We Invite You to Learn More About Our Team
We invite you to learn more about our team
Staff
Board of Directors
Craig Kotnik- President of the Board
Craig Kotnik is the President of the Board at the Nehemiah Mission and a member of Brecksville UMC for over 30 years. He has served on many committees, travelled on youth mission trips, and has been playing guitar in the worship band for over 20 years. He has volunteered at the Mission for many years, helping with maintenance, administration and Bread on Bridge. Craig is an Industrial Engineer, working in manufacturing for 41 years. Presently he is an adult education instructor in Multicraft Maintenance at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center . He and his wife Mary both grew up in Parma and have two adult daughters.
Keith McGregor- Vice Chair of the Board
Keith McGregor serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Nehemiah Mission of Cleveland. He is a longtime member of Bay Village United Methodist Church, where he has held numerous leadership and service roles, including church historian and technology coordinator. In addition to his service with the Nehemiah Mission, Keith has been active in the community as a trustee of Knickerbocker Senior Living Apartments and as a board member and volunteer with Meals on Wheels. Keith and his wife, Diane, live in Westlake. Together they have five adult children and eleven grandchildren.
David Waltermire- Treasurer
David Waltermire is the Treasurer of the Board and a longtime supporter of the Nehemiah Mission. He attended Euclid High School, Kent State University, and Cleveland State University. He worked for Swagelok Company for 48 years, where he began as a machinist and retired as the head of the benefits department. He also developed a program to hire college engineering students for co-op programs with several universities. David’s family has been afflicted with Huntington’s Disease, leading him to be a caregiver and a National Trustee of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, a Trustee of Flat Rock Homes and a volunteer administrator and spiritual care provider at Reserve Care (formerly “Hospice of the Western Reserve”). A member of Nottingham United Methodist Church, David has also previously been affiliated with Western Reserve Emmanual Emmaus and Chrysalis, Jones Road Chapel and University Circle United Methodist Church.
Molly Simmons- Secretary of the Board
Molly Simmons is the Secretary of the Nehemiah Mission Board. She works as the Director of Student Affairs at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, working directly with medical students as they pursue their aspirations of becoming physicians. Molly is a life-long member of Pleasant Hills UMC, where she enjoys sharing her musical gifts, working with children in the nursery, and is currently serving as lay leader. Molly and her husband Mike live in Strongsville.
Katelynn Gurbach- Board Member
Katelynn Gurbach is a Board Member for Nehemiah Mission of Cleveland. She most recently served on the East Ohio Conference Board of Missions (Chair) and as a member of the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission of the North Central Jurisdiction (UMVIM-NCJ). Katelynn has extensive volunteer experience with organizations including Re:Source Cleveland (Youth Mentor), Lasagna Love (Volunteer Chef), the Greater Cleveland Food Bank (events and CRC volunteer), Keep Wickliffe Beautiful (Secretary), and The Transplant House of Cleveland. She is passionate about Cleveland, Cleveland sports, cooking and showing others love through food. She currently runs the Family Resource Center of Wickliffe. A community resource center for people from all walks of life and from allover Northeast Ohio. In addition, she has a background in education, recruitment and talent management, and business development. She resides in Wickliffe with her three cats and one dog. If you can’t find her around Cleveland, she is probably on a flight to somewhere fabulous!
Marla Knight- Board Member
Marla Knight is a Board Member of the Nehemiah Mission and a preschool special education teacher in the Bedford City School District. Over her 18 years in education, she has worked with preschool through third grade. She is a member of Brecksville United Methodist Church, where she is co- chair of the Missions and Engagement Team, serves on the Joyful Gathering Team, and sings with Choir and Worship Band. Marla is married to Mike and they have a daughter and a son. Marla loves to bake, spend time with friends, and go on walks with her dog. Her favorite place to be is on the beach in the sunshine.
Tom Ruth- Board Member
Tom Ruth serves as a board member for the Nehemiah Mission of Cleveland. After a 40-year career at US Steel, Tom retired to spend more time working on a variety of mission projects in local and international settings. He has been a long-time member of First United Methodist Church of Elyria, where he has served on many committees, including serving as chair of the Trustees. In addition to his service at Nehemiah, Tom is involved with the Western Reserve Emmaus community. Tom and his wife of 45 years, Sherry, reside in Elyria and are proud parents of two boys and grandparents of four.
Anthony Strickland- Board Member