PRESS RELEASE [PDF]

For more information contact:
Fr. Justin Mathews
Executive Director & CEO
Info@FOCUSna.org or 1-866-267-3083

BRIAN GERICH JOINS FOCUS NORTH AMERICA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
October 23, 2009 – Kansas City, MO

The Board of Directors for FOCUS North America is now one stronger. Brian Gerich, Senior Vice
President of Public Storage Inc., and an outstanding Orthodox Christian, recently joined the board
and is committed to help carry out the mission of the organization.

Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Gerich has been one of the most critical members of the
Board of Trustees of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary since 1989 and Co-Chair of
their first major capital campaign. He has also been awarded The Order of St. Sava, 3rd Degree,
from the Serbian Church, one of the Serbian Church’s highest honors.

And in May 2007, he was awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor. He was chosen to
receive this award out of thousands of nominees because of his dedication and leadership
qualities in community service and helping others.

Charles Ajalat, Chairman of the Board is thrilled to have Mr. Gerich, such a faithful servant of the
Church, on the Board of Directors. He said: “FOCUS North America is blessed to have an
outstanding board of directors and is honored to welcome to our board, Brian Gerich, one of this
nation’s most outstanding Orthodox Christian laymen, and a leading layman of the Serbian
Archdiocese.”

The board is intentionally pan-orthodox in its makeup, composed of individuals from the following
backgrounds: Greek, Antiochian, OCA, Carpatho-Russian and Serbian, which is helping to unify
the church together. The Board includes Charles Ajalat, Chairman, William Hoeft, Vice Chairman,
Dr. Julie Papatheofanis, Secretary, V. Rev. Fr. Tom Avramis, Lory Barsdate Easton, the
Executive Director, Fr. Justin Mathews, and now, Mr. Brian Gerich.

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FOCUS North America and its programs are committed to serve those in need, support Orthodox Christian social action ministries and supply parishes and others with the education, resources and training to initiate social action ministries in their own communities. In all of this, they continue in the work of Restoring Living Icons.

FOCUS North America is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. Donations can be made online at
www.FOCUSNorthAmerica.org or checks can be made out to “FOCUS North America” and sent to:
PO BOX 30117, Kansas City, MO 64112