As the District's Executive Minister, Pete oversees ministry operations, supervises district staff, maintains denominational connections, fosters institutional relationships, and ensures the implementation of the district's vision. A significant portion of Pete's time is dedicated to the Ministry Commission, where he collaborates with congregations in the pastoral placement process and provides congregational consultation. He is also an active member of the Council of District Executives and plays a key role in Church of the Brethren leadership development. 

Pete is a graduate of Penn State University and Bethany Theological Seminary. His pastoral journey began at Oakland Church of the Brethren (Southern Ohio), followed by a tenure at Spring Creek (ANE). After six years at Spring Creek, Pete returned to Oakland as lead pastor before being called to serve at Hempfield (ANE). Pete and his wife, Shelly, along with their two children, reside in Lancaster, PA.

Mary Etta is an ordained minister in the Atlantic Northeast District. She is a long-standing member of the Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren.  Mary Etta is a graduate of Manchester University and spent much of her work career employed by the Bank of Lancaster County / PNC Bank.  She served the bank and Quarryville community in the customer service department for 27 years.  Her skills in finance and customer relations serve her well in this role.  In the local church life, Mary Etta has served as deacon, teacher, organist, moderator, as well as many other elected leadership roles.  She has served as an Interim Pastor at Shippensburg Church of the Brethren, Swatara Hill Church of the Brethren, Paxton Church of the Brethren and Florin Church of the Brethren.

Krista has been a member of the District Staff since 2012. As the District’s Office Administrator, Krista manages the office, serves the Executive Committee and District Board, and works with the District Ministry Commission. Her previous experience includes cross-cultural ministry, administrative work for a children’s home in Juarez, Mexico and leading international ministry teams. Krista is involved in her local congregation and is busy with her active family. Krista and her husband, Dan, along with their 3 children, reside in Elizabethtown. 

It’s a joy for me to coordinate the work of the Commission on Church Development, guiding and promoting its church planting vision and strategy. Being part of shaping a District-wide vision for church growth and congregational vitality is truly inspiring. I embrace the Acts 1:8 call to be a witness for Christ—locally and globally—and invite you to join me in this mission.

Originally from Chicago, I graduated from Southern Illinois University, where I met my late wife Belita, former Moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. After 31 years in Southern California, we moved to Pennsylvania in 2003 when Belita became pastor at Harrisburg First Church. Belita passed away in 2024. I’m a proud father of four adult children (one deceased) and grandfather to four.

As an accomplished musician, I’ve shared in ministry across the denomination through Urban Peace Tours with the former Church of the Brethren Office of Witness.

With a strong background in business and stewardship, Kay became Director of Stewardship for the Atlantic Northeast District in 2003, bringing her Anabaptist faith and experience owning her late father’s insurance business. She pursued further education in business management, estate planning, and investments, and previously served on the District’s Planned Giving Committee and Stewardship Commission, eventually chairing the latter. In this role, she helped shape the Ministry Investment Plan and managed District property in Brooklyn, NY—responsibilities that expanded to all District properties and stewardship education when she became Director.

Ordained in 2015 after completing the ACTS program, Kay also supports pastoral placements and credentialing. A lifelong musician, she shares her gifts at Lampeter Church of the Brethren, her home congregation since 1978. Kay lives near her childhood farm in Southern Lancaster County, grounded in her Mennonite and Church of the Brethren roots and her parents’ enduring influence.

Kelly joined the District Staff in 2016, bringing nearly 40 years of diverse experience in office administration, management, and business operations. A graduate of Messiah College with a degree in Human Resource Management, her background spans roles in wellness and educational settings, food service, and the hospitality industry at Hershey’s Chocolate World. She has also served as co-owner of a small business, Human Resource Manager for a state-wide association, and HR Specialist at a food processing facility.

Kelly and her husband, Rich, live in Harrisburg and attend East Shore Baptist Church. They have two adult daughters—one married and living in Denver, PA, and the other working from home as a recruiter for an international ministry organization.