Greetings! I’m John Burns, the Director of Music Ministry at Trinity. I lead music programs here, including our Sunday morning services steeped in LCMS tradition, to our Saturday Sierra Spirit modern worship, to helping with the Preschool and Sunday schools, Special Events and more.

I’m a second-career church worker. I grew up in Michigan and completed a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Michigan Tech. I was with GE for 27.5 years, in roles ranging from engineering to general management, while living from Schenectady to Minden to Caracas. I then led a non-profit aquatics organization in Houston for 2.5 years. I’ve been involved in church music from early on and during my professional career.

I was in church choirs from middle school through university and at several LCMS churches with my GE moves. I directed choirs, played in praise bands, played major roles in pageants, ran sound boards and planned & led worship. I also served a church plant in Houston and a small congregation in Grand Cayman. I’ve been very blessed to serve with and learn from phenomenal music directors, musicians and pastors, including John Marrs, Anthony Lenzy, Vinh Vu, Adam Countryman and Matt Popovits.

While with GE, I was at Trinity in the mid-2000’s, helping Bev Caulkins with all things music. I couldn’t be happier to be back home at Trinity and in the Carson Valley. God placed His hands on my life, closed and opened doors, and put me in this role to serve Him and Trinity – I couldn’t be more blessed! I look forward to meeting you!

Hello, I am Joanne, and for me it is difficult to imagine a better career than working with children. I have loved this work for over 34 years, with the majority of my time spent in Lutheran schools. I am thrilled to be working in the Trinity Lutheran community in Gardnerville. I grew up in the Montana Rockies and found my way to the tropics of Hawaii where I lived for more than 30 years.  I made the “jump across the ocean” to be closer to my family. I enjoy all this area has to offer.

My experiences have been wonderfully diverse ranging from teaching kindergarten through sixth grade. I started my career working with preschoolers and later enjoyed teaching a class of talented and gifted second and third grade students.  I was a home and hospital teacher for a student with cancer. I co-created a periodical for parents and teachers of elementary school students, developed and operated an after school enrichment program, and piloted a one-to-one technology program for my first grade class. Whew! I’ve loved every minute of it!

After graduating from the University of Montana, Western with a B.S. in Elementary Education, my education continued with career relevant classes from University of Hawaii Manoa, University of Hawaii West Oahu, and Concordia University Irvine. I have enjoyed numerous educational workshops, seminars, and webinars, and I co-created early childhood/kindergarten curriculums. I am certified in the Spalding and Orton-Gillingham reading programs.

My advice to every parent is to find time to enjoy and talk with your child every day. These years will become treasured memories of parenthood. Children are the greatest gifts God has entrusted to us. I’m always available for conversation, so please feel free to contact me whenever you have a question or concern.

I’m Suzie Adam, and I am the Church Office Coordinator for Trinity Lutheran. My family moved from Pennsylvania to Carson City in 1960. I grew up with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. We all attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church, picnicked at Lake Tahoe and had BBQ’s at Bowers Mansion. I love this area!

I spent 30 plus years in different levels as an Administrative Assistant, with a brief period as a dispatcher for the Nevada Highway Patrol.

I graduated from Concordia University, Irvine, CA in 1993 (I was a nontraditional student) with a BA degree in Liberal Studies and a concentration in elementary level teaching. I returned to Carson City in 1993 and worked with the State Government. I retired from State service in 2014. In September 2016, I came to work at Trinity and have enjoyed every minute of being with a loving, caring Christian family!

I like to spend time with my family and friends, and sing in my church choir.

Hi, my name is Lisa. I have the honor of being part of the Trinity team since May, 2002. During this time I have gone from being a part-time bookkeeper to currently holding the position of Business Manager and Assistant Director. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to be a member of such a dedicated staff and to work with our amazing families and their wonderful children.

I am a fourth generation Carson Valley native and grew up on a ranch here in Gardnerville. After graduating from Douglas High School, I attended the University of Nevada, Reno and graduated in 1987 with a BS in Business Administration. I have two wonderful children and in my free time I enjoy hiking, kayaking, traveling, but most of all spending time with my family.

My name is Carrie, and I began as Trinity’s Communications Director in January 2019. TLC has been my church home since my family moved to the Carson Valley in 1974. I graduated from Douglas High School in 1976, and afterward, worked for Bently Nevada Corporation in Minden for 21 years. I learned many things from how to build circuit boards and monitoring systems to how to operate a room-sized IBM AS/400 computer. While employed by BNC, my education included studying business and IT at WNC and attending IBM Education Centers around the country.

I met my husband, Robert in 1995, and we have one son, Samuel, who was born in 2000. During the first seven years of the millennium , I was a stay-at-home mom and caregiver for elderly friends before gaining employment at Austin’s House. While I worked there for 11 years, I was blessed to help care for more than 500 abused and neglected children who came to us from all over Northern Nevada.

My position at Trinity is just perfect for this stage of my life on so many levels. I am having a good time catching up on the ever-changing techno world that passed me by over the years. I enjoy working with my coworkers, fellow church members, our school staff, and the community at large. Through my work at Trinity, I am truly blessed.