Attorney Natasha Adler will be our Old Testament Reader

The committee planning the 30th Annual Arlington Heights Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is pleased to announce that local attorney Natasha Adler has accepted an invitation to do the Old Testament reading at the event that will take place on Thursday, February 2, 2017, from 7:00-9:00 AM at the Doubletree Hotel, 75 Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights (just west of Arlington Heights Road).

Ms. Adler is an associate at Waltz, Palmer and Dawson, LLC. She is dedicated to assisting businesses, having practiced solely business and tax law for the past five years. She is a graduate of IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law where she received her Juris Doctorate in 2010. her Juris Doctorate from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2010 and received a special certificate in Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (“LADR”). This LADR certificate required specialized classes and comprehensive training focused on litigation and alternative dispute resolution in additional to clinical experience. Natasha was one of a select few individuals to receive a special Illinois 711 license allowing her to practice law (under the supervision of a licensed attorney) while still attending law school. Natasha received the special Illinois 711 license while interning for the Chicago Park District Legal Department and was used it able to represent the Chicago Park District in pending litigation during her internship. Ms. Adler has an undergraduate degree in finance from Western Michigan University where she graduated cum laude.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Ms. Adler is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Northwest Suburban Bar Association. She is also a member of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce and the Wheeling/Prospect Heights Chamber of Commerce. A resident of Algonquin, she serves as a Commissioner on the Algonquin Historic Commission.

Ms. Adler describes herself as being from “a bi-faith background” and says this has given her good perspectives on the commonalities and contrasts in the different faiths.

In addition to Ms. Adler’s reading the prayer breakfast will include a breakfast buffet, a New Testament reading by Cindy Schroeder of Arlington Heights, music by Pastor Randy Thompson of Cross and Crown Lutheran Church, an opening prayer by Father Matt Foley of St. James Catholic Church, a closing prayer by community and veterans’ activist Greg Padovani, and a keynote address by James H. Mukoyama, Jr., Major General, United States Army Retired, President and Chief Executive Officer, Military Outreach USA.


Lutheran Life Communities is the sponsoring organization. Tickets are $20 per person and may be ordered and paid for on line at http://arlingtonheightschamber.com . Click on events for February and then click on the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. For more information contact Chamber Staff at the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce at 847-253-1703 or by e-mail at info@arlingtonhcc.com. Further information is available at: https://www.facebook.com/ahprayerbreakfast/

Greg Padovani is offering the closing prayer.

Greg Padovani, an Arlington Heights businessman, volunteer, and organizer of veterans’ events will say the closing prayer at the Arlington Heights Mayor’s Thirtieth Annual Prayer Breakfast. Tickets are now on sale for the event that will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2017, from 7:00-9:00 AM at the Doubletree Hotel, 75 Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights (just west of Arlington Heights Road). The event features a breakfast buffet, scripture readings, music, and a keynote address by James H. Mukoyama, Jr., Major General, United States Army Retired, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Military Outreach USA.

Padovani has strong ties to the community. He lives and works in Arlington Heights and is a graduate of Forest View High School in Arlington Heights, earned a B.S. degree in biochemistry from the University of Illinois, Chicago and received his MBA from DePaul University in Chicago.

He is President and Founder of PENS Communications Systems, LLC. His company provides the Patient Education Newsletter System (PENS) for hospitals, medical schools and State Medicaid Departments. PENS is a unique and proprietary system that provides individualized health information to consumers with the objective of helping people live healthier lives.

Mr. Padovani has been married to Char for 31 years. They have two grown children: Cassie a nurse practitioner and Greg, Jr. a salesman. Mr. Padovani describes himself as a devout Catholic who begn his faith journey at St. Raymond’s Catholic School in Mount Prospect. He currently worships at St. James Catholic Church in Arlington Heights. He states that he is “living each day with Jesus Christ attempting to make myself better and the world a better place.” He believes in the power of faith and prayer and cites as an example an incident that occurred ten years ago when a young family member was in a terrible car accident and doctors did not think he would survive. Mr. Padovani’s family, friends and many others joined together in prayer asking for healing. The young man recovered to the profound surprise of the doctors.

Mr. Padovani is actively involved in the community with an impressive list of organizations in which he either holds or has held leadership positions or serves as a volunteer. They include the Society for Healthcare Strategy & Market Development (SHSMD), the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, and Chairman Executive Roundtable, Village of Arlington Heights Volunteer in Police Service (VIPS) Coordinator, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member,

US Army Reserves, Major, Medical Service Corps 1975-1986 (retired), American Legion Post 208 Color Guard and Funeral Honor Guard, Arlington Heights Park District Foundation Board, Chairman, Veterans Memorial Committee of Arlington Heights, Marine Corps League, NW Suburban Detachment 80 - Honorary Member, Toys for Tots volunteer, A Soldiers Journey Home volunteer, Honor Flight of Northern & Western IL volunteer, American Cancer Society - past volunteer, Past Co-Chair, American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Arlington Heights (3 years), US Climbing Association - Chair, Nominating & Governance Committee, past Midwest Regional Coordinator and Competition Judge, and Sound of the Big Band - Orchestra Manager & Bass Trombone.

