The Board of Directors of the Society of St Vincent de Paul always seeking to connect with individuals interested in serving their faith as board members helping guide the strategic plans of the organization.
Terms of service are 3 years with staggered expiration dates with 5 elected officer positions and general board positions.
Applicants must be active members of the Catholic community and should be willing to learn, work as a team member and be eager to guide the vision for St. Vincent de Paul’s future. Useful experience, education or skills might include prior work on a board, financial or business background, supervisory, or organizational skills, negotiation, facilitation and conflict resolution skills. Board meetings are held monthly and members are expected to attend each meeting, participate, spend time outside of meetings on tasks and prepare for each meeting.
President – Margaret Sophiea
Born, raised and a life-long resident of Traverse City, Margaret is the proud mother of 9 children and grandmother of 17 children. Margaret been involved in community service most of her life, highlights include:
- St. Francis Church Altar Society – 40 years
- St. Francis High School Gladhander volunteer – 20 years
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul – 12 years
- 4-H Leader – 10 years
- Adult Education instructor – 4 years
Margaret is the co-founder of the Northern Michigan Ave Maria University Founders Group, is recognized as an alumni at large on the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools Hall of Fame committee and serves as the hostess of the Group 1 funeral group and as an Extraordinary Minister at St. Francis Catholic Church. Margaret’s professional life includes years as a licensed property & casualty insurance agent and office manager.
Spiritual Advisor – Kevin Endres
Kevin Endres, Spiritual Advisor, St. Vincent de Paul, Traverse City, MI
Kevin Endres was born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan. He attended St. Francis High School as a 4th generation student, where he was the recipient of the Bishop’s Christian Service award and a Kairos Retreat Leader during his senior year. Kevin graduated from St. Francis High School in 1994 and attended Michigan State University.Upon receiving his bachelor degree in Civil Engineering, Kevin began working for an engineering firm in Traverse City where he was became a Project Manager and Shareholder. In the spring of 2007, Kevin left the engineering industry and founded Three West, LLC, a commercial real estate and consulting firm. Kevin has served on many non-profit boards and including Junior Achievement of Northwest Michigan, Northern Chapter of Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, Bay Area Transportation Authority, the Economics Club of Traverse City, and Munson Medical Center’s Bio-Ethics Resource Committee. Kevin resides in Traverse City with his beautiful wife Stephanie and their six children. Kevin is active at Christ the King Parish in Acme where he serves as a Lector, Extra-ordinary minister of Holy Communion and the Chairman of the annual CSA Campaign. Kevin is currently a candidate in the Permanent Deacon Formation Program for the Diocese of Gaylord.
Vice President – Vacant
Treasurer – Vacant
Secretary – Jim Casler
Jim Casler, Board Secretary
Jim is the founder, owner and president of Pinnacle Financial Corporation, graduated with a finance degree from Eastern Michigan University and agricultural economics from Colorado State University. His career began as a financial analysts at a Fortune 100 company. He owned and operated a mortgage company from 1993 to 2010. In 2003 he founded the N. Michigan Chapter of the Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association and was a state board member in 2004. Jimr has owned and operated several real estate developments, has been a licensed realtor since 1989, broker since 2008 and owned/operated a real estate management company from 2007 to 2012. Jim hosted 115 episodes of The Pinnacle Radio Report from 2006 to 2009, was a regularly featured guest on AM 580 WTCM Traverse City radio programs; “Ask the Real Estate Guy”, the “Norm Jones Radio Show” and “Everybody’s Planning Hour”. He authored numerous trade publication articles and was a 2007 recipient of the annual Traverse City Business News “40 under 40” award. Jim Casler now consults with domestic and international owners of agicultural assets in areas of strategic planning, operational efficiency and organizational management. Jim also volunteers at Immaculate Conception Parish, Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools and Junior Achievement.
Board Member – Sr. Katherine Murphy
Board Member – Gregory Donahue
Board Member – David Baldwin
Board Member – Rob Richardson
Board Member – Terry Reay
Board Member – Cliff Roberts
