Rev. Scott Huggins
President
Fr. Scott, ordained a priest for the Diocese of Joliet in 2001, has served in parishes in Addison, Downers Grove, Paxton, Elmhurst, and is currently the pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Naperville. Along with parish assignments, Fr. Scott has served as a Fire Department Chaplin, and on the Joliet Diocesan Presbyterial Council.
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During his Pastor assignment at Visitation Parish in Elmhurst, Fr. Scott began a partnership with the Quinn Community Center of Maywood, Illinois.That partnership continues today. In 2016, beginning his new assignment as pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Fr. Scott continued his commitment to the Proviso Communities by connecting his new parish parishioners with The Quinn Community Center, and with Mana Arts.
Patti Riggs
Vice-President
Patti was born and raised in Chicago. She began her career with Saks Fifth Avenue as Fashion Director and Special Events Coordinator. She left Saks to form her own company producing fashion shows throughout the country. Several years later, she became the first free lance fashion director in the history of Saks. In this capacity, she produced events working with designers and charitable organizations including Easter Seals, St. Jude Children’s Hospital and The Hope Institute to raise money and awareness.
She was always involved with her parish, Visitation in Elmhurst with years of volunteering. In 2015 she was hired as director of Hospitality and Art and Environment, creating a welcoming, beautiful, and peaceful religious space for all who entered the Church doors. Patti now serves as Hospitality and Creative Events and Environment Director at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish.
Gabriel Lara
Board Member
Gabriel is a faith-driven grassroots community organizer with over 12 years of experience mobilizing the skills, energy, and vision of community members impacted by injustice. He is driven to promote economic, social, and racial equity through co-developing sustainable community-driven solutions. Gabriel was instrumental in founding the Quinn Center as its first Executive Director and he was also vital in the founding of The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership as its first Board President before transitioning off the board to accept his current position as CSPL's Economic Justice Organizer. He was born and raised in Guanajuato, Mexico, and has lived in Chicago for over 25 years.
Denise Turek
Board Member
Denise, a native of Philadelphia, grew up as the oldest of six siblings. Her formative years were filled with experiences ranging from assisting her parents in showing dogs to pursuing a passion for ballet and horseback riding.
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Denise recently concluded her career at Ryerson, where she served as a Director within their Global Accounts Group.
During her free time, Denise is an active volunteer at Edward Hospital and engages in several ministries within St. Elizabeth Seton. Additionally, she indulges her love for travel, exploring both domestic and international destinations. Her adventures have taken her to 47 out of the 50 states in the USA, enriching her experiences and broadening her perspective along the way.
Jack Meister
Board Member
Jack was born and raised in Belleville, Illinois, the oldest of three children. Jack graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1973 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Arizona State University in 1975 with an M.B.A. Retired from the industry in 2009 after 34 years with the same company, Jack has been a substitute teacher in the Diocese of Joliet for the past 15 years, currently subbing at All Saints Catholic Academy.
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Jack and his wife Alice were married in June of 1975 and moved to Texas the day after they married. After numerous transfers, the Meisters settled in Naperville in 1989, joined St. Elizabeth Seton parish, and raised three children. Jack and Alice are proud grandparents of three grandchildren.
Jack has served in numerous areas of parish life, including various commissions, ministries, and religious education for more than 20 years. Jack and Alice are active with Marriage Prep, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Funeral Ministry, and The Quinn Center Food Ministry. Jack is also a 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus.
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A five-year member on the committee that started All Saints Catholic Academy in Naperville in 2000, Jack dutifully served on the School Board for the first 6 years of the school’s existence. Prior to joining the Mana ARTS board, Jack recently completed a three-year term on The Quinn Center Board.
Patti Pagni
Board Member
Patti is a lifelong Chicagoland resident who grew up with the high energy and social worlds of politics and the restaurant business in her blood. She has 25 years of freelance writing experience, covering everything from local human interest stories to content/copy writing for websites and business collateral.
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Patti has volunteered at Visitation Catholic Parish and School, where her children attended, for nearly 20 years. She was elected Visitation Council of Catholic Women’s President in 2013 and enjoyed leading the women of the parish spiritually, socially and philanthropically, supporting many special causes by hosting special events and fundraisers.
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Currently, Patti is Lead Usher Coordinator for the Parish, helping ensure worshippers are welcomed warmly inside church doors. She also served on the board of York H.S. Athletic Boosters, and is a certified yoga instructor who enjoys sharing the practice with those looking to build strength and flexibility both physically and mentally. Patti and her husband Jim have three children and enjoy all kinds of sports.
Deacon Mike Iozzo
Board Member
Deacon Mike Iozzo has been a member of Visitation Catholic Parish for about 40 years. Dcn. Mike taught Religious Education for nearly 30 years and currently helps prepare 8th graders for Confirmation. Dcn. Mike loves working with the kids to help cultivate their spiritual life after receiving the Sacrament. In addition to facilitating a St. Peregrine service the first Saturday of every month at Visitation, Dcn. Mike serves on the Board of the Joliet Cursillo, assists at neighboring parish, St. Domitilla during baptisms and funerals, and is a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, fostering the spirit of patriotism and encouraging active Catholic Citizenship. Always with the desire to help, Dcn. Mike is a Eucharistic Minister, delivering Communion to the homebound and to those in nursing home and assisted living facilities.
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Professionally, Mike has developed a stellar reputation as a manager within the car sales industry over the past 40 years, as well as in real estate sales. Mike says helping people choose a home and vehicle for their families is a challenging yet rewarding experience.
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Mike still assists, part-time, with inventory at the car dealership and has many memories, including helping single moms choose the right family car, as well as working with deaf clients referred to him thanks to his passion of learning sign language after meeting his wife Clare, and volunteering at the Center on Deafness. Mike also uses his business savvy as treasurer on his condo association’s board and is happy to share his knowledge to help those who can benefit from Mana ARTS.
Married almost 44 years to Clare, the couple has three children and four grandsons, and they love spending time with their huge extended family.