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Board of Directors
The Friends of Shalom for Uganda Board of Directors comprises dedicated, experienced individuals passionate about supporting Ugandan communities through sustainable development and humanitarian initiatives, ensuring positive impact.
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Rev. Dr. Alfred Tumwesigye
Board Member
Rev. Dr. Alfred was born in the village of Kahengyere, Nyakyera Town Council, Ntungamo in Southwestern Uganda in East Africa. He was Ordained as a Catholic Priest in 2005, for the Mission Archdiocese of Mbarara, and currently is serving as a Missionary Priest in the Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois as a Pastor at St. Elizabeth Catholic Parish. He is a firm believer in "Ubuntu" African Philosophy: “I AM BECAUSE WE ARE, AND SINCE WE ARE THEREFORE, I AM” - "the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity". He values cooperation, generosity, and service to others. He truly thinks, that next to God’s infused Grace, is our ''BEING SELF THROUGH OTHERS''. His passion for equitable healthcare led him to the founding of Mary Queen of Heaven Community Medical Center in Nyakyera (Ntungamo District) in Uganda, which responds to the healthcare needs of more than 46,000 people. With his background as a teaching Chaplain at Uganda Martyrs Hospital and School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Chairman of the Diocesan Health Board Archdiocese of Mbarara, working with Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau (UCMB), he believes that Health care is a necessary moral and human right. He has a strong desire to contribute to people’s well-being and wants to ensure there are enough resources for people to thrive in the world/environment in which they live. Dr. Alfred’s vision is to influence the ethical healthcare landscape and be a beacon of hope for healthcare providers and everyone involved in the ‘Cura Vitae’ in Uganda, and Africa. Fr. Alfred holds a Licentiate in Pastoral Theology with a Specialization in Health Care, from Pontifical Lateran University, Roma Italy, Masters in Pastoral Counseling and a Doctorate in Healthcare Mission Leadership from Loyola University in Chicago, USA.
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Tom Mayer
President/Board Member
Tom received his Bachelors of Science degree in Construction Management from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois where he met his wife Sheila Tom, and Sheila have been married for 37 years and have three children and four grandchildren and live in Glen Ellyn, IL. After college, Tom moved around the country working on many different construction projects. Tom’s experience in building nuclear and fossil fuel power plants, sewage and water treatment plants, a VA hospital, high-rise construction, a mail processing center, and many other large and complex projects gave Tom an understanding of the building process of how to work with people as a team and to take an idea and a set of well thought out plans and convert it to a successful physical reality. Tom met Father Alfred on a Cursillo weekend in 2012 where soon thereafter there were many discussions about an idea of Father’s concerning construction of a medical/volunteer center in his home District in Uganda. With the help and commitment of Dr. Veronika from the Czech Republic, discussions turned to reality as construction of Father Alfred’s vision proceeded in 2013. At the beginning of November 2014, a small portion of the medical building has been completed and the new medical center is opened and treating patients, but there is still much work to do to complete the entire building. Dependable electricity and potable water is a priority at this time.
Most Rev. Bishop Mark A. Bartosic
Board Member
​Bishop Bartosic was added to the Board of Directors in 2014 while pastor of St. Frances of Rome Parish in Cicero, Illinois. Fr. Alfred Tumwesigye introduced him to Friends of Shalom for Uganda while serving at St. Frances of Rome.
On May 21, 1994, Bartosic was ordained to the priesthood. Pope Francis appointed Bartosic auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Chicago on July 3, 2018. On September 17, 2018, Bartosic was consecrated as a bishop and serves the Archdiocese of Chicago as Auxiliary Bishop in Vicariate II.
Bob Lyman
Board Member
Bob Lyman is a lifelong Catholic who is humbly walking with Our Lord in many diverse environments. His journey has led him from athletic fields to corporate board rooms, from Archdiocesan councils, to mentoring young children and many places in between.
Bob is married to his college sweetheart Jill, and they have 4 adult children. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in Political Science. He works as a Certified Financial Planner with Sequoia Wealth Management in Barrington, Illinois. He is a graduate of the School of Spiritual Direction with Franciscan University and in collaboration with the Diocese of Joliet, the Contemplative and Evocative Art of Spiritual Direction. He is an active member of St. Mary of the Annunciation in Mundelein, Illinois.
Bob brings enthusiasm, curiosity, and empathy to those that the Holy Spirit places in his path. His sincere desire is to be present to and encounter individuals that he has a relationship with and to bring them closer to God.
Scott M. Jones
Board Member
Scott was added to the Board of Directors in 2024. Fr. Alfred Tumwesigye introduced him to Friends of Shalom for Uganda while serving at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Granite City, IL. Scott is a Senior Vice President, commercial lender, with Carrollton Bank in metro St. Louis. He is active in his local community serving on the board of several not-for-profit organizations in Alton and Granite City, IL.
Bret C. Ware
Board Member
Bret is a convert to the Catholic faith and has been married to his wife, Tracy, since 2002. He is very proud of his family including his three adult children (Brett, Chadwick, and Maya) and three grandsons. After several years in the grocery industry, for the past 3 years he has served as Parish Secretary/Office Administrator for St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Granite City, Illinois, USA.
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Bret also serves this community as the president of the Long Lake Fire Protection District Board of Trustees and an elected member of the Village Board of Trustees in the community where he makes his home. He is also on the board for the Granite City Area Community Foundation, as well as the Granite City High School Alumni Association. Bret has been a youth sports coach for Holy Family School, as well as coaching his children's teams in recreational baseball, basketball, softball, and soccer. Bret is honored and grateful to serve the community he calls home.
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In this capacity as a parish secretary, he has been made more aware of the needs of the world community and church at large, particularly in Africa. Friends of Shalom for Uganda speaks to the needs of the most vulnerable and he is proud to support this effort.
Brian Sheids
Advisor
Brian Shields is the National Senior Vice President of Mission Advancement for the American Heart Association, where he has worked for over 18 years. In this role, Brian's team oversees individual and foundation relationships across the association.
Brian lives in Downers Grove IL with his wife, Caroline, and their three children: Nora, George and Samantha.
Tyler V. Mayer
Advisor
Tyler has spent twenty years in Catholic education as a youth minister, teacher, coach, and school administrator. From organizing & chaperoning international mission trips to running capital campaigns, Tyler has had the tremendous fortune of experiencing first hand the role good strategic planning and exceptional execution play in the success of any significant endeavor. Tyler currently resides in Indianapolis and serves as the President & CEO of Providence Cristo Rey High School.