Elder Board
Browncroft’s Elder Board provides spiritual leadership for the church. Elders uphold the integrity of the church and promote its mission, vision, and values.
Jason Knapp
(Chair)
Jason and his wife, Amanda, have been active at Browncroft since 2001. He has served as an elder and small group leader for many years. He is also Senior Director of Technology for EPIC Retirement Plan Services overseeing all of technology for that local 401(k) record-keeping company and managing local and remote staff across multiple teams.
Mark Mathias (Vice Chair)
Mark is trained as a Chemical Engineer and worked for 20 years on electric vehicle development for General Motors. He is now an engineering consultant and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Rochester. He and his wife, Laura, have have been invested in Browncroft since 1998.
Sam Ambalavanar
Sam has attended Browncroft since 1993. He is a past Elder Board Chair and has long been involved with missions, youth, and Flower City Work Camp ministries. Sam is also the co-founder of Imaging Solutions Group, which he sold in 2018 and continues to support.
Mary Ayala
Mary served for 33 years as a teacher and administrator in the Rochester City School District, and she has now has nearly two decades of experience consulting on leadership development with the Center for Evidence-Based Education and the National Institute for School Leadership. She loves reading, travel, and spoiling her grandchildren.
Adele Bovard
Adele has spent many years in education both as a teacher and a leader. She has served locally as Deputy Superintendent in Rochester City Schools and Superintendent in Dansville and Webster Schools. In retirement, Adele consults with schools and organizations across the country on the relational work of restorative practice. Adele and her husband David have attended Browncroft for the last 14 years. Adele actively serves as a small group leader and coordinator. Her passion is intentionally creating space to cultivate strong and transformative relationships.
Sherwin Damdar
Sherwin and his wife Julie have been active members of Browncroft for over 20 years. During that time, Sherwin has served in Youth Ministry, Married Life, the Elder Board, and participated in a number of short-term mission trips. He currently holds the position of Senior Director of Product, Innovation, and Operations at Garlock.
Christina Neitz
Christina and her husband, Chris, have been part of the Browncroft family for more than 10 years. She serves in Browncroft’s ASL Interpreting Ministry, the Prayer Ministry, and more. When she is not homeschooling or picking up ASL interpreting work, she enjoys spending time getting to know others and thinking creatively.
Steve Pelton
(Secretary)
Steve grew up at Browncroft and met his wife, Jen, here while in college. They have two teenagers and have served in a variety of ministries over the years (digital ministry, family ministry, and adult education). He holds an M.A. in theological studies from Northeastern Seminary, is an associate professor at Bryant & Stratton College, and enjoys fly fishing and mountain biking in his free time.
Keith Smith
(Treasurer)
Keith and his wife Kathy have been a part of the Browncroft family since 2001. He has served in Men’s Ministries as a small group leader, in Children’s Ministry, as an usher, and on the Facilities and Finance committee. He was an engineer and business appraiser for more than 20 years and now runs a small investment fund. He enjoys learning about Church history and spending time outdoors with his family and friends.