010, she opened the doors to the community after God provided the supplies to transform the building into a beautiful community outreach center.

In 2015, after reaching out and ministering to broken women in and around her community since 2010, she founded Home of Amazing Grace, a minimum 1-year residential women’s discipleship home. This home gives women who have been victims of sex trafficking, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and addictions a safe place to heal and gain the tools to become strong women of God and step into their destinies.

In January 2024, she founded Heaven’s Army-The Winston House, a men’s next-level living home for men who have completed a 1-year program and need a stable place to live while they continue their journey to recovery.

In March 2024, she opened Heaven’s Army Brewtique & More, a non-profit business started so the graduates of HOAG would have a place to apply the skills they had learned while in the 12-month discipleship program of HOAG, on-the-job business training.

Her story of going from the back of the police car to founding a growing ministry is one that will inspire you and increase your faith. LaNora has been used by God to show His love to families in the community through the many programs offered at Heaven’s Army and through Home of Amazing Grace.

My wife, LaNora Purvis, and I founded a ministry, Heaven’s Army in 2010 and have been serving the community faithfully alongside our children (6) and grandchildren (12) for 12 years. Our ministry is a discipleship program for women who have endured trauma and now seeking a new beginning through salvation. Through a one-year discipleship program, they learn character development that enables them to get back to a place of love for themselves and ownership of their bad choices.

I am also a faithful and prominent member of Cornerstone Church in Cleveland, TX. Where I serve in multiple ministerial areas. My wife and I conduct Bible Studies from our home and counsel many couples from the church and community. We are also dedicated volunteers through the church and other community organizations.

In addition to co-founding Heaven’s Army with my wife, I am also a business owner in New Caney, where I established New Caney HVAC in 2018. My business has been very successful, and with God’s help, has positioned me with a great network of business owners and customers with whom I have established impeccable professional relationships.

Skills

• Client administration
• Team management
• Writing and Editing
• Process improvements
• Problem resolution

Work Experience

PRACTICE MANAGER/RESEARCH COORDINATOR, DR. RICHARD YEE (Sept 2020 to present)

• Assist with the development of research protocols as well as FDA and IRB submissions.
• Prioritize tasks, and organize student fellows through clinical study processes.
• Revamp scheduling and other processes for better patient flow and create a social media presence for marketing purposes.
• Responsible for the day-to-day running of the clinic, and as point person for his MD Anderson consulting.

MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT, CENTER FOR SPINE AND SPORTS (Sept 2019 – April 2020)

• Assisted with the development of forward-thinking and effective operational processes to address changing needs.
• Evaluated internal systems and prepared training initiatives to resolve longstanding billing and staffing issues.

PROGRAM ACCOUNT MANAGER, E2OPEN (Aug 2018 – Aug 2019)

• Responsible for global MDF platforms (including DXC, IBM Redhat, Ruckus, Symantec).
• Met with clients on a weekly basis to discuss platform changes and program issues to make the system successful for each unique requirement.
• Trained client teams to mitigate customer issues.
• Managed team responsible for auditing and paying out global MDF initiatives.

SALES AND INVENTORY MANAGER, BARNES & NOBLE (July 2017 – Aug 2018)

• Responsible for the complete lifecycle of the merchandise.
• Trained and monitored booksellers.
• Co-managed the team responsible for auditing inventory and updating the local store website.

DEPARTMENT MANAGER, THE HOME DEPOT (Feb 2015 – July 2017)

• Involved in the recruiting and hiring process to bring on board team members with exceptional skills and expertise.
• Implemented unique methodologies that improved performance and profitability across multiple departments.
• Involved in the Women in Leadership initiative.

ADULT ESL TEACHER, BLACKHAWK COLLEGE (Aug 2014 – July 2015)

• Developed and taught lesson plans and skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading, and listening for students with skill levels from illiterate to graduate-level training.

PRACTICE MANAGER, WELLSPRING CARDIOVASCULAR (Aug 2003 – July 2012)

• Helped develop and maintain custom EMR.
• Responsible for all marketing, operations, and staff training.
• Coordinated monthly health and education events for the Houston chapter of Save A Leg Save A Life.
• Resolved all patient issues.

PR CONSULTANT, FREELANCE (Oct 1998 – June 2002)

• Worked with clients on the overall story, web design, marketing materials, and press releases.

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, CORPORATE INK (May 1997 – Sept 1998)

• Led team responsible for PR and initial e-commerce site rollouts for several Boston high-tech companies including Staples.com, Banyan systems, Mediconsult.com, Switchboard.com (now White & Yellow pages) and TVisions (Molecular, Inc., a part of Aegis Group).

