Our Team
Pastors

LEAD PASTOR
Michael D. Carlson
Pastor Mike Carlson married Tammy, his best friend from High School, in Duluth in 1993. They have three young adult sons together, and two have followed in his footsteps by pursuing seminary degrees and heading into ministry. An undergraduate degree from the U of M, Duluth, followed by an MDiv from Wartburg Theological Seminary gave Mike the educational foundation for ministry work. Various roles have led Mike to where he is today—youth work, training other youth workers, and Associate Pastor. Mike moved from northern Minnesota to Birchwood when he answered the call to be Executive Pastor at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in 2008. He transitioned into the Lead Pastor role in 2014.
What drives Mike to share the Gospel? He says, “The message of grace that’s come to set us free compels me to share the Good News of Jesus with all humans. Because its creator deeply and passionately loves the world we are called to engage in deeply loving the world in return. If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed!”

EXECUTIVE PASTOR
Sarah Breckenridge
Pastor Sarah Breckenridge has been ordained for 30 years and spent 20 of those years at St. Andrew's. After serving three years on staff, she took a break to live out her passion for missions in Bratislava, Slovakia, teaching Religion at the Lutheran High School there. When she returned, she served at St. Michael's in Roseville, but eventually came back to St. Andrew's to be the Chaplain at the Academy. When that closed in 2008, she took leadership in a variety of other capacities, from youth ministry to our Community Resource Center until becoming our Executive Pastor in 2014. Sarah earned her B.A. in Psychology and Speech Communications at St. Olaf College, then her M.A. in Youth & Family Ministry and MDiv at Luther Seminary.
An avid outdoors enthusiast, she loves to walk her dog Mozzie, hike, bike, ski (water, snow, cross country...), and do any other recreation that gets her outside. She is known to occasionally join the choir or pull out her fiddle to play at the St. Andrew's Beer & Hymns events. To relax, Sarah enjoys quality time with her two young adult sons, reading, going to the cabin or North Shore, playing ping pong and watching shows like Ted Lasso and Shrinking.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION PASTOR
Brian Norsman
After eight years serving as Pastor to a church on the north shore of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Brian was called to St. Andrew’s in 2009 to be Pastor of Children, Youth & Family. Since then Brian has been called to outreach ministry, started a church plant in Hugo, and currently leads the Pastoral Care & Spiritual Formation team. He earned his B.A. in Economics & Spanish from St. Olaf College, in Northfield, MN, and his MDiv from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA.
Brian and his wife Sena have four children and three grandkids. He loves sailing, golfing, biking, pilgrimages/retreats, smoking meat in his Traeger, spiritual direction, and family adventures with kids and grandkids. Before going to seminary at age 30, Brian was in the banking and investment world and owned a Scandinavian Tour Company specializing in heritage travel, pilgrimages, and adventures.

TEACHING PASTOR
Amy Mihelich Smith
Pastor Amy Mihelich Smith has been St. Andrew’s Teaching Pastor since 2020, leading Christian education for all ages. Previously, she served in outdoor ministry at Luther Crest Bible Camp in Alexandria, the ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program in Rwanda, and CYF ministry in Minneapolis. She majored in English and Political Science, with a concentration in Women’s & Gender Studies at St. Olaf College and earned her MDiv at Luther Seminary with a concentration in Justice and Reconciliation.
Before attending seminary, Amy worked as a reporter and editor for the Apple Valley Sun ThisWeek newspaper. She lives in St. Paul with her husband, Bryan, and their dog, Pepper. She likes to unwind by reading, running, doing yoga, hiking, snowboarding—and if any of these activities happen up north, even better!

CAMPUS PASTOR FOR ST. ANDREW’S VILLAGE
Carole Lundell
Pastor Carole Lundell was ordained in 1993, and served as a Youth Minister for 25 years at other churches. Then in 2014, Mike Carlson recruited her for elder care at St. Andrew’s, and she's been the Campus Pastor at St. Andrew’s Village ever since! Now caring for the older population is her passion and she feels so privileged to be invited into people's lives, often in the most difficult moments. Earning her B.A. in Interpersonal Communications from U of W-Stevens Point, and MDiv from Luther Seminary was the perfect education for doing what she does.
Carole has two young adult children, Rachel and Brendan. One of each of the two dogs and three cats that live with her were inherited from her kids. During rare non-work moments, Carole loves to paint landscapes in acrylics, or delve into pretty much any other art project. She also enjoys exploring genealogy within her own family. Her favorite thing about working at St. Andrew’s is the staff! The people working here are so talented, fun, and easy to be with.

