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.
Sam Ambalavanar (Vice Chair)
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.
Harry Gibbs
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.
Jonathan Huang
Jonathan works as a Transplant Hepatologist and Gastroenterologist at the University of Rochester. He is active as a small group leader and a member of the worship team. He and his family love to ski, study martial arts, spend time outdoors, watch football, and play Mario Kart.
Jason Knapp (Secretary)
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 (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.
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.
Michael Palumbo
Michael has served as a licensed real estate broker in Flaum Management Company since 1999, and in 2003 he became Chief Operating Officer. He, his wife, and children serve Browncroft as Family Ministry greeters.
Steve Pelton
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.
Andrew Sewnauth
A Browncrofter since 2005, Andrew has served a chair of the Adult Ministries Team, as well as a leader in small groups, men’s ministry, and youth ministry. Andrew holds a M.Div. from Northeastern Seminary and an MBA from RIT. He is currently Executive Director of CDS Monarch and Chief Operating Officer of CDS Life Transitions, a local non-profit that serves people with special needs, veterans, families, and seniors.
Matthew Taylor
Matthew Taylor came to know and treasure Christ as his Savior and Lord during college. He has a heart for men’s ministry and enjoys partnering with his wife, Chyril, in leading a couple’s small group. With a background in healthcare, God called Matthew from Colorado to Rochester via a work opportunity in December 2015. Though he misses the mountains, Matthew and his family now happily consider this area their home.
Mike Tripp (Treasurer)
Mike has been a Browncrofter since he gave his life to Christ in 2006. He served on the Finance & Facilities team as Operations Treasurer for nearly a decade. Mike is also Director of Product Development & Innovation at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.