MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE TEAM
DAVE KUNTZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
In 2018, Dave took over the leadership R3. Prior to joining the team, Dave served as a pastor in North St. Louis County for 10 years where he was active in community service and development. From pastoring to implementing school programs to serving as a police chaplain, Dave and his family spent 10 years investing in the St. Louis communities of Ferguson, Florissant & Hazelwood. Dave was a restaurant manager for 8 years, spent 5 years as a middle and high school teacher and coach, and has many years of experience in construction through home rehab and real estate investment. Dave has been married to his high school sweet heart, Danielle, since 2004. They have 4 kids, 2 biological and 2 adopted out of foster care. Dave is an ordained minister and holds a bachelors degree in Theology. He has a deep passion for the marginalized of society and want to be a part of the change to bring racial healing and hope to our city.
ANDREW PANEK, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
Andrew comes to R3 with a wide breadth of knowledge and experience. He obtained a Bachelors of Science in Marine Engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and a license to sail on ships from the U.S. Coast Guard. After a stint at sea with Military Sealift Command, he spent the next five years with the American Bureau of Shipping as a Senior Mechanical Engineer in Washington, D.C., and as a Marine Equipment Surveyor based in Haan, Germany. He spent five years in Germany with his wife on military orders. While there, they grew their family, having two daughters. In Germany, Andrew transitioned from Engineering into coaching and teaching at the local DODs school. He then obtained a Master’s Degree in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum from the University of Oklahoma, finishing with a 3.98 GPA. His family returned to the U.S. in 2018, and he started teaching at the Montessori Adolescent Program of St. Louis as Lead Guide of Science and MakerSpace. When COVID hit, Andrew volunteered to open a center for Emergency Care for Essential Workers in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis. In his first year as Head of school, Andrew managed a whole-school renovation, launched a Spanish Immersion program, and grew the program to almost 100 students and over 30 staff. In the Fall of 2021, Andrew branched off from Education Administration and started a family business in Property Management and Community Development. Andrew enjoys novel challenges, bringing people together, instructing, and working with his hands.
JUANITA NIEBLA, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & ADVANCEMENT
Juanita is a Southern California native that fell in love with the Midwest charm. She comes to the R3 Development team with over 20 years of leadership, management and strategical development experience in construction (residential & commercial) as well as loan & finance in both public/private nonprofit sectors. Her passion to help others has organically aligned, partnered and strengthened collaborations across the nation. The connectivity in the area has identified an ongoing need of workforce and housing development in the vulnerable communities of the East Saint Louis areas. Please reach out to her directly so that you too can be part of the restoration of dignity and revitalization of the City Of Champions!
Loreal was born and raised in East St. Louis. She graduated from SIUE Charter High school in East St. Louis IL in 2018. She has been a part of the R3 team since 2016. Loreal began working for R3 as a Construction Worker intern in 2016, she then progressed to a Project Management intern in 2017, and most recently gained the role as the Office & Administrative Assistant in the staff office of R3 in 2019. She also volunteers around her community in various areas. She is passionate about bringing change to her community with Jesus Christ as her foundation and motivation. She’s on her way to becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and her goal is to conquer life as a lifesaver.
DJ MERNICK, GENERAL CONTRACTOR
D.J. joined R3 in 2017. He owns his own construction company and serves as a construction advisor on the board as well as a general contractor for the organization. His business-minded service brings such value to R3's operations and mission. He has a deep love for the Lord and a humble heart to use his gifts to make a difference in the lives of others.
STEPHEN FAIRBANKS, EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST
Stephen’s journey to R3 has been shaped by time spent in the restaurant, healthcare, education and journalism fields.
As a young man, he entered healthcare as a respiratory therapist in Kirksville, Missouri. When circumstances brought him home to St. Louis, he entered the restaurant business, where he acquired culinary and food service skills and learned the value of thinking on his feet. In 2002, he became a journalist, working as a writer and photographer for a weekly community newspaper in Dahlonega, Georgia. While living in Georgia, he completed his bachelor’s degree in English and French at the University of North Georgia. After moving back to St. Louis in 2008, he completed a master’s degree in English Literature at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
He began teaching in 2010, in the English department at UMSL. In 2019, he accepted a teaching position at the Montessori Adolescent Program, a small middle school/high school in the Grand Center neighborhood of St. Louis. He taught English, History and French.
He is humbled by the opportunity to be a part of R3, where he is helping build out our education programming.
SERGIO EDUARDO MUÑOZ, JOB DEVELOPER / INSTRUCTOR
Sergio’s journey is a tale of two career paths and two countries. Born in La Paz Bolivia he immigrated to the US at a very young age. Arriving and staying in St. Louis Metro Area he (and the Bolivian Society of St. Louis) afforded him a balanced introduction to the world of work. 1.) Chemical Manufacturing at the Union and Corporate level / Home Construction at the General and Subcontracting level. 2.) Workforce Development - BSW in Case Management / Job Development / Training and Instruction / and Senior Program Manager working with Homeless Veterans for the US-Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Services. Thus the melding of two careers into one that addresses the World of Work along with Human Services. He presently has a home based Manufacturing Business. He and his wife breed golden-doodles.