Andy is recently retired from a long career in IT, which included many years with Mercy Hospitals in Clinton and Dubuque, and most recently as a Data Automation Engineer at Dupaco Credit Union, Andy joined St. Mark’s part-time in October 2025.
His introduction to St. Mark’s came through the summer programming at Camp Burton, in a partnership with Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America). As a volunteer BSA District Commissioner, Andy worked with St. Mark’s youth, teaching outdoor skills including fire building, cooking, and nutrition.
Andy and his wife, Carolyn, live in Bellevue and have three grown children. Besides getting fulfillment from working with youth in Scouting, he enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities including kayaking, canoeing, camping and hiking, and loves to travel—especially by train. A lifelong baseball fan, Andy follows the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago Cubs with equal enthusiasm.
Born in Minnesota and raised in Ogle County, Illinois, Andy is a graduate of Loras College and holds a master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Western Illinois University.
Working Genius
Wonder & Enablement
LEADERSHIP
Dawn Cogan
Executive Director
Amanda Avenarius
Associate Director
Amelia Foley
Director of Programs
Jenna Johnson
Assistant Director of Programs
DANIELLE WILLIS
Director of Early Childhood
Ashley Hinzmann
Assistant Director of Early Childhood
Kaitlin Schmidt
Director of Strategic Resources
COORDINATORS
Abby Lawrence
Office Coordinator
ALLYSON AVENARIUS
Strategic Resources Coordinator
Dakota Dix
Program Coordinator
Matt McCarthy
Program Coordinator
Jen Gesie
Early Childhood Lead Classroom Coordinator
Grace Jackson
Early Childhood Lead Classroom Coordinator
Nicole Salyer
Early Childhood Lead Classroom Coordinator
Lilly Connolly
Early Childhood Classroom Coordinator
Lindsey Regan
Early Childhood Classroom Coordinator
Special Projects
Andy Draus
Special Project Support
Unless noted, photos ©Robin Hoerner of RH Photography. Used with permission.