New Board Members Announced Following LHM’s 2026 Election
Nearly 71 percent of Lutheran Hour Ministries’ registered voting members cast ballots in the recent election to fill open seats on the Board of Directors for the International Lutheran Laymen’s League/Lutheran Hour Ministries. Mary Scott of Irvine, California, and Ron Wheeler of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, are beginning their first terms on the Board; Karl Abraham of Lochaber-Ouest, Quebec, Canada, has been re-elected to his second term; and Jim Dankenbring of St. Louis, Missouri, has been re-elected to a third term.
Three-year terms for each of these individuals will begin at the July Board of Directors meeting. Read more about these Board members below.
Jim Dankenbring of St. Louis, Missouri (3rd term)
Dankenbring is a partner in the law firm Spencer Fane LLP, representing businesses in mergers and acquisitions, securities matters, contract negotiations, and executive compensation. He was previously a certified public accountant with Ernst & Young. Dankenbring led his congregation’s capital campaign and has served or chaired numerous non-profit boards like Lutheran Senior Services, Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis, The Foundation for Called Workers, and Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation. A current LHM Board member, he and his wife co-chaired LHM’s SENT Initiative. His many distinctions include The Best Lawyers in America® (2012-2023) and Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year in Corporate Compliance Law (2017), and Corporate Governance Law (2022).
Karl Abraham of Lochaber-Ouest, Quebec, Canada (2nd term)
Abraham has served increasingly senior positions for Environment and Climate Change Canada, a federal department for the Canadian government, since 2002. He currently is chief engineer for electricity policy, managing a team of more than 20 engineers and focusing on the generation of electricity through engaging with stakeholders, developing policy, and promoting and administering regulations. He has received numerous employment awards for contributions to various regulations and program development. As a trained chemical engineer, he has an extensive background in program design, policy governance, communications, and strategic thinking. An LHM Board member since 2023, Abraham’s congregational volunteer positions have included Sunday school teacher, trustee/secretary, and member of the church council.
Mary Scott of Irvine, California (1st term)
Scott has served as chief executive officer/executive director of Lutheran High School of Orange County since 2020 following four years as head of school at Concordia International School in Shanghai, China. She previously spent more than 30 years at Concordia University (Irvine, California) in increasingly responsible positions, completing her tenure there as provost and executive vice president. A commissioned minister of religion in the LCMS, her extensive volunteer service includes six years chairing the LCMS Chief Academic Officers Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Concordia University Chicago, a master’s degree in athletic administration from Adelphi University, and a doctorate in education (institutional management) from Pepperdine University.
Ron Wheeler of Lee’s Summit, Missouri (1st term)
Wheeler has been in the insurance business since 1980 and is licensed in all 50 states. He is part-owner and chief executive officer of a national network brokerage that markets life insurance and annuities through 1,800-plus agents representing cultures from all around the world. Among his volunteer work is a dedicated record of service at Holy Trinity Lutheran in Grandview, Missouri, where he currently is congregational chair. Wheeler has also held various board positions with the Missouri District of the LCMS, the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (including nine years as investment committee chair), and past leadership positions with National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (past president of Missouri NAIFA).
Thanks to everyone who participated this year in the election process! Want to vote in 2027? Anyone who gives a gift to LHM between July 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2026, and is a member of a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or Lutheran Church—Canada, will be eligible to register for next year’s voting membership. Look for a postcard in the mail in February 2027 with details on how you can register to vote before next spring’s March 15 deadline.