Arland K. Nichols is president and founder of the St. John Paul II Foundation. Early in his career, as an educator and non-profit executive, he became a popular speaker and successful writer while he established the groundwork for the initiatives that would become the St. John Paul II Foundation. Arland launched the St. John Paul II Foundation in 2014 and he is author of the 4th edition of the Handbook on Critical Life Issues published in 2024 by the National Catholic Bioethics Center. Arland earned a B.A. in philosophy from Texas A&M, an M.Div. in Theology from University of St. Thomas, and pursued doctoral studies in bioethics at Regina Apostolorum in Rome. With the generous support of his wife, Cindy, and their ten children, Arland is blessed to lead the St. John Paul II Foundation as it serves, educates, and supports medical professionals, married couples, and clergy.
Scott Livingston currently serves as President, Energy Products and Services, one of two operating segments for NOV, comprising several businesses that provides the critical technologies, equipment, and services to safely maximize operational efficiency, reliability, and economics in the upstream oil and gas, renewables, and industrial markets. Scott has worked for NOV since 2001, garnering increasing levels of responsibilities with projects and operations for newbuild offshore vessels, including six years in Asia. After returning to Houston in 2012 Scott spent the remainder of his career leading business units involved in drilling and completions equipment before assuming his current role at the beginning of 2024 as Segment President, reporting to the CEO. Prior to joining NOV, Scott served 8 years in the US Air Force involved in maintenance, logistics, and program management for new aircraft weapons systems. Scott graduated from Texas A&M with a BS in Industrial Engineering, earned a MS in Logistics Management, and attended the Advanced Management Program at the Wharton Business School.
Jennifer Heerensperger is a wealth advisor at Segment Wealth Management, a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). After earning a BBA in Finance at Texas A&M, her career began at Segment, where she gained valuable experience by serving in nearly every role before becoming an advisor. She enjoys engaging directly with families, focusing on tax-efficient investment outcomes. Jen is blessed with a rich community of family and friends and enjoys spending much of her free time with them, especially the children. She eagerly partners with the John Paul II Foundation's vision to support and encourage families in building gospel cultures in their homes and communities.
Sandi Lemming has been a family practice medical doctor in Houston since 1999. She retired in 2020 after 18 years as a partner in Village Family Practice. Sandi holds Bachelor of Science degrees from Texas A&M University and the University of Texas Health Science Center, an MBA - finance from University of North Texas, and a Doctor of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine. She has previously served on the Board of Directors of the University of St. Thomas and various committees for both Strake Jesuit College Preparatory and Memorial Park Conservancy. It is her hope to help steer and spread the good works of the JP II Foundation, most especially with the Foundation’s Converging Roads initiative. She has been married to Jim Lemming since 1981 and has 3 sons with growing families of their own. Leisure time is spent enjoying family, golfing, reading, and trying new recipes.
Victor J. Quiñones, Jr., Technology Entrepreneur, has over 32 years of experience in executive leadership. He is a pioneer in The Cloud. He is the creator of The Q Fabric, a technology that allows workloads to scale accross many physical hosts. Mr. Quiñones co-founded Virtual-Q and has been its leader since 2009. He leads a network of highly skilled professionals and has the technical expertise to accomplish the goals set forth by the company. In addition, Mr. Quiñones has helped start, fund, and manage several other companies. Mr. Quiñones has a passion for helping clients achieve their goals utilizing the latest innovations in technology. Mr. Quiñones can help lead any company to success.
Jason Rathke leads PRT Offshore, a deepwater oil field services company based in Houston. He is responsible for global activities across all segments and provides direct oversight over operations, engineering and sales. Previously Mr. Rathke was the CFO of PRT Offshore and served in this role for ten years. Mr. Rathke has guided the Company through establishment of four international branches, the acquisition of a direct competitor’s assets doubling the surface equipment fleet, and the transition of the business from a family-backed business to a private equity partner and then later helped merge the business into a public company. Prior to this, Mr. Rathke held multiple leadership positions in accounting and finance including financial reporting manager at Southcross Energy and Multiview (Warburg Pincus owned). He began his career at PriceWaterhouseCoopers. A graduate of Texas A&M University with a Master of Science and Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Mr. Rathke resides in Houston, Texas with his wife and 6 children.
Lisa Stewart holds a BA in Speech Communication from Texas A&M University. She and her husband, Mark, have raised seven children and welcomed eight grandchildren, thus far. Lisa and Mark are one of the principal owners of Stewart Holdings, Inc., a family business consisting of several construction related entities, Keystone Concrete Placement and Stewart Builders being the most notable. Parishioners at Prince of Peace, Lisa and Mark are proud supporters of Catholic education, St. Mary’s seminary, and St. Mary’s Catholic Center in College Station, where their company recently constructed the beautiful new church. Additionally, they are active citizens and patriots, supporting numerous conservative causes and wounded military organizations. Lisa’s greatest joy is her faith and her family.
Chris Stravitsch is Co-founder of the St. John Paul II Foundation. He earned an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from St. Mary’s University, and a Doctor of Ministry from The Catholic University of America. He earned a B.A. in Psychology from Texas A&M University. Chris previously served as Director of College Formation at Assumption Seminary. He brings to the Foundation a wealth of experience in Church ministry and the unique ability to identify the most effective ways to evangelize spouses and families.
John Varkey is Chief Information Officer for a Fortune 500 company in Houston. He received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Rice University. John has served in leadership roles for several organizations and brings his experiences to the St John Paul II Foundation to proclaim the Good News about life and family through education and formation. He has been married since 1995 and has three adult children.
Senior Vice President, Professional & Executive Private Banking at Commerce National Bank
Director of Landfill Accounting, Waste Management, Inc.
Partner, EDGE Engineering & Science
Marine Manager, AIG
Former Talent and Human Resource Manager, Vinson & Elkins, LLP
President, Laudadio Polymers, Inc.
Partner, Holland & Knight, LLP
Partner, Marrs Ellis & Hodge, LLP
Medical Director, Texas Children’s Hospital
Chief Executive Officer, Main Line Contractors, LLC & Co-Owner of Mercy Creek Homes
Chief Executive Officer, Stellar Bank
Archbishop of Los Angeles
Archbishop of San Antonio
President, St. Anselm’s Abbey School
Director of Institutional Relations and Ethicist, The National Catholic Bioethics Center
President Emeritus, The National Catholic Bioethics Center
United States Air Force
Director of Theological Formation, The Institute for Priestly Formation
President and CEO, Servant Enterprises
Spiritual Advisor, Vicar for Clergy, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Spiritual Advisor, St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Houston, TX
Rector of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham
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