The Rev. Steve Wiard

President-Elect

Steve Wiard was born and raised in eastern Kansas and western Missouri. He was graduated from college at Pittsburg (KS) State University with a history/political science and education major. He spent 18 years as a high school social science teacher. He began his preaching career by serving summer campers in Council Grove, KS. He then served as a part-time Lay Preacher until completing the "Course of Study School at St Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO. In 1988, he ran for a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives in Topeka. He was elected to three two-year terms from 1988-1994. Steve came to New Mexico in 1997 and was appointed as full-time pastor of El Pueblito United Methodist Church in Taos. He is also the Director of Shared Table, the largest food pantry distribution in Taos County.

Steve has two grown children and three grandchildren. In his early years, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served at Ft Riley, KS and Ft. Bliss, TX. He likes the Boston Red Sox, football, horses, books, traveling and is a strong believer in the First Amendment and a "Social Gospel." Steve is engaged to be married on July 5, 2008 to his fiance, Eileen Kalinowski.