Meet Our Staff

Larry RubyRev. Dr. Lawrence A. Ruby, Pastor 

Pastor Larry came to Hiland in April of 2002. Since his ordination in 1975, he has served as Pastor in congregations in Florida, Ohio, California, New Jersey and New York. He and his wife, Linda, also a PCUSA Pastor, have four grown children and seven grandchildren. 

Pittsburgh is home since he grew up in Hopewell Township and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. After a year in graduate school at Pitt he answered God’s call to ministry, graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 1975. He later received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. 

Larry comes with a wealth of experience in both large and small churches, as an Associate Pastor, a solo Pastor and as a Senior Pastor. This has served him well as together with the people of God at Hiland he seeks to grow into all that God is calling us to be and to do. 

  

Linda DavisLinda Davis, Director of Children’s Ministries 

Linda Davis is a long-time member of Hiland Presbyterian Church, as well as an ordained Deacon, and has been serving as Director of Children’s Ministries since 2003. She is married and has two grown daughters. Linda enjoys creating a safe environment where children can have fun and learn and she aspires to create opportunities for them and their families to help them grow in their faith and in their love of God. 

  

  Chad JohnsonChad Johnson, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries 

Chad has been serving as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry since March of 2004. His call and service over the years has varied from volunteering with youth for 10 years at Glenshaw Presbyterian, along with 10 years of outdoor ministry at Crestfield Camp & Conference Center, and 2 years as an interim Director of Youth at Southminster Presbyterian Church. With the exception of 10 years living in Slippery Rock, Pa, he has always called the North Hills his home. Chad is honored to be married to his beautiful wife Katie and proud to be the father of their ridiculously cute children Chloe and Caleb. 

Although not a very serious person, Chad takes his call to Youth and Young Adult Ministry very seriously and is passionate about providing a safe place for young people to be themselves and be a part of a community of faith. He loves what he is called to do and is thankful for the blessing of this community to serve in. 

   

Jim GrapesJim Grapes, Director of Music Ministries 

Jim has directed church choirs since 1965, coming to Hiland Presbyterian Church in 2005. His interest as a leader in music dates back to his college days when he served as a paid soloist for a church in Buffalo, New York and as the Student Director of Chorus at the Niagara County Community College. Jim’s interest in piano and keyboard comes from the guidance of his mother who insisted he start with lessons at the age of five. Jim received and Associates Degree in Business from Niagara County Community College and Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. 

At the present time, Jim spends his free time officiating basketball and volleyball for local school districts as well as recreational groups. With his wife Marcia, they enjoy six children and thirteen grandchildren. 

  

Jon Draskovic, Seminary Intern 

Jon is in his second year at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, studying for a Masters of Divinity and looking forward to a future calling in either pastoral ministry or Christian missions in the developing world. He is also currently finishing up a Masters of Agriculture from Colorado State University where he studied international development. Jon spent a year volunteering with the Urban Servant Corps in Denver, Colorado after college which allowed him to experience and got him excited about building Christian community, living simply, and being an active agent for the breaking in of the Kingdom of God in his community. 

Jon is originally from Trumbull, Connecticut but tries not to let his northeast elitist roots show too much. He is married to his wonderful wife Kristen who puts up with his shenanigans and wise cracks about her being from North Dakota, and will tell you all about his latest adventures with their dog Porter if asked. 

    

Maureen ProfetaMaureen Profeta, Administrative Assistant 

Maureen Profeta is a resident of the North Hills area and has worked at Hiland since April 2003. Her creativity and skills as an Administrative Assistant have added much to our ministry. She always has a smile, a kind word, and a helping hand ready when it is needed. Over the years, she has been an active member in her own church’s ministry in worship, mission, Stephen Ministry, as a small group leader, newsletter editor, and most recently as prayer chain administrator. When she is not at Hiland, she enjoys writing, photography, and quilting. 

  

Ami WesselAmi Wessel, Financial Secretary 

Ami has worked as the Financial Secretary at Hiland since 1996, when her family transferred from Glenshaw Presbyterian to Hiland. Ami graduated from North Hills High School and then went on to earn a B.S. in Mathematics from Grove City College. She worked as a Certified Insurance Premium Auditor for Aetna Casualty for eight years, prior to staying home to raise her family. In addition to the hours worked at Hiland, Ami also keeps the books for her husband’s pharmacy, The Medicine Shoppe of Ingomar. 

In her spare time, Ami enjoys working on her family genealogy, golfing and reading. She and her husband, Dave, live in McCandless with their three sons.