Clergy and Staff

Revised 02 Jun 2008

St. Alban's enjoys the dedicated services of clergy, staff members and volunteers who help fulfill our mission. They include:

The Rev'd Susan Webster Klein, Rector

The Rev'd Susan Webster Klein began her tenure as St. Alban's fourth rector in September 2004, after previously serving for fourteen years as rector at St. Aidan's, Malibu. She began her ministry in St. Louis at Christ Church Cathedral, and then served as Episcopal Chaplain at the University of California, Irvine and Associate at St. Andrew’s, Irvine. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton College in Massachusetts. She is involved with the Neighborhood Youth Association in Venice and the Alumnal Board at Yale Divinity School. She has published sermons in Preaching Through the Year, Sermons That Work (vol. 9, 10, 11 - Morehouse Publishing).

Susan is married to John J. Spano, Jr., a journalist with the Los Angeles Times. They have one daughter, Sarah, a student at New York University. Susan enjoys swimming, hiking, and is a fervent knitter.

The Rev'd Norman Y. Ishizaki, Rector Emeritus

Father Norm became St. Alban's third rector in 1973 after serving for five years as assistant. Upon his retirement in September 2002 after some thirty years as rector, the Vestry named him Rector Emeritus.

The Rev'd Michael Fincher, Curate

The Rev'd Michael Fincher began serving as St. Alban's curate in August 2006. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine. Prior to entering seminary and ordained ministry, he had a 20-year career as a transportation planner with an environmental consulting firm in Southern California. In addition to serving as curate, Michael also serves as the chaplain of the Episcopal/Anglican Campus Ministry @ UCLA.

Michael’s non-parish activities include working with the Kaleidoscope Institute, an organization dedicated to the work of building inclusive communities. He is also interested in studying Benedictine spirituality and its applicability to secular life. He enjoys traveling, cooking, and taking afternoon naps with his two feline companions.

Dr. James H. Vail, Organist and Choirmaster

Emeritus professor of choral and church music at USC, where he taught for 38 years, Jim spent 15 years as organist at St. John's Episcopal Church before coming to St. Alban's in 1969 and starting our yearly series, Music at St. Alban's. Under his direction, St. Alban's Choir has performed more than 100 major choral works, made two performance tours in Europe and produced two compact discs. Dr. Vail is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and holds master's and doctorate degrees from USC.

Nancy John, Parish Administrator

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Manhattan Beach, Nancy attended Hope Chapel in Hermosa Beach as a youth, sang in the church's Agape Group, wrote contemporary religious music and played the guitar as part of the Sunday worship team. She was the Church School Director at Calvary Chapel South Bay in Torrance for 8 years and and now attends Brentwood Baptist Church. On her off hours she can be found clashing swords with her husband as part of the Tigertainment Stunt Team. She also gives guitar lessons to High School Youth and adults.

Linda Oglesby, Treasurer

Robert J. Cahall, Assistant Treasurer

A retired Southern California Edison attorney, Bob is a Harvard Law School graduate whose education was interrupted by military service during World War II when he served in Gen. Patton's Third Army. He has attended St. Alban's since the 1950s.

Dr. Malcolm Cole, Auxiliary Organist

A retired professor of musicology at UCLA, Malcolm focused on opera, émigré composers from Hitler's Germany and classical composers from 1600 to the 19th century. Born in San Francisco, he began music lessons at age six, received a doctorate in musicology at Princeton University and, while serving in the military, directed the 72nd U.S. Army Band. Malcolm is a lay reader and usher, and has served as Senior Warden on the Vestry.

Vincent Verga, Auxiliary Organist

A native of New Jersey, Vince holds a degree in music education from Montclair State College, where he studied organ. He works as a computer programming consultant and is active in the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. At St. Alban's, he is a choir member and a lay reader, and is also our webmaster.

Vivan Hay, Master of Ceremonies

As master of ceremonies, Vivian assists the priest and oversees the acolytes at the 10 a.m. Sunday service. She also trains new acolytes. A St. Alban's parishioner since 1965, she has participated in numerous activities, including helping start the monthly Saturday morning Women's Spirituality group, and is a long-time member of St. Alban's Choir. A UCLA graduate, she is a content integration specialist for a publisher.

Ted Habte-Gabr, Head Usher

A native of Gondar, Ethiopia, Ted graduated from the University of Iowa where he founded a Distinguished Lecture Series. He has worked in sales for an elevator manufacturing company and for educational Internet Web sites. He is the creator of the church's lecture series, "Conversations at St Alban's."

Rudy Marloth, Head Usher

Gordon Toler, Sexton

A native of Pueblo, Colorado, Gordon has been our sexton since 1985. He also has worked for many years as a cook at Turning Point - Transitional Housing, located in Santa Monica. Gordon's hobby is gardening, and he says the church grounds present him with a wonderful challenge.