ATTENTION:
Meet the Hearts Behind Our Mission
At the core of our organization is a passionate team of believers committed to serving God and making a positive impact on the world. Each member of our team brings unique gifts, experiences, and a heart for ministry. We are united by our love for Christ and our desire to share His love and truth with others.
Our Team
Carpenter Events LLC was founded by a dedicated group of men from various Bible-based churches in Palm Beach County, united by a shared passion for Jesus Christ and His mission. Over a decade ago, these men began meeting every Tuesday morning as part of a Life Group called "Iron Sharpening Iron," inspired by Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
What started as a small gathering for accountability, spiritual growth, and deepening their relationships with Jesus has grown into a transformative mission. Under the leadership of Dr. Tom Deters, the group embraced a calling to become bolder for God's kingdom, stepping out in faith to reach searching, restless, and bruised hearts in a chaotic world.
The men of Carpenter Events come from diverse business backgrounds, including banking, real estate, mission work, hospitality, and publishing. This diversity reflects their belief in using their God-given gifts and experiences to glorify Him and share the Good News.
Together, they launched Carpenter Events with a clear mission: "To draw searching, restless, and bruised hearts from this chaotic, fallen world to the Truth of the Good News of Jesus Christ, His rescue and eternal gift to us, and the transformation to a better life."
The Board of Directors remains committed to serving as a light in their community, creating opportunities for others to encounter Jesus, and equipping believers to share His love.
We invite you to learn more about our mission and join us in building God’s kingdom!
Dr. Thomas Deters
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Tom has been a career executive, most widely known for his 15-year tenure with Weider Publications, Inc., where he was Executive Vice President, Group Publisher and Editor in Chief of Muscle & Fitness Magazine, Publisher of FLEX and Publisher of Men’s Fitness magazines.
Tom served as Chief Executive Officer of Vayan Marketing Group, LLC; an internet marketing company and President / Chief Executive Officer of O2 Media, Inc a television show production company. He has published hundreds of articles and delivered seminars across the fields of strategic business development, performance nutrition, fitness, and longevity. He has authored a syndicated newspaper column and has been published in peer review journals. He holds a Doctor of Chiropractic and a B.S. in Human Biology from the National College of Chiropractic and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Michigan.
After receiving a “Call from God” to embark on this ministry, discussing the vision with his Men’s Bible Study Group and praying about it, Carpenter Events Inc. was formed just two weeks later.
Bob Krupka
Chief Financial Officer
Bob has been in the banking industry for forty years, serving as President / CEO, and Senior Vice along with an array of other executive leadership positions, with most of his career spent in the area of commercial lending. Bob is actively involved with his church in Wellington Florida. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
Bob has been called to oversee the finances and financial operations of Carpenter Events, Inc.
Todd Durand
Chief Operating Officer
Todd has served as the Founder/CEO of CORE Management Group, LLC. He grew up in a small northern Wisconsin town help with his family’s real estate and auction businesses, playing sports and enjoying life. He has a Computer Science degree from Milwaukee School of Engineering. Todd has been a full-time real estate investor for over a decade building and managing a residential and multi-family rental portfolio.
Todd is a former business and technology consultant of 12 years and possesses over 30 years of experience in business, technology, real estate, financial and professional services experience. As a Principal with The Revere Group (INC 500 in 1997 & 1998), he has consulted with clients like GE, Manpower, Northwestern Mutual, US Bank, ABB and CUNA Mutual.
Todd serves Chief Operating Officer, overseeing many aspects of Carpenter Events, from logistics and planning to corporate execution.
Frank Michaels
Vice President Events
Frank has spent 30 years building and growing the renown banquet and conference services teams for The Breakers, one of the largest and most iconic luxury hotels in Palm Beach Florida.
Throughout his career, Frank has conceptualized and executed high-end, one-of-a-kind event experiences for Fortune 100 executives, A-list celebrities, professional athletes, and international leaders. Frank is known for consistently creating world-class “wow” moments for his clients while maintaining a dedication to operational excellence.
As Frank was called to serve as Vice Presidents of Events, he will oversee all aspects of event production ranging from talent acquisition to venue planning, event logistics and execution.
Jim Laidlaw
Director of Ministries
Jim was born in Canada and worked as a bank administrator before God changed his vocation and called him to further his education at Word of Life Bible Institute and Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga. After graduation, Jim served with Word of Life as Dean of Men and then field administrator and camp director in Word of Life Spain near Barcelona. He later spent time ministering in Canada at Parole de Vie Quebec in the Bible Institute and camping ministry.
In recent years Jim has been leading teams made up of youth, construction, and medical teams to countries in the Caribbean. He is currently involved in men’s groups while being a realtor and travel advisor.
Jim brings his experience working with Christian ministries and churches to Carpenters Events.