Meet the Full Time Staff of Annunciation Heights
the AWESOME Men and Women devoted to making our visitors know and experience true friendship with Jesus in a new and transformative way.
Nathan Glassman
Fr. Ryan O'Neill
Chaplain
Fr. Ryan O’Neill was born in Ft. Collins, Colorado and was raised in Loveland where his family still resides. He attended Regis University in Denver studying mathematics and Spanish. He studied philosophy and theology at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver as well. He was ordained a priest on May 12, 2012 by Bishop James Conley. He served as the assistant priest at the parishes in Grand and Jackson counties, and for one year at St. Peter’s in Greeley. He served as the Vocations Director from 2016-2022. He loves camping and the outdoors, and is happy to currently serve as the chaplain of Annunciation Heights.
Fr. Ryan’s favorite Bible story:
Story of Joseph – Genesis 37-50
Fr. Ryan’s favorite quote:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23
Contact information:
father.oneill@archden.org
Luke Hlavin
Director of Operations and Altum Institute
Raised on the East Coast, Luke fell in love with the outdoors in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. After working as a backpacking guide in Utah, though, he found the wilderness of the American West to be entirely captivating, bringing him back to the mountains of Colorado today. Luke directs camp operations. Additionally, he is the director of the Altum Institute Missionary program, journeying with young adults on their year of mission at camp. When not at work, Luke loves to play the guitar, go hiking with his wife Nicola and daughters, and work to improve his climbing.
Luke’s favorite Bible story:
The Good Shepherd
Luke’s favorite quote:
“The glory of God is man fully alive.” -St. Irenaeus
Contact information:
Luke.Hlavin@Annunciationheights.org
William Muraski
Director of Youth and Family Programs
William is a graduate of Franciscan University and Texan at heart coming from a family of five boys. From a young age he has fostered a love for God and His wild creation along with all the adventure activities one can dream of. He’s been known for his long hair, beard, and bear impression, but if you sit down and get to know him, you’ll find a man searching for the heart of the Father everyday. Will and his wife Gracie are blesssed to be parents of one year old Judah.
Will’s favorite Bible passage:
“For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” -Acts 4:20
Will’s favorite quote:
“Our world is drowning in communication, but starving for genuine communio—the union of true communion” – Michael O’Brien.
Contact information:
William.Muraski@annunciationheights.org
Hank Buckingham
Camp Administrator and Director of Special Projects
Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, Hank and his family moved west in 2012 to immerse themselves in the beauty of the mountains. Having spent over a decade teaching high school mathematics and nearly as long in residential construction projects, he brings experience working with a variety of people in fast-paced environments that are constantly evolving. He enjoys solving problems with creative solutions, which has instilled a need for efficiency, organization, and clarity; he is excited to use his talents to serve God and His camp. When not at work, you can usually find him with his family on the trails, slopes, and roads of the great outdoors.
Hank’s favorite Bible story: Elijah and the prophets of Baal
Hank’s favorite quote: “Take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” 2 Chr 15:
Contact information:
Hank.Buckingham@annunciationheights.org
Ayla Erickson
Director of John Paul II Outdoor Lab and Summit School
Ayla has spent most of her life exploring the Northwoods of Minnesota and waters of Lake Superior, where her passion for outdoor education and Jesus originated. Over the past nine years she has held a variety of experiential education positions in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Texas. She believes that through teaching others about themselves and the world around them, she can truly make a difference. As director, Ayla desires to instill a sense of wonder in both students and staff, for the life and beauty that surrounds us. When Ayla isn’t outside for work, she enjoys spending her time also outside whitewater kayaking, birding, and exploring new places to swim.
Ayla’s favorite Bible story:
The Visitation
Ayla’s favorite quote:
“I regard it as the foremost task of education to ensure survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity; an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self-denial and above all, compassion.”
– Kurt Hann
Contact information:
Ayla.Erickson@annunciationheights.org
Victor Rojas
Assistant Cook
Victor originally hails from Mexico, but he has lived in the Estes Park area for more than 20 years. Victor does it all for us at Annunciation Heights, and he does it all with a smile on his face. In addition to helping in the kitchen, he helps our maintenance guys with various projects, and he tackles countless other random projects, as well.
Victor’s favorite Bible story:
Jonah and the whale
Victor’s favorite quote:
“Joy is a net of love by which we catch souls.”
-Mother Teresa
Contact information:
Victor.Rojas@Annunciationheights.org
Jerry Bellendir
Business Manager
A native of Colorado, Jerry brings 30 years of accounting and managerial experience to Annunciation Heights. Jerry lives in Greeley, CO with his wife Jackie. They have three daughters and six grand kids. Jerry enjoys working on Respect Life issues and attending their grandkids events.
