Thomas Hulett
President
Tom Hulett is one of the three founders of the Chesterton Academy of St. George. In high school, he attended Gregory the Great Academy, an all boys school in Elmhurst, PA. It was here that he developed an appreciation for the Good, True, and Beautiful and learned the vital importance of a strong Catholic identity in a school.
After high school, Tom joined the United States Air Force and honorably served out his enlistment until discharged. After his military service, Tom took a job helping out in the office at a small, local company. This introduction to business helped to foster an interest in operations, strategy, and ethical business practices. This prompted him to change course in his education earning an associate's degree in Business and a certificate in Management from Jackson College, as well as a bachelor's degree in Organizational Administration from Central Michigan University. Since then, Tom has focused on organizational culture and operational excellence while serving as the company’s CEO.
Tom brings nearly 15 years of experience in leadership, administration, and operations to his work with the Chesterton Academy of St. George. His goal is to see the school thrive and become a source of renewal for Catholic culture. He currently lives in Munith MI with his wife of 14 years and their 5 children.
Joseph Gruber
Secretary/ Treasurer
Joseph Gruber was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated with bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and English literature from the University of Pittsburgh, and has since gotten his master’s degree in theology from the Augustine Institute.
After 13 years as a Catholic missionary with FOCUS on college campuses across the country, as well as at a parish in Jackson, MI, Joseph and his wife founded a new marriage ministry, "Our Outpost," with the goal of awakening authentic Catholic culture through holy matrimony. He is the co-host of the Catholic radio show “Two Masters of Theology” alongside headmaster Matt Anderson, and the co-host of the podcasts “A Word from Our Outpost” and "Love Your Marriage" alongside his wife, Crystal Gruber. He and his wife mentor Catholic married couples, and regularly host workshops, talks, and retreats for married couples as well as Catholic young adults.
Joseph and his wife have six children. They are passionate about formation and desire the education from the Chesterton Academy of St. George for their children and for as many children in Jackson as possible.
Jill (Pomey) Robert
Jill Robert was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She received her BA in Education from the University of Michigan and her MA in Reading Education from Western Michigan University. She has been married to Dale for 30 years and they have lived in Napoleon for 21 years. They are blessed with three daughters, two son-in-laws, three granddaughters, and one grandchild on the way! They are active members of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Jackson.
Jill taught for ten years in the public-school systems of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Napoleon Michigan before staying home to homeschool her own children. She was a director and tutor for the Jackson Classical Conversations homeschool community for 8 years. She also taught history, geography, and grammar to 3rd and 4th graders and writing to 8th and 9th graders at St. Augustine’s Homeschooling Enrichment Program in Ann Arbor. Jill coached the JAHE Lady Patriot’s Girls’ Volleyball team for 10 years.
Jill became passionate about classical education as she and her husband began their homeschooling journey with their children. The opportunity to learn and teach truth, goodness, and beauty through the lens of the Catholic Church and Western Civilization has been a blessing for their entire family. They are enthusiastic supporters of the Chesterton Academy of St. George in Jackson and are thrilled that their grandchildren will have this wonderful high school as an option down the road.
Therri Oberdick
Therri Oberdick and her husband John recently moved to the Jackson area from Brighton. They have been happily married for 44 years. She is faithful to the Lord and desires to serve Him and His Church, leveraging the skills and experiences gained throughout her career. Therri is not new to launching new ventures and has always been on the forefront of forging new initiatives. Her experience is diverse, spending numerous years in the quality improvement space serving Chrysler Corporation and Automotive Suppliers. Over a 7-year period, Therri managed a global Quality Certification project for Chrysler Corporation, reporting to Senior Executives of both the corporation and the union. Prior to that, Therri was on the forefront of the introduction of personal computers and laptops, selling first to distributors for home and small business applications, and then to corporations. Before retiring, Therri changed industries and became a Communications Coach in Media Relations Executive Training. Finally finishing her career with MLive Media group in print and digital advertising sales.
Now retired, Therri has a passion for classical education and remains active in faith formation activities and evangelization efforts at St John the Evangelist Parish in Jackson. Therri enjoys travel, gardening, golf and time with family and friends.