MEN'S MINISTRY PASTOR
John Straiton
ADMINISTRATION

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Patricia Ingberg
Patricia has served at St. Andrew’s since 2001, and currently has the significant responsibility of overseeing our finances—which she does with excellence! She earned her B.S. in Business with an Accounting major from Carlson School of Management at the U of M, then obtained her MBA in Leadership and Change at St. Scholastica.
She and her husband Brad have three grown children. They recently moved into a historic home in Stillwater that was built in 1886. To relax she enjoys watercolor painting, drawing, reading, and taking their dog Cordelia for walks.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Mark Jackson
Mark joined St. Andrew’s in 2016 and currently serves as Director of Operations, managing a number of administrative functions, special projects, and strategic initiatives, and as Executive Director of The Foundation of St. Andrew’s. He’s worked, volunteered, and served in leadership roles for Lutheran-affiliated organizations for more than 30 years. He earned his B.A. in Business Management from Whitworth College, an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Gonzaga University, and a Master in Nonprofit Management from Regis University.
A Pacific Northwest native, Mark lived in Washington State for 40 years before moving here. He and his spouse Colette live in Stillwater with their two sons. Mark has an unusual hobby—he geeks out over studying and exploring Medieval and Renaissance cathedrals and art museums. His co-workers will tell you he’s got the best Dad joke delivery on staff, and is pretty “punny,” too. Favorite beverages: a good cold brew coffee and/or Diet Coke over ice.

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Adam Huntley
Adam has over 11 years of extensive human resources experience, with a focus on fostering a welcoming and supportive workplace for employees. He believes that when employees enjoy their work and feel valued by their employer, they are more likely to be fully aligned and engaged with the organization's mission. Adam holds a degree in Human Resources Management from Penn Foster College, and is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR).
Before joining St. Andrew's, Adam was the Human Resources Manager for a large home health care company with approximately 2,000 employees across Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa. He lives in Andover with his wife and their three young children. Adam enjoys traveling, and his family's favorite destination is Walt Disney World Resort.

SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT & CAMPUS COORDINATOR
Lisa Weyrauch
We would be truly lost without Lisa Weyrauch keeping us all organized! Prior to joining staff, she served as school secretary at a small elementary school in Marine on St. Croix for 14 years. Through sheer tenacity, she combined coursework at University of St. Thomas, the University of Hawaii-Manoa, Windward Community College, and several University of Minnesota correspondence courses to earn a B.S. in Business Administration from the U of M’s Carlson School of Management. She also has a Certificate in Meeting and Event Management from Century College.
Lisa and Rick married in 1982, when he was serving in the Marine Corps in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and they said “Aloha” to Hawaii in 1984. They have two sons, two daughter-in-laws, and five grandkids. (Lisa’s paternal grandmother, born in 1917, turned 108 on Easter Sunday 2025!) Her secret skill? She learned to tap dance as a kid and then taught it for 10 years. She absolutely loves watching dancing, live theater, or any musical performance. Her love for dance led her to try Jazzercise in 2011 and she’s been an active member ever since, sans legwarmers! While she has many super powers, her kryptonite is Diet Coke—she loves it.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT II
Natalie Leonard

PASTORAL & OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Cheryl Peterson-Schurke
Cheryl Peterson-Schurke has been the warm and welcoming face at the Welcome Desk since 2023. She was a piano teacher for 15 years and accompanist for three different metro-area high schools. She also taught music for the Preschools of St. Andrew's and served as a music volunteer coordinator for MHealth Fairview. She earned her B.A. in Music Education from St. Olaf College, and she met her husband Joel when they sang in the college choir there. They share a love for all things music and for their three young adult daughters. The family dog, a British Lab, Sadie, keeps them walking, hiking, and playing—rain or shine!
She loves to garden, practice piano, read, ski, hike and kayak, and attend concerts. They are in the process of building a cabin near Ely, MN, on White Iron Lake. And of course, every builder (Joel) needs a construction assistant (Cheryl)... long story short, she has learned how to tie rebar! She’s looking forward to new adventures ahead with family and friends in the beautiful Boundary Waters!
CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY

DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY
Tracy Lysne
Tracy came on staff to lead the Children, Youth & Family (CYF) team in the summer of 2023, and has been impressing us with her creative approach to telling kids about Jesus ever since! She got her B.A. in Mathematics Education at Concordia College, Moorhead (fun fact—3 out of 4 daughters went/go there too!). She earned her M.Ed. from Saint Mary's University of MN. She met her husband Monty while doing radio at her college radio station KORD, and they now have four daughters, 24, 21, and twin 18-year-olds.
Their family lived in Loxton, South Australia for three years (2012-2015). While there, she worked as a pastoral care worker in two of the local schools. She still likes to tell our ‘ankle-biters’ to “chuck your rubbish in the bin!” Besides spending time with family, for fun she likes reading, going for walks with her dog Bill, getting out in a kayak, and working in her yard.

CHILDREN’S MINISTER
Kristian Carlson
Fluent in multiple languages, including toddler, Kristian Carlson has a passion for understanding, empowering, and teaching the Gospels to children. He briefly studied Elementary Education at the University of Milwaukee (go Panthers woot woot), but preferred to pursue his passion outside of the classroom setting. Kristian has been in ministry since 2019 when he served with Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM), teaching English and Malagasy Sign Language to the deaf and blind in Madagascar. He has a fond place in his heart for Mason City, Iowa where he was a High School Youth and Young Adult Minister prior to joining the Children, Youth & Family staff at St. Andrew’s.
Kristian enjoys crafting, anything outdoor related (except running), bullying people from Wisconsin, canoeing, and his fiancé, Markell.

CHILDREN’S MINISTER
Erika Hiland
Erika Hiland brings a wealth of experience to her role in Children’s Ministry, having served in Youth Ministry for five years prior to coming to St. Andrew’s in 2010. Earning her B.A. in Youth & Family Ministry at Augsburg College set her up well for this role. One of the biggest joys of her job is hearing children tell their parents what they learned at church. (Often what they say compared to the actual lesson is pretty entertaining…)
Erika and her husband Scott have two kids, Torben and Freya. When not working or “momming” Erika loves all things crafty—sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, making costumes, or even learning a new home improvement project skill. Fun fact, Erika did a 75 mile hike of the Camino de Santiago in Spain in just six days!

YOUTH MINISTER
Robin Kime
Robin was raised and active in an ELCA church and her pastors and spiritual mentors would often say to her “when you work for the church…” or “when you’re in ministry, this will all make sense.” She always felt called to be part of ministry and walking with young people in their faith journeys. Her jobs found her, and she’s so glad they did. (And so are we!) Robin graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with degrees in Theatre: Performance and Theatre for Youth. After college, she spent a year on tour around the country with a small children’s theatre, before settling in the Cedar Valley and working in campus ministry, then moving to the Twin Cities to be part of the CYF team!
Having grown up on a dairy farm in Iowa, Robin’s a big fan of cows and horses. Her current home is filled with her four fur babies: two dogs, Jack and Willa, and two cats, Wilson and Frankie. To relax she enjoys puzzles, reading, playing D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) with friends, trying new restaurants, and traveling. She also loves learning facts and tidbits about the movies and TV shows she’s currently binging. Her favorite place in the whole wide world to be is on the dock at her family’s cabin on the Mississippi River, with her fishing pole and a good book.

PROGRAM MANAGER
Spencer Legred
Spencer’s only been employed at St. Andrew’s since 2023, but he’s been a member and volunteer here his whole life! If you want to know what’s happening in Children, Youth & Family ministry—or with anything at St. Andrew’s—he’s the guy in the know. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., a great city for someone who loves politics. After college, he worked for various political campaigns and in corporate settings.
He and his wife Maddy have two cats, Herman and Louise, and love to travel and explore new places, looking for fun and unique bookstores along the way. To relax, Spencer enjoys cooking, sports, reading, watching a good series or movie, and attending live comedy and concerts.

