A Partnership Built on Service
Meet Our Board
Aurora Kares grew out of the service work already being done by members of the Knights of Columbus Council 14186 and Aurora VFW Post 2629. What started as a commitment to making weekly donations to the Aurora Food Pantry grew into something bigger, and in order to expand our impact on the community, we founded Aurora Kares.
John Drsek
President
John spent over 32 years with the Maple Heights Fire Department, retiring as Fire Chief in 2014, a career built on showing up for people on their worst days. That instinct led him to co-found Aurora Kares, allowing donations to go straight to shopping for local food pantries, with full transparency on where every dollar goes. He hopes to grow online giving and corporate partnerships to expand support for programs like the Aurora Community Relief Fund. During his time with the fire department, John also survived a house fire backdraft, an event most firefighters don't walk away from.
David Kuhary
Secretary / Treasurer
David is a Journeyman Tool and Die Maker by trade and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served 13 months as a combat infantryman in Vietnam. He leads weekly Monday shopping trips stocking the VOA and Aurora Food Pantry with fresh perishables. David has spent over a decade as Quartermaster for VFW Post 2629, a role in which the Post contributed over $138,000 to local causes during the 2025/2026 giving year. For David, Aurora Kares is one more chapter in a lifelong pattern of service.
Ken White
Trustee
Ken spent his career largely in sales before becoming a small business owner, experience that sharpened the problem-solving instincts he now brings to Aurora Kares. He's no stranger to service, having sat on the Lake County YMCA Board of Managers and volunteered as a United Way fundraiser. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Ken says the Corps taught him the value of being part of something bigger than yourself. He even trained as a boxer during his time in the service, coached by Percy Price Jr., one of the few men ever to beat Muhammad Ali.
Michael Shydlowski
Trustee
Mike spent 40 years in the concrete industry, retiring as CEO of an international construction chemical company. He put his leadership experience to good use, co-founding Aurora Kares, and now does much of the weekly shopping for the contributions to the Aurora Food Pantry. His passion for the mission traces back to 20 years on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland, where he learned firsthand the importance of helping others. He envisions Aurora Kares growing its support to help Aurora's food pantries keep pace with rising community need. Off the course of nonprofit work, Mike also enjoys golf, and celebrated opening day of the 2024 season by scoring his first (and only) hole-in-one.
Rick Carpenter
Trustee
Rick worked as a CNC Technician at Kennametal in Solon, Ohio, before bringing that same hands-on attitude to co-founding Aurora Kares. He helps support the local food pantry alongside fellow contributors from VFW Post 2629 and the Knights of Columbus Council 14186, driven by a vision of a self-sustaining relief organization powered by community support. That same commitment shows up throughout his life of service, having earned two honorable discharges, from the U.S. Marine Corps and the Ohio National Guard.
We Don’t Do This Alone
Aurora Kares is proud to work alongside other local organizations toward the same goal: making sure every neighbor has enough to eat.