Greg Padovani also organizes the Village of Arlington Heights Memorial Day Parade in May and the annual Veterans’ Breakfast in November.

In recognition of his volunteerism and dedication to the community, Mr. Padovani has received numerous awards. They include: Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce 2011 Business Volunteer of the Year; Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce 2015 President's Award; Village of Arlington Heights 2012 Hearts of Gold for Community Spirit; Illinois 10th Congressional District Leadership Award Top Ten Nominee in 2012; North Chicago Rotary Club, Rotary Clubs International 2013 Humanitarian Patriot Award; Honor America's Valor Foundation, 2015 America’s Valor Recognition; American Legion Post 208, Arlington Heights, IL Legionnaire of the Year 2016, and Honorary Member, Northwest Suburban Marine Corps League, Detachment 80.

In addition to Mr. Padovani and the keynote speaker Major General James H. Mukoyama, Jr., there will be an opening prayer by Father Matt Foley of St. James Catholic Church, music by Pastor Randy Thompson of Cross and Crown Lutheran Church, and scripture readings by Natasha Adler, a local attorney and Cindy Schroeder, a long-time resident of and volunteer in Arlington Heights whose late husband Dr. Michael Schroeder gave the keynote address at the 2016 prayer breakfast.



Lutheran Life Communities is the sponsoring organization for the prayer breakfast. Tickets are $20 per person and may be ordered and paid for on line at http://arlingtonheightschamber.com . Individuals and organizations may also book tables. Click on events for February and then click on the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. For more information, contact Chamber Staff at the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce at 847-253-1703 or by e-mail at info@arlingtonhcc.com.

New Testament reader - Cindy Schroeder

The Arlington Heights Mayor’s Thirtieth Annual Community Prayer Breakfast will be held Thursday, February 2, 2017, from 7:00-9:00 AM at the Doubletree Hotel, 75 Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights (just west of Arlington Heights Road). The event features a breakfast buffet, scripture readings, music, and a keynote address by James H. Mukoyama, Jr., Major General, United States Army Retired, President and Chief Executive Officer, Military Outreach USA.

During last year’s event, Dr. Michael Schroeder, a local dentist and former Wheeling Township Supervisor, delivered a moving presentation about his life and his faith. Sadly, Dr. Schroeder died a few months later, but his speech lives on and can be viewed HERE .

This year Dr. Schroeder’s widow, Cindy, will be reading from the New Testament and sharing the significance to her of the Scripture passage she has chosen. 

Cindy Schroeder is a resident of Arlington Heights and professionally is affiliated with Smiles for Families, Smiles for Kids, Dental Office. She is a pediatric assistant as well as a secretary owner. Cindy and Mike Schroeder were married almost 30 years. They had four children: Sara, Emily, Nathan and Jake and two dogs (Nicky and Archie). 

Cindy is a member of Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows. 

In addition to working and supporting her late husband in his numerous community activities, Cindy has taught in baby church, PTA, Food Truck 5K, Mane Event, Frontier Days, Harvest 5K, Harvest Bible Chapel and Bible Study Fellowship International.org. 

Cindy says she is thankful for God’s grace throughout her life and His faithfulness, especially being near to her during her husband’s illness and death and the grieving process. She also appreciates all who have prayed and supported her and her family throughout the last year that has enabled her and her children “to become better not bitter and to draw closer to God.” 

Cindy Schroeder’s message will undoubtedly be moving and inspirational.

Lutheran Life Communities is the sponsoring organization for the Prayer Breakfast. Tickets are $20 per person and may be ordered and paid for on line at http://arlingtonheightschamber.com. Click on events for February and then click on the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. For more information contact Chamber Staff at the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce at 847-253- 1703 or by e-mail at info@arlingtonhcc.com.

Inspirational Music from Pastor Randy Thompson

PASTOR RANDY THOMPSON WILL PROVIDE MUSIC AT 30TH ANNUAL PRAYER BREAKFAST

The Reverend Randy Thompson, Pastor of Cross and Crown Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights for 16 years, will provide the music at the 30th annual Arlington Heights Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, February 2, 2017, from 7:00-9:00 AM at the Doubletree Hotel, 75 Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights (just west of Arlington Heights Road). Selections will include My Story, Worn, and Keep the Son in Your Eyes. He will be accompanied by John Masciale on the keyboard. The event also features a breakfast buffet, scripture readings, music, and a keynote address by James H. Mukoyama, Jr., Major General, United States Army Retired, President and Chief Executive Officer, Military Outreach USA.

