Board of Directors

The board of directors comprises representatives of the Hope Lutheran Church and School community. The board is responsible for establishing and clarifying the overall strategic direction of the church and school, setting high-level policies that govern the work of the church and school, ensuring the spiritual and financial health and sustainability of the organization, and encouraging the congregation and staff in their work.

Jason Grotelueschen, Chair – Jason and his wife, Beth, have been married for 21 years and have three children. They were Hope members for 13 years and were deeply involved in the church and school, with Jason serving on the worship leadership team including two years on staff as contemporary music director, Beth serving as PTH president, and their two oldest kids attending Hope School. The family then moved to Omaha for four years, where Jason served as a worship/music leader and confirmation/youth facilitator, and the family is now in the process of returning to Seattle. Jason has worked for 25 years as a project manager, product marketer and editor for tech companies and media businesses, he also does freelance work for a local community news website. Jason was raised on a farm in rural Nebraska, grew up in an Lutheran Church Missouri Synod school and church founded in the 1870s, and has deep family roots in church and educational leadership. The Grotelueschen family recently transferred their membership back to Hope.

Eric Mueller, Treasurer – Eric and his wife, Christine, have been married for 20 years and have been members of Hope since 2012. Their son, Spencer, was an acolyte and a graduate of Hope School. After graduating from the University of California, Davis, Eric served 25 years in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Flight Officer and retired in 2010. He is now a pilot with a major airline. He has served on the board of directors since 2018 and currently serves as treasurer. His other leadership experience includes commanding officer tours in the Navy and vestry positions at Episcopal churches in Monterey and Seattle. Chris has a lifelong affiliation with Hope Church and was actively involved with many school projects supporting teachers in the classroom.

Delores Kannas, Secretary – Delores has been a member of Hope since 1985, when she, her husband David, son Dylan, and daughter Rachel moved from Minneapolis to Seattle. Dylan and Rachel enrolled in 2 nd and 1 st grades at Hope Elementary School, David started work as a police officer for Seattle, and Delores continued her career as a registered nurse. Their 2 children grew over the years with two working parents and a supportive Hope church family. In 1993, the family welcomed three more younger children, Delores’ two nephews Peter and Douglas and a niece Lindsay, into their home. As their now 5 children grew, Delores was elected to the Church Council, serving over time in the roles of secretary, treasure, and president. She continued to serve when the governance structure was changed from Church Council to Board of Directors for a total of 14 years. After a 2-year break, Delores was appointed to fill and complete a vacant position on the Board of Directors and now serves as secretary.

Mark Breslich, At Large
Julie Liveris, At Large
Jason Christian, At Large
Gwen Fraser, At Large
Marie Tornow, At Large