ST. LEO'S SOUP KITCHEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Matthew Durak
Board President

Matt Durack grew up in Detroit and attended Precious Blood Grade School and St Francis de Sales High School. Matt embarked on a 40+ year career in the foodservice industry as owner of a multi-unit contracting company in metro Detroit. This included 14 years at the Engineering Society of Detroit where he also served on the Board of Directors of B.U.O.Y. -13 (Business United with Officers for Youth - Detroit's 13th Precinct) primarily benefiting the Considine Recreation Center in the New Center Area.

He is past chairman of the board of the Michigan Restaurant Association and is a current board member of the board of St Leo's Soup Kitchen as well as active with the Oxford/Orion FISH food pantry and various ministries at St Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Orion. Matt enjoys the loving support of his wife, Vicki, and his two children

Gerald “Jerry” MacEachern
Board Treasurer

St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen Treasurer Jerry MacEachern was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He served in the U.S. Navy and was responsible for all supplies for the air squadron on the USS Lake Chaplain. After his military service he attended Dearborn Junior College and Lawrence Technical College. Jerry joined Ford Motor Company as a tool and die apprentice. He retired as a manufacturing engineering manager after 37 years. Jerry then joined A.O. Smith as part of a team building and facilitating a plant in China.

Jerry is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. He is a regular volunteer at the Soup Kitchen. Jerry has obtained the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.

Elizabeth Zatina
Board Secretary

Elizabeth Zatina is a lifelong resident of the Detroit area. She is a graduate of Dominican High School, Wayne State University, and the University of Michigan Law School. She practiced law for more than 40 years, primarily in the Automotive sector.

Liz has been a regular volunteer at St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen for many years. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Soup Kitchen since the formation of the 501(c)(3) in 2017. Working at the Soup Kitchen helps Liz combine her passion for the culinary arts with service to those in need. She is also a literacy tutor, a volunteer language partner, and participates in various faith-based ministries. Liz has obtained the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.

Steven A, Gadzinski
Board Director

Steve was born in Detroit, Michigan and attended St. Hyacinth Grade School, St. Anthony High School, and graduated from Cousino High School. Steve received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University. Upon graduation, Steve joined Ford Motor Company putting into production the first electronically controlled truck transmission. Steve also invented, patented and put into production a wireless lead frame connector system. Steve retired after 33 years in the automotive industry.

While working at Ford, Steve attended evening CEU classes at Schoolcraft Culinary College. He learned many cooking techniques and studied grilling, bread baking, soups, stews, steak and roast preparation, and other classes. He has held his ServSafe Food Managers certification for the past 15 years and continues to practice safe food preparation.

Steve has volunteered at St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen since 1995. He organized the Saturday Soup Kitchen volunteer groups. He also prepared meals at St. Patrick’s Senior Center in the Detroit Cass Corridor. Additionally, at his parish of St. Jane Frances de Chantal, he prepared four course meals for Vicariate luncheons, Monks Meals, and the Alpha program.

Steve is the Chief Design Judge for the global Intercollegiate Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC) held annually at Oakland University. Steve and his wife, Karen, enjoy being with their family and their five grandchildren.

Valgene Hill, Jr. 

Since his conversion and baptism to Catholicism, Valgene Hill has always been devoted to spiritualism and Christian service.  He has served on the Parish Council of St. Leo's and was an organist and choir member.  Valgene was installed as a Minister of Service and assigned to St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen in 2004. 

During his military service in the U.S. Air Force, Valgene was drawn to the chaplaincy, helping all the clergy, Catholic or not, during their visits. In the military, this position of "chaplain’s assistant" was always in need.  Valgene was given a letter of appreciation for working with the poor while serving in Turkey.   

Valgene worked as an electrician at the Budd Company, retiring after 30 years.  During this training he earned various diplomas in computer programming, hydraulic design, quality control in production, and robotic line production maintenance. 

Valgene has served St. Leo's Parish and Soup Kitchen for over 60 years.  He has pledged a lifetime of service, by his oath as a Minister of Service.

Ed Kronk 

Ed Kronk was born and raised in the City of Detroit, attending Precious Blood Grade School and the University of Detroit Jesuit High School.  He is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and the University of Michigan Law School.  He practiced law for forty years with Butzel Long in Detroit and is now of counsel to Brooks Wilkins Sharkey and Turco in Birmingham, MI.  Ed has held leadership positions in a variety of legal organizations. He served on the Boards of U of D Jesuit High School, including two years as Board Chair, and Marian High School. 

Ed joined the Board of St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen in 2018 and has been a regular volunteer in the kitchen serving guests.  He holds a ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification

Victoria Roberts 

United States District Court Judge Victoria Roberts sits in Detroit and has been a federal judge for 23 years. Before then she practiced law in various venues in the City of Detroit. She grew up in the city and has lived in Detroit most of her life.  Judge Roberts is a product of its Catholic schools: St. Elizabeth, Visitation, and a 1969 valedictory graduate of St. Martin de Porres High School.  

In her present church affiliation, Life Church Riverside Detroit, Judge Roberts facilitated that church’s generosity in partnership with Trader Joe’s, to make a weekly donation of fresh produce to SLSK until the June flood.  She also facilitated a monthly donation to the SLSK through the Amazon “Good for Goods” program. This program brought up to $1000 of kitchen and pantry supplies to SLSK each month.  

Judge Roberts has served on the board of SLSK since 2019 and is committed to its reopening and service to Detroit. 

William C. Samuels 

A life-long Detroiter, William C. Samuels (“Will”) attended both St. Leo grade and high schools, R.E.T.S. Technical Academy, Wayne County Community College and Wayne State University.  Will’s career in the electronics field spanned over 40 years during which he worked at General Electric and Detroit Edison.  During those years Will was also involved in community service projects such as Habitat for Humanity, Paint The Town and St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.  

St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen has remained an ongoing passion as Will has seen so many benefit from its placement in the community.  He looks forward to continuing to work with the Soup Kitchen in whatever capacity he is needed.

Barbara Williams 

Barbara Williams was born and raised in the City of Detroit.  She attended St. Leo grade and high school, and she studied at the University of Detroit and Wayne State University.  She was employed with the Detroit Public Library for more than 30 years.  She has been a Long Term Care Ombudsman Volunteer for " Citizens for Better Care".   Barbara has also been an Advisor for the St. Leo’s Chapter of the Detroit Action Commonwealth (DAC).  Barbara has helped St. Leo’s provide meals to the poor since 1960.