STAFF MEMBERS
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BRIAN BUTLER
Executive Director [email protected] Brian is executive director and co-founder of Echo Community, which cultivates chastity and authentic masculinity and femininity with teens, young adults and families via the lens of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Brian has authored several books and programs, including “YOU: Life, Love & Theology of the Body.” He has produced numerous initiatives as part of the New Evangelization, including the original productions of GARDEN, the musical. He is the founder of a dynamic retreat for teens and young adults called ECHO, and his latest book is entitled GARDEN Meditations. Brian’s bachelor’s degree is in Communications and he holds a Masters in Theology. He has 20+ years of ministry experience at the parish, school, diocesan and non-profit levels, and is a popular speaker and trainer around the country. Brian enjoys music, sports, the outdoors, and spending time with his wife, Lisa, and their four children. |
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ADAM FUSELIER
Managing Director [email protected] Adam has been with the Echo Community team since 2013. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Ave Maria University in 2011, and he completed his Master's degree in Theology at the Augustine Institute in August 2018. He was deeply impacted by St. John Paul II's teachings while studying at AMU, and he was left with a deep desire to share the life that Jesus Christ offers with as many people as possible. He enjoys being outdoors and having "conversations of eternal significance" with anyone who is willing. In 2020, Adam authored the Litany of Chastity, which has reached over 200,000 people around the globe in several languages, and has helped countless men and women open themselves more deeply to the healing and freedom God desires for them. Adam is very grateful to God for the gift of serving on such an awesome team with Echo Community and looks forward to all that God has in store. |
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JANET HOWELL
Office Manager [email protected] Janet comes from a background of 20 + years of working in the corporate world as a Weapons Contract Analyst, Fleet Logistics Manager, and Wedding Coordinator. With this background, it may seem like a crazy fit for Echo Community, but she's excited to utilize all of her gifts she's acquired along the way to serve this ministry. From discovering more about the gift of the Theology of the Body, to working with the team, and being empowered in her vocation as a wife and mother, Janet is excited to see what more God has in store! Janet lives in Mandeville, Louisiana with her husband, Tim, and two children. |
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LISA BUTLER
Administrative Assistant [email protected] Lisa is first and foremost, a daughter of God the Father, then the wife of Brian, (our Executive Director), mother to four wonderful children, and just began an official job as staff support in December of 2022; although, she has served the ministry in many varied capacities since its beginning. She uses her God-given gifts to assist wherever possible. Lisa graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Vanderbilt University. She has a passion for serving and is happy to silently work behind the scenes. Lisa loves sports, board games, great movies, cooking, reading, especially if it’s a Michael O’Brien novel, and spending time with family and friends. |
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ROB STAMPER
Director of Young Adult Outreach [email protected] Rob is the Director of Young Adult Outreach for Echo Community. Rob, his beautiful bride Lauren, and son James moved to join the Echo Community from Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to joining the team, Rob worked for the Ruah Woods Institute bringing Theology of the Body curriculum and formation to Catholic schools across the United States and world. Before that, he worked in a regional young adult ministry in the Archdiocese of Washington DC, became certified as a high school English teacher, and tried his best to fix aircraft while serving in the US Marine Corps. Rob loves spending every moment he can with his family, being outdoors, and reading a good book. His greatest joy in ministry is helping people understand that every encounter with another person is an encounter with Christ and that every time we meet someone for the first time should be a great joy because that is hopefully the start of an eternal relationship with them. How cool is that!? Rob looks forward to serving the young adults on the North Shore for years to come! |
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GEMMA WILDSMITH
Missionary Team Director [email protected] Gemma has been a friend of Echo Community since 2015, and was part of the team that took ECHO Retreats to the UK in 2019, as well as leading our summer mission program in 2022. She holds a post graduate diploma in theology from the University of Chichester, and has over 20 years experience of youth and young adult ministry, including with diocese and national organizations in the UK. Her main focus has been on discipleship, formation, and spiritual accompaniment, particularly through the lens of Theology of the Body. The things that Gemma is most looking forward to about living in Louisiana are the people, the food, and the amazing sunsets. |
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RACHEL CONN
Development Director [email protected] Rachel and her husband, Nate, went on their first ECHO retreat in 2017 when they were engaged. Nate experienced a major outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and they owe much of his spiritual leadership of the family to that retreat. Through many key moments of God’s providence, a season of discerning where God was calling them, and through the generosity of the Echo Community staff, they have resettled to Louisiana from Atlanta to serve alongside the ECHO team. Rachel believes that her primary goal as the Development Director is to grow the Kingdom of God by loving all people with the heart of Christ and inviting them to participate in the mission that He has for them. Rachel and Nate live in Folsom, LA with their son, Blaise. |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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DR. JEREMY REUTHER
