2018 Vestry Nominees
The Vestry Nominating Committee, in accordance with the bylaws of St. John's Episcopal Church, are happy to nominate 3 candidates each to serve a renewable three year term to the Vestry. The Vestry Nominating Committee, in accordance with the bylaws of St. John's Episcopal Church, is happy to nominate 3 candidates for the Vestry Class 2018-2021, to be elected at St. John's Annual Meeting on April 15, following the 10:00 am service.
Jeremy X. A. Bradford
Jeremy has been a member of the congregation at St. John’s since he and Joanna were married here by the Rev Churchill Pinder in 2000. Joanna and her parents are all lifelong members of St John’s. Jeremy and Joanna have two daughters Alice(16) who is a regular Acolyte, Lector and a LEM in training and Sophie(12) who is also a regular Acolyte.
Jeremy was baptized and confirmed in the Church of England where he served on the vestry of St. Peter’s Church near Cambridge, UK for 3 years. He was also a member of the Parent Teacher Association for the local Elementary school.
Jeremy also served on the board of the CSH Fish Hatchery from 2006-2009 and coached with the Huntington Boys Club soccer program from 2013-2016.
Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of East Anglia, UK and numerous professional qualifications. Jeremy works for an energy consulting company headquartered in Miami, FL. In the warmer months, Jeremy is an avid sailor either cruising with the family or racing Atlantics in Cold Spring Harbor.
James Sanna
James Sanna and his family have been members of St. John’s for seven years. He is founder and President of Running Subway Productions, a live entertainment production company with its office in New York City. Running Subway conceives and executes theatrical and exhibit events globally. He has his undergraduate degree from Boston College and received an MBA from Northwestern University. James was raised in Westchester County, NY and has lived in NYC and, since 2001, on Long Island, first in Brookhaven Hamlet before moving to the north shore in 2010.
He and his wife Malinda have raised their two sons, Raffi and Luca (junior and freshman, respectively, at Cold Spring Harbor High School) in the church. James was raised in the Catholic faith and has found the Episcopalian Church a good meeting ground for him and his wife who was raised Mennonite. St. John’s has been the foundation for his family’s involvement in the community, from his children’s participation in the children’s choirs through confirmation class, and his wife’s involvement with St. John’s Singers, the Haiti committee and the engagement committee. This is James’ first committee responsibility within St. John’s and he is honored to be asked for his involvement with the important work of the Vestry. He considers himself an “explorer” of faith, having been raised Catholic then studying at Jesuit Boston College, but he doesn’t feel wed to any dogmas. He enjoys the people of St. John’s, its work in the community, the beautiful setting, the open-mindedness of the Episcopalian religion. Serving on the Vestry James hopes his experience running a production business is to be able to contribute to the meaningful role St. John’s plays in the community.
Mary Gay Townsend
Mary Gay Townsend has been a part of the St. John’s community since her marriage to Jamie Townsend in 1985. She has four beautiful children: Teddie, Zoe, JB and Faith, all of whom have been christened at St. John’s and participated in all of the wonderful activists St.Johns has to offer. From the Christmas pageant, to choir, and confirmation, Mary Gay has watched on with pure joy as her children grew into adults all within a blink of an eye. Currently she serves as a LEM and reader for Sunday services and has also participated in Sunday School, The Hunger Outreach Committee and The Christmas Fair.
For her day job Mary Gay is Managing Partner and founder of Norgay Partners; a retained executive search firm focused on the financial industry. She graduated from George Washington University and The French Culinary Institute. Her family, friends, gardening, Yoga, tennis, golf and entertaining are all of the things she loves when she is not in the office!
Vasana Hildebrand
Vasana Hildebrand has been serving St. John’s Church as Chair of the Flower Committee for the past 5 years, as a member of the Vestry of St. John’s for the past three years and as a member of the Grow-to-Give Garden. She is also active in the Three Harbors Garden Club as Flower Show & Exhibits co-chair. Vasana was born, raised, educated in Bangkok, Thailand where she also worked at the United States Information Service before fulfilling her dreams of coming to the United States over 47 years ago. Married at St. Alban's Episcopal Parish in Washington DC and baptized at St. John’s Church in Huntington, NY. She and her husband John are long time residents of Huntington. Vasana and John have three grown children and five grandchildren.
James Wylie
James would like to continue in his role as Junior Warden for a second two-year term. A life-long member of St. John’s, he is active in a variety of ministries and activities. For several years, he has served as the Rector’s Lector Director, sung with the St. John’s Singers and traveled to visit our partner parish in Haiti. Most Saturday mornings, you will find him around the table in the Lee Room with the Men’s Group, joining the discussion and debate over their current book. As a member of the Rotary Club of Huntington, he helped the St. Matthias Fellowship secure a $60,000 Global Grant (Phase 1) to bring purified water, solar power and improved sanitation to the community of Deslandes. He anticipates taking his ninth trip to Haiti soon, to wrap up the current project and to ramp up the next Global Grant (Phase 2) to equip the new classroom building, to train the teachers, to build a garden to feed the students and to launch sustainable business initiatives for economic self-sufficiency. James is excited about Gideon’s vision of renewal for St. John’s, a shared commitment to engage in a more connected community, where together we will “do remarkable and wonderful things.” James is most pleased to announce plans to be married to Jamie Dellaquila this June… at St. John’s, of course!