Pastor Randy, a resident of Lake Zurich, is also the Spiritual Director for the Ministry of Hope, Cross and Crown’s outreach to the homeless and jobless in this area where for 12 years the church has served 50-70 guests a hot breakfast, a hot lunch, held a Bible study for encouragement, provided spiritual counsel, and helped people connect to area resources.

A native of Bode, Iowa, Pastor Randy graduated from Iowa State University and from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. He and his wife Carol have been married over 36 years and have a daughter named Kira.

In addition to his Pastoral duties, Pastor volunteers in the community serving on the Board of Arlington Cares (secretary and chaplain), on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army – Des Plaines Corps, and on the Board of Directors of the Schaumburg Jets, the new minor league baseball team at the Schaumburg Stadium (chaplain).

Pastor Randy describes himself as “a Lutheran with a strong emphasis on the authority of the Bible for all of life.” He believes the salvation story is all about relationship – that God created us for a relationship to enjoy, but sin spoiled it. God, however, did not give up, but had a plan to bring people back into this relationship, a plan that culminated in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Jesus exchanged His sinless life for humans’ sinful life so that people would be holy once again. Pastor Randy believes that in this way God created a family that will enjoy relationships with each other and our Lord forever. Lately Pastor Randy has been fascinated with the miracles God performs – those incidents that could only have happened because God engineered the whole experience for everyone involved. Pastor Randy uses friendships as an example and says they are a miracle that happens in the hearts of both people to create a new relationship. According to Pastor Randy, “God does that, and I want to give credit where it belongs!” 

In the year ahead, Pastor Randy is concerned about reconciliation in interpersonal relationships, in our society, and in the world. He states that “fallen human nature will constantly pull us apart,” but that “God’s people are in the world to bring healing and restoration.”

One of Pastor Randy’s favorite avocations is to sing, and singing at the Prayer Breakfast has been on his “bucket list.”

Lutheran Life Communities is the sponsoring organization for the Prayer Breakfast. . Tickets are $20 per person and may be ordered and paid for on line at http://arlingtonheightschamber.com . Click on events for February and then click on the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. For more information contact Chamber Staff at the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce at 847-253-1703 or by e-mail at info@arlingtonhcc.com.

Keynote Speaker: Major General James H. Mukoyama, Jr.

James H. Mukoyama, Jr., Major General, United States Army Retired, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Military Outreach USA, will give the keynote address at the Arlington Heights Mayor’s Thirtieth Annual Prayer Breakfast. Tickets are now on sale for the event that will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2017, from 7:00-9:00 AM at the Doubletree Hotel, 75 Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights (just west of Arlington Heights Road). The event features a breakfast buffet, scripture readings, music, and the keynote address.

Major General James H. Mukoyama, Jr. was born in Chicago and currently resides in Glenview with K.J., his wife of over 40 years. They attend Willow Creek Community Church where he has led a men’s small group for over a decade, co-directs a monthly men’s breakfast, and founded a military ministry program.

Major General Mukoyama, Jr. has a distinguished record of service to America. He was commissioned as a Regular Army Infantry Second Lieutenant in 1965 upon graduation from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature. He received his Master’s degree in the Teaching of Social Studies also from the University of Illinois in 1966.

During his five years on active duty, General Mukoyama served as a platoon leader in the demilitarized zone in the Republic of Korea and as an infantry company commander in the 9th Division in Vietnam. He was the youngest General Officer in the entire United States Army in 1987 and subsequently the youngest Major General three years later.

In 1989, he became the first Asian-American in the history of the United States to command an Army division. Among General Mukoyama’s decorations and badges are the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, 3 Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, Parachutist Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

He retired from the Army in May 1995, after over thirty years of total active and reserve component service, and two combat tours. Following his retirement, General Mukoyama has volunteered and participated in numerous organizations, both governmental and non-profit charitable, benefitting our military, veterans, and the community.

In addition to his full-time civilian position as Executive Vice-President and Chief Compliance Officer of a national stock brokerage firm, General Mukoyama spent seven years as the Vice-Chairman of the National Memorial to Patriotism dedicated in Washington, DC in 2001. He is a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Disabled American Veterans.

Mukoyama served for five years, the last two as Chairman, on the Advisory Committee for Minority Veterans for the Department of Veterans Affairs travelling throughout the nation on behalf of minority veterans to improve services and information to the field.

His local community activities involved eight years as President and Board Member of a senior citizens subsidized housing apartment complex in an inner city Chicago neighborhood, serving six years with his wife as a hospice patient volunteer, and for over a decade, as a volunteer instructor for the Military Ministry of CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) in the Command Religious Program at the Great Lakes Naval Recruit Training Center Chapel and since 2010 has participated in the training of Navy Recruit Instructors. He is a Director of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library in Chicago.