Matthew Anderson
Vice-President
Matthew Anderson is the current headmaster of the Chesterton Academy of St. George, as well as the Vice President of the Board of Directors. Originally hailing from central Illinois, Matthew attended Christendom College in Front Royal, VA where he experienced the transformative power of a Catholic liberal arts education. While at Christendom, Matthew majored in Philosophy with a minor in Theology, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2009. It was also during his years at Christendom that he met his future wife, Elizabeth.
Following graduation, Matthew spent three years working for the pro-life website LifeSiteNews.com as it's U.S. Coordinator. In this role, he was in charge of the administration of the United States business operations for the website. In 2012, he took a job as a Theology teacher and Director of Adult Faith Formation at Sacred Heart School in East Grand Forks, MN. In 2014, he and his family moved to Jackson, MI where he became a theology teacher at Lumen Christi Catholic School, a position he held until 2021.In 2018, he earned his Masters in Systematic Theology from the Christendom Graduate School of Theology, again graduating Summa Cum Laude.
During his nine years in Catholic education, Matthew specialized in relating the teachings of the Catholic Church to modern teenagers. He taught such classes as Philosophy and Christ, Apologetics, Christology, and Morality. As part of his desire to bring souls to Christ, he also organized annual trips to the March for Life in Washington D.C., served as theology chair, and helped redesign the theology curriculum at both schools. A passionate supporter of classical education, he and his wife have five beautiful children, the oldest three being homeschooled using the Mother of Divine Grace curriculum. He and his family reside near Jackson, where they have five acres of land for small time farming and hunting.
Deacon Dave Etters
Deacon David Etters and his wife Marcia have three adult children and four grandchildren, and actively serve at their parish, St. John the Evangelist in Jackson, Michigan. Since his ordination in 2015, Deacon has also served on the board of Catholic Charities, Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale counties, and the Personal Needs & Linen Closet, serving the poor in downtown Jackson. Deacon and Marcia visit and distribute communion to homebound parishioners, and conduct the first Friday Holy Hour with Adoration and Benediction at the St. Joseph Oratory. They are also involved in Bible study, faith formation and discipleship groups.
Deacon holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids and an MA in Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, Connecticut. Beginning and ending his professional career in teaching, he taught a total of thirteen years in Catholic schools, spanning a range from elementary music and language arts to High School Senior Theology. In between he worked as an aerospace technical writer and a quality engineering manager in the automotive industry.
While Deacon looks forward to serving on the board – promoting joyful, classical, Catholic education, in his spare time he will likely be found spending time with Marcia, the grandchildren, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, or playing guitar.
Fr. Peter Clark
Fr. Peter Clark grew up in a happy Catholic Family in Rochester, New York. He received a bachelor's degree in General Science/ Education from Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH in 1970. Following his undergraduate, he went on to study medicine at the Vrije Universiteit Brussels in Belgium, earning his MD in 1980.
His move to Michigan was the result of his attraction to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and post graduate training in Internal Medicine after graduating from medical school. From 1983 - 1994, Fr. Clark ran a private medical practice specializing in Internal and Geriatric Medicine. During that same time, he served as a staff physician at Saline Community Hospital and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. From 1992-1994, he was also a part-time instructor in Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan.
In 2002, Fr. Clark was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Lansing by Bishop Carl Mengeling. Following his ordination, he served as parochial vicar at St. John the Evangelist in Fenton. From 2005 - 2014 he served as pastor of St. Mary's in Williamston. In 2014, Fr. Clark reached senior priest status, and has since been residing in Clinton, MI, serving St. Dominic's Oratory by administering the sacraments there.
He was always intrigued by his classically trained Flemish classmates when studying medicine in Belgium. He was introduced to the writings of G.K. Chesterton later in seminary and immediately rejoiced in the connection between Chesterton’s Catholic sensibility and classical education. Since that time, he has been a great supporter of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton and the Chesterton Schools Network. Fr. Clark is now excited to see a Chesterton Academy opening in south central Michigan.