Thank you for participating in the Carpatho-Rusyn Society’s 2024 election. Please review the candidate bios below and then complete the ballot at the end of this page within 30 days. If you have any questions about the election or candidates, please contact Jim Kaminski: jkaminski@c-rs.org. If you have any questions about using the ballot, or experience technical issues, please contact Dani Stuchel: dstuchel@c-rs.org.
Candidates
Benjamin Demko: Growing up I didn’t know much about my heritage, except for the foods my Baba cooked, the Eastern Orthodox Church I sometimes attended, and the occasional vague stories told to me about family in Slovakia and Romania. It wasn’t until many years later that as an adult, I began pursuing serious genealogy research and patching together the story of my ancestors. That story turned out to be a fascinating journey my great-grandparents undertook, from a small farming village in the Carpathian foothills of north-eastern Slovakia, to the dangerous coal mines of western Pennsylvania, and ultimately to the hard-scrabble steel mills of Lorain, Ohio. It was a journey that ultimately provided my grandparents with the resources and stability to allow my father to attend university, and launch a successful career in education administration, which in turn, allowed me to pursue my education and career goals. This research led me to the Carpatho-Rusyn Society, where I found a wealth of information about the Carpatho-Rusyn people, their fascinating history and culture. I believe C-RS provides a valuable resource in telling this history and keeping alive this ancient culture that, were it not for such organizations as ours, could be quickly forgotten. This is why I am honored to be a member of C-RS, and to assist in furthering the Society’s mission.
I currently serve as SVP, Director of Applied Economics for Key Bank in Cleveland, where I analyze economic and geopolitical risks (with a focus on credit risk), as well as industry and market conditions. I also advise on economic forecasting and bank stress testing, as well as communicate with bank clients and stakeholders on many aspects of economic and industry risks. I hold a B.A. in History from The Ohio State University, an M.A. in Social History and Policy from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and an M.B.A. in Finance from Cleveland State University.
Tim Felegie: My father’s parents emigrated from Nizhny Tvarosec in present-day Slovakia circa 1895. They initially settled in Johnstown and lived in a few other places in western PA. (My mother’s parents are of English descent.) I was not aware of the specifics of their background until several years ago.
As CFO of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society, I keep books using Quickbooks, reconcile monthly bank and investment statements, prepare and file annual Form 990, file annual registration documents with states, prepare monthly financial statements for the board of directors, prepare other reports for the board of directors, as needed, prepare annual budget, and chair the finance committee.
Christine Hrichak: I have been interested in my heritage for many years, and have been actively pursuing my Carpatho-Rusyn roots for about 20 years. I enjoy sharing information using maps, data analysis, and photography. My topics of interest range from genealogy and local history (especially in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey) to Carpatho-Rusyn geography and culture. I have previous experience as Chief Information Officer of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society, and have worked on various C-RS committees for 5 years. In 2023 I participated in the Studium Carpatho-Ruthenorum in Prešov, Slovakia, which further deepened my interest in preserving and growing Carpatho-Rusyn culture into the future.
Mary Kuna: Growing up in Northeastern, Pennsylvania, I was raised in a Polish Catholic household. We were incredibly proud of our Eastern European heritage. My family talked a bit about heritage back to great grandparents, but no one really knew stories of how they arrived here in the United States. It was not until I moved out of the area and traveled abroad where people started to ask me about my ethnicity. They thought I had a more Slovak/Turkish appearance. I decided to do some further digging and learned that a large portion of my family actually would call themselves Russians and practiced Byzantine Catholicism. When I learned about the Carpatho-Rusyn people, I discovered a great deal more to the stories my great grandparents would not share. I learned of the rich history of the Rusyn people and began to pull apart traditions that were Rusyn instead of Polish. It has been an incredible journey and I am still working to understand the deep cultural nuisances of my ancestry. When I discovered the Carpatho-Rusyn Society, I discovered more than I ever thought possible and finally felt a connection to my history that was gently masked in the more understood Polish culture that had taken root in the United States. It’s been a beautiful journey and hopefully I can learn more and bring more to the legacy of the Carpatho-Rusyn people.
I have a BS in Political Science from the University of Scranton and a MA in Urban Affairs in Public Policy from the University of Delaware. Currently I am the Executive Director of the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities. My organization provides housing assistance and removal of blighted properties for the 250,000+ residents of Cumberland County, PA. I am the president of the Mechanicsburg Chamber Board of Commerce and previously was Board Secretary for the Anthracite Heritage Museum of Pennsylvania. I have served on numerous boards throughout my career which has taken me across multiple states in the field of economic development. I have recently been appointed to the Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors and am actively engaged in work with our local elected officials to expand programs/funding. I find my skill set is in policy development.
Mary Ann Sromovski has served as a board member of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society for two years, recently focusing on updating the website and enhancing social media presence. She is actively involved in the Northeast chapter and participates in the Philadelphia and other national regional chapters. In addition to her board role, Mary Ann is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner in Pennsylvania and works as a Program Manager for a large hospital system. She has authored several papers in peer-reviewed journals and has been invited to speak on topics like blood management, ethics, and patient outcomes in numerous states and countries.
Alexander Wasenda: My deep interest in Rusyn culture stems from a fascination with its rich history and vibrant traditions, which reflect a unique blend of Eastern European influences. Being a first generation American to Lemko parents, I have been cognizant of my cultural identity being shaped by both historical challenges and enduring resilience. This cultural passion is complemented by my professional background, where I have spent three years in private industry specializing in financial accounting, honing my analytical skills and attention to detail. Currently, my role as a business manager for a large library, overseeing a budget exceeding three million dollars, has further developed my expertise in financial oversight and strategic planning. Together, my cultural enthusiasm and professional experience fuel my desire to explore and contribute to the preservation and celebration of Rusyn heritage. I look forward to joining the board and the future of C-RS!