CONFIRMATION & YOUTH MINISTER
Rory Jean Snyder
Rory Jean, a seasoned camp person, hails from Southwest Florida. Studying Recreation Management and Abrahamic Religions at Florida State University set Rory Jean up for success in youth ministry, which led to venturing north to Minnesota in 2020. A person who wears many hats, Rory Jean has been working with youth in academic, outdoor, and ministry settings for over 10 years. A passionate advocate for youth, Rory Jean values the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces for all.
When not at work, Rory Jean is likely playing Magic the Gathering, hanging with cats, Monty and Atticus, binging Anime, vegging out on a new videogame, and/or plotting an elaborate camping trip. Rory Jean adores all things nature and nerdy.

YOUTH MINISTRY ASSOCIATE
Leah Chouinard
Leah grew up attending St. Andrew’s, and was baptized in the Great Hall by Pastor Sarah Breckenridge! As her Dad, Bill, is the organist and Mom, Kristin, is piano accompanist, she spent many hours roaming around St. Andrew’s and caring for kiddos in the nursery. During high school, she enjoyed singing in the choirs and volunteering. She’s a proud middle child and loves her younger brother Matthew and older sister Sarah (and brother-in-law Tanner) dearly. Leah feels blessed to come from a large, loving, musical family.
Leah loves to learn and has a B.A. in Psychology from Concordia College, and M.A. in Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching from the U of M. Leah is very interested in holistic health and wellness, stays connected with friends and loved ones, likes journaling and writing, gluten- and dairy-free cooking, singing, creating thoughtful social media posts, playing percussion, taking long walks in nature. Given her interests, it should come as no surprise that she’s a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach.
COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Cheryl Brunkow
Cheryl is passionate about quality church communications. She feels churches should expect the same level of excellence as for-profit corporations do, to reflect well on our “CEO.” The experience she’s gained doing communications and marketing at Bethany International, Pulse, Calvary Church, and Bethel University (also her alma mater) has prepared her well for her position at St. Andrew’s. Prior to her communication and graphic design roles, she was a Food Critic and Columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Forever a foodie, she loves trying new recipes out on family and friends. To relax, she loves curling up with a good book, a fluffy dog, and a hot cup of tea. Cheryl and her husband Rich live in White Bear Lake, and have three sons, two daughters-in-law, and three adorable grandkids.

MEDIA MANAGER
Paul Leonetti
Born and raised in Minnesota, Paul had a camera in his hand at the age of four and started creating and editing videos by the time he was 11. As several of his family members are currently in the video production world, video production has come naturally for him.
Paul was homeschooled for grades K-12, and self-taught in video. He took guitar and piano lessons as a kid, and attended MacPhail Center for Music where he studied jazz piano. He enjoys playing, writing and producing music, being in nature, playing board games or video games with friends, and going on walks or adventures. He finds most of his connection with God through the bond he shares with other people and experiences God’s presence in the beauty of nature. As early as age nine, Paul was often found off-roading in his ATV—casing tabletops, riding whoops, climbing hills, and generally giving his poor mother a good scare.

COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE
Kaytlyn Rowen
Kaytlyn Rowen has been a welcome addition to the Communications team since 2024. She earned her B.A. in Public Relations with a minor in Graphic Design from Otterbein University, Ohio. Post-college she worked as a professional photographer, and did brand management and communications in a variety of industries before diving into this new position. Her role may be new, but Kaytlyn’s not a stranger to St. Andrew’s—she was baptized and confirmed here!
Kaytlyn grew up in Wisconsin and loved it so much she chose to settle in Packerland when “adulting.” (Cheesehead for life!). She enjoys spending time with her parents, siblings, and precious nieces and nephews. Noodle and Gnocchi, her two cats, provide constant entertainment whether in person or on CatCam. Kaytlyn’s hobbies include riding and training horses, giving riding lessons, helping run the family farm, reading, and taking care of her house plants.
COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER
Breanna Kealy
Breanna came to St. Andrew’s in 2023, after being recruited by Pastor Mike Carlson. She’s known Mike since she was 12, when he was Youth Pastor at her friend’s church in Grand Marais. She earned her B.A. in Spanish Studies from the U of Minnesota, a Masters in Teaching from Hamline University, and went back to the U of M to get her principal licensure. That degree in Spanish has helped her be a warm and welcoming presence for our many Spanish-speaking guests that come to the CRC for assistance.
Breanna and her husband, Chris have a blended family of four children, plus four pets—two dogs, a cat, and a bearded dragon. (Doesn’t every family have a bearded dragon?) For fun, she loves to cook, watch the kids play volleyball and football, and she enjoys exploring outdoors any time she can.

