Full Time Staff
Art WeissPosition: Executive Directorexecutivedirector@fortunelake.org |
Soren SchmidtPosition: Program Directorprogramdirector@fortunelake.org |
Jeff ClarkPosition: Property Managerpropertymanager@fortunelake.org |
Nicole KuzakPosition: Office Manager/Registrarofficemanager@fortunelake.org registrar@fortunelake.org |
Meet the Staff
Pastor Art Weiss has graciously accepted our call and will be the newly appointed Executive Director effective October 15, 2007. We are eager to work with him and enjoy the idea of introducing him to camp. He has a strong camp background and we are sure that God has called him here to do great things. If you are in the area after October 13 and would like to meet him, stop by.
Nicole Kuzak is our new Office Manager/Registrar and after her summer crash course, is settling into the position. She enjoys the job and the interaction with all the people in the camp "family". If you have any questions about camp or retreats she will do her best to answer them or find the answers in a timely manner.
Soren Schmidt, born and raised in Escanaba, brings many gifts to develop and direct the program of your Camping Ministry. His personal faith, musical talent, creativity, and energy are great assets that will help Fortune Lake serve you and the Kingdom of God in ever deeper, broader, and exciting ways. He credits his firm Christian foundation and sense of spiritual purpose in life to his family, his church (Christ the King), and Fortune Lake where he was not only a frequent camper but also an 11-year veteran summer staffer. Graduating from Finlandia University (then named Suomi College) and Dana College provided not just education but Spiritual growth. Outside the classroom he continued to develop leadership, planning, and creativity skills through such opportunities as theater, music, sports, Music Educators National Conference, FCA, radio, TV, student council, and Resident Assistant positions. Soren's experience includes teaching K-3 music, High School Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Pep Band, and Show Choir as well as serving as an Assistant Wrestling Coach. He also sang Bass in the Cleveland, OH orchestra, performed in plays and musicals in the Cleveland area theaters and attended classes with Second City Comedy Club. As you see how your camp Ministry's program blossoms and flourishes, you will confirm God has Called Soren to us. We are happy and blessed to have him here at Fortune Lake where he is supposed to be!
Jeff Clark, originally from Illinois, was an aerospace machinist for 25 years in the Phoenix, AZ area. In 1996 a Fall vacation with son Chris included a visit to a cousin in nearby Amasa. Jeff recalls saying I'll be back. Next summer he did return as part of an 8,000 mile road trip staying three weeks in the Amasa area. Feeling an attraction for the Upper Peninsula's beauty and people, Jeff was back "permanently" the next summer taking a delivery driver position with Crystal Lumber. Chris and Jeff joined Bethany Lutheran where they heard about our Labor Day Work Bee and Jeff showed up to lend his skill in building the deck of our Emanuel Village (Adult Retreat Center). Knowing talent when we see it, we immediately recruited Jeff for the property committee and contracted him for a couple special carpentry projects. When long time FLLC leader and staff Rev. Earnie Ness retired at the end of the 2000 Summer season, Jeff says it took about two seconds to decide that this is what God had in mind for him. Jeff believes that by letting go of what we think is the way and letting God guide us in His way, great things take place. Armed with skills in many areas of construction, grounds, equipment, and vehicle maintenance as well as having a caring and gracious spirit, Jeff will help your Fortune Lake experience be a great one.
