Current Church Council Members:

John DePaolis (Moderator) - John has had a long career helping food companies grow. These days, he’s semiretired but the wheels keep turning (literally and figuratively): When not on the road with wife Wendy visiting grandkids, John drives the tram at UM Landscape Arboretum while hatching up new ideas for spreading the word about the CCoE.

Nate Kabat (Treasurer) - Nate is married to Kelly and father to Nora and Addie. He works as the Community Development Director for the City of Chaska. He cares about building community and wonders about the special places that churches can play therein. In his free time, Nate’s hobbies include traveling with the family, distance running, baking bread, and sneaking in a good book from time to time.

Jenny Rogers (Clerk) - Jenny has over 13 years of experience in medical device marketing, specializing in market development, product management, and integrated marketing communications. She resides in Deephaven with her husband, Ryan, and their three wonderful children, Graham, Addie, and Lila. In her rare spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, playing games, and hiking.

Mike Poehler - Among other things, Mike is both a faithful Christian and professional painter. This makes him a very good fit for the Congregational Church of Excelsior (UCC)! Our steeple is bright white thanks to Mike’s steady hand (and fearlessness of heights). Jesus says, “Be not afraid!” and Mike listens.

Janet Chambers - Janet is a 10-year member and has enjoyed sons Max and Sully Krueger growing up in this Church. She is a former Christian Education board member and Clerk. Janet is excited about the connections happening through new small group church activities. She’s a partner to Jeff (below) with our whole crew a kids and two dogs! When not cheering from the sidelines at her boys’ soccer or swim events, Janet manages a brand marketing agency in Minneapolis and attempts various sourdough pursuits.

Jeff Pohl – “I have been fortunate to serve in many capacities throughout my life, including lay leadership roles at church. I am a proud parent to my two girls, Norah and Camille, and have enjoyed a career as a billboard artist for the past 20 years with Lamar Advertising. I have loved being a part of the Congregational Church Of Excelsior and look forward to getting more involved in what God is doing here.”

Peggy Gomez -Peggy and husband Mark came to CCoE following the closure of Mizpah UCC in 2022. They can be found most Sundays singing with the choir and are eager volunteers at numerous church activities. Peggy is adjusting to her recent retirement from 52 years training horses and is looking forward to the birth of their first grandchild in March 2026 .

Matt Srnec - Matt and his wife Janice (nearly empty nesters) are fairly recent additions to the Congressional Church of Excelsior and have really felt welcomed. This will be his first time on a Church Council. Matt chaired a building and grounds team and volunteered as part of prior congregations. An Engineer, Matt spends his days finding ways to electrify how we move food and his spare time fixing and improving just about anything.

Chris Targosz - Chris is married to Nadia, and together they have two children, Braden (10) and Zoey (8). A native of the Chicagoland area, he has called the Twin Cities home since 2014 and is entering his third year of membership at CCOE. Chris served on the Constitution Advisory Committee and is grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the interests of the congregation as a member of the CCOE Council