CRC PROGRAM MANAGER
Zac Shypulski
A proud Minnesotan through and through, Zac was born and raised in the Land of 10,000 Lakes alongside three brothers and one sister. Their family, including their parents, shares a lively household with seven huskies—proof of their deep love for animals. Coming from a lineage of teachers and social workers, Zac's passion for serving others runs deep.
They began attending church during Lent last year with their parents, who have been connected to the congregation for over a decade. What drew Zac in was the church's clear commitment to social services and community engagement—a value that deeply resonates with them.
Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work, Zac also brings a diverse academic background, having studied business administration, addiction counseling, and education. Outside the classroom, they enjoy playing disc golf, exploring on spontaneous adventures with their husky/malamute mix, traveling (with four recent trips to Vancouver Island!), and standing up for social justice causes.
One of Zac’s most memorable experiences came in ninth grade when they marched in the 5.5-mile Rose Bowl Parade, playing tuba with the Salvation Army band.

CASE MANAGER
Jana Hogenson
Jana was born and raised in Minnesota and received her B.S. in Sports Management from the U of M Twin Cities in 2012. Growing up, her family culture involved regularly volunteering and serving those in need, often with a St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church connection. A few years post-college she felt called into Human Services, and began working as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow. In her role there she helped increase graduation rates for youth in communities that have the highest annual dropout rates, working in high schools, and middle schools that feed into those high schools.
She became an Intake Coordinator at the Community Resource Center in 2017 and was then promoted to Case Manager, then left the CRC in 2020. But she felt the tug to return to the CRC in 2025 as a Case Manager for families in shelter or seeking shelter. I enjoy attending comedy shows, concerts, traveling, volunteering and learning about other cultures.

CRC VOLUNTEER & HOSPITALITY COORDINATOR
Laura Francis
Laura Francis came to St. Andrew’s in 2023 after being a stay-at-home parent for 13 years. She coordinates all the CRC volunteers, and is the host for the Thursday Night Community Meal. Her previous career was as a finance manager and she knew she didn’t want to sit behind a desk and crunch numbers again, so she looked for more meaningful work. She finds helping people on a daily basis very rewarding! She has a B.A. in Public Relations and Human Resource Management, which was helpful education for her current role.
She lives in Pine Springs, MN with husband, Richard, daughter, Ellory, and an adorable rescue pup, Betty. As a family, they love travel, nature, art museums, and music—everything from SPCO to rock concerts. Laura enjoys cooking, writing recipes, eating (pretty much anything to do with food), and making soap. She also enjoys reading, particularly historical fiction focusing on WWII. Other interesting tidbits about Laura: her husband is British, she’s a breast cancer survivor, and she’s adopted.
CARE & FUNERALS

DIRECTOR OF FUNERAL MINISTRY
Lisa Grundtner
There’s not a person more perfect for a role that demands empathy and sympathy than Lisa Grundtner. She started working at St. Andrew’s in 2008 as the Wedding Coordinator, and in 2011 moved into the Care Ministry which included coordinating funerals and grief support while still coordinating weddings. She eventually handed off the wedding coordinating role to focus on directing the funeral ministry. Lisa earned her B.A. in Political Science at St. Cloud State University, and her M.A. in Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA.
Her son Henry lives in Duluth with his wife Alex, who is expecting a baby this year—Lisa’s first grandchild! Her daughter Anna lives in Oregon. They are all outdoor enthusiasts and live in great places for her to visit. Lisa has no pets at the moment, but never say never…
Lisa loves downhill skiing, golf, yoga, gardening, reading, and a good cup of coffee. After graduating from college, Lisa moved out to Colorado to be a ski bum for a year, and ended up staying for four years. She currently works a seasonal job at Afton Alps Ski Area and travels out west most winters to take advantage of the ski pass. Visiting the National Parks is on her traveling bucket list, and her tally so far is an impressive FIVE!

