Lutheran Braille Workers has been blessed with a talented staff of men and women dedicated to this ministry and mission.
Executive Team
Vice President of Operations & Finance
Nate Paredes
Director of Ministry Production
Cynthia Keh
Director of Strategic Partnerships and Ministry Relations
Rachel Potts
My name is Rachel Potts and I am blessed to serve with Lutheran Braille Workers as the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Ministry Relations. I am deployed to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where I live there with my husband and three children. My husband and I met in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship while undergraduates at Western Michigan University, and we then attended graduate school together at Michigan State University. I was a speech-language pathologist for five years in a public school district in Tucson, Arizona. When our family moved to Ann Arbor, I became the Director of Admissions and Enrichment Programs at St. Paul Lutheran School. I served at St. Paul Ann Arbor for 11 years until God called me to the ministry at LBW in August of 2023. I am honored to share the good news of Jesus and the mission of LBW with churches and individuals as I travel throughout the eastern part of the country.
Everyone in my family are devoted (i.e., crazy) University of Michigan fans. (Yes, we went to graduate school at Michigan State but we try not to talk about that.) My family and I love music, and I play the violin for worship when I have the opportunity. I also love to garden, coach robotics, lead Girl Scouts, do graphic design, work on websites, read, and knit. In our spare time, our family loves to travel and play games.
My favorite bible verse is from Psalm 46. “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
President
(Rev. Dr.) Robert Hartwell
Rev. Dr. Hartwell earned his Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1993, and his Doctor of Ministry from New York Theological Seminary in 2002. He also holds an MBA from Bay Path College in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, which he completed in 2011.
His ministry began in 1993 at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Hicksville, New York. In 1998, he accepted a Call to Village Lutheran Church and The Chapel School in Bronxville, where he has faithfully served for the past 27 years.
Pastor Hartwell brings extensive experience as an administrative pastor, educator, and leader in the Lutheran community. His proven record of leadership and his passion for Gospel-centered ministry provide a strong foundation to further the mission of LBW. His commitment to partnering with LBW’s staff, volunteers, and donors will help strengthen and expand the organization’s outreach to the 338 million people worldwide who are blind or visually impaired.
Rev. Hartwell is married to Sue, and together they have two grown children, Alexander (Marie) and Hannah (George), and granddaughter, Maeve.
Pastor Hartwell shared, “I love and feel passionate about the mission and vision of Lutheran Braille Workers. I look forward to working with the staff, the Board, donors, and the blind and sight-impaired community to help all interact with God’s Word and meaningful Christian resources in Braille and Specialized Large Print.
Core Staff
Director of Production & IT
Sky Ervin
A/P & Donor Relations
Deanna Cobb
I have been with LBW since February, 2013. I first volunteered at Lutheran Braille Workers a few months before being hired as Donor Relations where I posted donations and maintained volunteer records. My current position has revolved into Volunteer Relations Coordinator & Accounting Technician, where I post donations, maintain volunteer records, pay invoices, maintain Estates, and process Payroll. I love working with a Christian staff and that we’re able to read God’s Word and pray throughout the day without conviction. I love that LBW cares about all the people that we serve and that we’re able to give all our materials, free of charge. I enjoy seeing pictures of those who have received our materials and the smiles and joy that flow out of them when they are reading God’s Word in Braille!
I have 4 amazing grown children (2 boys and 2 girls) and currently have 8 grandchildren (5 boys and 3 girls), who are all local and keep me very busy. My dad recently taught me silversmithing and love making jewelry for family and friends in my spare time.
"4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." -- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Director Of Operations
Heather (Farkas) Cash
Hello, my name is Heather Farkas, I am the Director of Operations here at LBW. I truly believe that God has placed me into this organization to fulfill a higher purpose, to help and serve others. To be an essential hand in getting his word to the blind and visually impaired.
My favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you. ‘declares the lord.’ Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
This verse reminds me to always, threw every situation, have faith in God and his plans for me.
Warehouse Manager
Jermaine Fortune
Large Print Production
Carlos Fierro
Large Print Coordinator
Emilee Righter
Braille Coordinator
Nadine Pattison
Andruw Blanchard
Office Assistant
Joseph Leon
Hello I am Joseph Leon the Office Assistant at LBW Headquarters, and I am deeply grateful to be part of the wonderful team at Lutheran Braille Workers. The Lord has placed a calling on my heart to serve Him and the community through my daily work, and I am thankful that He led me to be part of this meaningful ministry. Throughout my Christian journey, I have had the privilege of serving in various roles, including as a Eucharistic Minister, teaching the faith to children, and participating in other ministry opportunities.
I enjoy working in my garden and most recently designed a drought resistant front yard landscape. Taking long walks with my dog Harry brings me much joy.
One of my favorite bible verses is Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Executive Assistant
Mary Powell
My name is Mary Powell, and I have been serving with Lutheran Braille Workers since January 2022. In June 2023, my husband and I relocated to Texas to be closer to our family. The following spring, in April 2024, I was grateful to be invited back to continue serving in a remote role. It is truly a blessing to be part of Lutheran Braille Workers and to support the mission of sharing the hope and comfort of God's Word with people who are blind or visually impaired around the world.
My husband, Chuck, and I have two grown sons, Phil and Matt, and five wonderful grandchildren-two in Hawaii and three in Texas. Spending time with family and serving others are some of my favorite things to do.
My favorite Bible verse is 1 Peter 4:10: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." I love this verse because it reminds me that God gives each of us gifts and opportunities to serve others.
