Preston Cherouny

Preston Cherouny

Chief Operating Officer

St. John’s Episcopal Church

Washington, D.C.

About Preston Cherouny

Preston Cherouny is an American church administrator and operations leader based in Washington, D.C. He serves as the Chief Operating Officer at St. John’s Episcopal Church, one of the city’s oldest and most recognized congregations.

Cherouny was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1965 and raised in Canton, Connecticut. He attended Avon Old Farms School, graduating in 1984, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Skidmore College in 1988. After college, he worked in Connecticut before relocating to Washington, D.C., in 1992.

He joined St. John’s Church in 2017 as Financial Secretary, later serving as Interim Parish Administrator, and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2023. In this role, he oversees the church’s financial management, facilities, staff coordination, and long-term planning. His focus is on operational stability, accountability, and effective support for parish activities.

Cherouny emphasizes practical leadership and consistency. He is known for his structured approach to administration and his belief that success comes from process and persistence rather than recognition. His work contributes to maintaining the day-to-day functions of a historic institution that serves a diverse and active community.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Cherouny is active in local organizations. He is a member of the University of Maryland Golf Course and Crunch Gym in Friendship Heights, Maryland. In 2025, he made charitable contributions to Avon Old Farms School and the Friends of the University of Maryland Golf Course to support teacher housing and facility maintenance.

Areas of Focus

Church AdministrationNonprofit OperationsFinancial ManagementFacilities & Staff CoordinationLeadership & Purpose

Career Background

St. John’s Episcopal Church

Chief Operating Officer

Washington, District of Columbia

2023 – Present

St. John’s Episcopal Church

Interim Parish Administrator

Washington, District of Columbia

2021 – 2023

St. John’s Episcopal Church

Financial Secretary

Washington, District of Columbia

2017 – 2021

Education

Skidmore College

Bachelor of Arts, American Studies

Saratoga Springs, New York

1984 – 1988

Media

Preston Cherouny

Press

Preston Cherouny Featured in Leadership Q&A on Balance, Humility, and Purpose

Preston Cherouny, Chief Operating Officer at St. John’s Church in Washington, D.C., is the subject of a new feature interview exploring the habits, lessons, and philosophies that have shaped his career and personal life. The in-depth Q&A offers readers a candid look at Cherouny’s approach to leadership, productivity, and resilience, grounded in decades of professional experience and personal reflection.

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What Does Success Look Like to You? – Preston Cherouny

Preston Cherouny is a seasoned leader and operations expert based in Washington, DC. Born in Atlanta and raised in Canton, Connecticut, Preston learned the value of hard work and family early on. He graduated from Avon Old Farms School in 1984, then earned a degree in American Studies from Skidmore College in 1988.

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Preston Cherouny Encourages Americans to Redefine Success with Purpose, Balance, and Self-Forgiveness

In a culture that often equates success with hustle, titles, and public recognition, Preston Cherouny is inviting people to think differently. “Success, to me, is in the process—not the outcome,” said Cherouny, Chief Operating Officer at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC. “It’s not about a paycheck or a title. It’s about doing the work with intention.”

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Preston Cherouny Calls for Greater Balance, Community Giving, and Humility in Everyday Life

Preston Cherouny, Chief Operating Officer of St. John’s Church in Washington, D.C., is raising awareness about the importance of balance, humility, and giving back to the institutions that shape lives. Drawing on personal lessons of perseverance, family values, and philanthropy, Cherouny is encouraging others to reflect on what truly matters and to act in ways that strengthen their communities.

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Preston Cherouny: Leading with Humility, Living with Purpose

“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.

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Boards & Memberships

  • University of Maryland Golf Course, Member
  • St. John’s Episcopal Church, Parishioner, 1993 – Present

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Preston Cherouny do?

Preston Cherouny is the Chief Operating Officer at St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., where he oversees financial management, facilities, staff coordination, and long-term planning.

What is Preston Cherouny known for?

He is known for a structured, process-driven approach to church administration and for speaking publicly about balance, humility, and purpose-driven leadership.

Where is Preston Cherouny based?

He is based in Washington, D.C.

Where did Preston Cherouny study?

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Skidmore College.

Who does Preston Cherouny work for?

He works for St. John's Episcopal Church, one of Washington, D.C.'s oldest and most recognized congregations.

Last updated February 20, 2026