“Success, to me, is in the work. It’s the process, not the outcome, that makes me feel good.”
Preston Cherouny doesn’t lead with noise. He leads with presence. The kind that shows up early, listens closely, and stays until the last light is off. As Chief Operating Officer of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC, Preston is the quiet force behind one of the most visible churches in the nation’s capital.
But his journey to that role isn’t what you’d expect.
From Canton to Community
Preston was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1965, and grew up in Canton, Connecticut. His childhood, spent in the woodsy suburbs outside Hartford, was shaped by close-knit family bonds and small-town values. He attended Avon Old Farms School, where he graduated in 1984, and then Skidmore College, earning a degree in American Studies.
Golf was part of that early rhythm—he played one season on the Skidmore golf team and has kept the game close ever since. Today, he’s a member of the University of Maryland Golf Course. “It’s my space to breathe,” he says.
In the early 1990s, Preston moved to Washington, DC, and soon after married his wife, Merrell, at St. John’s Church in 1993. The church that hosted their wedding would eventually become the center of his professional life.
Together, they raised two children, Grace and Hayden. “My family is everything to me,” he says. “They’ve been my grounding force through it all.”
A New Kind of Leadership
Preston joined the staff at St. John’s Church in 2017. He began as Financial Secretary, was later named Interim Parish Administrator, and currently serves as COO. Each step forward wasn’t about climbing a ladder—it was about stepping deeper into service.
“The church administration is where I feel most accomplished,” he says. “It’s not about recognition. It’s about trust. About being present and doing the work with care.”
Those who work with him see it. Preston is calm under pressure. He solves problems quietly and methodically. He knows that success isn’t a spotlight moment—it’s a rhythm, a routine, a set of choices repeated with care.
Faith, Family, and Forgiveness
While Preston values structure, he’s also deeply introspective. He talks openly about the importance of forgiveness—especially self-forgiveness. “You have to be able to forgive yourself,” he says. “That’s how you move forward.”
He carries that lesson into every part of his life, especially in how he leads. There’s no ego in his approach. Just a commitment to showing up, learning, and improving.
He’s also quick to credit the people around him. “My wife Merrell—she’s an inspiration. She stood by me through everything.”
One of his defining habits is goal setting. “I write my goals down—both short and long term—and work through them systematically,” he says. It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.
A Quiet Commitment to Giving Back
In 2025, Preston donated $3,000 to his alma mater, Avon Old Farms School, earmarked for teacher housing. He also contributed $1,000 to the Friends of the University of Maryland, with funds directed to golf course upkeep. These aren’t grand gestures meant to impress—they’re personal and intentional.
He’s still active in the community as a parishioner, a supporter of education, and a consistent presence at the gym and the golf course. “Balance is everything,” he says. “Without it, I can’t be my best.”
Still Learning, Still Growing
Preston doesn’t claim to have all the answers. That’s part of what makes his leadership so steady. He’s okay with slowing down. With asking questions. With doing the work again until it feels right.
“I’m not trying to be perfect,” he says. “I’m trying to be present. To show up for the people I care about. To keep learning.”
That’s how Preston Cherouny leads. Quietly. Honestly. And always with purpose.
Interview with Preston Cherouny
What does your role at St. John’s Church mean to you personally?
It means everything. This place has been part of my life since I got married here in 1993. Being able to serve in a leadership role now, after everything I’ve been through, feels like coming full circle. It’s not about titles—it’s about contributing to something bigger than yourself.
You’ve said failure shaped you. Can you share more about that experience?
Sure. I worked in the mortgage business for a long time, and I made some bad decisions. It ended badly. That chapter of my life was hard to face for a while. But eventually, I realized that the only way forward was to accept the failure, forgive myself, and focus on being a better person. That’s when things started to change.
What helped you rebuild after that time?
My wife, Merrell. She stood by me when I didn’t deserve it. My kids, Grace and Hayden, gave me purpose. And honestly, just getting back to basics—working hard, being honest, showing up every day. The church gave me a place to do that.
How do you define success now?
Success, to me, is in the process. It’s not about a paycheck or a title. It’s about doing the work with intention. When I’m really in it—focused, present, learning—that’s when I feel most fulfilled.
What’s something you’re still working on?
Balance. It’s so easy to get pulled in every direction. But I’ve learned the hard way that without balance, everything starts to fall apart. I need to be grounded in order to keep growing.
Any habits or practices that keep you centered?
I write things down—goals, thoughts, priorities. It helps me stay organized and clear-headed. And I golf. It’s where I reset, get quiet, and just enjoy the rhythm of something I love.
