Meet the team

Director

Kirk Ries

Kirk Ries has been involved with St. Herman House since before it came under the FOCUS umbrella. He served as part of the transition team and has served on the Advisory Board. Kirk has been the Chairperson of the St. Herman House Golf Classic since its inception.

Kirk holds a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Administration and is a licensed Social Worker. He brings nearly 30 years of experience as a program director and direct care. He has worked in mental health residential programs and business development.

As a St. Innocent Orthodox Church member in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, Kirk has served in various ministry roles. He has filled several capacities of the Parish Council, including a couple of stints as president. He was also part of a team that developed their monthly community meal and mobile pantry.

Program manager

Kirk Barratt

Kirk Barratt has been at St. Herman House for several years and is an integral part of the programs, including the apiary program, the day-to-day activities, and the prayer services. Kirk’s main function as Program Manager is to work with the men of the house to ensure that they are participating in programming, working with the case manager, and following the rules. He is a member of St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral in Tremont, where he is an altar server and reads.

CASE manager

Mary Ellen Jordan

Mary Ellen joined the staff of St Herman House in July 2020. She has been a social worker for almost 25 years and spent most of that time working in hospice care and grief counseling. Mary Ellen earned her Master’s in Social Work from Catholic University and is a licensed independent social worker.

In her role as Case Manager, Mary Ellen works with St Herman House’s current and former residents on issues ranging from housing and employment to addiction and mental health counseling. The main focus of her role is to help move men from homelessness to stability. Mary Ellen was drawn to the work of St Herman House due in large part to her previous experience as a Jesuit Volunteer and practicing community-based social work.

Director of food services

Carl Cook

Carl has served at St. Herman House as the Director of Food Services since 2011. He has been involved in community outreach in Cleveland, OH for over 15 years, founding Project Save, a nonprofit organization that helps men and women end the cycle of homelessness and poverty. He also co-founded the Metanoia Project, an organization that serves the shelter-resistant population of Cleveland.

Born and raised in Cleveland Heights, Carl earned his degree in Culinary Arts from Beachwood Culinary School and experienced homelessness for a large part of his young adult life. He is honored to serve the community and help those experiencing trauma and trials in their life. Through his role at St. Herman House, he has inspired and supported several residents on their journeys!

Core Volunteer Staff

Roy McInerney

Main House Manager

John Babich

Transition House Manager

Albert Wagner

Office Assistant

St. Herman House Advisory Board

Anna Vedouras
Federal Executive Board

Maria Misthos-Cashy, M.D.

Barry Gluntz
BMG Enterprises, Inc. dba C&L Casting Sales and CT Hydraulics, Inc.

Michael Herzak II
Insurance Systems Group, Inc.

Stephan Kovalak
AmTrust Financial Services

Fr. Stephen Callos
Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Adam Neff
MIM Software Inc.

Alan Steinberger
Cleveland Clinic

Alexa Fox
University of Akron

Meet the Team