Our Board of Directors

Brian Bertness, President

Brian is married with 5 children. He is employed by Principal Financial Company in Des Moines. He has held the position of President of the Board in the past. He has been very active in the church being a platform speaker, teaching classes and many other positions. He has attended Unity for over 20 years.

Lynn Staunton, Vice President

I have been attending Unity Church for more than 9 years now.  I loved it so much I started right out volunteering.  Gratefully, I have been given opportunities to grow in ways I would not ever have imagined.  I was voted onto the Board of Trustees 4 years ago, and have 2 more years to go.  I love being a very active Vice-President and enjoy my fellow Board members so much. My career was as a social worker for the State, specializing in the area of child abuse and neglect.  I love gardening, working out, reading, and being involved at church.

Kristy Patterson, Trustee

Kristy graduated from Iowa State University in 1973 and worked at Younkers for several years as an assistant buyer.  She grew up attending the Methodist Church but dropped out upon attending college.  She was married for 28 years with no children.  About five years ago, she began looking for a church but none appealed to her until her “significant other” introduced her to Unity.  “As soon as I walked into the bookstore and saw the titles of the books, I knew that I was at home.  My spiritual journey had begun”.  She is a Reiki Master and has experience with Healing Touch, mediation, and crystal healing.  At home in Beaverdale, she enjoys the beauty of her yard and the love of her 2 cats, 2 chinchillas, and 1 dog.  Currently her main volunteer activities within the church are the bookstore and the fresh flower committee.

Dan Svec, Treasurer

Dan and his wife Joy founded his current business, Pyrographics, in West Des Moines approximately 15 years ago. He prints logos on coffee mugs and glasses. He has donated mugs with the Unity logo on them which we give out to newcomers. Dan has a hobby business with one of his brothers and a nephew. They set up and give firework shows, called “combustion art” at places such as Prairie Meadows and Jordan Creek Mall. Dan describes himself as a self taught engineer. He currently holds 2 patents having to do with his printing machine and the lottery ticket dispenser. Dan has been on the Board of Trustees for three years serving as Treasurer.

Dee Willemsen, Trustee

I am a native Iowan, having attended schools in Iowa and graduating from Drake University with a Bachelor’s Degree in general studies. In 2008, I retired from from the corporate world after working as an administrative assistant for 45-1/2 years.  Since then I have worked as a part time employee for an accounting firm. Some of my favorite things to do are walking with the Greater Des Moines Volkssport Association members, gardening (became certified as a Master Gardener through the Iowa State University Extension Master Gardener program in 2004), traveling, and attendng concerts and theater performances.

I’ve attended Unity Church of Des Moines since the early ‘70s.  From the moment I walked in the door the first time, I knew I had found my church home. It is my blessing to serve on the board of Unity Church of Des Moines.  I have received so much and continue to receive so much in return from my church community.

Craig C. Campbell, Trustee

Craig grew up in Des Moines and graduated from East High in 1959.  He graduated from Grandview Jr. College in 1961 and from Drake University with a BS Degree in Elementary Education.  He earned his Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction also from Drake in 1972.  Craig is married and has three children.  Craig and Barbara began searching for a church home prior to getting married and attended Unity as well as Lutheran churches.  Although their search has taken them on different paths of spiritual enlightenment they continue to respect each other’s differences.

Craig has served on the Board of Trustees three different terms including his present term.  He also works with the Bookstore Ministry and volunteers for other work around the church.