PARTNERS WITH HAITI
Steering Committee
Jim Stitt, President
Jim and his wife, Loretta, first traveled to Haiti in 1999. He has been an active member of PWH since its founding, and its President since 2008. He has been to Haiti many times and in 2010 helped establish a full-time clinic in a remote region of La Gonave. He is retired from a 35 year career with Duke Energy in various management and executive positions. He holds engineering and management degrees. Loretta and Jim have three grown children and five grandchildren. They are active members of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. From 2002 to 2003 they hosted two teenage medical patients from Haiti.
Lou Pekrul, Ministry Coordinator
Lou first traveled to Haiti with his wife, Peggy, in 2002. After that trip he took on the responsibility of ministry coordinator for PWH. Now retired from a a 44-year teaching career, his work with the ministry focuses on recruitment and on improving the educational opportunities for students at our twin parish schools. He has lead multiple mission trips to Haiti.
Christine McAlarney, Treasurer
Christine McAlarney has been an active member of Partners With Haiti since 2016. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors and on the Executive Committee as the Treasurer. Christine is a CPA and holds a Master of Accounting and Bachelor of Business Administration. She is a shareholder at Mayer Hoffman McCann where she provides audit and financial reporting services to both domestic and international clients. Christine, her husband, Hank are active members of St. Paul’s Catholic Church and their two oldest daughters attend St. Paul’s Catholic School.
Joseph DiVito, Secretary
Joe Divito is a shareholder in the law firm of DiVito, Higham & Vasti, P.A., in St. Petersburg, Florida. He holds a Bachelors degree from Spring Hill College, and a Juris Doctorate from Stetson University. His practice specialties include representation of non-profit organizations, and his firm serves as general council for the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg. He has been named to “Who’s Who in American Law and has been recognized as one of Tampa Bay’s Top Lawyers. He is active in St. Paul Catholic Church, and serves as a board member and corporate secretary for Partners with Haiti.
Michael Konczal
Michael is the retired owner of a marine equipment business. He joined PWH 2012 after reading in the church bulletin the ministry was looking for someone who could take a corn grinder to Haiti and train the people on its operation and maintenance. After his initial trip, he stayed on to help with follow-up maintenance on the grinder and was subsequently appointed to lead agriculture and clean water projects.One of his favorite memories of Haiti is of quiet star-lit nights with good friends outside the minstry's mountain clinic !
Alison Cobb
After joining PWH, Alison took her first trips to Haiti in March 2016 and October 2017. Her visits to La Gonave and Anse-a-Galet have inspired her to continue returning to Haiti for years to come. Her work with PWH centers on communications, website design, social media presence, and fundraising. She is married with two young children.
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