Jerry’s favorite Bible story:
The Prodigal Son
Jerry’s favorite quote:
“The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service and the fruit of service is peace.”– Mother Theresa
Contact information:
Jerry.Bellendir@Annunciationheights.org
Mike Cousineau
Facilities and Maintenance Manager
Mike grew up on this camp, and then came back after college to be the maintenance director for 10 years. After working for a few years in Estes Park working for the water department and running his own plumbing and heating business, he came back to his old stomping grounds to be the facilities manager again. He enjoys working with the maintenance team, missionaries, and volunteers, teaching them skills and letting them fly! Mike has volunteered on the Allenspark Fire Department for 20 years, and now serves as fire chief. He and his wife, Rae, have been married for 17 years and are raising 7 beautiful children. In any free time, Mike enjoys tea dates with Rae, serving on the fire department, going to the gym, or adventuring with his family.
Mike’s favorite Bible story:
The Parable of the Talents
Mike’s favorite quote:
Waiting to be “ready”, will crush your dreams and rob the world of your creative power. Do it now. Do it wrong. Then, do it again. Better. -Vex King
Contact information:
mike.cousineau@annunciationheights.org
Josh Marcantonio
Adventure & Land Manager / Maintenance Assistant
A native of the Estes Park area, Josh is our Jack-of-all-trades. He oversees our 1,000 foot zip-line and challenge course, he manages our forest, and he pitches in with countless maintenance projects. When he’s not giving 110% to AH, he enjoys hiking big mountains, leading our staff and missionaries in CrossFit workouts, and being with his wife, Cynthia, and their five kids.
Josh’s favorite Bible story:
The Prodigal Son
Josh’s favorite quote:
“It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey.” -St. Ignatius of Loyola
Contact information:
Josh.Marcantonio@Annunciationheights.org
Bernadette Buches
Guest Services Coordinator
From Lakewood, CO, Bernadette is a recent graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas College. Bernadette serves AH in many different ways, which includes overseeing housekeeping and serving as the Head Guest Master. Bernadette enjoys baking, swimming, and reading.
Bernadette’s favorite Bible story:
Jesus calming the storm
Bernadette’s favorite quote:
“The mountains are calling and I must go.” -John Mui
Contact information:
Bernadette.Buches@Annunciationheights.org
Brenda Brown
Guest Services & Office Manager
When you call Annunciation Heights, the kind and friendly voice you’ll hear on our end is that of Brenda Brown. Originally from the East Coast, Brenda has lived in the Estes Park area for nearly 30 years with her husband Paul. They have two grown kids. Brenda enjoys writing, reading about the lives of saints, and talking about the greatness of St. John Paul II.
Brenda’s favorite Bible story:
Daniel and the Lion’s Den
Brenda’s favorite quote:
“I know well that the greater and more beautiful the work is, the more terrible will be the storms that rage against it.” -St. Faustina
Contact information:
Brenda.Brown@Annunciationheights.org
Alicia Paddock
Maintenance Assistant and Bus Driver
Raised on a small farm in Northern California, Alicia has been living and loving the mountains of Colorado since 2019. After a hiatus following two years serving as a missionary of AH, Alicia joined the full-time crew and serves now in an abundance of areas. Helping with facilities and grounds projects and maintenance, bus driving camp kids, coordinating volunteer efforts, and more, she manages to keep her hands stirring many pots! When time allows, you’ll find Alicia high on top of a mountain or here in our camp gym doing CrossFit.
Alicia’s favorite Bible story:
The Good Samaritan
Alicia’s favorite quote:
“What you are is God’s gift to you. What you become is your gift to God.”
Contact information:
Alicia.Paddock@Annunciationheights.org
Maddie Samuelson
Food Service Manager
Maddie is originally from Nebraska but has been in Colorado for over a decade. She graduated from Ave Maria University in ‘23 with a Psychology degree. She does not have a culinary school background but started in the Annunciation Heights kitchen as a summer staffer in ‘22 and decided to come back full-time. She played soccer for 20 years, through college. Her favorite forms of leisure consist of conversations with a friend or two about theology or psychology over a warm beverage, reading non-fiction, anything artistic, and walks. She also enjoys a good workout, and any team sport.
Favorite Bible Story: Agony in the Garden
Favorite Quote: “Do you believe that the worst thing that has ever happened to you is actually the best thing that has ever happened to you? Because most of us don’t, but it is true.” (Fr. Ryan homily, but he may have gotten it elsewhere)
Contact information:
Maddie.Samuelson@annunciationheights.org
