Rich Was talks with Clem Waters at a bachelor party for Abe Olson in South Bend on July 31.By Chris Meehan and Sean Connolly. Photo by Chris Meehan.
Craig Lent has announced that the South Bend branch will have a new principal branch coordinator beginning in October. Rich Was will start a six-year term on October 15. Rich follows John Zwerneman who served two consecutive six-year terms.
Rich, 50, is a tenured coordinator who has served three terms as an area coordinator in South Bend. He has been married to Trice (Rose) for 25 years and they have five children: Christina, 24; Rich, 22; Katie, 19; John, 16 and Rachel, 13. Rich runs a State Farm Insurance agency in South Bend and has worked for State Farm for 23 years. He is a native of South Bend with a degree in economics and management from DePauw University, where he played on the football team.
“Rich is well respected by branch members and by his brother coordinators,” Craig says. “I am grateful for his willingness to take responsibility for leading the branch and for serving his brothers and sisters in this new way.”
At the branch meeting where he made the announcement, Craig explained the process for selecting principal branch coordinators. “The branch coordinators meet, have an election and nominate three men for the office of principal branch coordinator. The overall coordinator picks from those three names and forwards his choice to the board of governors for confirmation.”
Of John, Craig said simply, “He has done a terrific job,” before his words were interrupted by prolonged applause and cheering. John was elected to serve on the board of governors in May. His six-year term begins on December 1. The branch will have a chance to honor John at a later date, Craig said.
Besides South Bend, the other two of the community’s three largest branches will also see leadership changes in the next several months. Joel Kibler’s second term as principal branch coordinator of Servant Branch ends on February 8. Lek Kadeli’s second term as principal branch coordinator of the northern Virginia branch also ends on February 8. Principal branch coordinators cannot be appointed for three consecutive terms without a dispensation from the board of governors.
“Please pray for Rich and Trice and the whole branch during this time of transition,” Craig said.
Responses
Carol Govek says:
August 1st, 2014 at 5:03 PM
Glory to God, Rich, on your acceptance as Principal Branch Coordinator. You will grow in your trust of our Lord Jesus Christ as you use your gifts to serve us. Thank you!!!
stephen and susan bbus says:
August 1st, 2014 at 5:36 PM
PRAISE GOD for 2 great brothers who continue to lay down their lives for us!God bless Rich and John.
Glenn Hilton says:
August 1st, 2014 at 7:06 PM
Congratulations Rich, you will do a great job because you weren't after it. And besides you're just down the road from John.
Thanks for accepting the task.
In Christ
Glenn
Anne Brewer says:
August 2nd, 2014 at 7:15 AM
Praise God for our amazing life together!
Mike Loesch says:
August 2nd, 2014 at 11:09 AM
Congratulations Rich'
I didn't see your last name .
God bless ,
Mike & Joann Loesch East area Servant branch.
Tom Shriver says:
August 2nd, 2014 at 5:55 PM
Congratulations on appointment as PBC!! You will be in my prayers as you take the helm in October. God's Blessings.
Tom
Gloria Murphy says:
August 3rd, 2014 at 1:31 PM
Rich,thanks so much for accepting the responsibility as PBC!! Without a doubt, you will serve us well and give glory to the Lord in that service.We are behind you all the way. Glory to God!
Karen Heintzelman says:
August 4th, 2014 at 9:57 AM
Thank you Lord for giving us such gifted and loving leaders!
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