Board

Dr. Brian Naasz

Chair

Brian is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Pacific Lutheran University where he teaches Environmental and Analytical Chemistry. Prior to this, he worked in a variety of research, management, and business development roles in the specialty chemical industry. He has a BS in Chemistry from Seattle University and a PhD in Physical Chemistry and Catalysis from the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the Earth Ministry Board in January 2005. Brian also serves on the board of the Peace Community Center in Tacoma, Washington. His church home is Agnus Dei Lutheran church in Gig Harbor, Washington.

Dr. Loretta Jancoski

Vice Chair

Loretta retired as Coordinator of University Assessment Planning and the Director of the Center for Water and Ethics at Seattle University in 2006. Previously she served as Dean of the University’s School of Theology and Ministry, establishing the ecumenical school to serve both the Catholic Archdiocese and ten Protestant faith traditions. Her career focus has been Ecology and Theology, trying to understand the implications of our universe’s evolutionary journey for Christian spirituality and doctrine. Loretta joined the Earth Ministry board in 2002. She is the mother of two married daughters, and grandmother, and is married to Gerard who is the philosopher, landscaper, and contemplative in the family.

Joelle Robinson

Secretary

Joelle Robinson currently is the Field Director at Climate Solutions, which covers the Northwest states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.  Prior to that she was the Regional Outreach Coordinator of National Wildlife Federation (NWF), where she focused on mobilizing hunters, anglers and concerned citizens around solutions to global warming. And before NWF, she was the NW Climate Connections Coordinator at Climate Solutions serving as the Field Assistant for the successful Clean Cars campaign and Field Director of the Renewable Fuel Standard which passed in April 2006. She previously served on the board of Solar Washington and the Sierra Club Executive Committee. Her faith background includes church attendance across multiple denominations as well as "outdoor church." Joelle joined the Earth Ministry board in 2004 and climbed Mount Baker that summer to raise $3,000 for Earth Ministry.

Dr. Kevin O’Brien

Treasurer

Kevin joined the Earth Ministry board in 2008. He is an Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics at Pacific Lutheran University, and also teaches in the International Honors and Environmental Studies Programs.  He has an M.A. in theology from Union Theological Seminary in New York and a Ph.D. in Christian Social Ethics from Emory University in Atlanta.  Kevin's teaching and research focus on the interconnections between human ethics and environmental concerns, scientific data and moral commitments, religious commitments and social justice. His wife, Mary, teaches elementary school.

Rebecca Cate

Rebecca Cate is the newest addition to the Earth Ministry board. As mother, wife, homemaker and sometimes attorney, she is an active member of Bethany United Church of Christ in Seattle. Rebecca graduated from the Willamette University School of Law and then spent 8 years as a criminal defense attorney with the Seattle-King County Public Defender Association. Since joining Bethany UCC in 2001, Rebecca has served on several ministry teams and co-founded Bethany’s Sacred Earth Ministry Team. Through Rebecca’s leadership Bethany has partnered with Earth Ministry and become a Greening Congregation. Rebecca loves to garden, sew, bake, hike/backpack, cross-country ski, listen to classical music and make annual pilgrimages to Holden Village with her husband and two children.

Kerri Cechovic

Kerri joined the Earth Ministry board in 2008. Her day job is the Outreach Director of Washington Environmental Council, which includes implementing grassroots organizing strategies for legislative policy efforts and campaigns. Kerri originally hails from Montana, where she conducted grassroots organizing and community outreach efforts for numerous state and local political campaigns. Kerri also served as an Americorps VISTA for the Western Montana Chapter for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. She received her Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Montana in 2002. Thanks to her time in Montana, Kerri developed a love for the outdoors and spent many summer weekends camping with her entire family. Now she enjoys hiking and exploring Washington's gorgeous mountains and forests.

Marcy Lagerloef

Marcia joined the Board of Earth Ministry in 2005. She is an oceanographer, retired from the Federal government in 2004 after holding management and technical positions in water programs in the Environmental Protection Agency, National Science Foundation, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Since retiring she has taught as an adjunct professor in environmental science at Seattle University. She was a member of the work group that developed the Shoreline Master Program on Bainbridge Island and is currently a Board member of Eco-Solutions, a Bainbridge non-profit that specializes in outreach and education in the community on sustainable practices for managing water runoff and avoiding pollution. Marcia is a founding member of Grace Episcopal church, where she has served on the Bishop's Committee and is currently the coordinator of the Earth and Spirit program.

Maryfrances Lignana

Maryfrances was elected to Earth Ministry's Board of Directors in December 2001 and served as Chair of the Board from 2006-2009. A recent alum of Microsoft, she has over 30 years experience in marketing, customer information oversight, and project management. A founding member of the Spiritus Dei congregation of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion, she is working to integrate creation care into the liturgical and social justice life of the community.

Rev. Hunt Priest

The Rev. Hunt Priest joined the board in 2010. Hunt is the Rector (Sr. Pastor) of Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Mercer Island. Prior to moving to the Seattle area, he was on staff of the Episcopal Church in Newnan, Ga. Before attending seminary and becoming ordained at age 40, Hunt was as a copywriter for an Atlanta advertising agency and delta.com. He's the father of 10-year old Will – who is a founding member of the Kids' Green Team at Emmanuel – and has been married to Lisa Lee Priest for 15 years. The strange confluence of surname and vocation is complicated by the fact that his mother's maiden name was Bishop.

Sr. Jo Ann Showalter, SP

Environment has been a life long passion and interest for Jo Ann. She has been on various committees including the Reclaiming Earth Committee for Mother Joseph Province and the Sustainability subcommittee for UNANIMA, an NGO representing more than 16,000 women religious and having UN status. Last year, she was able to attend the 17th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development at the United Nations. Jo Ann graduated from St. Mary of the Woods College with a MA in Earth Literacy. She is about to begin a new ministry as a member of the Provincial Council of the Sisters of Providence.