downers grove campus life

Leader Team

Mike Paull
My name is Mike Paull and I am the Campus Life area director. I was born in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to Chicago when I was ten. I enjoy mountain biking, mountain climbing, being outside and Jamba Juice. I get the goose bumps when I brush my teeth and I love dogs. I am married to the most beautiful girl in the world named Bess. The second most beautiful girl is named Grace and was born on December 22nd, 2008. Before coming to work for Campus Life I did marketing for a company called Body Glove. I graduated from Taylor University after finishing my time at Naperville Central. My favorite bands are Jack Johnson, Thrice, Brad Paisley and Shane Barnard.
AIM
mileman

Eric Kuehl
What up! My name is Eric and I am the program director here at Campus Life in good ol' DG! I also go by the name "Mr Cool" which I might add was not made up by me. But, I am definitely OK with it, who wouldn't? I was born in Peru, attended Wheaton North High school and went to college in the Windy City. I just got married to my high school sweetheart, Megan, and am loving every second of it! I love playing ultimate frisbee, being a coffee snob, looking good, and talking about the hair styles...hit me up sometime if you want to chill.
Facebook Chat

Taylor Skala
Hi, I’m Taylor Skala. I have been volunteering at Campus Life for almost a year. I have grown up in Downers Grove and went to Downers Grove North high school. Currently, I attend Columbia College in Chicago and am studying photography, so you will often see me with a camera. After school I would love to travel and work with an organization like world vision. The top six places I want to travel are Africa, Australia, Ireland, Greece, France and Alaska. Along with Monday nights, I also have a lot of fun helping out at girls group! I’d love to share more with you over a cup of tea, so call me up if you want to talk!
AIM
shneeva27

Tom Sanderson
Hi, I'm Tom and I will eat anything except smoked oysters and brussel sprouts. I'm an un-complicated guy who likes to say things in very complicated ways... well, I'm not sure that it's because I "like" it, so much as I can't help it. One would think that the inability to control one's verbosity is a detrimental character flaw, but I find it sometimes adds excitement to what are otherwise boring interludes. True, the possibility exists that some will find it pedantic and condescending, but I like to think of it as "spice" on the giant tofu cube of everyday life. I live in Lisle with my beautiful wife Cindy, who has managed to put up with me for 7.5 years now. We have no dogs, no cats, 3 snakes, 6 centipedes, 5 tarantulas, and 4000 cockroaches. I love most music associated with the words "metal" or "core", and I can windmill kick you in the face. Lots of kids come to Campus Life, and today is the day you can decide to stop being the loser that doesn't. Haha...j/k...sorta
AIM
tomsanderson1

Cindy Sanderson
Activities: I'm enjoying my new baby boy, and trying to figure him out :) I'm also trying to keep up with the house and friends. Interests: I love traveling with my hubby. I love hanging with friends and CL Students. I love being outdoors. I love history!!
AIM
blondebird99

Bethany Demmin
My name is Bethany and I'm one of those new volunteers that keep poppin' up at Campus Life! I've loved what I've seen so far, especially the students! You guys rock! But back to me. ;-) I graduated from Naperville Central High School and then went on and got my Bachelor's degree from Olivet Nazarene in Biology and Chemistry. I really love working in the medical field, so It looks like I'll be going back to school soon to pursue yet another degree. My whole family has always been big on singing, and I am no exception. You can frequently find me doing so up on stage at EFCN. I love to talk and listen, so if you're in the mood for either, shoot me an email or a call. See ya Monday!
Facebook Chat
Bethany Demmin

Ryan Kenealy
Hey. My name is Ryan Kenealy and I got the hugest forehead of all the leaders. I like to eat sandwiches, snap bagels, read teen girl mystery novels, and gangsta trollies whenever I get the chance. My current job is working as a DJ at parties and weddings and stuff. I’ve been with Campus Life for over a year now and I love it. You can find me on Monday nights in the warehouse rocking my huge forehead and running the games for all you fools.
AIM
shewilldo911

Gary Darrah
Hi, my name is Gary aka "Grandpa", you can find me every Monday night at the sign in table and believe me I've got your number! You'll have to come to Campus Life to find out what that means! By day I am a Superintendent for a commercial contractor...and I drive a truck! (that's right...a truck). My wife and I have lived in DG for 20 years and graduated 4 kids from DGN. I am a die hard Cubs and Bears fan, and my favorite ice cream is New York Cherry from Everyday's a Sundae.

Steve Klipp
People of Earth: I’m Big Steve. How big? 6’6”…220 lbs. Waist: 36 Inseam: 36 Got my own zip code. My life was changed for the better by organizations just like Campus Life when I was in high school at Glenbard West, so when Mike “The Bicep” Paull came calling, I didn’t hesitate a porcupine’s wink to sign on as a volunteer leader. Now, I LOVE seeing you stud muffins on Monday nights at the Warehouse and any opportunity I can muster to join up with the guy’s group on Thursday nights. I admit, there are times when I can be a pretty busy dude, but in the rare moment when I’m not bench pressing locomotives, helping the elderly cross the street, or rescuing baby harp seals from killer whales, I enjoy quality time with my nephews and niece and teaching my old dog, Wrigley, new tricks. Just last week he learned: up, down, up, down, left, right, left, right, b, a, b, a, select, start. Bam! Unlimited lives. Let’s see your Bichon Frise do THAT. God is rad. Life is funny. We should be amigos. In that order. What’s that? You want to hang? Baller. My 411 is below.
Facebook Chat

Cathy Darrah
Hi, my name is Cathy Darrah. My husband, aka "Grandpa" and I have 4 kids, all of whom graduated from Downers North. I have been working behind the scenes in Campus Life since 1997. In the spring of 06 I crossed sides and started working directly with the students on Mondays and added Tuesday night girls group as well. I love spending time with young people and helping them work through the difficult teen years. Having made more than a few mistakes during my teen years I bring a perspective to the students they might not otherwise hear - the students know me as a straight shooter. If you're a parent and you want to find out how to get connected or find a time to check out Campus Life - drop me an e-mail and I'll point you in the right direction.