FUNERAL MINISTRY
Joe Holmberg
Joe Holmberg is proof that if you like your job and like the people you work with, you stick around. He came to St. Andrew’s in 2000 to run Communications and has seen many changes during his tenure here—from being solely print-focused to introducing digital and web. His current role with the Funeral Ministry gives him the opportunity to show compassion to grieving families and make sure the funeral services reflect the wishes of loved ones. [Segue here?] He earned his B.A. in English and German from Westmar College, and an M.A. in Theology at Wartburg Seminary. While many know Joe from his work at St. Andrew’s, it’s his smashing success as “Joe the Juggler” for the Preschools of St. Andrew’s that has endeared him to all.
Joe and his wife Shelly have two young adult children, Ellie and John. Ellie recently moved to Florida, yet technology keeps them all close. And how cute is this? He chats with his daughter every single morning on his way to work. (He may be crusty on the outside, but he’s gooey on the inside.) His two favorite things to do for fun are riding his Harley and experiencing live music. Joe says he and his family are all better for being forever connected to St. Andrew’s.

COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATOR
Jenelle Thorvilson
Jenelle says her favorite job ever was working as a Youth Minister at St. Andrew’s from 2011-2015. After earning her B.A. in Marketing & Human Relations from St. Cloud University, and M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy from Argosy University, she became a licensed therapist in private practice. Then in 2023, St. Andrew’s called her to come back, this time to begin a mental health ministry to serve the community within the church. Jenelle’s care and compassion has been such a gift to the kids, students, and adults of this congregation!
She and her husband Adam have two kids, Tate and Reese, and a dog named Lu. Her hobbies include travel, experience food tours, watching movies, going to the park with kids, and being outside any chance she gets! Jenelle also enjoys creative play with her kiddos—kitchen/restuarant, dinosaurs, and construction site, to name a few. Watching her little ones find pure joy in the simplest of things is THE BEST.
FACILITIES

DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS, GROUNDS & SECURITY
Bill Bakken
Bill Bakken is a very familiar face at St. Andrew’s as he’s been on facilities staff in a variety of roles since 2001, and became Facilities Director around 2021. Managing the grounds and buildings on this campus is a monumental task, and he handles it all so well! His degree in Automotive and Auto Body Repair from Century College gave him solid skills in mechanical repair, and the rest has been learned on the job.
Bill and his wife Sara have twins, Peyton and Jakob, and a younger daughter, Sophia. (Fun fact: Bill has been a dancing dad for Peyton and Sophia’s dance studio.) Rusty the dog rounds out the family. Outside of work, he likes to hunt, fish, and train and compete in Brazilian jiu-jitsu—so word of warning, you don’t want to mess with Bill.

FACILITIES TEAM LEAD
Doug McLean
Doug has been helping keep St. Andrew’s buildings in working order and grounds looking great since ______, and it shows. Our facilities crew is small, but mighty! He earned his B.S. in Finance from University of North Dakota, but prefers a job that keeps him moving. He’s found just that.
Of his three daughters, Shannon, Maisie, and Tessa, two are teens, and one is a ‘tween. His hobbies are playing golf, watching golf, and traveling to go golf. (Yes, he’s been to The Masters in Augusta, Georgia!) He’s a music lover, and has a great voice, too! We often hear him singing along to the tunes he blasts while setting up the Fellowship Hall for programs or events. And if you have a box of undetonated grenades you need taken off your hands, call him. He’s certified to be in mined fields and to detect unexploded ordinances.
HOSPITALITY & ENGAGEMENT

VOLUNTEER, MEMBERSHIP & ADULT MINISTRY DIRECTOR
Sue Lennartson
Sue Lennartson has served at St Andrew’s for a couple decades in a variety of positions— CYF (Children, Youth & Families), Women’s Ministry, Small Groups, Hospitality, New Members, and Adult Ministry. After graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College with a degree in Teaching (Biology & Health) she taught P.E., gymnastics and figure skating. She’s taken classes at Luther and Fuller Seminaries, and trained to be a Spiritual Director with Christos. Mission trips to Liberia, Ukraine, Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Slovakia, Jamaica, and Brazil have fueled her passion for sharing the Gospel around the world. Sue married her High School sweetheart, Tom, and they were married 54 years when he passed in 2022. Together they had two sons and four grandkids.
Always ready with a funny story about her life, Sue loves to laugh with others… and at herself. (Life motto: Never travel without a costume!) Her hobbies include swimming (racing and synchronized), downhill skiing, cribbage, reading, and writing. Above all else, she’s humbled to witness the power of the Holy Spirit and feel the provision of God’s grace and mercy.

