Speaker Bios


  • Ben "B.J." Kresnye

    B.J. is a life-long Ohioan and bleeds scarlet & gray, colors of The Ohio State University! 


    He was raised in Kirtland, and holds an undergraduate degree in history from John Carroll University, where he graduated summa cum laude.


    B.J. served as a Councilman-at-Large on the Mentor (OH) City Council and was State Chairman of the Ohio League of Young Republican Clubs. He ran for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives in 2004.


    He is president of the Norben Company, a distribution business serving the food, nutraceutical, and high-technology industries started by his family more than 50 years ago.


    He's an accomplished speaker and his interests include wrestling (both participating and coaching), strength and conditioning, music, travel, and reading (in particular, the Bible!)  He loves animals, especially cats!


    B.J. was raised Catholic but was led to the Lord as an adult. One of his favorite Bible verses is Romans 10:17, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."



  • Diana (Hudson) Kresnye

    Diana was born in Cleveland, Ohio and is a fan of Cleveland sports teams and  The Ohio State University! She is continually disappointed in the lost-cause Cleveland Browns but knows that with God all things are possible; so, she remains hopeful that someday the Browns will be winners!


    She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University and a Masters in Speech Communication from San Diego State University where she taught public speaking for two years while earning her degree.


    Diana was the Public Relations Director for the Lake County (OH) United Way and later for the Junior Seau (San Diego Charger's All-Pro Linebacker and NFL Hall of Famer) Foundation where she eventually served as the Executive Director.


    In the 1990s, Diana's natural eye for design led her to a new career in interior design. She helped design Junior's 13,000 sq. ft. sports restaurant during a 1.5 year apprenticeship working with a top interior designer, architect, and general contractor in San Diego. 


    Since then, Diana's interior design projects have won both local and regional awards. She served as a designer for the Lake County YMCA Dream House for seven years and has spoken at design conferences across the country and locally to community groups and workshops. 


    Diana retired from full-time interior design in 2007 to work at Begin Ministries where she does the research and script writing for presentations as well as develops the PowerPoint presentations. She also works part-time as a tour guide at historic Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland. Diana gives tours throughout the cemetery and at Wade Memorial Chapel which has an interior completely designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.


    She was raised Baptist & was saved when she was a little girl. One of her cherished Bible verses is 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."