Mario Zandstra, President and CEO

Mario is the President and CEO of Pine Cove and has been since April 1998 after a 17-year career in the commercial real estate business.

Although Mario oversees the entire organization, his primary responsibilities are promoting Pine Cove's vision and maintaining Pine Cove's culture and theological integrity. He is also involved in constituent relations and acts as Pine Cove's ambassador as he looks for strategic partnership opportunities for Pine Cove.

Mario is married to Lynelle, and they have seven (yes, seven!) children. He and his wife are frequent speakers at FamilyLife Weekend to Remember Conferences throughout the United States.

Mario was born in Holland, grew up in Los Angeles, is a graduate from the University of Southern California Business School, and has lived in Texas since 1980.

Kevin East, Executive Director of Ministries

As the Executive Director of Ministries, Kevin “Opee” East oversees all the camps, ministries and programs of Pine Cove.  He has been working at Pine Cove full time for 10 years and has 15 years of experience working with children, youth and families.  Kevin resides in Tyler, Texas with his wife Stephanie “Nice Catch” and their sons, Walker and Miller.  Along with spending time with his family, Kevin loves inspiring and training others toward godliness.  He became a follower of Jesus Christ as a high school student at a camp and is thrilled to be a part of the journey of so many others at Pine Cove.

Craig Langemeier, Director of Family Camping

Craig “Dutch” Langemeier is not only the Director of the Woods, but also serves as the Director of Family Camping for Pine Cove. Craig graduated from Truman State University in 1989 and spent 7 summers on summer staff with Kanakuk Kamps during that time. He also went through Kanakuk’s Doulos program where he met his wonderful wife Carrie. He spent 4 years working with K-Life in Bartlesville, OK before coming to Pine Cove in 1995. He served as the Ranch camp director for 11 years and transitioned over to lead the Woods in 2006. Craig’s passion is serving Christ fully as he loves and leads his wife and 5 children and as he shepherds college students to a deeper understanding of Truth.

Jeff Lay, Director of Youth Camping

Jeff “Backfire” Lay serves as Pine Cove’s Director of Youth Camping, overseeing each of the Youth Camp Directors. Jeff graduated from Texas A&M in 1997 with a degree in Business Management. He worked as the Associate Director at the Pine Cove Shores camp for 3 years before moving to Denver where he took several classes at Denver Seminary. He then returned to Tyler to pour into the Junior High Youth Ministry at Grace Community Church. In 2005, Jeff accepted a position as the Director of the Towers, where he helped expand the ministry from just overnight camping to also include the Castle Rock Day Camp and a 5 week urban day camp called Heights. In September of 2007, Jeff transitioned into being the Director of Youth Camping. Jeff met his wife, Jenny or “Special K,” at Pine Cove, and they have 2 children, Hank and Landry. Jeff has a passion to creatively communicate the truth of the gospel so that lives will be changed.