1-800-488-1890 | 724-731-0094 info@nsslife.org Our executive officers and directors are an important part of the NSS Life family. Get to know them by learning who they are, their positions and even their interests by clicking on the links below. Executive Officers JOSEPH STEFKA, JR., FIC Background Information: Married to Annette Daughter – Ashley, Son-in-law – Brett, Grandson – Carson Bachelor of Science in Education – Indiana University of Pennsylvania Master of Education – Indiana University of Pennsylvania Administrative Certificate – California University of Pennsylvania Superintendent Letter of Eligibility – Franciscan University of Steubenville, University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University Retired Superintendent of Schools Offices Currently Held: President – National Slovak Society President – Region 5 National Slovak Society Financial Secretary – Assembly 588 National Slovak Society Personal Interests: Spending time with family and friends, golf, reading, watching sports Other Interests: Former Tribunal Member of National Slovak Society Former National Fraternal Activity Director of National Slovak Society LINDA M. STROM I have held the position of Secretary/Treasurer, CFO of the National Slovak Society for the past 10 years. 22 years prior to this I served as a member of the Board of Directors. As a Director the knowledge gained was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the responsibilities of the office I hold today. The one thing that I am most proud of is the remarkable growth of the society. Making sure our members are comfortable knowing that their investments are safe with NSS is a top priority. Providing the necessary tools and information to our members is essential in this day and age as our members use technology to manage their lives and their family’s assets. In 2015 we celebrated our 125th Anniversary as the “oldest Slovak Fraternal” in the United States. I am very proud of my heritage and my family’s deep history in serving the NSS beginning in 1928 with my grandfather. I am reminded on a daily basis why they worked so hard to keep the National Slovak Society alive. My education and experience have given me a strong foundation in successfully maintaining a leadership role in both the National Slovak Society and in the fraternal community as evidenced below. 2014 Pennsylvania Fraternal Alliance John Jordan Upchurch Awardee 2013 President and prior Board Member of the Pennsylvania Fraternal Alliance 2011 President and prior Board Member of the Fraternal Societies of Greater Pittsburgh 2010 President and prior Board Member of the Secretaries Section of the American Fraternal Alliance National Secretary/Treasurer of the National Slovak Society of the USA for 10 years National Director and Secretary of the Board of Directors of the NSS for 22 years Member and Secretary of the NSS Executive/Investment Committee since 2006 A 34 1/2 year career with the H.J. Heinz Company in Pittsburgh, PA with responsibilities rooted solely in Corporate and Affiliate Financial processes. Member of Heinz-Del Monte Credit Union Supervisory Committee for over 5 years. Earned a Bachelor’s degree from Point Park University in Computer Sciences and a Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Library Science/Information Technology. ROBERT F. KATRICAK Robert (Bob) Katricak has been a lifelong member of Assembly 160, Lorain Ohio. He currently serves as Financial Secretary/Treasurer of this Assembly. He is a Past President of the Ohio Fraternal Alliance and has represented the National Slovak Society at American Fraternal Alliance, Ohio Fraternal Alliance and Michigan Fraternal Alliance meetings. In 2009, he was named the Ohio Fraternal Alliance Fraternalist of the Year. Bob is excited to take on the challenge of the position of Chairman of the Board. He has been on the Board since 1995. He has served on various committees including Executive, Audit, Compensation, CyberSecurity, Fraternal, Assembly Growth and Membership Growth. He was Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee before assuming the Chairman of the Board position. His wife Chris, four children, daughter-in-law, son-in-law and grandchildren, along with other family, are members of the National Slovak Society. Bob is the Internal Auditor and a member of the Executive Management team at First Federal Savings in Lorain, Ohio. He received both a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Cleveland State University. He has been licensed as a Certified Public Accountant by the State of Ohio since 1980 and is a Chartered Global Management Accountant. In addition, he is licensed by the State of Ohio as an Insurance Agent, and he has memberships in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Institute of Internal Auditors. Board of Directors MICHAEL J. CZARNEY Michael has been a member of the National Slovak Society (NSS) for over 30 years and has been active in both his local assembly and at the national level. He has a rich family history linked to NSS. His great grandfather, great uncle, grandfather, uncle and father have all been officers of assembly 160 in Lorain, Ohio. He is currently the elder for assembly 160. He also is the Vice President of the American Slovak Club in Lorain, Ohio. Over the past 15 years he has held positions within financial institutions and worked in the insurance industry with Progressive Corporation for 5 years. Michael received a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relation from Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan. He has held his license to sell life and health variables for the State of Ohio as well as completed the Legal Principles Claims Specialist from the American Educational Institute INC. Michael now a stay at home parent, enjoys spending time with his wife