SVOTS welcomes three new trustees

SVOTS Board
Members of SVOTS’ Board of Trustees honoring Anthony Kasmer (center, with icon) for his 12 years of service.  [photo: Alexandru Popovici]

At their annual meeting November 10–11, 2016, the members of the Board of Trustees of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary welcomed three new members: Sharon Andrzejewski-Rubis, Jeffrey D. Hoff, and Carla Ann Newbern Thomas, M.D.  Trustees also bid farewell to long-time board member Anthony Kasmer and bestowed on him the honorary title of “Trustee Emeritus.”

Mr. Kasmer served as board Treasurer for three years and headed the Audit Committee for four years.  His most “memorable moment” as a trustee, he noted, was co-chairing the Seminary’s 75th Anniversary gala with Executive Chair of the Board, Alex Machaskee.

“The 12 years of service by Tony Kasmer have been punctuated by his clear business incisiveness,” said Mr. Machaskee. “His charismatic and sometimes humorous ways to make a point have helped create a pathway for the seminary to proceed with a new business plan that will substantially set it on solid footing within the next three years, and his generosity of time, financial suggestions, and treasure is very much appreciated.”

Mrs. Andrzejewski-Rubis has worked professionally in the fields of media communications, sales and broadcast news operations and engineering.  Currently she resides in New Jersey and is employed at Dignity Memorial Network.  She is a member of the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America under His Grace, Bishop Ilia [Katre], and is in ministry with her husband, the Priest Gregory Rubis.

Mr. Hoff is Vice President and Head of Global Execution Services at Two Sigma, a consulting firm that applies principles of technology within the financial services industry.  He is Trustee for Saint Andrew’s Camp, Jewell, NY, and a member of Saints Peter and Paul Church [OCA], Jersey City, NJ.

Dr. Thomas practices family medicine in Anniston, AL.  She is a board member of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry, a long-standing member of the Brotherhood of Saint Moses the Black, parish council warden at Anniston’s Saint Luke Church [OCA].

“The Trusteeship Committee, chaired by Protodeacon Peter Danilchick, did an outstanding job in recommending our three new board members,,” Mr. Machaskee added. “The communication skills, compassionate care, and financial acumen represented by the new trustees will benefit the Board’s actions on behalf of the Seminary in an outstanding way.”