BOARD of DIRECTORS
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Rev. Dr. Mark Hannemann
President and Chairman of the Board, Director of Advancement
Mark Hannemann currently serves as the Executive Director for Good Friend Ministries, a nonprofit retreat and counseling ministry for clergy in Traverse City, MI. He is a licensed Mental Health Practitioner, Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Certified Life Coach. Mark has served congregations in South Dakota, Michigan, and Nebraska. He most recently served as Senior Pastor of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha (2008-2022). Mark has also served as a Lutheran high school chaplain and instructor, an adjunct faculty member at Concordia-Nebraska and Concordia University-Irvine, and director of a Christian counseling ministry in St. Louis. He serves as President and Chairman of the Board of GracePoint Institute for Relational Health, which he co-founded with his son, Justin, in 2012. He also serves on the Board of the newly established GracePoint Foundation. He is married to Sandy and they have four children and fourteen grandchildren. |
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Steve Beyer
Vice President
Steve worked for Peter Kiewit Son's, Inc., and retired after 24 years with Kiewit. He retired as Corporate Purchasing Agent with responsibility for Corporate Equipment Purchasing and Excess Equipment Sales. He currently serves as President of Beyer Enterprises, which is involved in Investment and Farming interests in Nebraska, Minnesota, and Montana. Steve is involved in English Springer Spaniel Field trials, having served as Officer of the English Springer Spaniel Club of Eastern Nebraska. He is currently President of the National Parent Club of the Breed, The English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association. He has served on various Boards and leadership positions at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska and Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Steve and Phyllis Beyer are members of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE where they are actively involved, with interests in Christian education, church growth, pastoral care and prayer ministry. They have blessed their church and Concordia Schools of Omaha with significant financial support, particularly with significant gifts for capital campaigns. Steve has received many awards and recognitions in his work with the English Springer Spaniel Field trials in his competition achievements and in his leadership capacities. Steve is a founding member of the GracePoint Board and has served since 2012 and currently serves as Vice President. |
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Mike Chapman, CPA
Secretary, Treasurer Mike graduated from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accounting degree in 2003. He has been a certified public accountant since 2008, and has nearly 10 years of public accounting experience. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Mike’s focus is in the auditing and attestation area of public accounting; however, he also assists in tax planning and preparation, business valuation, and consultation. Mike believes each client deserves a tailored strategy to fit their individual needs. He envisions being an advisor and trusted partner to clients to manage their taxes rather that just a tax preparer. Mike met his wife, Nicole, in the marching band at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He and his wife are still actively involved in music in and around the Omaha metro area, whether it’s her professional singing and teaching or his performing at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church. They have two children, Timothy and Ella. |
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Jeffrey W. Beckman, CPA
Jeff became Executive Director of Development for The Western Division of the Central Territory of The Salvation Army in 2015. He leads a development team that raises philanthropic support for the Omaha Metro as well as 26 Corps operations in various Western Division communities. He also leads divisional marketing and communications.
Jeff is in his 35th year of nonprofit and development leadership experience, including these positions: · Senior Vice President for Development, United Way of the Midlands, Omaha. · Executive Director of the NET Foundation for Television and Radio (PBS and NPR), University of Nebraska-Lincoln. · Executive Director, March of Dimes, Nebraska. · Executive Director, Nebraska Children’s Home Society Foundation. · Director of Planned Giving, Children’s Hospital Foundation. · Director of University Relations, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Over the years, Jeff has led organizations and/or departments that have raised approximately $500 million in philanthropic support for healthcare, social services, public media and education. Several organizations received national recognition for their development success during his tenure. Jeff earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and his Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation from the American College of Financial Services. Jeff and his wife, Susan, have two grown children, live in Elkhorn, Nebraska and are members of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church. Jeff has served on the GracePoint Board since 2018. |
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A. William "Bill" Kernen
Kernen retired as CFO and Senior Vice President from the Omaha World Herald Company in 2004 after serving for 39 years. Kernen, alongside with his late wife Leona, in 2004 established Kernen Partners to manage family assets. They also founded Kernen Family Investments, LLC to provide an educational model for teaching their children about managing their assets, managing their personal finances, and understanding the importance of charity to the church and community.
