Our Leadership

Board of Trustees

 

A board of 16 trustees governs Portico Benefit Services and the administration of its assets. As stewards to the ELCA, trustees share their financial and managerial expertise, professional integrity, and dedication to God and this church. Trustees are elected to serve a three-year term, with up to two consecutive re-elections, at the ELCA’s triennial Churchwide Assembly – this church’s highest legislative authority.

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Trustees

  • Vincent P. Brown
    Retired Deputy Treasurer
    Office of the California State Treasurer
    Sacramento, CA
    Term 2019 – 2022

  • Catharine C. Burkett
    Vice President, Director of Private Investments
    LCG Associates
    Atlanta, GA
    Term 2019 – 2022

  • Angela M. Dejene
    President
    Dejene Communications
    Corcoran, MN
    Term 2019 – 2022

  • Dr. Helen I. Doerpinghaus
    Retired Professor of Finance
    University of South Carolina
    Columbia, SC
    Term 2018 – 2022

  • Peter J. Enko
    Partner
    Husch Blackwell
    Kansas City, MO
    Term 2013 – 2022

  • Diana G. Haywood
    Retired Director of Data Administration
    University of North Carolina
    Chapel Hill, NC
    Term 2012 – 2022

  • John R. Hoffman
    SVP of National Advisory Group
    VisionPoint Advisory Group
    Minnetonka, MN
    Term 2015 – 2022

  • Dr. Bruce E. Johnson
    Retired Professor of Medicine
    VA Tech Carilion School of Medicine
    Roanoke, VA
    Term 2013 – 2022

  • Morris L. Larson
    Director, Operations
    Trinity Lutheran Church
    Town & Country, MO
    Term 2017 – 2022

  • Lori A. Lewis
    Management Consultant
    Kirkland-Jones
    Colfax, WI
    Term 2017 – 2022

  • Jennifer L. McGinnis
    Chief Actuary
    Farmers New World Life
    Bellevue, WA
    Term 2017 – 2022

  • Frank A. Roth
    General Counsel & Secretary,
    Board of Trustees, Lehigh University
    Bethlehem, PA
    Term 2016 – 2022

  • The Rev. Dr. Thomas P. Schlotterback
    Vice President of Mission Advancement
    St. John’s United
    Billings, MT
    Term 2019 – 2022

  • Leon J. Schwartz (Chair)
    President and CEO
    Black Lion Consulting
    Greenfield, IA
    Term 2013 – 2022

  • The Rev. Kathie Bender Schwich
    Chief Spiritual Officer
    Advocate Aurora Health
    Downers Grove, IL
    Term 2019 – 2022

  • The Rev. Elizabeth-Ann (Becky) Swanson (Secretary)
    Pastor, Advent Lutheran Church
    Morton, IL
    Term 2016 – 2022

Advisory Members

Advisory members serve according to the Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA, and have a voice but not a vote.

The Rev. James S. Dunlop, Bishop, Lower Susquehanna Synod
Lori S. Fedyk, ELCA Treasurer
Deacon Sue E. Rothmeyer, ELCA Secretary

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Meeting Schedule

2020 – 2022 Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule

Our Board of Trustees meets three times each year.

2020
Feb. 27 – 28 Chicago – Lutheran Center
Aug. 6 – 7 Minneapolis
Nov. 5 – 6 Minneapolis
2021
Feb. 25 – 26 Minneapolis
Aug. 5 – 6 Minneapolis
Nov. 4 – 5 Minneapolis
2022
Feb. 24 – 25 Minneapolis
Aug. 4 – 5 Minneapolis
Nov. 3 – 4 Minneapolis

Executive Team

 

Our executive leaders guide Portico’s business strategy and goals with a strong commitment to serving members with integrity, excellence, and respect.

Portico President and CEO Rev. Jeffrey Thiemann

The Rev. Jeffrey D. Thiemann

President and Chief Executive Officer

Portico CO and Financial Officer Stacy Kruse

Stacy A. Kruse

Chief Operating and Financial Officer

Portico Chief Investment Officer David Quello

David Quello

Chief Investment Officer

Key Staff

 

Our employees dedicate themselves to the Portico Benefit Services mission. Here’s information on key staff members.

Portico Business Development Manager Will Stensrud

Will Stensrud

Business Development Manager

Portico Relationship Manager Christina Womack

Christina Womack

Relationship Manager

Portico Customer Care Resolution Analyst Andrew Feller

Andrew Feller

Customer Care Resolution Analyst

Regional Reps

 

Portico regional representatives serve as the front-line contacts for ELCA regions, synods, and new or potential employers. Regional representatives are available as resources for events and benefit information. Learn more about ELCA regions and synods on the ELCA website

Portico Regional Rep Shelley Cunningham

Shelley Cunningham

Portico Regional Rep Andrea Arey

Andrea L. Arey

REGIONS:
  

Portico Regional Rep Rev Cathy Schibler

The Rev. Cathy Schibler

REGIONS:
    

Portico Regional Rep Deacon Terri Endres

Deacon Terri Endres

REGIONS:
  

Portico Regional Rep Jennifer Prinz

Jennifer L. Prinz

REGIONS:
  

Portico Regional Rep Barbara Debski

Barbara L. Debski

REGIONS:
      

Regions 4, 7, and 9 are connected with regional representatives as follows

Region 4

Deacon Terri Endres
Nebraska Synod
Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod
Southwest Texas Synod
Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod

Jennifer Prinz
Central States Synod

Barbara Debski
Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod

Region 7

The Rev. Cathy Schibler
Upstate New York Synod
Metropolitan New York Synod
Slovak Zion Synod
New England Synod

Barbara Debski
Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
New Jersey Synod

Region 9

The Rev. Cathy Schibler
North Carolina Synod
South Carolina Synod
Florida-Bahamas Synod

Barbara Debski
Virginia Synod
Southeastern Synod
Caribbean Synod

Strive Team

Our company-supported STRIVE employee team (Stewards That Respect Inclusion and Value Equity) leads initiatives to help us uphold and build workplace culture.