Nominations

Position: General Convention Deputy

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, New Kent

Steve is the Rector of St. Peter’s, New Kent. His ministry there has embodied prayerful discernment to create cultural change and Episcopal identity in a proudly historic church with strong congregational tendencies. The parish has grown dramatically in attendance and flourished in ministry in his post-Covid time there. He focuses on good liturgy, solid preaching, and rejuvenating the music program. By concentrating on community collaboration with a neighboring congregation, he created a vibrant and affirming Youth Group and a shared community feeding ministry. Steve’s leadership is centered in convincing the parishioners to journey together towards the future God is calling them into, a future grounded in love of neighbor and following Jesus.

If trusted to become a Diocesan clergy delegate at General Convention, he would work to be a voice for the needs of smaller parishes and their people. Leading a pastoral-sized parish outside of the power-centers of the Diocese, Steve quickly became convinced of the vital need for better representation for the needs and voices of the faithful in smaller and out of the way parishes.

The priesthood is Steve’s second career. Ordained in 2023 after graduating from VTS, Steve’s first calling was as a political science professor, teaching constitutional law and American politics. After earning a doctorate at UVA, he was a professor at Sweet Briar College and then Washington & Lee University. He was an active voice nationally and in Virginia in civic engagement.

He helped pass legislation signed by then Gov. Warner revamping the state’s civic education curriculum, and served a gubernatorial-appointed term on the Virginia Civics Education
Commission.

Steve is deeply passionate about the need to bear witness against the sinful theology of Christian Nationalism and white supremacy. Yet, at the same time, he is deeply convinced that the Episcopal Church and its people can faithfully be both a bridge and a forum for difficult conversations across political, theological, and cultural divides. It is vital, especially at General Convention, that the Episcopal Church not surrender its ability to speak across the growing divisions in our society. This is central to his sense of ministry and calling.

Lastly, Steve is passionate about Episcopal formation, education, and the great work done by church schools. Steve is married to Wendy Bragaw, who works for Church Schools in the Diocese of Virginia as chief business officer at Stuart Hall. If trusted to be a Diocesan clergy delegate at General Convention, he would advocate for ways to strengthen the historic roles of Episcopal schools within diocesan contexts.

Position: General Convention Deputy

Diocesan Staff, Diocese of Virginia

After three decades of service to the Diocese of Virginia (well, perhaps being a baby doesn’t count), I was grateful to serve as first Alternate to General Convention 2024, helping to bring the witness of Queer/LGBTQ folks and younger clergy, but especially those of us who want to work together for structural change in the Episcopal Church, that we might continue to witness to the Gospel, preserve our tradition, and be agile in planting new communities.

Born, raised, and ordained in the Diocese, I’ve witnessed at youth weekends at Shrine Mont, helped raise up the next generation of leaders through the Young Priest Initiative, and tried my best to make Communion run smoothly at diocesan events on the Worship & Music Committee. After serving for four years as Associate at St. George’s, Fredericksburg, I was called as Transition Minister on diocesan staff, where I help churches seeking new clergy and clergy seeking new calls.

It’s both of those experiences – the real work on the church level paired with the witness of every church with whom I work – that informs my desire to serve as a deputy to General Convention.

Coming to know as many of y’all as I have, as well as working with churches of all sizes, cultures, and characters, I hope that I could serve as a voice for many.

I strive to bring a heart for the Gospel, a listening ear, and an abundance of good humor to all my work, particularly General Convention, and hope to continue to serve the Diocese of Virginia in this way.

Position: General Convention Deputy

St. Paul’s, Ivy

Amanda currently serves as Vice Rector at St. Paul’s, Ivy, where her ministry focuses on evangelism, forming disciples, and nurturing Christian community. She has witnessed the power of relationship to deepen the faith of the faithful and create life-giving connections with seekers.

In the diocese, she serves on the Committee on Priesthood and the Committee on Constitution and Canons. She has also served on the Commission on Ministry and the Executive Board. Nationally, she was appointed Vice-Chair of the General Convention Task Force on the Opioid Epidemic (2018-2021), which embodied for her an integral part of the Church’s vocation: to bear witness by standing with those who suffer and bringing the hope of Christ into a deeply wounded world.

Amanda represented the Diocese of Virginia as a Clergy Deputy to the 2024 General Convention, where she was appointed to the Legislative Committee on Constitution and Canons. In that role, she discovered a passion for the work of reconciliation over divisions in the Church by prioritizing the formation of relationships among people who disagree about important issues.

She was able to draw on her own relationships with a wide network of clergy friends, colleagues, and seminary classmates to organize support for resolutions that fostered a stronger sense of unity within the Episcopal Church. At the next General Convention, she hopes to bring these two strands together: nurturing a church that models authentic relationships across divisions, while speaking the hope of Christ into a world that desperately needs it.

As someone who came into the Episcopal church as an adult, from a mostly unchurched background, she is passionate about welcoming others into Christian community and nurturing discipleship within the Church. She believes that the future of the Church requires us to form relationships across divisions now, so that together, we can move into the future with a shared focus on the mission Jesus has given us all: to go out into the world to preach the healing love of God in Christ and invite others into that love so that they can do the same.

