Board of Specified Jurisdiction Members Biographies

Greg Benyak: Greg is a parent of a St. Bede School student and alum now in college. He is an Athletic Board member, Marketing Board member and the Concessions Coordinator for athletic events. He is the former President of the Antioch Jaycees. Greg has a strong belief in the education that St. Bede provides and how it prepares the students for the next level of schooling and is convinced our athletic program is the best in the FVCC with dedicated coaches that teach the value of good sportsmanship and teamwork. Greg is a diehard Cubs, Bears and Blackhawks fan who enjoys softball, golf, camping and time with his family and friends.

Pete Bychowski: Pete and his wife Char have been St. Bede parishioners since 1989 and their three children, Melissa, Tom, and Jake all attended St. Bede School and subsequently Grant High School. They were attracted to this most welcoming parish and enjoy being involved in athletics, school, and parish Activities.

Bonnie Thomson Carter: Bonnie and her husband Tom have been members of the St. Bede community for 22 years. Three of their children went through the Religious Education program. Bonnie is the County Board representative for our area and has had the honor of serving you over the past 16 years, which includes 8 years as the president of the Forest Preserve.

Melissa Greenenwald: Missy has been married for 16 years and has three children that attend St. Bede School. She runs a Girl Scout troop for the school as well. Missy has lived in the area for 19 years, and joined the parish as a Catholic two years ago.

Ron Hoehne: Ron is 57 years old and has lived in Ingleside/Fox Lake his whole life. He graduated from Gavin Grade School, Grant Community High School and received his Fire Officer II Degree from Triton College and the College of Lake County. Ron has been with the Fox Lake Fire Department since January of 1977. He is the Fire Chief for the Fox Lake Fire Protection District. He and his wife Rose raised two daughters, Veronica and Joanna, who both graduated from St. Bede School.

Kevin Hunter: Kevin has lived in the Fox Lake/Ingleside area for 24 years with his wife and son. He makes his living designing, building and delivering fire apparatuses and ambulances for a company located in Western Illinois by the name of Alexis Fire Equipment that has been in business for almost 70 years. Kevin has been a member of the Fox Lake Fire Department for 22 years and has held elected office as a Village of Fox Lake Trustee and a Republican Precinct committeeman. He is an avid football fan (Go Bears) and spends free time woodworking, cooking, snowmobiling, boating or just doing home improvement projects and helping around the house.

Mary Lou Obenauf: Mary is a retired high school social studies teacher who taught at Carmel High School and Grant Community High School. She has been a member of St. Bede Parish for over 47 years and has been married to her husband, Bill, for 47 years. They have two children and five grandchildren. Mary Lou loves to snowmobile, travel and attend sporting events in which her grandchildren are involved.

Judi Payne: Judi and her husband Mike have been married for 30 years. She is retired from Lucent Technologies after 35 years and was looking for something to keep her busy. Judi decided to volunteer at St. Bede School in the Library when her son Michael started Kindergarten. Michael has graduated but she decided to stay on as a volunteer as volunteers are needed. Judi is currently a Board Member on the St. Bede Athletic Association and Secretary for the Board of Specified Jurisdiction. She loves working with the students and staff and helping out wherever she is needed. Charlie Pinto, Principal: Mr. Pinto is a career educator. He has worked at all levels from elementary school through graduate school, and been an administrator in both Catholic and Public school settings, including the Illinois State Board of Education and The Archdiocesan Central School Office. Originally from Ohio, Mr. Pinto began teaching in Sunday school in Austin, Texas, but spent most of his working life in Illinois. He and his wife Joanne live in Grayslake, where he attends St. Gilbert Parish and is a member of Precious Blood Council of the Knights of Columbus. Robin Ramberg: Robin is a resident of McHenry with her husband John and two sons. Robin was active in the Religious Education program for 10 years while her boys attended. She attended Catholic grade school and high school in the suburbs of Chicago before moving to McHenry. Robin and John have been members of St. Bede Parish for almost 20 years. John is active in the Knights of Columbus and her two sons are active in the Youth Ministry and Religious Education programs as well as being altar servers.

Gretchen Sampson: Gretchen has been married to her husband Tim for 15 years. They have three daughters aged twelve, nine and five who attend St. Bede School. Gretchen is a Certified Public Accountant for a firm in Lake Zurich.

Bruce Shrake: Bruce lives in Ingleside and has been a parishioner for over 30 years. He has also served on the Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Council. Bruce enjoys working on the BSJ because the parents and students of St. Bede School have such a positive impact on the community.

Dr. Marcella Reca Zipp: Marcella is a lifelong St. Bede parishioner and graduate of St. Bede School. She is an administrator in postsecondary higher education. "St. Bede provided me with the academic and spiritual foundation I needed to complete my education. I am successful and proud of the person I am now because of my time as a St. Bede Falcon." She lives in Ingleside with her husband David A. Zipp, a local attorney.