FOOD SERVICE MANAGER
Ray Keple Plaskett
Chef Ray might well be our most popular staff member, due to his fabulous culinary skills as well as his companionship. He serves hundreds of people every Wednesday night during the school year, and hundreds more for the Community Meal every Thursday night year round.
Growing up in a family of seven in St. Paul gave him a good head start on how to feed a crowd, then he honed his skills at the Art Institute for Culinary Management. He’s also had on the job training as he’s worked as a kitchen manager in various places since he was 16-years-old. Believe it or not, Ray doesn’t tire of cooking, and it’s actually one of his hobbies along with gardening at his home in St. Paul. (Yep, he loves the city!)
MUSIC

ORGANIST & MUSIC COORDINATOR
Bill Chouinard
Bill and wife Kristin Chouinard, choir accompanist, joined the St. Andrew’s staff in 1988, one year after being married. Bill attended St. John’s University, Collegeville before transferring to the U of M where he and Kristin were in both the wind ensemble and an organ studio class together. He started piano lessons at age six, including some organ study while still in elementary school. After his call to St. Andrew’s, Bill was the driving force in the new Sanctuary organ project that culminated in the installation of the St. Andrew’s historic Casavant/Schantz pipe organ in 2001.
Two of Bill and Kristin’s three adult children are involved at St. Andrew’s: Sarah’s in the St. Andrew’s Orchestra, and Leah is the Youth Ministry Associate and occasionally plays percussion in the orchestra. Bill is also a freelance bassist, appearing in four different bands in and around the Twin Cities. Among Bill’s past bass highlights are backing up Reba McEntire, Donnie Osmond, and Celine Dion, and getting to meet Jimmy Carter while on a college Dixieland band tour of the U.S. Fun fact: Bill used to raise chickens long before it was popular! Outside of music, Bill enjoys quiet evenings, barbecuing, and spending time with family.

ORGANIST & MUSIC COORDINATOR
Bill Chouinard
Bill and wife Kristin Chouinard, choir accompanist, joined the St. Andrew’s staff in 1988, one year after being married. Bill attended St. John’s University, Collegeville before transferring to the U of M where he and Kristin were in both the wind ensemble and an organ studio class together. He started piano lessons at age six, including some organ study while still in elementary school. After his call to St. Andrew’s, Bill was the driving force in the new Sanctuary organ project that culminated in the installation of the St. Andrew’s historic Casavant/Schantz pipe organ in 2001.
Two of Bill and Kristin’s three adult children are involved at St. Andrew’s: Sarah’s in the St. Andrew’s Orchestra, and Leah is the Youth Ministry Associate and occasionally plays percussion in the orchestra. Bill is also a freelance bassist, appearing in four different bands in and around the Twin Cities. Among Bill’s past bass highlights are backing up Reba McEntire, Donnie Osmond, and Celine Dion, and getting to meet Jimmy Carter while on a college Dixieland band tour of the U.S. Fun fact: Bill used to raise chickens long before it was popular! Outside of music, Bill enjoys quiet evenings, barbecuing, and spending time with family.

