ABOUT US

Anita Amstutz, M.A. M.Div, Action Coordinator

Anita works 10 hours a week to create outreach and liturgical events in conjunction with events/conferences. She also facilitates the newly formed Sustainability Committee (2007), to create "green" opportunities for the CAC.
Anita is an ordained minister at Albuquerque Mennonite Church. Originally from Ohio, she completed her seminary training at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley CA, graduating with an M.Div and M.A. in Theology and the Arts. Her first vocation was social work, primarily in community organizing, teaching and crisis counseling. She is married to Kenneth Couch.

Andrea Briggs, Work Intern - Events

Andrea comes to CAC from the blessings and security of a 27-year career with the University of California, a 31-year marriage, and a community of family, friends, church and neighbors. Now she has the great good fortune of a sojourn at CAC to pursue with exuberance the holy adventure of loving, grieving, fearing, desiring, failing, and rejoicing, and of seeking authentic and transforming relationship with God and each of God’s children who is put in her path.

Lou-Anne Dillard, Resource Center Manager — External Events

Lou-Anne Dillard retired after 24 years at the phone company and through a friend discovered Fr. Richard and the CAC. She did an internship in June of 2002 and stayed on as a volunteer. She was hired as Conference Coordinator in Sept 2002 and after the year beginning conference moved on to serve as Tepeyac Manager for a year. She left for a year to travel and be retired but couldnt stay away. She came back in January 2005 and has served as the Resource Center Manager. She recently bought a house in Albuquerque so maybe she will settle downwho knows!

Monique Estrada, Graphic Designer

Born and raised in Albuquerque, Monique was brought up with the love of Broadway Musicals. Mimicking the talents of Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole and other greats her passion for music bloomed into a fully active career of singing Jazz throughout New Mexico. Although its rare that you find her performing today that creative ambition has sparked into a new love. Who knew that all the little singing mementos that she kept and placed ever so exact in her scrap book would lead to the profession of Graphic Design? Monique joined the CAC as the Graphic Designer in April of 2007, and it is with deep belief that through prayer God has sent her to be a part of the wonderful staff at The Center for Action and Contemplation.

Sarah Fusté, Work Intern - Events

About 24 years ago, Sarah’s dad recorded in the family journal a line she wrote on the chalkboard in the playroom, “There is something in my heart. I dot know what it is. I tinck it is Jesus.” And there is still something in her heart, which certainly had something to do with her coming with her wonderful husband Robert to spend nine months at the CAC as a work intern this year. Before driving 2000+ miles (through Colorado) to Albuquerque, Sarah worked as a French Instructor at Andrews University in Michigan, where she also enjoyed growing her tulips and tomatoes, spending Saturdays at the beach, and being only a day’s drive from her family in Newcastle, Ontario, Canada. She is grateful to be a part of the intentional spiritual formation and invitation toward action that the CAC seeks to cultivate, and to live at Stillpoint, with its well-equipped library and happy yellow living room.

Vanessa Guerin, Editor of Radical Grace, Volunteer Coordinator

Vanessa joined the staff of the CAC in January of 2004 as Volunteer Coordinator. In addition to volunteer coordination, Vanessa is Editor of Radical Grace, the CAC publication. Although Vanessa is a native of New Mexico, she grew up in Latin America. After graduating from High School in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she began her studies in art at the Corcoran School of Art, in Washington, D.C., where she lived for 12 years. Vanessa completed her education at University of New Mexico with a degree in Fine Arts. Vanessa feels blessed to have the opportunity to further the mission of the CAC.

Rich Meixner, Administrative Assistant  /  Receptionist

Rich works as the receptionist at the CAC, after serving in the data entry and resource operations. Rich came to the CAC via a class on centering prayer, a practice that he discovered in 2002 as part of his faith journey. Rich served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica and then worked for a number of years in the environmental consulting industry on a variety of soil and water remediation projects. Rich enjoys reading, gardening, and other outdoor activities.

Teresa Montoya, Data Entry/Copy Clerk

Teresa, born and raised in Albuquerque, came to the CAC in May of 2007 replacing her mother as Data Entry/Copy Clerk. She feels privileged to be part of an organization that is so involved in making the world conscious to a better, more peaceful way of life. She loves getting to experience a wonderful work environment at such an early age and being able to work with her mother whom she has always felt extremely close to. In her personal time, Teresa takes pleasure in reading and being with her friends and family. She is very active in the local music scene and hopes to one day unite her love for music and social equality awareness to open the eyes of the younger generations.

Mary Jo Picha, Work Internship Coordinator

Mary Jo joined the CAC in September 2000. Since then she has held various roles at both the CAC and the guesthouse.

Mary Jo was born in Houston, Texas. She graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor's in Psychology and from the University of St. Thomas with a Master's in Pastoral Studies.  Mary Jo also completed an intensive year-long CPE program at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She believes her most intensive inner work began through grieving and is suspicious that unresolved grief is at the root of most interpersonal conflict. She appreciates everything that tends us toward healing. She is married to Stephen Picha, the CAC Director and also is mom to Grace Ann and Luke Jonah.

Cynthia Ranke, Production/Office Assistant

Cynthia came to the CAC as a Work Intern in September, 2004, after early retirement from the Genesee County, Michigan Prosecuting Attorney's office. Her previous internship at Sojourners magazine in 1999–2000 was a life-changing experience, which inspired her to offer her clerical and hospitality skills to the ministry of the CAC. Upon completing her Work Internship assignment, she accepted a position in the Resource Center, where she is involved in Production and various assignments related to the ministry of the Book Store. She feels her commitment to the Center is a privileged opportunity to participate in work which has profoundly influenced her life for many years. Also, she gets to be in the New Mexico climate, where she can enjoy the sunshine and outdoor activities, two of her favorite pastimes!

Ken Reno, Director of Operations

Ken joined the staff in January of 2007 after spending several periods as a work intern in 2005 and 2006. His decision to become a staff member and move to Albuquerque after 30 years in the corporate world was supported by his wife of 35 years, Anna. They have two married sons with two grandchildren, and counting! Ken has recently been named the Director of Operations after serving his first two months as Resource Center Manager. He is looking forward to using his past experience in this role as he handles the day-to-day business of the Center.

Doug Spence, Mustard Seed

Doug lives in Albuquerque and is part of the team at the CAC Mustard Seed resource center. He considers it very rewarding to help people find the specific teaching of Fr. Richard that best addresses their needs. Previously he was involved in community economic development and conservation projects in rural northern New Mexico, Guatemala, and India.