Steve Straske (2024)

A Tampa native, Steve was raised in the Catholic church, and – after marrying Janice in 1992 –joined the Episcopal church in 1994 in New York City. After working in private practice for tax law in NYC for four years, and after having their first daughter Elly baptized at St. John’s in fall 1994, they moved home to Tampa in 1995 and immediately became members of St. John’s. Steve and Janice have raised daughters Elly, Davis, and Mary Stephen at St. John’s, attending Sunday services much more regularly once getting through the toddler years. Since 2000, Steve has worked as corporate counsel for the Ferman Group of retail automobile and motorcycle dealerships.

Steve is a former Senior Warden and vestry member at St. John’s (2004-2007) and continues to serve as a lay reader and as a trustee of the endowment fund. He would welcome the opportunity to serve the parish again as a vestry member as we welcome our new rector.

Steve has served on the Diocesan Council and the finance committee for the Episcopal Diocese of SW Florida (2009-2016). Since 2013, Steve has chaired the west central Florida committee of the Georgetown University alumni admissions program, and he and Janice are members of the Ignatian Family Circle, an advisory board to the Georgetown Office of Mission and Ministry that conducts religious services for the six faiths represented on campus, student and faculty retreats, and other interfaith activities. Steve has been active in support and leadership of other professional, charitable, and civic organizations, including Camp Merrie-Woode (Sapphire, NC), St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School, the Tampa Yacht & Country Club, and the Tampa New Automobile Dealers Association.