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC DIRECTOR
Sara Renner
Sara is a professional singer, recording artist, worship leader, and songwriter, and we’ve been blessed to have her leading Contemporary Worship at St. Andrew’s since July 2010. During her time at St. Andrew’s, she’s raised the bar for contemporary music, due to her powerful, soulful voice, as well as her tight connections to other professional musicians throughout the Twin Cities. Sara comes from a very musical family, and has honed her craft during her life-long experiences in churches.
She lives in Minneapolis with her “Olde English Bulldogge,” Wilma, and two cats, Ru and Wallace. Her hobbies are traveling (especially fond of Italy), patio time with friends, and reading. You might be surprised to learn that Sara would rather attend a baseball or football game than a concert! She’s a huge sports fan.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Dianne Nash
We’ve been blessed with Dianne’s incredible administrative skills in the Music department at St. Andrew’s since 2003. She sharpened her skills during the 25 years she and her husband Jim owned two environmental businesses. She’s been an Administrative Assistant her entire career, gaining much of her experience on the job. Dianne inherited her love of music from her father who was a Band and Choir Director until she was seven years old.
Dianne has three adult children (Michele, Kevin, and Liz), a blended family of 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and one tiny but mighty cat, Thea. Since Jim passed away in 2021, Dianne has kept busy with hobbies like reading, crocheting, baking, long walks outdoors (weather permitting), watching grands and great-grands play sports and perform in theater productions, and singing with the St. Andrew’s Choir and River City Chorale.
PRESCHOOLS OF ST. ANDREW'S

PRESCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR
Deb Hruby
Deb started working in the nursery at St. Andrew’s in 2001, and her love for littles led her to become the Assistant Director at the Preschools in 2009. She moved into the Preschool Administrator role in 2023(?). She simply LOVES her job at The Preschools! She loves giving new family tours, developing relationships with current families, and getting to know their kids. As she lives in the community, she gets to run into kids outside of preschool.
Deb and her husband Don have four adult kids (two boys and two girls), all married. She has four grandsons and LOVES spending time with family. They like to eat Sunday dinners, play cards, attend church, and walk around White Bear Lake together. Her favorite place to be is northern Minnesota, where her family started renting a cabin for a week in July in 1999, and that number has grown to four cabins. It’s a week of sun, fun, fishing, all kinds of sporting activities, and just hanging out. She likes to read, get together with her book club, walk, garden, and cook. Deb has enjoyed playing in the St. Andrew’s handbell choir for a couple of decades.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, HALF DAY PRESCHOOL
Shannon Freese
Shannon Freese has been teaching at the Preschools in either the full day or half day schools since 2000. She moved into the Assistant Director position for the half day Preschool in 2015. Shannon earned her B.S. in Sociology & Anthropology from UW-River Falls.
Shannon and her husband Jason live in Somerset, WI, which is where Shannon grew up. Two dogs, Juneau and Kodiak, bring lots of extra energy to the household. For low-key fun she likes to garden, read, play piano, and spend time in the mountains whenever she can. For high-octane fun, she’s done skydiving and parasailing. She tried to get on the Amazing Race, but wasn’t selected. She likes adventure!
ST. ANDREW'S VILLAGE
WEDDINGS

CAMPUS PASTOR FOR ST. ANDREW’S VILLAGE
Carole Lundell
Pastor Carole Lundell was ordained in 1993, and served as a Youth Minister for 25 years at other churches. Then in 2014, Mike Carlson recruited her for elder care at St. Andrew’s, and she's been the Campus Pastor at St. Andrew’s Village ever since! Now caring for the older population is her passion and she feels so privileged to be invited into people's lives, often in the most difficult moments. Earning her B.A. in Interpersonal Communications from U of W-Stevens Point, and MDiv from Luther Seminary was the perfect education for doing what she does.
Carole has two young adult children, Rachel and Brendan. One of each of the two dogs and three cats that live with her were inherited from her kids. During rare non-work moments, Carole loves to paint landscapes in acrylics, or delve into pretty much any other art project. She also enjoys exploring genealogy within her own family. Her favorite thing about working at St. Andrew’s is the staff! The people working here are so talented, fun, and easy to be with.

WEDDING COORDINATOR
Tammi Zappa
Tami Zappa has been a member of St. Andrew’s since 1991, and Wedding Coordinator since 2021. She juggles supporting brides and grooms as they plan their nuptials, and her full-time admin role at 3M. Tami has two adult children, Shannon and Tyler, and a granddaughter, Molly. A long-time resident of Mahtomedi, she currently shares a home with her two little goldendoodles, Archie and Poppy.
Aside from caring for her pups, she enjoys reading, being with family, walking, biking, yoga, and strength training. Tami has made it a personal goal to tackle her own home projects and has graduated from painting, to installing a water softener, kitchen faucet, and garbage disposal—the impressive install list goes on and on! Apparently she’s also good at making a long story longer, and her nephews once gave her a sandglass timer to acknowledge this unique skill.