Additional activities include the National Veterans Network, a non-profit organization that obtained the award of the Congressional Gold Medal to Japanese American World War II veterans in 2012 with Mukoyama in charge of the design of the Medal.

In January 2013, General Mukoyama answered a calling to devote his life to the ministry of Military Outreach USA, a faith-based 501(c)(3) organization serving our military --- Active, Guard, Reserve, Veterans --- and their families, to cope with the visible and invisible wounds associated with military service to our great nation. In order to serve as the President and Executive Director, Mukoyama’s 38-year career in the financial services industry, where he had been a member of the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Board Options Exchange, ended.

In May 2013, the Governor of the State of Illinois issued a Proclamation honoring General Mukoyama as the State of Illinois Veteran of the Month for his commitment and contributions to veterans and their families. In October 2013, Mukoyama was included in the inaugural class inducted into the University of Illinois Army ROTC Hall of Fame.

In May 2015, Mukoyama was appointed Co-Chair of the Patient Advisory Council for the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, IL, the first joint Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affair medical facility in the nation. In September, he was elected as a Director of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library in Chicago.

In November 2016, General Mukoyama received the Volunteers of America Lifetime Service Award in recognition of his lifelong public service in the military, as a veteran’s advocate, and as a volunteer and leader in community, faith-based, and national service organizations.

General Mukoyama has been listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America since 1994. He will be speaking about the role that faith has played and continues to hold in his life. Those attending the prayer breakfast should come prepared to be inspired.



Lutheran Life Communities is the sponsoring organization for the prayer breakfast. Tickets are $20 per person and may be ordered and paid for on line at http://arlingtonheightschamber.com . Individuals and organizations may also book tables. Click on events for February and then click on the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. For more information contact Chamber Staff at the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce at 847-253-1703 or by e-mail at info@arlingtonhcc.com.

Father Matt Foley to Deliver Invocation

Father Matt Foley of St. James Parish, a Catholic Community in Arlington Heights, will deliver the invocation at the Arlington Heights Mayor’s Thirtieth Annual Prayer Breakfast. Tickets are now on sale for the event that will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2017, from 7:00-9:00 AM at the Doubletree Hotel, 75 Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights (just west of Arlington Heights Road). The event features a breakfast buffet, scripture readings, music, and a keynote address by Major General James H. Mukoyama, Jr., United States Army Retired, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Military Outreach USA.

Father Matt was born in 1962, and was raised in Milwaukee, WI, until the family that included four brothers and two sisters moved to Libertyville, IL in 1977. After graduating from Libertyville High School in 1981, Father Matt attended Marquette University prior to beginning his seminary training. (If the name Matt Foley sounds familiar, it might be because comedian Chris Farley, a friend at Marquette, decided to use the name for his motivational speaker character that he portrayed on Saturday Night Live.)

In 1989, Father Matt was ordained to serve as Associate Pastor of St. Agatha located in the North Lawndale Community on Chicago’s West Side. During his service at St. Agatha, he focused much attention to teaching at the school and developing a gang alternative program called St. Agatha Family Empowerment (S.A.F.E.).

In 1994, Father Matt became Pastor of Santiago Apostol in Quechultenango, Guerrero, Mexico, a Chicago Archdiocesan mission. He served the mostly indigenous farmers living in 26 villages over approximately 240 square miles in the mountains of the Sierra Madres. The team of missionaries with whom he served helped develop religious education for both adults and children.

Father Matt was appointed Pastor of St. Agnes of Bohemia located in the Little Village Community on Chicago’s West Side in 2000. He helped to grow the parish, and upon his departure in 2008 St. Agnes had 6,100 Sunday worshippers attending 9 Sunday Masses. It also had a school of 470 students and religious education for 800 students, which made the parish a very integral part of the Little Village.

Father Matt is also a United States Army veteran. In 2008, he was commissioned as a Captain serving in the Chaplain Corps. Father Matt’s first duty assignment in the military was with the 82nd Airborne Division where he deployed for 14 months to Afghanistan. He was later assigned to United States Special Operations and did two short deployments back to Afghanistan. His fourth and final deployment to Afghanistan for nine months was completed at the end of May 2013 with the 101st Airborne (Air Assault).

Since 2013, Father Matt has served as Pastor for the parishioners of St. James in Arlington Heights.



Lutheran Life Communities is the sponsoring organization for the prayer breakfast. Tickets are $20 per person and may be ordered and paid for on line at http://arlingtonheightschamber.com . Individuals and organizations may also book tables. Click on events for February and then click on the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. For more information contact Chamber Staff at the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce at 847-253-1703 or by e-mail at info@arlingtonhcc.com.