Our Team
Elise Bates Russell
Executive Director
Elise enjoys all aspects of God’s ministry in the outdoors, but her passions include leadership development, nature exploration and sustainable architectural design. This has grown out of a lifetime of living and working at Presbyterian camps. One of her favorite quotes shared by a camper is: “I just like to hike in the woods to be near God.” Elise couldn’t agree more, affirming the power of outdoor ministry as a vital part of Christian education and faith formation for all ages.
She is a proud alumna of The College of Wooster and has a Masters in Architecture from the University of Michigan. She is part of the consultant team for Run River Enterprises. Elise likes to spend time with her family, travel, be outside, read, visit museums and historical sites, create and try new things.
Glendon Carper
Associate Director of Operations
Glendon joined the team in late 2022. He grew up in central Pennsylvania and received a degree in Business Administration from Messiah University. He attended Camp Hebron where his love for camp ministry started. He also met his wife Katie there. They shared an office (it’s an interesting story) and both worked as program staff. They also spent time in Michigan doing outdoor education, lived briefly in Florida, then lived in the Poconos for six years. Most recently he served at Sandy Cove Ministries in Maryland overseeing all-things activity related.
Glendon enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, from jumping on the trampoline, to walks / hikes, and laughing together. He also likes running, mountain biking, and playing a variety of sports. He is known for eating an apple a day and having his precisely formulated iced coffee each morning.
Chad Rodgers
Associate Director of Programs
Chad grew up in Northern California about an hour north of San Francisco in the heart of wine country. He spent many summers working at Westminster Woods Summer Camp located under redwoods along a tributary of the Russian River. Chad has been a Presbyterian pastor at several churches, and now feels called to serve God at Jburg! He enjoys running with his dog Ted, converting a 40’ retired school bus into an off-grid tiny home, kayaking quiet waters with his wife, trying to keep up with his daughter on Goodreads, listening to numerous podcasts, and unapologetically rooting for the San Francisco Giants.
Kim Italiano
Registrar
Steve Grish
Facilities Manager
Steve ran his own home improvement business for 20 years before using his skillset at camp & retreat centers. When he’s not at work, Steve loves to spend time with his kids doing anything and everything that’s outdoors. He also loves to cook and volunteers as a games instructor for his church’s youth group.
Steve was drawn to Johnsonburg because it enables him to combine his spiritual and work life all in one place!
Vania Stevenson
Community Connections Coordinator
Vania fell in love with Johnsonburg years ago when she brought her youth group for a retreat. Her son has since become a JBurg Camper and working here has scored her MAJOR 'cool mom' brownie points. Her favorite part of camp is the community that JBurg represents- one where ALL walks of life belong.
Vania also serves as the Youth Director at a local church and is deeply passionate about young people. In her spare time she loves to knit, cook, and hang out with her family and adorable pets.
Linda Thortenson
Office Manager / Assistant to the Executive Director
Caroline Grish
Dining Services Manager
Caroline takes great joy in preparing food that gets children excited and she adores the camp environment. She considers her role at Johnsonburg a blessing as it allows her to merge her Christian faith and culinary experience in this beautiful camp setting.
Caroline is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, fishing, and appreciating the beauty of God's creation. She also serves as a leader for the Awana group for children aged three and four at her church.
Adam Parish
Guest Services Manager
Adam is very excited to be a part of Johnsonburg’s year-round team! While Adam is new to Johnsonburg, he is no stranger to helping camp function. Adam is a transplant to New Jersey, having grown up in the scenic Finger Lakes in Upstate New York. He fell in love with camp and retreat ministry as a camper and joined summer staff as soon as he was able, eventually joining year-round staff. In addition to experience in hospitality and program, Adam also has experience in a classroom. He holds a degree in Music Education from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY and has taught just about every subject and grade level as a substitute teacher. When Adam isn’t working to provide quality guest experiences, he loves to get outside and hike with his dog, Hazel, or watch his cat, Legato, embody the stereotype of orange cats who all share one brain cell.
Emily (Emi) Quast
Marketing + Design
Emily's favorite spot at camp is on the high ropes platform. Emily attended Johnsonburg as a camper and has worn many various hats throughout the years—from counselor to arts and crafts coordinator to program coordinator to intern and now year-round staff. Emily has been repeatedly called back to Johnsonburg to use her skills in graphic designs and is thrilled to call herself year-round staff and be able to tackle any task asked of her. She graduated from Rutgers-Newark with her BFA in Graphic Design. When asked "Why Johnsonburg?" her answer has always been : Because I want others to experience the love and community that made me who I am today—to have a place that full-heartedly supports and encourages your passions and individuality.
While not working Emily spends time hiking, drawing, playing video games as well as spending time with her family and pets.
Johnsonburg's Board of Trustees
Johnsonburg’s Board is a governance board made up of representatives from the four regional presbyteries within New Jersey and the Presbytery of Philadelphia, as well as eleven at-large members. The Board functions with five committees who oversee various aspects of the program, organization and facility. The committees work directly with the staff and have a healthy relationship of communication and collaboration. In addition, the president of the Board has the capacity to appoint special task forces. The Board makes governance decisions, such as the master plan and a capital campaign, while the executive director and other staff make management and program decisions.
Carl Allen
Retired
Rev. Wes Allen
Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown
Bill Anderson
Retired
Bob Bingham
Interim Treasure
Emily Bollinger
Rev. Joseph Chu
Stated Clerk of the Eastern Korean American Presbytery
Colleen Duerr
Nonprofit Consultant
Rev. Shelley Gardner
Javie Chaplain, Presbyterian Foundation
Sarah E. Kapitko, Esq.
Family Law Attorney
Marilyn Kitchell - President
First Presbyterian Church of Morristown
Arlene McCann - Vice President
Comcast, NBC Universal
Michael McCurry
US House of Representatives
Rev., Dr. Glory Thomas
Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Carteret Chaplain, Veteran's Home - Menlo Park
Rev. Yedea Walker
Assistant Dean of Student Life/Title IX Coordinator, Princeton Theological Seminary