As the Lewis Award begins its 20th Anniversary year on July 1, 2011, it announces the appointment of two new members to the Lewis Award Committee, and the reappointment of one member for a second term. The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, sent Letters of Appointment to Mr. J. Keith Brown, of Cary, and to Mr. Rene M. Centeno, of Raleigh. Mrs. Caralyn M. House, also of Raleigh, was reappointed to a second four-year term on the Committee.

Keith Brown’s professional background in secondary and college education will bring wide ranging experience to the Lewis Award Committee. Keith began his career teaching in Junior and Senior High Schools before moving to administrative positions at the NC School of Math, NC Community College system. He is now a consultant in the field of post-secondary education. Keith and his wife, Rose Anne, are the parents of two grown sons and four grandchildren. Living in Cary, NC, and members of St. Michael the Archangel parish in Cary, Keith has been active in parish ministries as Parish Council Member, Lector, Usher and CCD Instructor. Currently, Keith is a Eucharistic Minister, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Rene Centeno also brings an educational background to the Lewis Award Committee. Rene works with the Wake County Public Schools as an interpreter for special needs children and parents in the Wake County School System. He is also an interpreter for UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill. Rene and his wife, Martha, a survivor of breast cancer, are both active in cancer-related fundraising, Rene’s focus being in biking events. His latest ride took him on a 100 mile trek through the mountains of NC. The Centenos live in Raleigh and are parents of three daughters. Long term members of Cathedral Parish in Raleigh, all three girls graduated from Cathedral School. Rene was quite active in the Cathedral School HSA while his daughters were students, including serving as president.

Caralyn House, of Raleigh, has been reappointed to the Lewis Award Committee to serve a second four-year term. Caralyn is on the faculty of Wake Technical Community College Culinary School, and was honored as the Instructor of the Year for the NC Community College System in 2007. Caralyn and her husband, Bob, are parents of a daughter, a graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, and a son, a second year Midshipman at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. The House family was among the founding members of St. Raphael the Archangel parish in Raleigh, where they continue to be active in the parish.