financials & key staff

We’re committed to transparency

Any questions? Please call us. We appreciate talking with our partners about all we do to reach the world’s forgotten poor.

Mercy Ships is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) which provides accreditation to Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with established standards for financial accountability, fundraising and board governance.

Donovan R. Palmer – Chief Executive Officer

After studying business management at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado. Donovan joined Mercy Ships in 1997 as the Assistant Director in the Mercy Ships UK Office. He helped facilitate the purchase of the Africa Mercy and served as project director for the shipyard work. In February 2010, Donovan was appointed Managing Director of the Africa Mercy and became the Group Managing Director in August 2014. Donovan was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2018.

Fred Grote – Chief Financial Officer

Fred has an extensive background and experience in Finance, Accounting, Planning, and International Operations. After joining Mercy Ships in August 2017, he became Chief Financial Officer on November 1, 2017. Prior to joining Mercy Ships, Fred held a position as Vice President, Planning and Analytics with Hunt Consolidated. Fred is a CPA and holds a BSBA in Accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas as well as an MBA in Finance from The University of Dallas.

Tom Stogner – Chief Operating Officer

Tom Stogner joined Mercy Ships in January 2017 as the VP of Operational Excellence & Efficiency. He became the Chief Operating Officer in May 2017. He was born and raised in South Florida and has lived and worked in many locations both in the U.S. and internationally. He holds a BSBA in Business and Marketing from Western Carolina University and a Graduate Certification in Finance from Southern Methodist University. He spent over 28 years in the for-profit sector.

Dr. Peter Linz – International Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Peter, a cardiologist, joined Mercy Ships in January 2012 after a 30-year career as the Head of the Clinical Investigation Department of the United States Navy at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California. After numerous volunteer positions onboard the Africa Mercy, Dr. Peter joined Mercy Ships full-time in 2012. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and a past Governor of the American College of Cardiology.

Warrie Blackburn – Africa Mercy Managing Director

Warrie has been serving as Africa Mercy Managing Director since July 2017.  Warrie and her husband Brian previously lived on the Mercy Ship Anastasis for ten years where Warrie served as the Director of Operations, followed by an additional ten years in the Executive Office at the International Support Center. Warrie obtained her Bachelors Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Warrie and Brian have twin daughters age 9.