Boards

Diakon (from the Greek diaconia, meaning “one who serves”) was founded in January 2000 by the affiliation and later merger of Lutheran Services Northeast and Tressler Lutheran Services.

As a result of corporate restructuring and reorganizations in 2007, 2014, and 2024, the organization now consists of Diakon and its subsidiary Diakon Child, Family & Community Ministries (DCFCM) and several non-controlled HUD entities. The president/CEO serves as the chief executive officer of Diakon and DCFCM. The parent entity, Diakon, has specific approval rights involving its subsidiaries and is charged with the overall strategic vision. Diakon Child, Family & Community Ministries, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, provides a comprehensive range of social services for children, families, and adult individuals.

Diakon

(Front row L-R) Susan Schellenberg, Em Cole, Diane Batchik
(Back row L-R) Ken Mertz , Pete Knudsen,  Jennifer Schlegel, Scott Habecker, Maury Bobst
(Missing) Larry Delp

• Emried D. Cole, Jr., Esq., Chair, Retired Attorney, Delaware-Maryland Synod
• Kenneth G. Mertz II, CFA, Vice-Chair, Financial Advisor, Lower Susquehanna Synod
• Diane Batchik, National Security Professional, Delaware/Maryland Synod
• Maurice H. Bobst, Jr., Real Estate & Investment Manager, Lower Susquehanna Synod
• Larry Delp, Bank Executive, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
• Scott Habecker, Diakon President/CEO
• Paul Horger, Esq., Board Member Emeritus, Attorney, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod
• Pete Knudsen, Private Equity and Venture Capital
• Ms. Susan T. Schellenberg, Retired Court Administrator, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod
• Jennifer Schlegel, College Professor, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod

Diakon Child, Family & Community Ministries

(Front row L-R) Katrina Straker, Susan Schellenberg, The Rev. Chad Hebrink
(Back row L-R) The Rev. John Spangler, Jeff Boland, Rick Barger, Ken Mertz, Scott Habecker
(Missing) Ron Dreese

• Jeff Boland, Senior Living Services Consultant and Consultancy
• Rick Barger, Retired CFO, Lower Susquehanna Synod
• Ronald P. Dreese, Financial Advisor, Upper Susquehanna Synod
• Scott Habecker, Diakon President/CEO
• Rev. Chad Hebrink, Pastor, Upper Susquehanna Synod
• Katrina Klettke-Straker, Chair, Nonprofit Chief Development Officer, Delaware-Maryland Synod
• Kenneth G. Mertz II, CFA, Financial Advisor, Lower Susquehanna Synod
• Susan T. Schellenberg, Retired Court Administrator, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod
• The Rev. John Spangler, Clergy, Lower Susquehanna Synod