Merry Darrah
Hi, my name is Merry (its actually short for my real name – can you guess what it is?). I am a teacher at Bolingbrook High School. I teach mathematics there and even though it can be super challenging I love my job. I also love running and being active. If you ever want to play an outdoor game or running around in circles let me know and I’ll join you. Oh, but don’t call me after 9:00 pm because that’s past my bedtime.
Facebook Chat

Matt Ballenthin
Hey, my name is Matt, but you can call Hip Master "B!" Actually, just call me Matt. Before I moved to the Downers Grove area, I lived in the great state of Minnesota (said with a Minnesotan accent). Right now I spend a lot of my time hitting up the books as I work toward getting my doctorate in clinical psychology. I love the outdoors, hanging out with my wife, and cruising through town on my road bike. I am also addicted to coffee. So, if you ever want to join me on the road or in the coffee shop then just shoot me an e-mail!
Facebook Chat

Amanda Nichols
Hello all... it's Amanda! I've been coming out to CL since November of 2007. I'm 28, and work in an Architecture firm. So I spend my day in autocad, photoshop, or doing renderings (big word for coloring). I'm not sure what I want to do with the rest of my life but this fits now. I LOVE traveling and hope to do more of that in the future. I'm pretty laid back... I prefer gym shoes to dress shoes, a low key night at home to one out on the town, and I think less is more when it comes to make-up. As much as I love summer and the beach I need to experience all four seasons and would have to say that my favorite season involves jeans and a sweatshirt. I'm not a morning person and I look forward to turning my alarm clock off every Friday night (especially if it cold out and I get to sleep in =)). I try to keep myself surrounded by positive trust-worthy people whose friendships make me a better person. Any question ask away... see you on Monday!!
Facebook Chat
Amanda Nichols

Zak O'Leary
Hey everybody, my name is Zak O'Leary. I'm a student at Wheaton College majoring in Biblical and Theological Studies and minoring in Ancient Languages. I grew up in Glen Ellyn and graduated from Glenbard West High School in 2007. My interests include, but are not limited to, coffee, backpacking, canoing, dead languages, calligraphy, shiny objects, ballroom dancing, and bow-ties. I'll listen to any kind of music, but I love Latin rhythms or sappy lyrics. Like all college students, I am a talented procrastinator.
Facebook Chat

Patrick Berch
Wazup ladies and gents? I'm the resident bald guy here at CL, well, at least until some of the other leaders start goin' bald (you know who you are). I'm a born and raised Californian, so "big up" to the C-A! I just moved to the area 6 months ago with my beloved wife, Jessica, to work for "the man", a.k.a John Pack. Im pretty new to the CL scene, but I've graduated college and survived high school, so I guess you could say Im kind of a big deal. If you ever wanted to meet a "big deal" or kick it, then hit me up, but don't actually hit me, I'm fragile.
GoogleTalk
psberch

Josh Nichols
Hi...my name is Josh. I grew up in Westmont and now work at Quality Colorgraphics. I love frisbee golf, eating wings, and impromptu karaoke. I am Amanda's much cooler big brother and Ryan Kenealy's roommate. Hit me up if you want to grab wings and talk about life.
Facebook Chat

Nancy Springstroh
My name is Nancy Springstroh, and I help ya'll check-in on Monday nights. My 2 daughters are DGN and Campus Life alumni, so I've been around Campus Life for awhile. If I look somewhat familiar to some of you, chances are you've had me as a substitute teacher at Jefferson Jr. High. Besides my daughters and great husband, I have a crazy dog (vizsla) that I'm convinced has ADHD.

Jessica Berch
Hey people, my name is Jessica. I'm new to the Campus Life team but have really enjoyed it so far. I grew up in South Carolina but have lost most of my southern accent! I went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for college (Go Tarheels!!) and got a degree in Mathematics, so if you ever need help with math, let me know! I guess on paper I sound like a big dork, but I have friends J I married Patrick (he's my friend) in 2007 and we moved to Chicago from Seattle, WA. I guess that's me in a nutshell, but if you want to hear more or find out if I really am a dork, email me!

John Pack
I’m John Pack and I’m a volunteer here at Campus Life. I was born and raised here in the DG area and I lived in the San Francisco Bay area for about four years after high school. My hobbies include Disc Golf, Fishing and cooking big meals for people I love. For my actual job I am the Sales Manager for my families printing company. We print a lot of greeting cards and instruction manuals for video games and all the printing for Campus Life. My favorite bands are NSYNC, Back Street Boys and Paula Abdoul. If you want to know if that’s true or not you’ll have to come to Campus Life to find out.
Facebook Chat
John Pack

Bess Paull
Hello, my name is Bess. I am married to possibly the most amazing guy ever named Mike Paull. I work part-time as a nurse at CDH. I love working as a nurse because I love helping people. My main job is as a mom taking care of Grace our spunky little one! I love light caramel frappacino's with whipped cream, chewy gobstoppers, and spending a ton of time with my family! I help make sure the leader team is well fed on Monday nights by coordinating meals and making sure that Mike is sane!
Facebook Chat
Bess Paull

Mark Wierda
My name is Mark Wierda and I am married to the sweetest woman this side of the anywhere! Acting as the 'creative director' of a small creative studio - I'm a first rate computer nerd. I love to take pictures, make videos, build websites and eat skittles. I live in Darien with my wife Tracy, my son Casey & two fish whose tank desperately needs to be cleaned.
GoogleTalk
markwierda