About Us
History
Mountain View Lutheran Church saw a need to extend God’s love into their community. As a result, the Edgewood Community FISH Food Bank began operation on April 5, 2003. By 2006, the food bank had outgrown its facility.
Talks began of building a new facility that would also serve as a Community Center. Thanks to the community of faith at Mountain View Lutheran Church and charitable foundations, over $900,000 was raised towards the building of the Mountain View Community Center (MVCC) which opened its door on November 1, 2008.
Read the 2009 Annual Report (pdf, 2.6Mb).
Charmaine Jovanovich-Miller, Executive Director
Jesie Holden, Community Coordinator
A native of east Tacoma, Jesie began her philanthropic career at an early age serving free meals at her church. Over the years this passion for service and community has stayed close to her heart. After graduating from the University of Washington Tacoma, with a BA in Interdisplinary Arts and Sciences and a minor in Nonprofit Management, Jesie was thrilled to be offered the position of Community Coordinator, and has been working hard to accomplish Mountain View Community Center’s mission ever since. Her goal is to see the Community Center thrive by focusing on building partnerships with local community organizations and individuals who share her desire to make their community the best it can be.
Dave Weir, Board Chairman
Dave has been in the Edgewood Community for over 35 years. He is a member of Mountain View Lutheran Church, member of the Mountain View Edgewood Water Board, and a retired educator of 35 years. Dave has always given to his students and community and jumped on board when the plans for MVCC started. Dave believes, supports, and encourages all members in the community of Edgewood and surrounding areas by serving as Chairman of the Board for Mountain View Community Center.
Kristi Ceder, Board Member
A native of Tacoma and a resident of Milton, Kristi has owned a small business with her husband for 35 years. She has served on Milton's Library Board and Growth Management Committee, and is currently treasurer of the North Pierce County Community Coalition. As a member of Mountain View Lutheran Church, Kristi has served on the Church Council and is currently the chairperson of the Peace and Justice Ministry Group. "With a variety of volunteer experience and a commitment to the well-being of all, I am thrilled to see the community center coming alive with people who care for one another and the world."
Kendra Dixon, Board Member
Jon Edmonds, Board Member
Ed Knutson, Board Member
As a lifelong resident of Pierce County, Ed has always enjoyed helping others. From his Boy Scout days, his involvement in his church, and serving the community of Edgewood as Chief of Police, he gets more pleasure from giving than receiving. Ed is honored to be a part of the Mountain View Community Center and he looks forward to the future of the center and the people it will help.
Donald Mott, MD, Board Member
Don is a retired orthopedic surgeon and served as Chief Medical Officer for Good Samaritan Hospital from 2002-2008. Other accomplishments include serving as Past President of the Hospital Board & Foundation Board of Trustees, and as Past President of Puyallup YMCA and the Puyallup Rotary Club. Don has been an active member of Mountain View Lutheran Church since 1977. Don also served as chairman of the “Treasured Hearts” campaign which raised $1 million to build Mountain View Community Center.
Jon Petersen, Board Member
After many years of experience as a Lutheran parish pastor and hospital chaplain, Jon is convinced that all of us have basic needs that must be met in order to live full and healthy lives — adequate nutrition, good information for living, supportive relationships, and an awareness of a God greater than ourselves that gives us hope. Now that Jon is retired, the Community Center provides an opportunity for him to participate in helping others to experience a more complete and satisfying life.
Pastor Ben Quanbeck, ex oficio Liaison
Ben hails from Shepherd, Montana (northeast of Billings) where he grew up on a farm and ranch. Ben serves as associate pastor of Mountain View Lutheran Church. Ben was called to Mountain View Lutheran in 2008 with his wife (and fellow pastor) Jennifer. Ben’s education includes one year studying aviation at the University of North Dakota, four years at North Dakota State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, and four years in graduate school at Luther Seminary where he received a Master of Divinity degree. Ben has a passion for justice in the world and believes that one of the chief callings of the Christian in our world today is to advocate and provide for those on the margins of society. Ben serves on the Mountain View Community Center Board as a liaison between the church and the community center.
Nancy Strobel, Board Member
Nancy has been an educator in the Puyallup School District for 19 years, serving as a teacher, a principal, and a special education administrator during this time. She has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in special education. As part of her post-graduate work, she also obtained principal certification. She currently serves as principal of Mt. View Elementary School. Nancy is passionate about helping families and helping children, and sees her work with Mountain View Community Center as a natural way to expand her advocacy for children.
Julie Williams, Board Member
Julie has been a member of Mountain View Lutheran Church for nine years and is a cradle Lutheran. She has served in various ways in her church either as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, or in coordinating special events such as the 100-year celebration of Mountain View Lutheran Church. She served on the Mountain View Church Council for five years and was president of the congregation from June 2007 to May 2009. During her tenure on the Council, Julie worked to vision and assist the efforts of building the Mountain View Community Center. She has been employed by Pierce County government for 25 years, 15 of which have been with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department as the contract services manager. Julie recently was elected to the Mountain View Community Center Board of Directors and has a passion for servant leadership demonstrated in serving the neighbor or those in need.