Past-President - Martin Poteralski

My wife Erin and I were married in a UU church, and were members of a UU church in suburban Richmond, Virginia for several years while our two children were young. In 2017, when we moved to Georgia, we also found a new spiritual home at UUMAN.

Since joining UUMAN, I have been involved with a few different committees including the annual Auction committee and Stewardship. Our children have been growing and learning through programs such as RE and OWL.

We especially value the connections we have made at UUMAN, and our impact on the community in which we live. I hope to build upon the great work others have done before as a member of the Board.

President – David Kroeber

After years of driving past the building and wondering what UU was all about, I finally visited UUMAN for 2021’s Hembree Park service - the first in-person gathering since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. I immediately felt I had found a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming community where I could continue my faith journey after 30 years of teaching and leading in Baptist churches - and several years deconstructing unhelpful beliefs and doctrines! Over the next several months, I connected virtually with the UUMAN community through the Centering Prayer, All Souls United, and Spiritual Wisdom Studies groups, then became a member in March 2022 when we resumed meeting in the Sanctuary.

Since joining UUMAN, I have served as a Worship Associate and am currently the Worship Committee chair, as well as sitting on the Sabbatical Committee. I’ve delivered lay-led sermons and facilitated Adult Enrichment programs, including the launch of Sunday Service Reflections and a new Faith After Doubt group - both of which have helped connect visitors and new members to our UUMAN community through small-group discussion. As a member of the Program Council, I’ve contributed to both tactical and strategic planning discussions.

I moved north to Cumming from Roswell after my divorce, in order to assist with my elderly mother’s care. I have a dog, five adult children, and one (awesome) granddaughter. I enjoy movies, live music, and outdoor recreation - particularly with the UUMAN community - and I work remotely for a technology company as an account manager.

Vice-President - Rachel Osborne

I started attending UUMAN along with my husband, Brian, in early 2024. We had recently moved to the north metro Atlanta area, and were struggling to find like-minded community. I had heard of Unitarian Universalism, but as someone who no longer considered themselves a Christian and hadn't been to a church service in quite a few years, I didn't know what to expect. Listening to congregants sharing their joys and sorrows of each week with each other and joining in song together despite coming from various backgrounds and faith traditions was the most amazing thing ever. We became members shortly thereafter. I quickly got involved in re-vamping the Young Adult Group at UUMAN, working to create an intentional, welcoming community for young adults aligned with the UU values and helping as needed with other groups/committees at UUMAN. 
 
We currently live in Woodstock, Georgia, where we enjoy living with our five cats, hiking, and biking. I look forward to serving this wonderful, creative community as a member of the Board.

Treasurer – Seth Pratt

Seth Pratt grew up in Maine but moved to Berkeley, CA to attend college in 1970. He moved to the Atlanta area in 1992 to work on an accounting software package he developed and sold to a local company. Seth followed his wife Lynn to New Orleans in 2013 and returned to Alpharetta in 2020. Since joining UUMAN, he has been an active member of the Finance Committee and the Audio team.

Seth was raised in a mainstream Protestant Church but disengaged as a teenager. In 1975, he became an active member of an Evangelical Church for about 20 years, back when that meant something entirely different than it does now. Seth met Lynn in 2002 and through her discovered Unitarian Universalism. Seth has had a variety of jobs, including being a trolley car mechanic, CPA, computer programmer, entrepreneur, and massage therapist. He is currently retired. Seth has two children, a son in Pennsylvania and a daughter in Texas, as well as assorted grandsons. Seth enjoys sailing, swing dancing, accounting, walking, and bicycling.

Secretary - Laura Keck

A cradle UU, Laura Keck has been a member of UUMAN since 2001. Her roles have included MCY teacher and special events planner, board treasurer (2007-2009), Ministerial Search Committee secretary (2014-2016), board secretary (2017-2019), chair of UUMAN’s membership committee (2019-2023) and chair of Common Grounds Coffee House (2024-2025). Laura recently retired from Kimberly-Clark after a 40-year R&D career working on environmental sustainability projects. She and her husband Jerry Jascomb live in Milton and have three adult children and three grandchildren. If elected Laura will bring an historical perspective to the role of board secretary, as well as concise and timely communications to the congregation.

Trustee for Special Projects - Joe Lamb

I became a member of UUMAN in October 2022. My background is I obtained an undergraduate degree in Theology and a graduate degree in business from Southeastern University. My roles at UUMAN have included Chair of the Men's Fellowship (2022-2025), member of the Communications Committee (2022-2025) and an occasional guest lecturer and class leader. I've also partnered with David Kroeber to develop a 2nd hour class called "Faith After Doubt" that meets monthly and explores the idea of deconstructing from a previous faith and finding a new journey. I live in Alpharetta and enjoy travel, writing fiction, and time with good friends. "I came to UUMAN from many years in Evangelical churches where the attendees didn't really agree with my values. UUMAN has been a breathe of fresh air with people that care, share my values, and are engaged in a search for justice in the world. I am inspired to be a part of such an amazing group of people."