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.
Mark Mathias (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.
Jason Knapp
(Vice 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.
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.
Harry Gibbs
(Treasurer)
Previously a sports broadcaster for iHeart Media, Harry is now an Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager for Canandaigua National Bank & Trust in Pittsford. Harry and his wife, Melanie, live in Ontario, NY with their son. They are active in small groups and believe strongly in Christian spiritual growth through discipleship.
Mike Miller
Mike and his wife, Carla, have attended Browncroft for 15 years. He has long been active as an elder, as well a leader on the church’s missions, marriage ministry, and kids ministry teams. He is a senior vice president at Corporate Visions where he has served for two decades.
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
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.