Jon O! (Coach J’)

Co-Founder/Executive Director

Jon O’s journey began 20 years ago with the question; “Where are the great men, those who show up strong for others?”.

What was evident at that time is still true today; there were too few leaders. Years into the journey, it became apparent that Jon O’ would be a leader of leaders, specifically calling them out and guiding them to ‘find their voice.’

In the fall of 2001, Jon O’ led a group of college guys on an epic adventure to West Virginia to raft a Class V river. Chasing adventure and connecting with leaders continued for years until, by providence, adventure was replaced with service projects, which opened the door to new possibilities and new young men joining the journey. Today, these men continue to live out big stories across the country, serving their families and communities from a place of being known and affirmed in their strength.

In 2015, Jon O' met Cole Erno in a chance meeting. Cole was down for the struggle, and after traveling hard roads and sharing in an epic journey for several years, Jon O’ and Cole shared a vision that would lay the foundation for Providence Road.

With a small group of brave, committed volunteers and supporters, Providence Road was launched in 2018 with a simple premise to change attitudes and perspectives in the streets of Baton Rouge that would lead to a change in the culture. With many believing in and supporting the cause, Providence Road took shape and continues to attract new talent and skills to the struggle for young hearts.

"Every story has a hero. I'm not the hero; I find young heroes. With encouragement, they begin to step into strong, believing what is most true, and realize that their story is just beginning." -Coach J’!

Jon O is married to Sharon, who has offered unwavering support all these years and made such a journey possible. He has four children, all in their twenties, all living big stories, and are great supporters of their dad and the efforts of Providence Road.

Cole erno

CO-FOunder/Director of Programs

One of the first to pioneer the concept of Providence Road, Cole Erno has been an integral part of reaching young hearts in the community. 

Gifted with a heart to serve, grit, creativity, and a strong desire to build something better, Cole is a recipient of attributes he gained from relationships with strong men. His grandfather’s, a WWII veteran and 45-year career railroad engineer, respectively, and his father an industrial designer/engineer. 

As a co-founder of Providence Road, he courageously steps foot into a void that many wouldn’t, taking on the daunting task of building relationships with youth who have difficult stories and calling out the strength inherent in each of them. He is an essential staff member of Providence Road, and without his commitment and diligence to developing and implementing the program side of Providence Road, there would be no program. 

Husband to Jennifer Erno (who is the best team mom ever), Cole finds purpose and passion in facilitating the healing of broken hearts. Most days, you can find them hosting and enjoying the youth of Providence Road in their home. Cole is always ready to leave town with great men and is responsible for coining the phrase we have adopted as our program slogan, 

"Doing hard things in beautiful places changes lives." 

George Gillam

Area Director (Spanish Town)

Born and raised in Uptown, New Orleans, George is the youngest of 8 children. Being raised in a very hostile and violent environment got the best of him. At the age of 14, George was forced into the streets where he sold drugs to survive. This lifestyle landed him in prison, where he spent 25 years in Angola (from ages 16 to 41).  

It was in Angola where he started to dream again, hope, and thrive. While in prison, he managed to pursue his education and, more importantly, was transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through a determined mindset to be a servant-leader, his efforts to serve the community at Angola eventually proved the hidden mechanism that granted him another chance to redeem the poor decisions he made as a juvenile delinquent. 

The combination of his experiences as a former at-risk youth and a morally rehabilitated/transformed man are the two essential experiences he draws upon to impact the lives of youth in Providence Road. Through each encounter, he hopes to provide the kids in Providence Road with a positive role model and voice of reason that contrasts his own experience and engages these young men with an example of strength and what to strive for in life. 

George is the force that has allowed Providence Road to break through many of the barriers and challenges present in the neighborhoods we serve and is an integral core member of the Providence Road Leadership team.

Erik Sampson

Director of Innovation

Originally from the North East, Erik was a recipient of one of the early invitations to be part of a bigger story. In 2008, Erik was introduced to Jon O’ through a close friend and has been learning what it means to step into strength and receive greatly ever since. 

With a wide array of professional experiences, Erik has led start-ups across the country to success in education, the performing arts, non-profit management, and hospitality. Currently, he runs his own consulting company serving as a champion of other’s visions and dreams. 

Erik brings an understanding of strategic operations and brand management that is a welcomed addition to Providence Road. Since joining the core leadership team in 2020, Erik has helped Providence Road define its core values and communicate them to the broader community by establishing protocols that enable us to expand our program and curating our monthly publication, Stories From The Road. 

We are incredibly excited to have Erik as part of the Providence Road Jump Team and look forward to a bright future supported by his efforts.