Board of Directors

Mary joined our board in 2016.

Jerry grew up in South Euclid and Cleveland Heights, the oldest of six children.  He graduated from St. Joseph High School in Cleveland and has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from Cleveland State University.  He worked for 37 years in Human Resources, finishing the last 22 years with Saint-Gobain Corporation and retired in 2017.

He is married to the former Margaret Higgins with whom he has five children.  They live in Timberlake with their youngest son.

I was born and raised on the Near South Side of Chicago and married a Cleveland girl I met in college. I was a personal trust administrator at Society National Bank for four years, taught high school Theology for thirty-five years, and was principal of St. Rocco School for one year. I have an M.A. in Religious Education and authored The Fullness of Life (an explanation of the Catholic Faith published by En Route Books and Media in 2019). I am also President of the Board of Directors of LifeWorks Ohio; emcee at Cleveland Right to Life’s annual “Bringing America Back to Life” Convention; substitute host of “From the Median” on the Salem Radio Network; write a monthly column for www.catholicstand.com; direct the annual Young Catholic Men’s Conference at the Center for Pastoral Ministry; and speak around the Diocese of Cleveland.

I read about L’Arche in college but did not actually get involved until Jim Skerl invited me in 2007. I became a member of the L’Arche Board in 2016, served as Secretary and Vice President in 2018, and became president in 2019. In my spare time, I enjoy Daily Mass, prayer, reading, investing, walking, yard work, and an occasional cigar.

I first became involved with L’Arche as a high school junior, joining the inaugural group of St. Ignatius students guided by the late Jim Skerl in the “Friends with L’Arche” group.  We attended monthly dinners at the homes, something the group continues doing today.  I met current Board Member Marty Dybicz during my time there.  I became a member of the Board and Treasurer in 2019.  I’m a CPA, starting my career working for the large accounting firms and now working for a local start-up consulting company.  I also coach cross country and track at St. Ignatius.

Originally from North New Jersey, I attended John Carroll University after high school. I returned to Cleveland for my career and have spent the last 35 years as an Ohioan, and currently work in the medical device industry. I was recruited to join through past board presidents and my experience as a parent of an adult daughter with special needs, who lives with my wife, Mary, and me. In my spare time, I like to go for bike rides and hikes with my friends and family.

Born in Wisconsin, I spent time in New York, Detroit, and Rome, Italy. I now reside in Beachwood with my lovely wife of 47 years, Julie. We enjoy our 6 grandchildren born of our two children. Old age is slowing us down, but we have enjoyed travel to Europe, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, and Alaska in our camper. L’Arche has given me new friends and a cause to care about deeply.

Lisa joined our board in 2021.