Board of Directors at Upper Room of Erie
As a tax exempt, non-profit organization, the Upper Room of Erie is governed by a Board of Directors. The board is comprised of wonderful volunteer staff members and caring citizens from the Erie area. The members of the board are passionate about our mission and meet regularly to go over finances, monitor and assist program planning, and ensure that everything is running smoothly at The Upper Room of Erie.
Dr. Cris Taylor
Executive Director
email: director@upperroomerie.org
Cris spent twenty-six years in business, of which twenty years he owned and operated a two-store supermarket company and restaurants. He sold the company in 2003 and finished his PhD in Research Psychology through the Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara, CA., Harold Able School of Behavioral Science in Minnesota, and Medical University of South Carolina. He focused on research that explored and assessed addictions, sexual offense, and trauma.
Cris retired in 2012, at which time he sought a way to give back to the Erie community by way of volunteering. He came to The Upper Room as Executive Director in 2014 upon the retirement of its founder, Tom Schlaudecker.
In four years he has expanded the basic mission of the Upper Room to include women’s needs, expanded distribution of clothing and other items, and developed programs aimed at community safety and collaboration with other Erie Services for the poor and homeless.
Rev. Carl Hull (Retired)
Board Member
Rev. Hull is a retired Presbyterian minister who served five congregations over forty-one years of service. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Grove City college and Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Prior to his retirement, Carl served St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Erie. It was here that he learned of the Upper Room and its mission to help and serve the poor and homeless of Erie.
Rev. Hull came to the Upper Room as its Chaplain in 2006, and has served most recently as board president. He and Dr. Taylor work hand-in-hand to assure the purpose and mission are at the forefront of activities, while continuing to expand services to better meet the needs of those less fortunate in the Erie Community.
Richard Haire
Board Member
Rick has served on the board for many years. He is a retired educator. Rick also brings his expertise as an accomplished chef to Upper Room functions. He coordinates the annual volunteer picnic, and has cooked for both indoor activities and outdoor picnics.
Jerry Beemer
Board President
Jerry Beemer is Licensed Professional Counselor who began serving the homeless by opening a community shelter at age 20, while in college. He has since run an inner-city group home, and directed two large children’s homes, served as a community therapist with Youth Advocate Program in Meadville, PA, served as psychotherapist on an acute psychiatric hospital unit with University of Maryland Hospital System also working in a private counseling clinic. While in Maryland Jerry also served on the Governor’s Mental Health Advisory Council for several years and served on the Board of a program finding homes for the homeless. After moving back to Pennsylvania 6 years ago Jerry served at Family Services of NW PA as a psychotherapist.
Ronald Bryant
Deputy Warden
Ron is a recent addition to the board, joining in 2016. By vocation, Ron is a Deputy Warden responsible for programming at The Erie County Prison. He brings expertise on the relation between homelessness and incarceration to the mission of The Upper Room.
Alice Niebauer
Secretary
Alice has served, and currently serves on numerous boards in the Erie Area and serves as board secretary for The Upper Room. She is tireless in her efforts and contribution to furthering the mission of the Upper Room and helping those who struggle with homelessness. She also acts as liaison between St. Paul’s United Church of Christ and The Upper Room.
Chuck Nelson
Board Member
Dr. Steven Krauza
Web and Internet Coordinator
Steve runs a chiropractic practice in Erie. He was elected to the board in 2017. Steve has taken on the responsibility to develop and expand The Upper Room’s various internet communication and social channels, including working with Epic Web Studios of Erie on the Upper Room’s Web presentation.
Cheryl Pierce
Board Member
Cheryl is the secretary of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. Thus, she serves as a voice between the church and the Upper Room, which, although a separate entity, donates to the church for the space used as The Upper Room. Cheryl serves as nominations chair for the board of directors.
Katy Cooper
Treasurer
Katy is a recent addition to the Board in 2021. She brings her financial knowledge. She has been a bookkeeper for small businesses for many years and is the owner of Cooper Accounting Services, LLC
She brings her expertise in the financial aspects as well as serving in the homeless environment. She has a passion for serving the community.