Board of Directors
Born in Lima Peru, Kepler has been a citizen of the United States for 25 years. Mr. Padilla holds an Associate Degree in Architectural Drafting and Graphic Design / Printing from Palm Beach Community College.
After moving to Laconia, New Hampshire, in May of 2015, he joined the Laconia Council 428 of the Knights of Columbus. Kepler is a parishioner of Saint Andre Bissette Parish. He is also a Eucharistic Minister and head of the Usher / Greeter ministry. He is presently the Grand Knight of Laconia council 428 of the Knights of Columbus while also holding the title of District Deputy as well as chairman of the Hispanic program for the State of New Hampshire. He has been named one of the top ten membership producers of the entire order and was named "Knight of the Year" for 2020.
Kepler's first project to aid the children of Peru began, in 2019, with the "Coats for Kids / Peru" program. The program fabricated and donated 425 coats to the children of the Andes in Peru with aid from the Sister Ministers of Saint Vincent De Paul. After the pandemic hit worldwide, Kepler was unable to continue his "Coats for Kids / Peru" program. At the urging of the Sister Ministers of Saint Vincent De Paul he formed the "Feed The Hungry / Peru" program, which through a series of soup kitchens and orphanages, and with the aid of the sisters fed, over 6 thousand Peruvians, a total of over 62,000 meals.
At that time, the mayor of Huasta, Peru, having worked with him on the "Coats for Kids / Peru" program, approached him and asked him to take over the operation and management of the newly constructed orphanage in his city, which he agreed to do. This was the beginning of Huasta House of Hope, which was dedicated on September 19th, 2021.
Christine attended Northeastern University College of Nursing in Boston, Massachusetts. She started her career in Boston at The Veterans Affairs Hospital. She then moved on to The New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Woburn, Massachusetts as a head nurse, working inpatient rehabilitation for stroke, brain injuries and many other complex diseases. The foundation of her experience led her to work for many years providing in-home Health Care, with Primary Care in between.
After 40+ years of nursing and raising two daughters with her husband of 46 years, Scott, she has retired and is now devoting her time to grandchildren, church and volunteering with charities that make a difference for families in need. Her background in Nursing, Motherhood and her Faith in God, have given her the wisdom, knowledge and compassion necessary, for understanding and helping the less fortunate.
Ron Keys was born in the village of Ossining, New York, where he studied accounting at Pace College and Westchester Community College. After college, he became General Manager of several bowling centers for the Brunswick Corporation. He later moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he was the Controllers Auditor for Puerto Rico International Airlines. He then became the Assistant General Manager of Burns International Security Services. He oversaw 1250 armed and unarmed uniformed guards and 125 detectives. Upon returning to the states he held the position of Controller for several manufacturing and construction companies until he retired.
Upon moving to Laconia, New Hampshire, he became a parishioner of Saint Andre Bessette Parish. He heads the Rosary for the unborn program run by the Knights of Columbus Laconia Council 428, where he holds the title of Financial Secretary. In addition to this position, he is also the Faithful Navigator for the 4th Degree of the order and is a District Deputy and online Membership Chairman for the state of New Hampshire Knights of Columbus. He is a founding member of the board of Directors of Huasta House of Hope and holds the corporate title of Controller.
Born on April 24, 1961, in Oceanside NY, raised in Wantagh, NY until the age of 11 when he moved to West Franklin, NH. He went to Franklin High School where he was interested in learning about the building trade and attended computer classes at Lakes Region Community College. While living in Franklin he worked at Watts Regulator, Insulfab Plastics and Poly Clad as a factory worker. He later went to work at Gerrity Building Centers as a lumber yard worker in Tilton NH and worked his way up to the head of the Millwork Department. While working at Gerrity Building Centers he met and married his current wife of 32 years.
He joined the Knights of Columbus on May 29, 1998, and is currently the Deputy Grand Knight of Council 428 out of Laconia, NH. He is an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoys riding his Harley with his wife. He and his wife have a blended family of 5 children and have 9 grandchildren. He is an active member of St. Andre Bessette Parish and serves as an usher every Sunday, attends the Rosary for the unborn every Friday and assists with the weekly services and rosary at the Belknap County Nursing Home in Laconia, NH
Richard Sonia was born in Boston Massachusetts where he worked on the family farm until entering the United States Navy. Upon discharge, he relocated to California where he studied data processing. After graduating, he began his climb in the data processing field where he oversaw the data processing department for several wholesale and retail grocery chains. He worked closely with the shipping departments to minimize waste and increase profits. This led to him being transferred to the sales division where he was one of the purchasing agents assigned the responsibility of maximizing profits for items held on sale, being named highest-grossing agent several times.
Upon retirement, he moved to Gilford, New Hampshire, and is a parishioner of Saint Andre Bessette Parish. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus where he has held the title of Grand Knight for Laconia Council 428 and Faithful Navigator for the 4th degree of the Order. He is the founding Grand knight of Father Emil K. Kapaun Council, a council open to veteran seniors of the order. He is also a founding member of the Board of Directors of Huasta House of Hope.