Rev. Brent Gundlah
Senior Pastor
Rev. Brent Gundlah began his senior pastorship at HUCC on Sunday, March 7th, 2021. We are pleased to introduce to you Brent, his wife Valerie, and their twin daughters, Hope and Tess. Brent was born and raised in New Jersey, earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago in English Language and Literature, then earned a graduate degree, also in English Language and Literature, at the University of Michigan. After a 25 year career in finance in New York, Connecticut and Boston, Brent took a leap of faith (with a nudge from Tess) and attended seminary at Andover Newton Theological School near Boston. He graduated in 2016 and served as Pastor at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Navarre, Ohio, for the past 3 years.
Prior to his call at St. Paul UCC, Brent served as a supply pastor at First Congregational Church in Sharon, MA; chaplain intern at Hebrew Senior Life in Dedham, MA; and student minister at First Congregational Church in Stoughton, MA. Brent is an avid baseball fan (Red Sox of course). Other family interests include music, going to museums of all kinds, antique hunting, and watching 80s movies and Dateline. They have a dog named Olive and a cat named Goose, both adopted from shelters. To visit with Pastor Brent, email him to schedule an appointment at pastor@holladayucc.org.
Robb Carlson
Transitional Director for Kids and Youth
Robb Carlson hails from northern Colorado and has served local congregations in the United Church of Christ over the last fifteen years in the area of children, youth, and family faith formation ministries. Robb holds a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Northern Colorado and is currently completing his Thesis at the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities for a Master of Arts in Ethics & Justice. Robb has been involved in the leadership of numerous outdoor/camp ministry programs for children and youth as a camp counselor, camp director, retreat coordinator, song leader, and worship musician. Robb is joined on staff by our nursery provider Sydney Spray, a distance student at Luther Seminary and candidate for ordination in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Peter Christensen
Office Administrator
Peter Christensen was raised in Southern California and has lived in Utah for 20 years. He studied journalism and literature here at the University of Utah, and worked for many years counseling at-risk youth and homeless families. When he is not busy tending to the yard/garden, he enjoys cycling, hiking and generally being outdoors. Peter is compassionate and caring and brings a wealth of work experience from the non-profit sector. He can be reached at office@holladayucc.org.
Eric Richards
Choir Director
Eric Richards has immense gratitude to have found HUCC in 2013 to be a part of such a talented musical community with the side benefit of incredible spiritual support by such amazing people. Eric started in music at the age of 8 when he played Michael Banks in a production of Mary Poppins. Since his teenage years, he as performed in numerous musicals his favorite roles being Sparky in Forever Plaid, The Tinman in The Wizard of Oz and Edna in Hairspray. In high school and college, he was heavily involved in madrigal and All-state choirs. He sang with America West Symphony and Chorus and Salt Lake Opera for a time period. For the past 30 years, Eric has been a choir director, music director and vocal coach. His clients have been involved with Nickelodeon, Priddis Music, Hale Center Theater, Pioneer Theatre Company and numerous community/regional theaters, Warner Bros, Universal Studios, Fox Television, Karaoke Nationals, Disney Idol, and Simmons Radio Group. He has directed many musicals, his favorites being Seussical, Beauty and the Beast and Scarlet Pimpernel. He typically chooses one musical theater show to direct each year. In 2010, he organized a live “Glee” production with 35 youth. He led the youth musical production “Light the Fire Within” for the 2002 Winter Olympics and has trained with exceptional coaches like Wendy Parr (NYC), Michael Goodrich (LA), Greg Enriquez (Las Vegas), Robert Peterson (Man of La Mancha) and numerous others. Education has included SLS, NATS, IVTOM, Vocology, UofU, BAST, NCVS and has studied with professionals like Michele Weir (UCLA Jazz), Tamra Glaser (Christine, Nat’l Tour “Phantom of the Opera”) and Boko Suzuki (Music Director, Nat’l Tour “Wicked”). Eric has loved helping create music at HUCC and sharing spirituality through music.
Kristi Thompson,
Holladay Preschool Director
Kristin Thompson received an MPA in Non-Profit Administration and a BS in Political Science, with a Minor in History from the University of Utah. Kristin has served as the Director for Holladay Preschool since May 2013. Her previous work experience includes promoting sound public policy, event planning and fund raising in the political arena. Prior to that, Kristin coordinated volunteers to work in homeless shelters both in Minneapolis and Salt Lake City. Kristin’s love of Holladay Preschool began when her two daughters, Lily and Macy, attended the preschool. Holladay Preschool’s dedication to developmentally appropriate learning led Kristin and her husband, Bob to the preschool. The incredible experience shared by the Thompson family at the preschool brought Kristin back to serve as its Director.
