Senior Warden, Kathy Venable
Junior Warden, Jeff Schweitzer
Treasurer, Avery Cook, Jr.

The vestry is a body of lay people charged with working with the Rector in overseeing the temporal affairs of the St. Michael's. The vestry is the legal representative of St. Michael's with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property.

​2026 - 2028 Term

Carole Balke Leblanc was born and baptized Episcopalian on March 14, 1962, in Odessa Texas. She grew up all over Texas and graduated high school in Midland Texas. Soon after, she moved to Lake Charles and attended McNeese State University and Delta School of Business. She started working in the financial industry where she remained for 28 years. She is married to Michael Tommy Leblanc and they have one son, three stepchildren, and four grandchildren. Carole started attending St Michaels during her freshman year of college, soon after she married and had her son and moved to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church where she remained until her son was in third grade. Carole decided to move back to St Michaels and has remained there since, helping with the EYC Youth group for many years. Currently Carole participates in ECW, Abraham’s Tent and the new/old Ministry Seniors of St Michaels. She is always willing to help anywhere she is needed, at any time. 1 Corinthians 1:9 God is Faithful by whom you were called into fellowship of his son Jesus Christ our Lord. This shows his unchanging, trustworthy nature, calling believers into relationship with Christ.
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Taylor Clements grew up in Lake Charles attending Barbe High School.  He completed his undergraduate Bachelor’s of Science at the University of New Orleans, then medical school at LSU Health Sciences Center – Shreveport.  After internship and residency at Baylor Scott and White in Temple, Texas, he returned home to Lake Charles to practice outpatient internal medicine.  Becoming interested in Lifestyle Medicine during residency, he also completed additional training in this field and became certified as a Diplomat of Lifestyle Medicine.  Taylor is a lifelong musician, currently playing music in Lake Charles with the bands Calcashoo and the Poule D’Eau Playboys.  He also enjoys hunting and fishing, especially with his three children, Mason, Laurel, and Matthew, and his wife of 11 years, Camryn.  

Charles Harper was born and raised in DeRidder, Louisiana. Following High School, he served on active duty in several assignments with the 101st Airborne Division and the 173d Airborne Brigade. He is a graduate of the Army Airborne School, Air Assault School and the Army Ranger School.
Following his service, he attended college and Law School on the GI Bill graduating from LSU Law School. His early career was spent in private practice in Lake Charles. He eventually went to work for CITGO Petroleum Corporation. He is presently employed by CITGO serving as Managing Counsel for Refining Operations.
He and his wife Catherine are members of St. Michael’s (where Catherine was baptized by Father Seth and where they were married with Father Drew presiding.) He and Catherine are parents to their fur babies, Sami K and Harley. They are Poppy and Cat Cat to their grandchildren, Luke and Chloe.
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Chris Taylor is a graduate of Lamar University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics with a minor in Psychology. Through his studies, Chris developed a deep interest in understanding human behavior and the factors that motivate people to grow and succeed.
Chris brings a diverse professional background spanning engineering, filtration, manufacturing, automation, and industrial services. Throughout his career, he has managed industrial cleaning operations and manufacturing branches, gaining hands-on leadership experience across multiple sectors. He currently serves in sales for a liquid handling company, where he leverages both technical knowledge and relationship-driven problem-solving.
His commitment to leadership and service extends beyond his professional career. Chris has previously held two board and leadership roles. One being the Awards Chairman for the Contractors Safety Association – Steering Committee at the CITGO Refinery, where he oversaw safety culture and developed an awards program to promote safe behaviors within the Refinery.  The second being Vice President for The Extra Mile – Region IV, where he oversaw development of efforts and services to support disabled families/individuals through career preparation, housing options, and life skill training.
Chris is passionate about solving puzzles and helping others, whether that means supporting someone through an internal challenge, assisting with goal achievement, or simply being a reliable helping hand during demanding tasks. He believes meaningful progress happens when people feel supported and understood.
He is married to his wife, Jaqueline Taylor, and together they are proud parents to three wonderful children, Hazel, David and Violet.

