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.
After college, Preston built his career step by step. In 2017, he joined the team at St. John’s Episcopal Church—just blocks from the White House—where he now serves as Chief Operating Officer. His leadership there has helped guide the church through operational growth, administrative transitions, and a changing city.
What makes Preston stand out is his mindset. He believes in patience, consistency, and doing the work with care. He doesn’t chase recognition. He builds trust. From managing finances to overseeing day-to-day operations, he brings clarity and calm to everything he does.
Outside of work, Preston is deeply committed to his family. He’s been married to his wife, Merrell, since 1993. They have two children, Grace and Hayden.
He’s also an active community member and a passionate golfer. In 2025, he donated to both his high school and the University of Maryland Golf Course to help others grow.
Preston is someone who learns from experience, leads with humility, and shows up every day with purpose. His success hasn’t come from shortcuts. It’s come from staying focused, giving back, and doing the right thing—one step at a time.
Preston Cherouny: Redefining Success Through Service, Structure, and Self-Awareness
You’ve had a long and varied career, from working in Connecticut to now leading operations at a major church in Washington, DC. How has your definition of success changed over time?
It’s changed a lot. When I was younger, I thought success was mostly about achievement—degrees, promotions, money, status. Now I see it differently. Success is showing up. It’s in the quality of the work you do day after day. It’s being reliable and grounded. I get more satisfaction now from a well-run system or a solved problem than I ever did from recognition. Success, to me, is the process. Not the prize.
How has your work at St. John’s Church shaped your views on success?
This role has brought me back to the basics—service, consistency, humility. When I started at St. John’s in 2017, I was the Financial Secretary. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was important. Eventually, I took on more responsibility as Interim Parish Administrator, and now I’m the COO.
There’s no corporate ladder here. The church is about trust. You earn it slowly by showing up, doing the work, and treating people with respect. Managing the operations of a historic church across from the White House—it’s not something I ever envisioned, but it’s the most fulfilling work I’ve done.
You’ve said “the process, not the outcome” is what makes you feel good. Can you give an example?
Sure. One example is budgeting at St. John’s. It’s complex—there are staff, programs, historic building upkeep, outreach, and more. The reward isn’t when the budget is approved. It’s in working through the numbers, solving small issues before they become big ones, and collaborating with the team to make sure everything lines up.
I’ve also helped streamline a lot of our back-end operations. When I see the system working—and the people it supports thriving—that’s success.
What role does structure or routine play in your idea of success?
A huge one. I’m the kind of person who writes things down—short- and long-term goals, tasks, even thoughts. If it’s not written, it’s floating. I’ve learned that I work best when I have structure. That’s part of why the COO role fits me well. There’s rhythm in operations work. You have to be methodical.
I also find that structure protects me from burnout. I golf regularly, go to the gym at Crunch in Friendship Heights, and I protect those habits. They help me stay grounded and present in other parts of my life.
Tell us about a time when success didn’t look like “winning”—but still mattered.
That would be my decision to donate to Avon Old Farms in 2025. I gave $3,000 to support teacher housing. It wasn’t about being thanked. I didn’t expect anything in return. It just felt right. That school shaped me. And I know how hard it is for teachers to find affordable places to live, especially in private education.
That gift was a quiet success. Private. Intentional. And it came from a place of gratitude.
Many people chase success at the expense of balance. You’ve said balance is essential for you. Why?
Because I’ve lived without it. And I know what that leads to. If I don’t create balance, everything else starts to slip—my focus, my energy, even my relationships. I’ve learned to be intentional about how I spend my time.
I try not to take work home with me. I carve out time for my family—my wife Merrell and our two kids, Grace and Hayden. We’ve been through a lot together. They’re why I care about showing up with integrity, not ego.
What are some lesser-known habits or systems you use to stay successful?
I run a weekly reset on Sunday nights. It’s just 30 minutes. I sit with a notebook and ask: What did I learn this week? What’s coming up? Where do I feel off-balance?
I also use a pretty old-school system for managing tasks—yellow legal pads. I number them. Cross things out. Recopy if I have to. It’s tactile and helps me focus.
And I have a rule that’s helped a lot: If something feels off for more than a week, address it. Whether it’s a process, a relationship, or a personal routine.
You’ve talked openly about needing to forgive yourself to move forward. How does that idea tie into success?
It’s everything. We all fall short. The turning point is not avoiding failure—it’s how you respond. I’ve had times in my life where I needed to step back, reevaluate, and start again. The people who succeed long term are the ones who learn, not the ones who never fall.
Forgiveness—especially self-forgiveness—gives you space to grow. Without it, you just get stuck in the past.
Final question: What would you tell your 25-year-old self about success?
Slow down. Focus on the relationships. Trust your process. Don’t rush to prove something—just build a life that feels steady. And don’t be afraid to redefine what success means as you go. You’ll need to.