The Nominating Committee is pleased to present to the Congregation slates for election to the Vestry and Cathedral Council as well as delegates to Diocesan Convention and congregationally elected members of the Nominating Committee. In keeping with Trinity’s bylaws, the Nominating Committee conducted an open and widely publicized solicitation of candidates; the result was a pool of talented and qualified candidates, and the Committee is grateful to all whose names were submitted for consideration. We believe that the nominees before you represent an exceptional group of leaders who will govern with wisdom and faithfulness. We commend them to you for election at the Congregational Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 10:10 am.

Chair: Jon Benedict
Ginger Bitikofer
John Chapman
Allison Hauserman
Marie Kittredge
The Rev. Canon Will Mebane
Ute Vilfroy
Wendy Wilson Walker

Nominees for Vestry For Re-Election

Melody Hart—term ending 2016

Melody Hart is Treasurer of Signet Jewelers Limited in Akron. She has more than 20 years of experience in finance, including cash management, financing, budgeting, financial risk management and systems. Her experience spans multiple industries including manufacturing, retail, wholesale, not-for- profit and consulting. Melody has served on a number of not-for-profit and church boards in the past. She is currently a board member and finance committee member of Mercado Global, a fair-trade organization focused on empowerment of women in Guatemala through education and opportunity. She has been on Trinity’s Vestry since 2010 and serves on the Audit, Investment and Finance Committees. She resides in Cleveland Heights.

Allison Hauserman—term ending 2016

Allison Hauserman has been a member of Trinity since 1989. A resident of Cleveland and a teacher in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Hauserman is committed to the revival of the city. She has represented Trinity on the boards of WECO and United WE-CAN and has community-organizing training. In addition, she was a Sunday School teacher and a catechist at the Cathedral. She has served on the Vestry for two terms in the past, during which she acted as junior warden, assistant treasurer and clerk.

For Election

Jim Burger—term ending 2016

Jim and his wife Amy returned to Cleveland in June of 2011 after 45 years in the New York City area. Jim was baptized and confirmed at Christ Church in Shaker Heights, sang in the choir and worked on the calling committee of St. John’s in Williamstown, Mass., and added Vestry service along with choir and calling committees at St. Luke’s in Montclair, N.J., and St. Mary’s in Tuxedo, N.Y. During these years in the East, Jim worked in independent schools as a teacher and administrator with his last post a 17-year stint as headmaster of Tuxedo Park School. Jim and Amy are delighted to be back as they rediscover the rich and diverse culture of Cleveland and are equally delighted to have found a spiritual home at Trinity. They value its commitment to social justice, thoughtful and meaningful worship, outreach to the community, excellent music and challenging preaching.

Amy Ryder Wentz—term ending 2016

Amy Ryder Wentz is an attorney with the law firm of Littler Mendelson, P.C., where she advises and represents employers in a broad range of employment-related matters. Amy previously served as a law clerk to the Honorable Lesley Wells at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio. Prior to becoming an attorney, Amy spent 10 years as a community organizer and program director for Ohio Citizen Action. A “cradle Episcopalian,” Amy has been a member of Trinity since 2008, a Vestry member since 2012, and she presently chairs Trinity’s Personnel Committee. Amy, her husband Pete, and their daughter Mary Helen reside in South Euclid.

Nominees for Cathedral Council For Re-Election

For Election

Charlotte Nichols—term ending 2016

Now retired, Charlotte previously worked as a research assistant at Case Western Reserve University. She has been a member of Trinity since 1995. She co-facilitates Sacred Space, a spirituality group that meets monthly. She is a lector and Eucharistic minister for the 8 a.m. services. For the past 18 years, Charlotte has led weekly worship services for a congregation of older adults that meets at Euclid Beach Villa.

Lawrence Edem—term ending 2015

Lawrence is a recent graduate from Cleveland State University, and has attended Trinity Cathedral frequently during the past four years. He is an Electrical Engineer by profession and volunteers regularly with A Place at the Table ministry.

