Waldemar "Walde" Serrano, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, graduated from the Catholic University of Puerto Rico in 1972 with a degree in Business Administration and was ordained as a non-denominational minister in 1986. He and his wife, Madeleine, co-founded Bethany World Ministries that same year, helping to establish thirteen churches and ministries, supporting congregations in leadership transitions, and providing ministerial ordination to more than twenty leaders both in the U.S. and internationally. Walde has served the Orange County Sheriff's Office as a Volunteer Senior Field Chaplain since 1994, contributing over 11,000 volunteer hours and becoming Administrative Chaplain Lead in 2008. A seasoned executive, he has held key leadership roles in government, including serving as Special Assistant to the Governor of Florida, Statewide Coordinator for Family Initiatives and Hispanic Outreach, and later as Disaster Coordinator for the Division of Emergency Management, where he worked closely with FEMA and faith-based organizations during recovery operations for major disasters. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Walde is recognized for his deep understanding of multicultural communities and his expertise in operations, outreach, and ministry. He and Madeleine are blessed with two married daughters, two sons, and five grandchildren.