Kernen is a past Board member of the Omaha World Herald Company (1985-2011) and Election Systems and Software, Inc (1987-2011). He currently serves on the Boards of Kernen Partners, Kernen Capital, and Kernen Education 2.0. His non-profit Board service, including finance and/or investment committees, includes Concordia University-Nebraska Board of Regents, Western Heritage Museum, Omaha Symphony, United Way of the Midlands, Wheat Ridge Ministries, and LCMS Foundation-St Louis. Currently Kernen serves on the Community Boards of Grace Point Institute for Relational Health, Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha Foundation, and Concordia University-Nebraska Foundation. He also serves on the Investment and Finance committees of The Omaha Community Foundation and Nebraska District of the LCMS Church. Kernen was married to his wife Leona for 54 years when she went home to be with her Lord and Savior in 2014. Kernen has four children, 14 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren, and is a member of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha. Bill has served on the Gracepoint Board since 2014. |
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Dr. Vanessa Seifert
A passionate scholar, Dr. Vanessa Seifert applies proven principals in a customized manner to overcome barriers and empower lasting change. At her core, Vanessa believes life is a journey that includes countless opportunities for growth. She helps leaders influence those around them to learn, grow and contribute to their communities. With nearly 20 years of experience, Vanessa guides leaders to uncover answers to their critical questions, unlocking individual and group potential. Her credentials include a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership; an International Coaching Federation's Associate Coaching Certification; and a Gallup Strengths Coaching Certification. Work on her doctrinal dissertation fueled her interest in concepts of how organizational growth first starts with individual change.
Vanessa has served as executive coach for a variety of nonprofit, business and church leaders, including the Nebraska District LCMS President, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska CEO and executive team, and a variety of business clients through previous work at Leadership Resources. In addition to her work as president and executive coach of Seifert Leadership Consulting, Vanessa is a called DCE - Discipleship Catalyst at Calvary Lutheran Church in Lincoln Nebraska. Vanessa enjoys spending time with her husband, Brandon, raising their two daughters. |
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Rev. Leroy Gerner
Bio coming soon!
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Deb Burma
Deb Burma is a forgiven child of God who loves her Savior, Jesus. She has a passion for sharing His Extravagant Grace In an engaging way, touching the hearts of women, meeting them In the moments of their everyday lives, and leading them in the study of God's Word. She is a sought-after author and speaker, traveling extensively for women's retreats, conferences, and other ministry events.
Deb is a graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas. She has directed women's, children's, and family ministries in multiple churches across the Midwest, and she has received additional training with courses in writing, speaking, and doctrine through CPH, Concordia Seminary, and the Women's Leadership Institute (WLI), under the direction of noted authors, editors, and theologians. Deb was born and raised on a ranch in west-central South Dakota. She and her family have shared adventures residing in Texas, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, and now she and her husband, Cory, live in Columbus, Nebraska, where he serves as pastor at Peace Lutheran Church. |
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Kevin Lammers
Mr. Lammers is a native of Nebraska, growing up on a dairy farm near Hazard, Nebraska. In 1986, Mr. Lammers moved to Omaha, NE to start his career in the financial services industry. Between 1988 and 2020, he has worked in various Accounting and Human Resources positions with Kirkpatrick Pettis and Securities America. Currently, Mr. Lammers serves as the Director of Human Resources at Calvert Systems Engineering.
Mr. Lammers is a lifelong Lutheran and is currently a member at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha. He has served faithfully in many activities, including congregational treasurer, congregational President and Co-chairman of Seeds of Hope Capital Campaign. |
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Rev. Dr. Justin Hannemann,
Chief Executive Officer Co-Founder |
Rev. David Muench,
Executive Director |
Call 402.614.6287 to set up an appointment or to get more information about our services at GracePoint.