Gregory Favre has roots in Louisiana and Mississippi. He and his
wife, Bea, raised their two children (Monica, a member of St.
John’s, and Jeff, national correspondent for The Lutheran) in
Lutheran churches across the country, as Gregory pursued his
journalism career. He served as executive editor of the
Sacramento Bee and VP/News for McClatchy Newspapers. He continues
to teach in journalism seminars in retirement. At St. John’s,
Gregory has served as Council President, on numerous committees,
and, with Bea, chaired our last Capital Campaign.
Growing up in Northern Virginia, Mike Beckwith represented the
youth of his Lutheran church on a call committee for Christ the
King Church. He attended West Point, spent five years as an Army
officer, and is currently a federal prosecutor. He and his wife,
Michele, find St. John’s a great church home for young
professionals in Sacramento and look forward to raising their
family here.
Gwynnae Byrd, the daughter of a mother who served as an Associate
in Ministry in the ELCA and as Assistant to the Bishop, knows a
lot about the work of the church. She and her husband, Chris
Dawson, find St. John’s a great place to raise their almost
8-year-old twins, Lucas and Cedeira. Gwynnae’s career includes 17
years working in and around the CA Legislature on public policy
and writing State legislation. She is also a small business owner
specializing in home organizing, move management, and business
efficiency.
Leslie Dunsworth served St. John’s as a long-term member of the
Council, including a term as Council President and continues as a
member of the Personnel and Operating Trust Committees. After
raising her two children and serving as a government manager in
Nevada, she attended law school at McGeorge and has worked as
legal counsel for SMUD for almost 20 years. Grandmother of six
grandchildren, Leslie cherishes time with family. She also loved
her recent experience as a mentor in Luminaria.
Vicki Ibarra is a life-long Lutheran who has served in
lay-leadership roles in other congregations. Here at St. John’s,
she and her husband Bob have been Luminaria mentors and
Eucharistic Servers. Professionally, Vicki has worked for
Sacramento County for 18 years and is currently a Program Manager
for the Department of Human Assistance, serving the
disadvantaged.
Dennis Jones, Vice President of the Council, has served in court
systems across the country for more than 40 years. He has just
retired as Executive Officer of the Sacramento Superior Courts.
Dennis and his wife, Mary, are both involved in activities here
at St. John’s, including Sanctuary Choir and St. John’s Forum.
Family and church are a major focus for their family.
Dave Lesher, a Council member, comes from a family of Lutheran
pastors, including his father who also served as president at two
seminaries and as President of the Parliament for the World’s
Religions. Dave, however, chose journalism as a career, spending
many years at the LA Times. Now Director of Government Affairs
for the Public Policy Institute of California, Dave and his wife,
Laura-Lynne Powell, value the role the church can play in the
lives of youth, including their two sons, Chris and Tim. Dave
volunteers with Family Promise and Safe Ground.
