Key Leadership
Fred Gehrisch
Co-President
“Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.” – Anonymous
This is what St. Vincent De Paul Prince of Peace Conference does every day and that is why I am involved.
Hi, my name is Fred E. Gehrisch and I am a retired Sales Executive, who managed a $55 million dollar business unit and I enjoy giving back to our parish, neighbors and community.
Our volunteers are dedicated at what they do, and it is a real pleasure working with them. We work hard at making sure they have the resources available to them and with your support we will realize our vision of a better tomorrow for those in need.
Ann Marie Barry
Co-President
Ann Marie discovered her passion for volunteering while volunteering at her daughter’s elementary school. She held various roles in their PTA including VP, Treasurer and President. She led the school fundraiser for several years raising enough money for the school to buy computers for all the classrooms.
Once the PTA days were complete, she started volunteering in the Prince of Peace St Vincent de Paul food pantry. It was so rewarding, she took on more roles within the conference.
Prior to moving to Georgia, for 14 years, she was the Director of Finance for a 475-bed nursing home in Rochester, New York.
Ann Marie received a BSBA in Accounting from John Carroll University, a Jesuit university in Cleveland, OH. She and her husband have two teenage daughters.
Diane Graves
Vice President
Community Resources
I have an MBA from the University of Connecticut; one year of law school, and have soloed in Cessna airplanes. This has helped shape my life.
My career started as a statistical analyst for the Connecticut Department of Public Welfare and moving on to the Consumer Advocate Office in the Connecticut Public Utilities Commission. Move to Southern New England Telephone Planning where I wrote tariffs and responsibilities included coin phone and local service, development of 911 service.
My job led me to Atlanta, Southern Bell, where I met my husband and ultimately, I went to work for him, a sole practitioner lawyer. I managed the business, paid the bills, sent out invoices, and did all the work of running an office, prepared draft responses to documents requested in lawsuits.
In my church life, I was coordinator of the RCIA program at St. Thomas More (still working for lawyers – even Tudor ones). This led me to St. Vincent de Paul Society. After George died, I moved to Flowery Branch and continued with SVdP, became a Stephen Minister. Community pride helped me become a Poll Worker and then Manager in Hall County for 5 years.
Jean Glouton
Vice President
Pantry Resources
Jean Glouton is in charge of the Pantry for St Vincent de Paul, Prince of Peace Conference. As Vice President, she is responsible for the proper operation and delivery of our food items to the community and compliance with local agencies.
She recalls one of the first times she delivered food to someone was when she was in elementary school and she went with her older brother to help a family in need. Her Mother was a big believer in volunteering and set a great example. Prior to her volunteer work at Prince of Peace she spent many years working in the thrift store for St Vincent de Paul, St John Neumann Conference.
Jean graduated from Purdue University as a Speech Therapist. After working several years in that field, she went to work in her husband’s animal hospital. While at the animal hospital she was in charge of HR compliance, administrative finance and whatever other job she could be talked into.
After thirty plus years at the animal hospital Jean and Paul moved and Jean switched to grandchildren and eventually the pantry. Knowing we are giving families, and especially children, a helping hand with a nutritious meal is rewarding in itself and enough to keep those of us in the pantry a reason to keep on helping.
Jean and Paul have two children and four grandchildren. All four grandchildren, even the two that live in Shreveport, LA, have at one time or another worked at the pantry in some capacity.
Supporting Leadership
Pat Cahalen
Recruiting Manager
My husband John and I have lived in seven states over the course of our marriage, have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. We currently live in Deaton Creek.
I’ve worked at a variety of occupations but am retired from the U.S. Postal Service. Throughout my life I’ve volunteered in many positions including Girl Scout Leader, scheduler for rides for handicapped, Marriage Encounter weekend scheduler, church finance committee, choirs in 2 different parishes, recording for the Blind, ESOL, coaching an ESOL client to receive citizenship, volunteer at the church office, volunteer at our hospital, co-chaired or served on seven committees in the communities in which we’ve lived and of course St Vincent De Paul. Volunteering is part of my life.
John Cahalen
Training Manager
As Training Manager, I am responsible for defining and managing our training program for new volunteers, giving them the tools and knowledge required to help our neighbors in need. We want to prepare our volunteers for a successful journey at St Vincent de Paul Prince of Peace conference.
John graduated from WPI and from UCONN with a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, and was a registered Professional Engineer in Massachusetts. After active duty in the US Army as his company operations and training officer, he spent his entire career working in the paper industry. He retired after 31 years working in Engineering, Production Management, Quality Assurance, Project Management, Maintenance and Safety Management. After retirement John was also an internationally certified Lead Auditor for management systems for Bureau Veritas, leading audit teams throughout the world. Throughout his career John has been involved in training employees and clients to give them the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
He has been involved as a volunteer throughout his life, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, a Sewer Commission member, Recording for the Blind, various parish committees, an HOA Board Member and with SVdP at the food pantry, writing grant applications, fielding calls on our SVDP telephone help line and implementing our training program.
John and his wife Pat grew up in Connecticut and have lived in seven states over the course of their marriage. They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
Joanne Wojcik
Grants Manager
Joanne and her husband have been members of Prince of Peace for approximately 10 years. She retired from the Federal Government, with the last 18 years of her career work focusing on various facets of grants at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Once she learned of the activities taking place at Saint Vincent de Paul Prince of Peace (SVDP – POP) she felt she could contribute towards fundraising activities related to grants. Added bonus she gets a good cardio workout by helping to unload the U Haul rental truck once a week as we unload upwards to a ton a food to stock the food pantry for our Wednesday and Friday afternoon drive through pantry efforts.
From helping non-profits organizations work through the process with CDC grant announcements to now reviewing, asking questions, and writing, she sees her grant experiences are coming full circle. SVDP – POP has an enthusiastic group of volunteers looking to improve the quality of life for those less fortunate in our area. Whether working in the food pantry, ordering food for next week’s delivery, or sitting at her dining room table (which is now a grants writing desk) she is grateful to be where she is at, doing what she is doing, to help improve the quality of life for our neighbors in need.
Neal Gamradt
Technical Manager
I grew up in Minnesota but have lived in Gwinnett County since 2002. My wonderful wife Eposi and I have three amazing children.
I have worked in the web design industry since the late 1990s and currently work as a Principal Architect at Warner Bros. Discovery.
My wife and I volunteer a lot at Prince of Peace and enjoy helping where we can. Eposi also pitches in with technical duties when work prevents me from being available, such as daytime meetings.