The S.P.I.N. Project

Mitch Livingston & Jerry, Co-CEOs

Mitch Livingston and Jerry Schwenson are a local father-son team whose combined life experience has prepared them to make the leap they felt they were called to make and spend their lives in service of the needy.

Jerry Schwenson

At 80 years old, Jerry Schwenson brings a lifetime of service, resilience, and firsthand experience to his role as Co-CEO of The S.P.I.N. Project. Raised in Idaho, Jerry’s life has taken him across the country and around the world—from serving as a soldier in Vietnam to traveling every state as a professional CDL driver, and even working as a police officer. Each chapter placed him face to face with the realities of inequality, injustice, and the quiet suffering many endure.

Known throughout his life as an unrelenting hard worker, Jerry never stopped fighting after leaving the armed forces. Whether serving his community in uniform or keeping the nation moving behind the wheel of a big rig, he consistently chose responsibility, discipline, and service. His experiences gave him a rare, ground-level understanding of how systems succeed—and where they fail the people depending on them.

Now in his later years, Jerry continues to stand on the front lines, dedicating himself to advocating for veterans facing displacement, mistreatment, and neglect. As Co-CEO, he leads with integrity, perseverance, and deep compassion, raising funds and awareness to support fallen and struggling comrades and ensuring that those who served are never forgotten.

Mitch Livingston

Raised in the foster care system from the age of six, Mitch experienced firsthand the instability, trauma, and lack of consistent support that many vulnerable individuals face. Moving through multiple foster and adoptive homes until adulthood, his early life exposed him to the harsh realities of systems that often fail the very people they are meant to protect.

Like many who grow up without stable foundations, he was led down difficult paths that included involvement with the justice system, homelessness, and substance use. Through these experiences, he gained a deep understanding of both the struggle and the gaps in social services—knowledge that would later shape his commitment to creating better, more compassionate systems of support.

Guided by faith and a belief in God’s purpose, Mitch dedicated his life to service over self-interest. As CEO of The S.P.I.N. Project, he leads with lived experience, humility, and conviction, building ethical and faith-centered solutions that restore dignity, stability, and hope to those navigating life’s hardest seasons.

Tracy Friel, Executive Director

How She Got Involved

Originally from Twin Falls, Idaho, Tracy Friel brings a thoughtful, solutions-oriented perspective to her work with The S.P.I.N. Organization. After spending over eight years in Arizona, she relocated to Oregon in 2021, where she continues to grow both personally and professionally. Her experiences across communities have shaped her adaptability and broadened her understanding of diverse needs.

Driven by what she describes as a passion for problem-solving, Tracy approaches challenges with a unique and analytical mindset. Her path into community-focused work was influenced by a like-minded mentor who recognized her capacity to contribute meaningfully to the lives of others. That encouragement helped solidify her commitment to service and collaborative impact.

Today, Tracy is an active member of a professional, supportive group focused on community advocacy and empowerment. She is deeply motivated by the opportunity to grow alongside others who share her values and looks forward with enthusiasm to expanding her role in service, partnership, and positive change.

Todd Wunsch, Chief Marketing Officer

How He Got Involved

Raised in Southern California by a father in software development and a mother in the arts, I developed an early passion for both creativity and technology. After my parents’ divorce, my life took a difficult turn marked by instability, trauma, and substance use, leading to years of disruption, frequent job changes, and encounters with the justice and medical systems.

During a period of incarceration in 2025, I experienced a profound spiritual awakening in which God gave me the clarity and strength to pursue a different path—one rooted in accountability, purpose, and service. Following my release, I committed myself to discovering God’s calling on my life, which led to the blessing of meeting Mitch Livingston. United by shared experiences and a mutual desire to serve, we recognized that God had placed us in each other’s lives to build something greater than ourselves.

As Chief Marketing Officer, I draw on my background in art, technology, and lived experience to communicate our mission with authenticity, integrity, and hope. I am passionate about using storytelling and strategy to reflect the redemptive power of faith and to amplify work that restores dignity, strengthens community, and demonstrates that transformation is possible.