CORP COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE, THE SERVICEMASTER CO. (1993 – 1997)

• Worked closely with the executive team, and wrote annual reports, press releases, and marketing materials.
• Was responsible for photo shoots with the company businesses, as well as with the Board of Directors.
• Participated in media interviews as well as crisis management

Education

• Taylor University: B.A. Political Science & Communications (MAY 1988)

Key Skills & Core Competencies

• Business Owner for 51 Years
• Certified Instrument Tech
• Certified Heavy Equipment Operator
• Public Relations & People Skills
• Business Operations & Strategy
• Effective Communication & Delegation
• Marketing
• Client Outreach
• Budgeting
• Research & Development
• Pressure Washer Engineering and Design
• Waste Water Reclaim Design & Installation

Employment

• Published Author & Speaker
• Exxon
• Pur-Tex
• Alklean Industries
• Business Consulting
• Sales Training and Consulting
• Electrical Training and Consulting
• Inventory Management Consulting

Memberships & Trainings

• Treasurer Memorial Baptist Church
• Chairman Finance Committee Memorial Baptist Church
• Deacon Memorial Baptist Church
• Chairman Finance Committee Rural Shade Baptist Church
• Deacon Rural Shade Baptist Church
• Served 1 Term as Board President of Cleaning Equipment Trade Association Board of Directors
• Served 3 Terms as Board Member of Cleaning Equipment Trade Association Education Foundation Board of Directors
• Serving as Board of Director/Management Ryan Cemetery

Awards

John Purswell has received numerous professional and community awards & recognition & service.

• Presidents Award for Excellence Distributing Mi-T-M Corporation (Numerous Years)
• Top 10 Distributors in the USA Award from Karcher Manufacturing
• Top 10 Distributors in the USA Award Citation Manufacturing
• Top 10 Distributors in the USA Delco Manufacturing
• Certified in Distribution Excellence by CETA National Trade Association
• Awarded Lifetime Membership Award by CETA (to date only 3 have been awarded)

Education

• Tarkington High School (1967)

“Firm understandings prevent misunderstandings.”

After graduation, I worked locally until my husband returned from the military (Texas National Guard). Then we moved to Baytown where I worked in a car dealership. Once our son was born in 1971, we started our business, and I worked continually in many different roles until we sold it in 2022 after 50 years in the Cleaning Equipment Industry.

Our plan was to turn the business over to our son and his wife and retire, but God had a different plan. In 2013, he had a massive heart attack, and we lost him. We knew we could not retire at that point, so we continued to work on our business, preparing to sell it.

Then Covid hit and set us back a few more years, but we have always been survivors and believed God was still in control. At the right time, He presented a path to sell and go to the next phase of our life — and He did. He is faithful!

Pardue Law Firm, PLLC , Dayton, Texas July 2018
Owner-Attorney. Manage development of new business and client intake and development. Create and develop new office systems, marketing, and advertising. Address the needs of clients in multiple fields including child welfare, family law, contracts, real estate, and oil and gas. Conducting successful mediations to resolve legal disputes.
Putonti Law Firm, PLLC , Marble Falls, Texas April 2017
Attorney. Interview new clients, assess case work and strategy, draft legal documents, conduct legal research, appear in court on behalf of clients, conduct negotiations with other attorneys and parties to reach fair and ethical conclusions to the legal issues at hand.
McGowan & McGowan, P. C., Brownfield, Texas August 2015
Law Clerk. Responsible for document preparation and communication with clients in various real estate and probate
matters.
Independent Landman, Lubbock, Texas April 2012
Landman. Completed title searches in various Texas Counties covering various mineral and working interests from
sovereignty to present with speed and accuracy.
The Princeton Review, Lubbock, Texas November 2011
Instructor. Prepared lessons and taught assigned test preparation curriculum. Assisted and guided at-risk youth in pursuit of college careers and successful futures.
Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office, Lubbock, Texas November 2010
Clerk. Completed extensive document review and researched mental health history of defendants. Assisted prosecuting attorneys in preparing evidence and trial exhibits. Reviewed and researched laws applicable to various murder and child molestation cases. Attended grand jury presentations, docket calls, hearings and trials.
The Honorable Judge Hatch, 237th District Court, Lubbock, Texas May 2010
Clerk. Researched and prepared memoranda of law relating to various civil law issues, including unjust enrichment, commercial law matters, real estate and foreclosures and some family law. Attended hearings and trials including Drug Court rehabilitation proceedings.
Lewis & Passons, P.C., Denton, Texas Christmas 2009 Clerk. Researched and prepared memoranda of law on family law issues including the choice of law doctrine, international laws regarding marriage and divorce, and child custody rules and regulations. Attended hearings, depositions, and trials. Reviewed documents and depositions to assist attorneys in preparing trail exhibits.

HARTH Foundation – Advisory Board Member, Fundraising Committee Chairman
Marble Falls Day Break Rotary – Member
Business Networking International, Marble Falls Elevated Connections – Education Coordinator