Board of Directors at Upper Room of Erie
As a tax exempt, non-profit organization, the Upper Room of Erie is governed by a Board of Directors. The board is comprised of wonderful volunteer staff members and caring citizens from the Erie area. The members of the board are passionate about our mission and meet regularly to go over finances, monitor and assist program planning, and ensure that everything is running smoothly at The Upper Room of Erie.
Saunders McLaurin
Executive Director
Saunders came to the Upper Room in the summer of 2024 with a long career of serving the unhoused population in outreach for medical care.
Chuck Nelson
Board President
Chuck Nelson is the Pastor of the St. Paul’s Church, the host of the Upper Room. He has been serving in ministry downtown since 2011.
Rev. Carl Hull (Retired)
Board Member
Rev. Hull is a retired Presbyterian minister who served five congregations over forty-one years of service. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Grove City college and Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Prior to his retirement, Carl served St. Paul’s Church in Erie. It was here that he learned of the Upper Room and its mission to help and serve the poor and homeless of Erie.
Rev. Hull came to the Upper Room as its Chaplain in 2006, and has served most recently as board president. He and the director work hand-in-hand to assure the purpose and mission are at the forefront of activities, while continuing to expand services to better meet the needs of those less fortunate in the Erie Community.
Jerry Beemer
Board Member
Jerry Beemer is Licensed Professional Counselor who began serving the homeless by opening a community shelter at age 20, while in college. He has since run an inner-city group home, and directed two large children’s homes, served as a community therapist with Youth Advocate Program in Meadville, PA, served as psychotherapist on an acute psychiatric hospital unit with University of Maryland Hospital System also working in a private counseling clinic. While in Maryland Jerry also served on the Governor’s Mental Health Advisory Council for several years and served on the Board of a program finding homes for the homeless. After moving back to Pennsylvania 6 years ago Jerry served at Family Services of NW PA as a psychotherapist.
Ronald Bryant
Board Members
Ron is a recent addition to the board, joining in 2016. By vocation, Ron is a Deputy Warden responsible for programming at The Erie County Prison. He brings expertise on the relation between homelessness and incarceration to the mission of The Upper Room.
Alice Niebauer
Secretary
Alice has served, and currently serves on numerous boards in the Erie Area and serves as board secretary for The Upper Room. She is tireless in her efforts and contribution to furthering the mission of the Upper Room and helping those who struggle with homelessness. She also acts as liaison between St. Paul’s Church and The Upper Room.
Cheryl Pierce
Board Member
Cheryl is the secretary of St. Paul’s Church. Thus, she serves as a voice between the church and the Upper Room, which, although a separate entity, donates to the church for the space used as The Upper Room. Cheryl serves as nominations chair for the board of directors.
Katy Cooper
Treasurer
Katy is a recent addition to the Board in 2021. She brings her financial knowledge. She has been a bookkeeper for small businesses for many years and is the owner of Cooper Accounting Services, LLC
She brings her expertise in the financial aspects as well as serving in the homeless environment. She has a passion for serving the community.
Marty Sargent
Board Member
Marty earned an undergraduate degree at Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at Edinboro State University. A nationally Certified Case Manager (CCM) and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), he provided healthcare services to diverse populations in need of medical care coordination and vocational services. Following graduation from the Nursing Program at Georgia State University, Marty continued his career in healthcare as a registered nurse case manager with the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Following retirement, Marty volunteered with the Carter Center. He also developed and implemented a Job Readiness Program for homeless LGBT+ youth at Lost N Found Youth Atlanta. Marty’s interest in community service continues in the Upper Room.