​2025 - 2027  Term 

Kathy Carter was born at State College, PA, but she's been naturalized as an LSU fan after living in Louisiana for many years in first New Orleans, then Natchitoches, and now Lake Charles. A lifelong Episcopalian, she has vestry experience in two congregations before St. Michaels. A retired Registered Nurse with experience in administration, psych care, early childhood, and rural home health, she also served as camp nurse at Hardtner. She's married to Sonny Carter, and mom to two sons, two stepdaughters and five grandchildren. Her mother, Carol Brusgaard was also a member of St. Michaels. She enjoys gardening, baking, singing and of course spending time with her grandkids.
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Noni Ewing  

In the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our Sister Noni.
1962-2025

Kathy Venable has been a St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church member for many years. Previously a Church of Our Savior member, she has served on St. Michael's Vestry and actively participates in the Women's Bible Study, Episcopal Church Women, Daughters of the King, Altar Guild, and Operation Christmas Child. Kathy is committed to the church's future growth and is eager to be a part of it. As a recently retired Louisiana State Broker for eXp Realty, Inc., and a Keller Williams Realty Lake Charles co-founder, Kathy has served as past president of the Southwest Louisiana Association of Realtors, earning the Distinguished Service Award and is past president at Village de Bayou Pines, Inc. Now, she embraces her time off by volunteering and diving into the rewarding experience of being a saltwater aquarium hobbyist. Kathy shares her life with her husband, Randy Venable, and their four children: Zach Hayes (deceased), Oran Hayes of Tucson, Arizona, Laura Hayes and her husband Charlie Comeaux of Ragley, and Aaron Venable and his wife Nicole of McKinney, Texas. They celebrate the joy of being grandparents to Evan Viator, Kannon Comeaux, Braydon Amadeus, and Corbin Venable.

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​2024 - 2026 Term

NANCY COOK has been a member of St. Michael’s since 1991.  She and the five kids came as a package deal when Rev Peter Cook became rector of St. Michael’s!  She taught at Sam Houston High School until 2003 when she joined the faculty of McNeese as a Spanish professor. St. Michael’s loved and supported the Cooks through all their family challenges and traumas. Peter and Nancy chose to stay in Lake Charles after his retirement in 2014. Peter went to be with the Lord in February 2023. His remains rest next to that of their son James in the chapel. St Michael’s has been and still is family to the Cooks.
 

COLLEEN FONTENOT is a cradle Episcopalian baptized in San Antonio, confirmed in Prattville AL and a member of St. Michaels since 1988. 
“I love this church and my church family. I love growing in faith through our various programs, church services and in being an active participant in several of our ministries throughout the years. My husband, Ron, and I have been married for  forty years. I have two children (one deceased), six grandchildren and one great granddaughter. My deepest love is in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and  cannot express strongly enough for all to dedicate whatever time, talent, and treasure they may have to our Lord and Savior.”  
 

MATTHEW LOVEJOY is a lifelong resident of Sulphur. He graduated from  Sulphur High School in 2008 then attended McNeese State University where he earned his bachelor’s in nursing. He worked in the Emergency Room for 7 years before earning his master’s in nursing from McNeese in 2020. Matthew currently works in rural health helping the community of Hackberry. He also continues to work in the ER on occasion and Urgent Care on weekends. He is an active  member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and plans on attending the 2024 national conference in Nashville TN. Matthew has been married to Ashley Lovejoy since January 2014, and they have two children: Wyatt (7) and Walker (3). Matthew enjoys fishing and spending time with his family and extended family. Matthew is a “cradle Episcopalian”; he was raised at Holy Trinity in Sulphur but has been attending St. Michael’s since 2019 where he has found his new home.

LISA SOBER was born and raised in Baton Rouge where she was a Southern Baptist. She studied piano at McNeese with Dr. Fred Sahlmann and earned a bachelor of music degree in piano pedagogy, and master of music in piano performance from MSU. She is married to Michael and has three daughters, Analynn, Hannah, and Sarah.
“I am a self-employed nationally certified piano teacher with a full studio, and am active in LCMT, LMTA, MTNA and NFMC. For over 30 years Michael and I have been members of the LA Choral Foundation. Served as organist/choir director for St. Andrew’s in Moss Bluff, where I was confirmed.  I visited St. Michael’s in 1994, I knew this was our church “home” because the presence of the Holy Spirit and opportunities for ministry. Even though my husband is Roman Catholic and a Cantor for OLQH, he became involved with Alpha, helping with choir and youth group, and I assisted with a regional Alpha conference in which I was the publicity chair and music leader. Linda Brown and I founded a prison and re-entry ministry “The Open Door, FBCO, Inc.” I have previously served on the Vestry, taught   Sunday school, served as interim choir director/organist, was on the organ as well as the liturgy and music committees. Currently, I am an active member of DOK, and of course the choir.”

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