Randi, son Cash, family and friends. He is an avid golfer and bowler and enjoys many other sports such as soccer and volleyball where he plays recreationally on co-ed teams. He also enjoys traveling with his family. Destinations for their bi-annual cruise he’s taken them to have included Italy, Spain, South American and all the Caribbean Islands. Michael is also passionate about raising money for the American Cancer Society. He has been part of Team Fighting for a Cure, a Relay for Life team in Elyria, Ohio, for the past 6 years. In those 6 years the team created, managed and organized many events to raise money. Their biggest event, an annual Tee’d Off for Cancer golf outing, has taken place the past 5 years. Proceeds from the golf outing and other events has allowed the team to raise over $80,000 in charitable donations. LAUREN A. FOX Work in progress. ANDREA L. GARBON My name is Andrea Garbon and I have had the privilege of being a lifelong member of the National Slovak Society. I am a magna cum laude graduate from Seton Hill University located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. My degree is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Marketing with an emphasis in Accounting. I am currently employed as the Tax Collector for Mount Pleasant Township in Westmoreland County Pennsylvania. As the tax collector I am responsible for preparing and collecting tax payments, along with distributing the monies to the appropriate authorities. I perform all necessary accounting functions along with generating monthly and year end reports in order to comply with regulations mandated by the state and local authorities. I am also responsible for maintaining the office that I work out of along with all of its finances, daily business operations and public relations. Prior to my employment as Tax Collector, I was employed by Latrobe Brewing Company in Latrobe, Pennsylvania for 15 years where I was responsible for various production and quality control operations until the company was sold and operations were suspended. Additional employment that has coincided with the above include Eat ‘n Park Hospitality Group and United Parcel Service (UPS) where I have had the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and abilities necessary in the business and its operations along with establishing communication skills, and a strong work ethic all of which can be an integral part of the opportunities encountered throughout life. My family and I come from a long line of NSS Life Members. This will be the fourth convention at which I am a delegate and have been in attendance at other conventions as a guest. I am currently the secretary for Assembly 737 in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania and an auditor for Region 5 McMurray, Pennsylvania having held these positions for several years. And now I serve the NSS as a member of the Board of Directors. ABIGAIL A. GROSS ESQ Abigail Gross graduated from Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. While working in the public relations field, she earned a second bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cedar Crest College. Thereafter, Abigail received a juris doctor from The Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law. After graduation, she began working for a large Philadelphia insurance defense firm where she gained valuable experience handling workers’ compensation matters. By 2013, Abigail opened her solo practice utilizing her experience in the workers’ compensation arena. She continues to represent injured workers across Eastern PA. Abigail frequently appears before Workers’ Compensation Judges and she has argued many cases before the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. From 2012-2016, she has consistently been recognized by Philadelphia Magazine as a “Pennsylvania Super Lawyer – Rising Star”, an honor held by less than 5% of practicing attorneys. Abigail is also a member of the Pennsylvania and Lehigh County Bar Associations. In 2015, Abigail became certified by the Pennsylvania Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Law Section as a specialist in the practice of workers’ compensation law. Abigail is a proud Slovak and has been a lifelong member of the National Slovak Society. She is an active member of Assembly L102 and has been honored to serve as a National Director since 2015. She is dedicated to the mission of the society and to the positive impact that fraternals have on the community as a whole. Abigail is a Lehigh Valley native. She currently resides in Fogelsville with her husband, Michael, and sons, Elliot and Oliver. Bar Memberships: New Jersey, 2007 Pennsylvania, 2007 Affiliations: Pennsylvania Bar Association Lehigh County Bar Association Member of the Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Committees Lehigh County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) SUSAN M. ONDREJCO Mrs. Susan Ondrejco has had the privilege of serving as a Director since 2002. Throughout her tenure, Susan continues to support the Society’s mission of providing “fraternal family members financial security via life and annuity products” by serving on Board Committees, recruiting new members through new policy sales as a Fraternal Sales Agent, and acting as a good steward of the Society’s finances as both a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and through her local assembly and region roles. In addition to her 30+ years of experience and affiliation with Slovak Fraternal Benefit Societies, Susan has attended workshops and conferences to stay abreast of current industry issues. Her dedication to continuous learning along with her wealth of experience allows Susan to act in the Society’s best interest, promoting financial security for the society and its members. While demonstrating a strong