Church Staff
Rev. Jaco Bester
Pastor / Head of Staff
Rev. Jaco Bester serves as Pastor and Head of Staff at Burnt Store Presbyterian Church. Originally from South Africa, he was ordained in the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa in 2010, after graduating from the University of South Africa. He has also pursued continuing education through the University of Pretoria and Princeton Theological Seminary.
Over the years, Jaco has served congregations in a wide variety of settings, from small rural farming communities to larger urban and suburban churches. Before coming to Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, he served for many years in South Africa, as well as for two years in Michigan. He has also been actively involved in the wider life of the church, including denominational leadership in South Africa, and teaching on the Belhar Confession at the invitation of the Synod of the Covenant in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Jaco is passionate about helping people grow in a life-giving relationship with God, rooted in worship, shaped by discipleship, and expressed through loving service to others. He believes the church is at its best when it gathers around the grace of Jesus Christ and then carries that grace into the life of the community.
Jaco is married to Jacqui, whom he describes as his greatest support and joy. Together they are raising five wonderful and energetic children: Migeul, Ryan, Emily, Sarah, and Luke. Away from church, Jaco enjoys sport, cooking, trying new foods, storytelling, travel, outdoor adventures, and taking wonderfully long road trips with his family.
Lou Zuck
Parish Associate
A native of LaPorte City, Iowa he spent all but 4 years of his ministry in the United Methodist Church. He received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, his Master’s of Ministry from Anderson School of Theology and his Master’s of Divinity from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.
He served 8 years as a chaplain (1st Lt.) in the Illinois Army National Guard. His community and mission activities reflect his caring heart and kind ways. He and his wife Lynn have been married for over 40 years and upon retirement in 2013 moved to Punta Gorda where we have seen him singing in our choir, serving as visitation Pastor, working in the Memorial Garden, providing pulpit supply, and participating on Habitat for Humanity workdays.
Ron Neal
Music Director/Organist
Ron was born in Charleston, WV, and has a Master’s of Music in Church Music Degree (organ and conducting) from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ. He did additional course work at the Royal School of Church Music in England, and with the education department of the Lutheran Church of Sweden. He also studied on historically significant organs in Germany, Holland, France and Sweden. He has served as an Organist/Choirmaster in several PCUSA congregations in New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia and West Virginia. Ron formerly served as organist at BSPC in 2018-2019.
Eric Jordan
Praise Team Director
Eric has been leading music and singing in our contemporary service since 2011. With no formal musical training, Eric uses the experience of over twenty years of praise and worship team participation and a leaning on the Spirit to find the blend of music each week that helps bring the congregation into the presence of God. He strives to bring fresh contemporary music into worship each week, while retaining the songs that have meant so much to so many for so long.
Originally from Johnson City, NY, Eric and his wife Vicki moved to Florida in 1993 and to Punta Gorda in 1994. They have two grown sons, Rick and Jon, both of whom are musicians in the Orlando area. Eric enjoys writing music, cruising, and watching NASCAR. He is also an avid supporter of his sports teams; the Yankees, the Rangers, and the Dallas Cowboys.
Eric’s favorite Bible verse is a good one: Philippians 4:13, “I know I can do ALL things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me!”. About the service the music for which he leads, Eric says, “we play for an audience of One! You are all invited to come along for the ride!”
Tammy Oronati
Administrative Assistant
Tammy has several years of administrative experience behind her and has been at Burnt Store Presbyterian Church since 2022.
Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Tammy and her husband Bob moved to Florida in 2018. They have 4 adult children and 2 grandchildren who still reside up north.
Tammy enjoys the outdoors and spends much of her time in her garden and the beach.
Eva Tomszak
Financial Administrator
Eva earned a degree in Accounting from National Louis University in Chicago, Illinois, and brings more than 20 years of accounting experience from Illinois Tool Works. As Financial Administrator at Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, she oversees incoming and outgoing funds and financial reporting. She moved to Port Charlotte from Chicago with her husband four years ago and has three sons who still live in the Chicago area.
Brian LeBrun
Media Tech
Brian has been running sound for bands and events for over 30 years. He oversees all technical aspects of our Church and its events, including live streaming all our services and technical help for many of the events.
In addition to being the media tech for BSPC, he has 2 other jobs: as a professional musician with The Mixed Up Duo and the Sunsets, and also works for Charlotte County as part of the event staff at the Charlotte Sports Park, working with the Tampa Bay Rays and their affiliates.
Born in Aiken, South Carolina, Brian spent 32 of his first 36 years in the Boston area. He moved to Tucson, AZ in 1994 and then to Punta Gorda in 2015 with fiancé Kristine Bienema. Brian has 3 children and 3 granddaughters.
Zachary Beck
Audio & Visual Assistant
Zack is studying digital art and multimedia production at Florida State University and is currently taking a year away from classes to continue building his creative skills and hands-on experience. In his role as Burnt Store Presbyterian’s Audio & Visual Assistant, he will work in the booth alongside Brian LeBrun.
Wes Reed
Custodian
Wes was born and raised in Texas before moving to West Virginia where he lived for 40 years using his degree in Early Childhood Education and commercial driver’s license working with kids and driving school buses.
He has many years of experience in property management and custodial work and is a regular attender at our 8:30 a.m. service. He brings with him skills in woodworking and general handyman services.
Wes is also a Master Gardener, and if you attend our Winter Fare, expect to see Wes with his wonderful crafts. As he says “Art is my life, gardening and working outside bring me a lot of peace.”
