Our Governing Body

Our executive officers and directors are an important part of the NSS Life family. Get to know them by learning who they are, their positions and even their interests by clicking on the links below.

Executive Officers

MICHAEL A. MARTOCCI
Incoming President, CEO

JOSEPH STEFKA, JR., FIC
President, CEO

JOHN G. PAYERCHIN, FIC, CRCMP
Secretary-Treasurer, CFO

MICHAEL J. CZARNEY
Chairman of the Board

Board of Directors

LAUREN A. FOX

ANDREA L. GARBON

ABIGAIL A. GROSS ESQ

ROBERT F. KATRICAK, FIC

SUSAN M. ONDREJCO

Mrs. Susan Ondrejco has had the privilege of serving as a Director since 2002. Through her active involvement in numerous non-profit programs and her affiliation with various cultural groups and fraternals for more than 40 years, Susan has a strong foundation in understanding the structure, operation and purpose of the fraternal benefit system.

In 1977 she began co-directing The Pittsburgh Slovakian Folk Ensemble, and in 1979 she started co-hosting and co-producing the Western PA. Slovak Radio Hr. In 1991 she founded the Junior Pittsburgh Slovakians, a children’s folk ensemble. She continues to direct all of these at the present time. She coordinated the entertainment for an international multi-fraternal festival consisting of 16 folk ensembles for several years. Susan also served as a board member of the Pittsburgh Folk Festival for 7 years, 4 of those years functioning as treasurer. She also served as President of the North Hills Junior Tamburitzan Parent Organization. Susan was called upon occasionally as a consultant to the Duquesne University Tamburitzans.

She was an original board member of the Western PA Slovak Cultural Association in 1997, and now continues to serve on the advisory board. She has been a member of the Western PA Slovak Day Committee since 1975. Since 2014 Susan has served as the ticket chairperson in addition to serving on other committees for Slovak Day now in its 99th year. She was named “Fraternalist of the Year” by the First Slovak Wreath of the Free Eagle in 1997. Susan has been honored twice with “Medals of Honor” from the Ambassador of Slovakia because of her distinguished leadership and service in the Slovak community. Most recently in 2021, the Western PA Slovak Cultural Association recognized Susan with a Lifetime Service Achievement Award. She was honored for her lifelong service to the Slovak American community and contributions in promoting Slovak language, culture and heritage in Western Pennsylvania.

Since 2005, Susan is Treasurer of Region 5 (Pittsburgh Region). She is also Secretary/Treasurer of Assembly L-161 since 2005. She also served as Fraternal Activity Director for L-161 from 1989-2005. Susan received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Duquesne University. She was employed by Magee Women’s Hospital, and also worked as a private duty nurse.

After raising her family, Susan and her husband established their own business in 1994. Susan is co-owner and Secretary/Treasurer of Rudy’s Auto Service, Inc. She is responsible for managing the office including managing finances, payroll, and record keeping.

Susan was elected as a National Officer in August of 2006, and has been re-elected to this position at every Quadrennial Convention since. Serving as a Director for twenty-four years, she has assisted on various committees such as: Scholarship, Policy Development, Business Development, Code of Conduct, Executive Committee, Fraternal Growth, Membership Growth, Assembly Growth, Compensation, By-laws, Governance, Officer’s Seminar Planning, Convention Planning and Youth Leadership. Her most notable accomplishment has been her work on the Museum Committee. The Museum was established in 2008. Susan wrote the bylaws, oversaw the development of the space, contracted the development of the space, established contacts for the sharing of exhibit items, and began outreach efforts. She is responsible for arranging tours, programs, exhibits, volunteers and keeping the financial records of the museum in order. There are now two annual events established at the museum which have proven to be very successful.

Susan has taken advantage of many educational opportunities by attending various conferences and seminars presented by the American Fraternal Alliance, Pennsylvania Fraternal Alliance, AQS Asset Management, ENDePersis, and Fraternal Societies of Greater Pittsburgh. She has completed the Board Institute and the Board Master Class conducted by the American Fraternal Alliance. She has served as a Board member for the Pennsylvania Fraternal Alliance since 2013. Susan has served on several committees for the State Alliance including: Bylaws, Projects, Scholarship, Chair of the Fraternalist of the Year (’18), Chair of Credentials Committee from 2015 to the present. Currently she serves as Secretary for the Fraternal Societies of Greater Pittsburgh.

KAREN L. ORBAN

My name is Karen Lynne Orban and I respectfully submit my name and bio for consideration as a candidate for National Director.

