The Istoria Project
The Power of Personal Story
John Witte, Founder and President, is a graduate of Baylor University. Together he and his wife, Linda, lived and worked cross culturally in Eastern and Southern Africa with their four children for 17 years. It was the people of Africa that first began teaching him about the power and timelessness necessity of story and that stories are one of the most important traditions we can possess. John served on staff at a one of the largest and most dynamic churches in San Antonio as a teacher, counselor, and mentor for the last 9 years.
When not speaking, writing, and counseling, John is on the golf course. His all-time favorite story is Braveheart, and his friends and colleagues all know him as Witte.
Tina Salazar, Director of Operations, brings 15 years of experience in quality improvement and project management. As an engineering graduate of Texas A&M University, she spent 13 years making complicated ideas effective and usable via developing, implementing, supporting and improving systems for global companies including, Solectron Corp. and Toyota Motor Manufacturing. Tina and her husband own a business in the commercial construction and contracting industry, and she is often found speaking at universities and other organizations throughout San Antonio and South Texas to young women on overcoming obstacles and adversity.
One of Tina’s favorite stories is “Eat, Pray, Love.” When she is not working or putting together flow chart on the most efficient way to drive to the gym, you will find Tina outside in the sun with her family.
Travis Pearson, Chief Executive Officer & Board Chair, brings 25 years experience of entrepreneurial and innovative leadership in the For-Profit, Non-Profit, & Social Enterprise Sectors. His experience ranges from; disaster services, military PTS, homelessness, mental illness, trauma, adoptions, foster care, and child abuse. He has been appointed and served on numerous Boards at the city and state levels focusing on issues such as; child welfare, veteran issues, homelessness, supportive employment and affordable housing. He has a Bachelors in Accounting and a Masters in Counseling.
Travis’ favorite story is Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and when not working you will find him rehabbing an old house into a home or planning his next scuba dive.
Potential
We believe in human potential. We intuitively know that we have potential, and when we aren’t reaching it, we feel stuck.
Purpose
We reach our potential when we live our life purpose. Purpose is discovered through the story of individual experiences, challenges, successes, loves and losses in our life.
Story
Life is a story. When the elements of a story are applied to our lives, it shows us how life works. Just like a story, life only works when it moves.
Hero
We believe a person’s story is most powerful and influential when lived as a hero. Heroes are motivated to give their lives away for the good of others. It is in this act that we find our best life.