President Jeremy Reuther is the Principal of Jesuit High School in New Orleans, LA, leading the faculty and staff in maintaining and furthering the Catholic identity and academic excellence of the institution. He has been with Jesuit for 16 years serving as a theology teacher, campus minister, department chair, and communications director. Jeremy lives in New Orleans with his wife Kate and their three children, Charles, Julia, and Michael. Jeremy serves as Vice President of Echo Community’s Board of Directors. |
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ANGIE THOMAS
Vice-President Angie Thomas serves as General Counsel for National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA). Prior to this position, she was the Associate Director for Louisiana Right to Life, specializing in development, legislative advocacy, and education about life issues. For the previous 18 years, she served at Woman’s New Life Clinic, a professional counseling and medical clinic offering life-affirming services for women in unplanned pregnancies, port-abortive men and women, and women’s health. She started as a volunteer and served on the Board then moved into the Director and CEO position. She led the effort to expand authentic women’s health services in south Louisiana, reclaiming reproductive healthcare and offering alternatives to Planned Parenthood. Her work at NIFLA includes legal education and training for pregnancy centers, The Life Choice Project, board trainings, and legal audits. She is passionate about helping pregnancy centers develop holistic, sustainable models and about implementing new programs in building a culture of life. She was trained through the Blackstone Fellowship, an intensive training in Christian worldview principles and how they apply to the study and interpretation of law. She worked for Americans United for Life and Bioethics Defense Fund during and following law school. Thomas has been featured in outlets such as NBC Nightly News, CBN, Newsmax, EWTN, The Washington Examiner, Daily Caller, NPR, and more. Angie is a graduate of the Manship School of Mass Communications at Louisiana State University (B.A. 2001, magna cum laude) and Loyola Law School (J.D. 2004, cum laude). She lives in New Orleans with her husband and four daughters. |
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DR. JORDAN HADDAD
Secretary Jordan Haddad, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology and the Director of Lay Ministry Programs and Lay Formation at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA. In addition to his role at NDS, he is also a Co-Founder and Co-Director of The St. Louis IX Art Society, a Scholar Associate of the Society of Catholic Scientists, and the Director of Lay Formation and Parish Renewal at Divine Mercy Parish in Kenner, LA. He has previously served as an assistant campus minister at Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, LA, and a theology teacher at Mount Carmel Academy in New Orleans. Jordan met his wife, Shannon, at ECHO in Summer 2012, and has benefited tremendously from the ministry of Echo Community ever since. He currently lives in Covington, LA, with his wife, Shannon, and their two daughters, Lily and Elizabeth. |
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RAECHELLE MUNNA
Treasurer Raechelle Munna is a corporate and securities attorney practicing in New Orleans. She is also a certified public accountant in Louisiana. She currently serves on the Finance Council for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and chairs its Audit Subcommittee. Raechelle is a graduate of Spring Hill College (undergraduate degree in Accounting and MBA) and Loyola Law School. |
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FR. MATTHEW JOHNSTON
Member Fr. Matthew is currently the pastor of St. Benilde Church in Metairie, La. He was humbled and excited to be asked to walk with Echo Community as God continues to lead us to serve the people of God. Fr. Matthew grew up in Mandeville, attended St. Pauls in Covington, and graduated in 2003. He went to college at Texas A&M and Louisiana Tech before entering the seminary in 2008. He spent two years at St. Joseph Abbey Seminary College and then four years at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. He was ordained in 2014 and his first assignment was at St. Clement of Rome from 2014-2016. He was then assigned to St. Joan of Arc, where he served as Parochial Vicar from 2016-2019. Finally, he was named pastor of St. Benilde in 2019. In 2015, Fr. Matthew was asked to study Canon Law, completed his degree in 2021, and has been working part time for the Archdiocese as a Canon Lawyer. He is currently in the process of joining the National Guard as a Chaplain and will be serving the military and their family here in New Orleans. |
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KRISTEN CLAPPER
Member Kristen Clapper is a musician, artist, and mother of four daughters. She and her husband, Ben, are dedicated to promoting the culture of life and restoring the right to life through education, service, and activism. Kristen and Ben were introduced to the Theology of the Body over twenty years ago as a dating couple, and it has been instrumental in their daily lives, as well as in their work in marriage preparation/ministry. Kristen enjoys traveling, teaching art, and is a certified infant massage instructor. She is humbled to serve on the Echo Community Board of Directors. |
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DR. JAMES HERNANDEZ
Member James is a clinical psychologist and the owner of his group practice called Sacred Space Psychotherapy. He is also married with six kids. When he is not at work, he enjoys being with his family and coaching his children's teams. James was introduced to Theology of the Body when he was in college, mostly by Brian Butler, and looks forward to giving back to Echo Community in whatever way he can. |
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CHRIS PRICE
Member Chris is happily married to his wife Kate and they have 3 sons. Chris is a Louisiana native who graduated with a degree in Communication from Trinity University in San Antonio. He spent the first 12 years of his career in sports broadcasting and now owns a legal recruiting business. Chris takes tremendous joy in sharing his love of Christ and the journey in faith with his family and friends. Since his introduction to the teachings of St. John Paul II and the Theology of the Body, he has been blessed many times over by their ongoing impact on his marriage and daily life. |
Brian Butler, the Executive Director of Echo Community, also serves as a voting member of the board of directors as of 2025.