Having worked within the Fraternal Benefit System for more than 30 years with three Fraternal Societies, I possess experience and knowledge in many areas pertaining to the daily operation, fraternal programs, in addition to the general structure and promotion of the Society. All in support of the vision and mission statement set forth for growth and in the best interest of the NSS. With over 16 years of experience in the NSS Home Office, along with my work within two additional fraternal societies, I have developed a strong understanding and appreciation for organizational structure, governance, and the daily operations essential to the continued growth and success of our Society. Although I have worked in each department through the early years, the majority of the years working within the Fraternal Societies, comprised of duties performed holding the titles of an Executive Assistant to the National Officers, primarily to the National President of two Fraternal Societies and being the National Fraternal Director of the NSS. I worked closely with the Board to prepare reports, maintain meeting minutes, update By-Laws, and support ongoing organizational needs. I served as the Region 5 Fraternal Director and a Board Member & Officer of the Fraternal Section of the American Fraternal Alliance. Through attending Fraternal Section meetings as a representative, I gained valuable new perspectives and the opportunity to connect with and learn from the ideas and visions of fellow fraternal leaders across organizations of all sizes. It was both rewarding and highly educational to gain an appreciation for the methods that proved successful, as well as those that fell short, in fraternal programs and procedures. Networking with others who share similar ideals is an essential tool in strengthening and enhancing fraternal operations.

Most recently, I had the opportunity to serve on the Board of NSS. It was an extremely rewarding experience to work with my fellow Board members, as together we achieved sustained business growth by leveraging strategic concepts, implementing effective operational and financial tools, and continuously refining processes to improve efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

During my time on the Board, I had the opportunity to serve on three key committees—Audit, Fraternal Growth, and Technology—each contributing to the Society’s operations and development. On the Audit Committee, we helped oversee financial accountability by working with the CPA firm, reviewing reports, and presenting recommendations to the Board for decision-making. As part of the Fraternal Growth Committee, we addressed challenges from the pandemic by promoting a “back to basics” approach, encouraging member engagement through new and existing programs. On the Technology Committee, we supported efforts to strengthen data security, ensure regulatory compliance, and implement systems that protect sensitive information while enabling future growth. This is where I felt I could contribute most, drawing on my prior experience working in the Home Office. As a former employee, I benefited from the systems in place and developed a strong understanding of both the advantages and the daily challenges staff face. Providing our committed employees with the tools and resources they need to effectively serve members in all aspects of their membership is essential to maintaining a smooth and successful operation.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Board, I remorsefully chose not to run for another term. Although it was my belief that I possessed the qualifications, knowledge, and experience to contribute to the continued success of the NSS, the membership deserves full commitment. The delegates vote for the best candidate to represent the Society on a whole and I was unable to meet the expectations that delegates put forth for such a position. The membership expects and deserves a Board member to be available, active, and present not only in assembly activities and meetings, but also attending events, fraternal activities, and to promote and represent our society on every level. Unfortunately, living in Florida and owning a company there limited my ability to fully commit to the responsibilities and it became challenging to be entirely present and therefore, made what I felt was the best decision for the membership on a whole.

For the past 16 years, I have been a 51% franchise owner, where I oversee all aspects of daily operations. Including managing appointments, estimates, billing, payments, and customer records, as well as maintaining accurate financial documentation and ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal tax requirements, including monthly, quarterly, and annual filings with the IRS. I develop and implement business budgets, create advertising and marketing initiatives, and manage the ordering and purchasing of supplies. Additionally, I assess prospective customers’ needs, provide effective solutions, and deliver services tailored to resolve their specific situations.

Owning and operating a franchise has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of business management, from financial oversight to strategic decision-making. This experience has strengthened my ability to make informed decisions that support growth, stability, and long-term success while maintaining a strong and reputable standing within the industry.

My husband and I have been truly blessed to raise two wonderful daughters who have grown into successful women in careers they are passionate about. We are also proud grandparents to our grandson, who has completely captured my heart as his ‘Kay Kay.’ The NSS Life motto, ‘Family Matters,’ is something we do not just say in our family but truly live each and every day.

John and I will officially retire in July and will no longer carry the obligations of business ownership and will allow me to travel whenever necessary. This coincides with my belief that a strong presence is a vital part of representing our society in all aspects. Therefore, I am eager to return to a high presence and active leadership role for the betterment of the NSS. The honor of being a Board Member and representing the Society and all members is a responsibility I hold in the highest regard.

ANDREW J. WESNAK

Greetings! I have had the honor and privilege of serving the members of the National Slovak Society as Director for the past 16 years however these past four (4) years have been the most challenging. As we move into the next four there is much that remains on the Boards agenda to see to completion. Because of this I feel that my work is not yet done.

In the past 16 years NSS has grown from $100 million to $1.75 billion in assets. We are in 22 states with 2 pending and have over 37,000 members. This tremendous growth has occurred through some exceedingly challenging times. I am proud to be a member of a team of Directors, Executive Officers, Asset Managers, Accountants, Actuaries, Agents, Sales Executive, and our Home Office Staff in making decisions to keep the NSS on the right track for continued success and steady growth.

Involvement in the fraternal system is strong in my family beginning with my great grandmother, grandmother, and mother who all held roles of executive leadership in the First Slovak Wreath of the Free Eagle. Through a merger in 1997, the members of the FWSFE became members of the National Slovak Society. Since our merger I was elected to serve as President of NSS Region 14 and NSS Assembly L102 in Whitehall, PA along with serving as a member of the NSS Board of Directors. I am proud to say that with the hard work and dedication of the members and officers of Assembly L102 we have earned Diamond or Platinum Level Extra Effort awards every year since our merger with the NSS and both Assembly L102 and Region 14 continue to be very active in serving in the community.

