Our Team
Meet the Team
At Big Oak Ranch, our entire team is united by a shared calling—to serve children who need the love, stability, and guidance of a Christ-centered home. Every day, we get to show up and be part of something bigger than ourselves— where lives are being transformed and futures are being rewritten through love, faith, and unwavering commitment. It’s not just what we do… it’s who we are. And we are grateful for the opportunity to do this work we love together.

A Note from our CEO

Many times we expect purpose, or our ‘why’, to fall from the heavens into our laps, which obviously God can orchestrate. But often, it requires a self-audit — one of reflecting on moments, big and small, throughout our lives that we either overlooked as ‘coincidence’ or maybe we even used the God-ordained moments for ourselves instead of returning the gift to the Giver in the way in which He intended.
Every person you see listed on this page has been asked the same question: “What’s your why?” We write it, we cling to it, we recall it when hard times come. Our ‘why’ is what brings us back to the initial passion we had when our calling first began. There is one moment that will forever anchor my ‘why’.
In 1988, I clung to my dad’s leg as an old, beat-up truck pulled into the Ranch. A man got out and said his new girlfriend made him choose her or his three boys. His choice was obvious. The 11-year-old got out of the truck, just glad he would have a safe home and a warm meal. The 10-year-old took off running and screaming that he knew his dad was going to leave. Then 6-year-old Joey – my moment – got out of the truck. Joey ran to his dad weeping, “You can’t leave me the same way Mom did!” Joey’s brokenness was not lost on me, and it was that moment that served as a catalyst for my commitment to this mission to relieve the suffering of children. Joey has been my brother since 1988. He was in my wedding and I was in his. He married a wonderful, godly woman. And for a young girl, he is Dad – not by blood, but through a daily choice to love her unconditionally.
Every staff member serving at Big Oak can look back on their own lives and describe moments, good and bad, that led them to this specific calling. Each person who serves on staff can think of their own ‘Joey’. Every endeavor we pursue is focused on pointing our children to the One who can bring lasting healing and continued generational change.
There are hurting children hoping and dreaming for a home, for a family who loves them. Your support helps connect our path with theirs.
Brodie Croyle, CEO, Big Oak Ranch
Our Board of Directors
“I am thankful and proud to be part of a team that deeply cares about our Big Oak Ranch family of children, houseparents, staff and executive team. We are very thankful for the generosity of donors and valued supporters as we advance in our mission to care for children. As a member and Chairman of the Board of Directors, it is an honor to witness and participate in the growth and many achievements of Big Oak Ranch.”
-Craig Beatty, Chairman of the Board

Craig Beatty, Chairman
President of CS Beatty Construction

Greg Belcher
President of Royal Automotive, Inc.

Jonathan Belcher
President & Cofounder of Signature Homes

Walter Edge
President of Edge Biologicals, Inc.

Bill Ratliff
Member of Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, LLC

Stephanie Smith
President & CEO of the Alabama Policy Institute

Jerry Stewart
Executive Vice President of Southern Co. / Alabama Power (retired)

Nick Wright
President of Special Events Management