Everyone has dreams, but not everyone has the courage or means to pursue them. Fortunately for children and parents across the United States and around the world, Brian King chose to make his dream a reality. Currently the manager of cost accounting for the finance division of San Francisco, California, U.S.-headquartered Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), King is the founder and chairman of the board of Kingdom Children, a nonprofit organization that helps communities locate missing children and provides a mechanism for runaways to reach out and safely return home.

“When I was young, whenever I would hear about a child being abducted or going missing, it really affected me, even though I personally did not know anyone who had been kidnapped or was a runaway,” he said. “As the years went by, I knew I wanted to be part of a solution that would assist these children and their families, but I didn't know how to go about it.”

Like most adults, however, King became focused on his professional life and raising a family, and his vision of helping youths in crisis was put on hold.

“I spent the first 14 years of my career working my way up through the ranks at PG&E,” he recalled. “I started with the company at age 19 as a file clerk. After being promoted to supervisor over the other file clerks, I asked for and received the opportunity to become a finance analyst. Then I asked to be a part of the team that was installing a complex new financial system at the company. I eventually ended up a business operation expert within power generation. I never attended college, so everything I know is through experience and from making mistakes.”

After almost a decade and a half with the company, King felt it was time to pursue other opportunities and left PG&E to become a director for arcplan Inc., an international software corporation specializing in visual navigation, eventually serving as president and COO. He also spent just under two years as CEO and board member for Sherrill Lubinski, a solution provider of real-time network and operational dashboards.

In 2004, while on a business trip to South America for arcplan Inc., King's lifelong desire to make a difference in the world was reawakened full force when he witnessed a young girl being sexually trafficked on the streets of Brazil.

“Seeing that five- or six-year-old child being handed over to a man for money had a profound effect on me, especially since I have children of my own,” he said. “When I came back from the trip, I took two weeks off and did some deep soul searching. My wife, Dawna, and I decided to establish a charity that would help rescue children and teens who have been voluntarily or involuntarily caught up in human trafficking. We had no idea how to go about it, so we took it one step at a time.”

Today, Kingdom Children funds private investigation for families of an abducted child that cannot afford to retain private investigation on their own. It also features a children's investigation unit that performs research to expose child trafficking for illicit activities. In addition, the organization provides restoration services, which include professional counseling, specialized tutoring and replacement of the child's wardrobe.

“I am involved in every aspect of running the charity, which includes developing partnerships with city officials, mayors and chiefs of police,” he said. “To raise funds, we host local events such as an annual golf tournament and the Harvest Run.”

Feeling the need to devote more time to his family and charity, King resigned his high-power positions and returned to PG&E in 2007.

“I was done chasing the brass ring and wanted to return to the basics of life,” he noted. “PG&E allows me to balance my career and personal life. I also appreciate that the company gives back to the community and encourages its employees to do the same. I work with great people.”

In recognition of his countless hours of volunteer work, King received the company's 2010 Frederick W. Mielke Jr. Award for Outstanding Community Service. The annual award is given to just five of the company's more than 20,000 employees and includes a commemorative trophy as well as a $5,000 donation to the organization of the recipient's choice.

In his spare time, the husband and father of four enjoys training for and running marathons. He is also busy working to establish a ranch that will serve as an extension of Kingdom Children.

“It is going to be named Gaal Ranch, which means ‘restoration’ in Hebrew,” he explained. “It is going to be located on 40 acres with an arts center, horse stables and at least 12 houses that allow each child to have her own bedroom. Most importantly, it is going to be a safe haven where these children can experience complete healing.”

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Editor's note: To learn more about Kingdom Children, visit http://kingdomchildrensolution.org.