I have attended NSS Board Meetings as required and have served on all committees as appointed by the National Officers and Chairman of the Board. For the last 8 years, I have served as a delegate to the PA Fraternal Alliance Annual meeting and have attended the NJ/NY Fraternal Alliance Annual meetings as a delegate, Board of Director, and in 2017 as its President. I am immensely proud to say that during my term as President, the NJ/NY Alliance had an extraordinarily successful year with a profitable annual meeting.

As part of board governance, it is necessary that we continue board education to stay current with issues affecting the NSS and the fraternal benefit system. I have attended classes and/or educational seminars as approved by the NSS President & CEO and the Chairman of the Board and also those offered by the American Fraternal Alliance.

I have always been an advocate for member benefits and providing funding to our assemblies and regions so they can go forth into their communities and help those in need. It is my goal to continue to be part of the team that is responsible for this outreach to our members, their communities and others that are in need.

I am 64 years old and have been married to my wonderful wife Sharon for 32 years. Together we have a blended family of 5 children, 10 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. I take pride in saying that we are six (6) generations of family that are ALL members of the NSS.
My career has led me in many different directions which afforded me the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge, improving my business and leadership skills along the way. I have held positions in Receiving, as Job Foreman and Estimator, gained experience in Project Management and served on the Board of Directors for Local 1522 IBEW Union of Lucent. Later, with the sale of Lucent, I joined the Construction Labor Union 1174 where I have served as a Union Job Steward, Auditor, and Sergeant at Arms.

it is my goal to use the knowledge I have gained to further the success of the National Slovak Society and to ensure that it remains a stable fraternal benefit society focused on its members, their communities while keeping an eye on what the future is to bring. Walking in the footsteps of the fraternal leaders of my family it is important for me to work diligently with the other members of the Board to manage growth to ensure that the society will continue to be a viable, strong, and well managed organization. We have come so far since the inception of a new governance structure. We have spent many hours and have accomplished much and yet there is still much work to do.

THERESA M. ZEMELMAN

My name is Theresa Zemelman. I am a lifelong member of the National Slovak Society, as are my four children, my three sisters, and my parents, Rudy and Sue Ondrejco. My husband Cal and I have been married for 15 years, and we participate in many NSS fraternal events, including the coloring contest, art contest, photo contest, assembly picnics, and Septemberfest.

I believe my various life experiences make me a unique contributor to our board as a National Director. I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2004 and was a grateful recipient of an NSS PVR scholarship. Since 2006, I have worked for Raul V. Bravo and Associates, a transportation consulting firm, and now hold the position of Principal Engineer. I also served as National Fraternal Activities Director for the First Catholic Slovak Union (FCSU) from 2003 until 2007 where I was the youngest National Officer elected in the history of the FCSU. In addition to NSS and FCSU, I am also a member of Slovak Catholic Sokol, Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union, and the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association. Finally, I was the president of my local HOA, with the responsibility of leading the Board of a large community and dealt with a variety of challenges which affected the personal lives of my constituents. My professional, fraternal, and organizational leadership combined with my engineering experience, gives me a broad perspective on both the business and fraternal aspects of fraternal organizations.

I have worked in the passenger rail industry since 2006. I have been a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Virginia for over a decade. As a PE, I am often called upon to grant final approval on complex projects and am required to take continuing education courses to keep my license. These courses include topics as varied as ethics, economics, risk management, and program management. I was a respected participant in the Engineering Task Force commissioned by the Federal Railroad Administration and helped draft regulations for inclusion in the Code of Federal Regulations that defines the requirements for new passenger rail vehicles equipped with crash energy management systems. One of my strengths as an engineer is being able to effectively communicate, explain, and resolve issues with all stakeholders. I feel that these skills will be very useful to the Board of Directors, and I’m eager to take part in the Board’s deliberations.

In the role of National Fraternal Activities Director for the FCSU, I was responsible for organizing events, preparing budgets, reconciling financial statements for fraternal events, interfacing with committees and members, collecting payments, disbursing funds, and coordinating with Home Office staff. I also sat on the Board of Directors and took part in business discussions and decisions, similar to those faced by NSS. In addition to managing the annual bowling and golf tournaments hosted by the FCSU, I reinstated the traditional Family Day Picnics in Middletown, PA, which required organizing bus excursions for members and guests, an outdoor picnic for over 300 including Catholic Mass, children’s games, a train ride, pony rides, picnic lunch, and music and dancing. This picnic was an enormous undertaking, but well worth the effort for all those who participated and enjoyed the event. I was an active participant at the board meetings and took advantage of the opportunities to learn about the insurance and annuity business from my fellow Board members.

Serving the community is a priority for me, one that I would like my children to inherit. Our family participates in food drives, raises funds for Make-A-Wish, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the National Zoo, collects and donates Christmas gifts for disadvantaged families, and has participated in Thanksgiving meal preparation and donation for our local homeless shelter.

I am excited with the opportunity of becoming a National Director and using my various skills and experience to serve my fraternal brothers and sisters. I have seen the value of fraternal organizations such as the NSS in today’s world and have benefited from them myself.