commitment to the Society’s financial mission, Susan has made significant contributions to the Society’s social mission of “offering charitable, cultural, social, and educational opportunities” for the benefit of members and their communities. Her dedication to the creation and upkeep of the Society’s Heritage Museum has produced a cultural asset that differentiates the National Slovak Society from other fraternal benefit societies across the United States. Susan is passionate about Slovak culture and heritage. Since the late 1970s she has served as Co-Host and Co-Producer of the Western PA Slovak Radio Hour and Co-Director of The Pittsburgh Slovakians Folk Ensemble. She founded the Junior Pittsburgh Slovakians in 1991 and is a current member of the Western PA Slovak Day Committee, and an advisory board member of the Western PA Slovak Cultural Association. Because of her dedication to her Slovak heritage and the Slovak people, Susan has been awarded two Medals of Honor from the Slovak Embassy for her contributions to the Slovak Community. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Susan is the wife of Rudolf Ondrejco and the mother of four daughters. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Duquesne University and has been Co-Owner and Secretary/Treasurer of the family owned business, Rudy’s Auto Service, Inc., since 1994. KAREN LYNNE ORBAN “Work in Progress” JOHN G. PAYERCHIN I am the third of four children of Paul and Susan Payerchin. My father is a past National Secretary Treasurer and National Director. I have been blessed with three children: John, Mackenzie and Alena. I love spending time with my family, golfing, hockey, playing the guitar and am somewhat of a computer geek. My career started in 1991 with the Gabriel Brothers Inc. as a warehouse/stock person and In 1993 I became the Assistant Manager of Premier Graphics, a screen printing division of Gabriel Brothers, Inc. I joined Art Snyder Sanitary Supply Company, in 1994 as a warehouse supervisor and within one year became the warehouse manager. In 1997, I was promoted to supervisor of customer service and inside sales. The company was purchased by Janitors Supply Co, Inc., based in Erie, PA, in March of 1999. By the fall of 1999, I moved to outside sales, a position I held until I left in 2008. Because of my industrial cleaning experience, I partnered with a high school friend to establish a start-up janitorial supply and service corporation. Apex Cleaning Supply, Inc. was launched in February of 2008. I have been a member of a fraternal family since birth when I became a member of the United Lutheran Society, which is now part of the Greater Beneficial Union of Pittsburgh. My membership in the National Slovak Society started in 1994. I became the president of Assembly 0039, in 2005 and today am honored to be a member of the Board of Directors of NSS. ANDREW J. WESNAK Greetings! I have had the honor and privilege of serving the members of the National Slovak Society as a director for the last 10 years. I am 58 years old and married to my wonderful wife Sharon for 26 years. We have 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. Our immediate family and friends are all members of the NSS. After finishing college at Temple University where I attended on a football scholarship and played on a nationally ranked team in the late 70’s, my business career has gone in many different directions. My first position was assistant manager of receiving at a local department store followed by employment with the Atlantic Contracting construction company holding positions as job foreman, estimator and project manager. Unfortunately the company closed and I gained employment with Lucent Technologies serving on the board of directors for local 1522 IBEW union. After the plant was sold and the work went overseas, I joined the construction labor union 1174 and have been with them for many years serving as union job steward, auditor, and sergeant at arms. On the fraternal side, I have been a member of several Slovak societies since birth. First with the first Slovak Wreath of the Free Eagle and then, via merger in 1997, with the National Slovak Society. I have been actively involved in the fraternal system with my great grandmother, grandmother, and mother, all part of the founding group and management of the FSWFE. At the completion of college I became president of region 14 and assembly L102. With the hard work of the members and officers, assembly L102 has achieved the diamond or platinum level designation every year since our merger with the NSS. I am involved in several umbrella groups that bring fraternal organizations together as regional alliances located all across the country. I have attended meetings of the Pennsylvania Fraternal Alliance which serves fraternals across the state of Pennsylvania. And this year I have the honor and privilege of serving as president of the New York-New Jersey Fraternal Alliance which serves the eastern united states. It is my aim to follow in the footsteps of the fraternal leaders of my family by continuing to serve as a director of the National Slovak Society. Contact Us National Slovak Society 351 Valley Brook Road McMurray, PA 15317-3337 Phone: (724) 731-0094 Toll Free: 1 (800) 488-1890 Fax: (724) 731-0145 Office Hours: Mon - Thurs: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Friday: 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM info@nsslife.org sales@nsslife.org Latest News Septemberfest 2021 From the President’s Desk NSS Life 2020 Family Fun Day Latest Articles Employee Benefit Plan Start a Roth IRA Now 2020 Retirement Literacy Survey Upcoming Events NOVEMBER, 2021 Site Map Home Insurance Products Annuity Products Membership Events Media Fraternal About NSS ©2020. NSS Life. All Rights Reserved. Concept Developed by Apotheom, LLC