Our Staff
Rev. Dr. Lou Ventura
Interim Pastor
Rev. Dr. Lou Ventura has been interim pastor/Head of Staff at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Suffolk since January 2025. Prior to this, she was interim pastor at Great Bridge Presbyterian in Chesapeake for two years, covenant pastor of Franklin Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) for nine years, after a secular career of over 25 years in the healthcare industry. She received her Master of Divinity at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA, and her Doctor of Ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
She has served on the presbytery’s Commission on Ministry as vice moderator of the Mediation and Reconciliation Subcommittee, and as presbytery moderator and moderator of the presbytery Council. Lou was trained as a Lifeforming Leadership Coach in 2007 and in 2015 received training in mediation and conflict management. Lou has also been trained in interpretation of the Church Assessment Tool (CAT) through HOLY COW! She has completed coach training with Coach Approach Skills Training (CAST) and is working to complete the requirements for the ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential. In February 2025, Lou will rejoin the presbytery’s Commission on Ministry, and is also a trustee at the presbytery.
Lou has also received Boundary Training for Those in Ministry and in Lives of Service from LeaderWise as well as training in Healthy Congregations, Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches, and Leadership and Anxiety in the Church, from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center.
Lou has a passion for encouraging and supporting individuals who are experiencing new life challenges or transitions, times when it is difficult to remember that, with God and within ourselves, we often have more than enough of everything we need.
In her free time, Lou loves to read, work on family genealogy, and watch “The Big Bang Theory” reruns. She has been married to Ron, a retired IT manager at Anthem, for 31 years, and they share Ron’s children from his first marriage, Tammy and RJ, and their five grandchildren Brianna, 28, Lexi, 24, Chloe, 20, Caleb, 5, and Naomi, 2. Lou and Ron have lived in the Holland area of Suffolk since 1996. You can reach Lou at moc.liamtoh@arutnevver.
Beth Martin
Church Secretary
Her training and background was in Christian education, having served three churches in an educational capacity. She has also done library work in public and special libraries, and she spent a few years working for the Presbytery, mainly in the office at Makemie Woods.
In addition to library and church work, she’s been a bookkeeper, desk clerk, and has worked in several capacities in her parents’ music store. She even worked as a professional puppeteer one year. She has two grown sons and a house full of projects, craft supplies, and puppets.
Al Reese
Director of Music
Originally from Pottsville, PA, Al Reese became the Music Director of St. Andrew in August 2021. He previously served churches in Suffolk and Portsmouth, VA and Monroe, NY. Al holds degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Concordia University of Wisconsin, and Norfolk State University and attained Level 3 Certification from the Handbell Musicians of America. Al is a retired Army bandsman, finishing his career at the USMA Band at West Point, NY. In addition to his service to St. Andrew Presbyterian, Al is an instructor in the Music Division of Norfolk State University and the Musical Director for the Virginia Handbell Consort. He resides in Carrollton with his wife, Lois, who is the Music Director for Hilton Presbyterian Church, and their rescue dog, Prancer. Al enjoys including the entire congregation in raising their musical voice to God!
Andrew Kowalski
Youth Director
A native of Carrollton, Andrew grew up in St. Andrew’s Youth Group, serving as both a Student Intern and an adult assistant before taking on the role of Youth Group Director in 2025. A graduate of Old Dominion University, he works as a scheduler at Newport News Shipbuilding. Andrew is married to Olivia, and they are expecting a son this summer.
Betty Hare
Church Custodian
Betty has worn many hats at St. Andrew, including teacher of three year olds in our weekday Preschool, nursery childcare provider, and church custodian. She is a native of New Jersey, a mom to three adult children, one beloved granddaughter, and ten pets of assorted species.
Amanda Greco
Director of St. Andrew Preschool
Amanda began working with St. Andrew’s Preschool in January 2021. She has a BA in Human Performance Management from Immaculata University in Malvern, PA and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Leadership from the University of Dayton in Dayton, OH. She has been working in the field of early childhood since 2000 and has found it her calling to educate, serve, and support children and their families. Amanda has been a resident of Poquoson since 2020. Amanda says, “I feel honored to lead the staff at St. Andrew Preschool. They are among the most passionate and dedicated educators I’ve had the pleasure to work with.”
Mary Romanczyk
Childcare Provider
Mary is a lifetime member of St. Andrew and has had a number of jobs at the church over the years. She has been our childcare provider since 2023 and the church’s custodian since 2025. Mary enjoys working with both the children and the adult volunteers in the nursery. She is the mother of three young children of her own.
Sunday Worship
Join us at 10:00 a.m.
Phone & Email
(757) 238-3550
su.serpwerdnats@werdnats
Get in Touch
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