Aretha McCreary—term ending 2016

Aretha McCreary has been active at Trinity Cathedral for 48 years. She has recently retired, after working 44 years in the insurance industry. At Trinity, she has served multiple terms on Vestry, has been on a variety of committees (including Library, Personnel, Health & Wellness, Children’s Education, Nominating and Search Committees), has participated in a number of lay ministries (including lector, acolyte, lay Eucharistic minister, altar guild, usher), has taught Sunday School, and is currently on the Core Team for Greater Cleveland Congregations. Aretha frequently attends church with her two grandsons, Aundre Lindsay and Angelo McCreary.

Karla Rivers—term ending 2016

Karla has had a career in information technology with PNC Bank for more than 30 years. Karla is responsible for analysis, testing coordination and quality assurance in the Call Center. Along with her information technology background, Karla has a degree from Capital University in Church Music and has a background in visual arts and creative writing. Karla has been attending Trinity since 1980 and serves as a chalice bearer, sacristan and lector. She is married to Michael Graska. They reside in Brecksville with their two cats, Shelby and Thibodaux.

Nominees for 2014 Nominating Committee

Jon Benedict

Jon has spent his professional career helping organizations, both public and private, enhance their public images and further their strategic goals. Jon uses his extensive communications consulting experience to give client real- world advice that helps maintain positive public and media relations. Along with media relations and crisis communications consulting, Jon is an accomplished campaign consultant and served as the lead consultant on dozens of winning campaigns – for issues and candidates. He has passed levies and issues securing more than $1 billion for Ohio schools, counties, libraries, human services and parks. Jon also works with clients from the corporate, political, educational and nonprofit sectors to enhance their public images and further their goals. Jon graduated cum laude from Cleveland State University with a bachelor’s degree in English. He is the co-founder and editor of Edible Cleveland, a quarterly magazine that celebrates the people and stories of Northeast Ohio’s local food community.

Sally Winter

Sally Winter has been a member of Trinity Cathedral since 1998. In her professional life, she served for 28 years as the Northern Ohio Field Representative for the Ohio Arts Council. In 2008, she began consulting with local nonprofit agencies in the arts and cultural field. In 2011, she was named Artist Liaison for the Cleveland Foundation’s Creative Fusion Program, bringing 12 international artists to Cleveland each year for three-month residencies. At Trinity, Sally has volunteered her time with Music and Arts at Trinity Cathedral, serving as the President of the Board as well as producing the Medieval Feast for the past several years. Sally is married to Michael Dwyer and together they have three children, Lisa, Dylan and Travis.

Nominees for 2013 Diocesan Convention Delegates

Jane Freeman, Delegate

Jane Freeman has served in leadership positions in the Episcopal Church at parish, diocesan and national levels most of her adult life. At the Diocesan level, she is currently a member of Standing Committee, and has served on Commission on Ministry, Diocesan Council, Disciplinary Panel, and Episcopal Search Committee. She has frequently served as a delegate to Diocesan Conventions and would appreciate the opportunity to do so again. She is the Director of Behavioral Science in the Akron General Family Medicine Residency Program, an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Northeast Ohio Medical University and has an independent psychotherapy practice. She and her husband Bruce became members of Trinity Cathedral a few years ago.

Debbie Hunter, Alternate

Debbie Hunter is currently the AP/PR Coordinator with the Great Lakes Science Center. She is a 30-year member of Trinity Cathedral and is active in many areas including: A Place At the Table, Daughters of the King, the Trinity Prayer Tree, and as a Eucharistic minister. Debbie has been a Diocesan Delegate and Alternate in the past and has been a member of Cathedral Council, Vestry, and the Dean Search committee. She is currently Co- Convener of EPF/Episcopal Peace Fellowship in the Diocese of Ohio, has volunteered with EPF at three General Conventions, and is a former member of the Faith and Action Committee of CEEP (Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes). Debbie resides in downtown Cleveland.