General Convention Deputy

Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Woodstock
& Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Mount Jackson

The Very Reverend Kathleen Murray is Rector of Historic Beckford Parish (Emmanuel and Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Churches) in Shenandoah County and Dean of the Southern Shenandoah Region. She has strengthened parish and community life through initiatives such as Emmanuel’s Table Food Pantry, serving dozens of families each month, and the Grandparents as Parents (GAP)
support group, offering vital resources for caregivers.

Within the Diocese of Virginia, she has served on the Commission on Ministry, as a member of the Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains, on the Resourcing God’s Mission Task Force, and as chair of the Committee on Related Organizations. She has also served as an alternate deputy to GC81 in Louisville in 2024.

Before ordained ministry, she spent nearly three decades in city government, including senior leadership roles in governance, finance, and strategic administration. These skills in oversight, collaboration, and public accountability now strengthen her leadership in the Church. Her journey into the Episcopal Church began as a lay leader deeply engaged in parish life, where she discerned a call to ordained ministry rooted in the Episcopal Church’s tradition of common prayer and broad welcome. As a lay person, she served as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, and Vestry Secretary (Register).

She seeks election as a Deputy to General Convention to bring a strong voice for rural parishes, who often feel overlooked in the wider life of the Church, ensuring their gifts and challenges are heard and represented. She is grounded in both pastoral experience and proven administrative leadership and committed to the work of The Episcopal Church.

General Convention Deputy

Grace, Alexandria

Santiago currently serves as Associate Rector at Grace Episcopal Church in Alexandria, where his ministry focuses on coordinating worship and pastoral care, supporting outreach and justice initiatives, and serving as the main liaison for La Gracia, the parish’s Spanish-speaking community. Before joining Grace, he served as Curate and Community Engagement Director at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas.

Born in Colombia, Santiago completed his undergraduate studies in Miami before moving to Canada, where he was a member of the Jesuit order for seven years and was received into the Anglican Church in 2015. He later earned his Master of Divinity from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, graduating in 2021.

In the wider Church, Santiago served a two-year term on the board of Forma (Christian Formation and Advocacy) and a three-year term on the Council of Advice for Latino/Hispanic Ministries for The Episcopal Church, under Canon Anthony Guillén. He recently completed a three-year term on the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Virginia. He has participated in two General Conventions – Austin (2018) and Louisville (2024) – advocating for formation and Latino/Hispanic ministries.

Passionate about cultivating the basic practices of Christian discipleship and bringing Ignatian spirituality to parish life, Santiago hopes to bring his experience and passion for inclusion, hospitality, and thoughtful theological reflection to the next General Convention. He envisions a Church that continues to grow as a community of faithful welcome, engaging the world with both courage and grace.

General Convention Deputy

Emmanuel, Harrisonburg

I love the Church in all its many and varied forms, and with all of its challenges and opportunities to witness to God’s reconciling work of love in Jesus. It’s because I love the Church that I am nominating myself to be a Deputy to General Convention.

Currently, I serve as the Rector of Emmanuel, Harrisonburg, since August of 2024, having moved back to that city for the first time since I graduated undergrad from JMU in 2000. My family and I are excited to be in the Diocese of Virginia, having served all my ordained ministry previously in the Diocese of Georgia. While in Georgia, I served at a parish that was a recipient of a mission and ministry grant from the diocese, focused on growth and revitalization. While doing that work, I also served the diocese on Standing Committee, as a chaplain to summer camp, on multiple short term mission trips to the Dominican Republic, and as a Deputy and 1st alternate to the past two General Conventions.

Currently, I serve as a member of the Congregational Vitality committee for the diocese and also served as a chaplain at Shrine Mont this past summer.

Moving forward as a Church in our current culture will force us to not only better know ourselves and our own gifts and strengths as The Episcopal Church, but will also ask us to be open and creative in our living out of the gospel in each of our communities. At General Convention this work is done together through praying, discerning, studying, playing, and dreaming, each one bringing our different contexts and experiences with us, informing our witness. It is this work that I hope to engage in, if I am selected as a deputy. I appreciate your consideration.

General Convention Deputy

St. Francis Episcopal Church, Great Falls

I am currently serving as a deacon at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Great Falls, and if elected, would be the first deacon serving as deputy from Diocese of Virginia. I serve as a bridge between the church and the world, deepening our ways of living into our Baptismal Covenant in the local community as well as in global mission. I came to the Diocese of Virginia from California in 2007, and as a lay person, I mentored Education for Ministry and served as senior and junior warden in both California and Virginia.

At the Diocesan level, I was selected to serve the Creation Care Task Force and authored related resolutions. I serve on the Global Mission Advocate team, was appointed as the ministry partner with Episcopal Relief & Development, and have participated in churchwide formation, including Sacred Ground and Love God, Love God’s World. I serve as the Vice President of the Global Episcopal Mission Network board.

I want to serve as a deputy because I want to bring our perspectives in creation care, global mission, and our priorities of following Jesus, being disciples, and practicing justice to The Episcopal Church – all 22 countries. I want to bring what I learn at General Convention back to our diocese, my region, and my church. By my diaconal vows, and as a Jesus follower, I want to advocate that all we do consider all people, especially those experiencing poverty, sickness, loneliness, and lack of voice and
agency.

I believe I am qualified to serve as deputy. I’ve been an Episcopalian my entire adult life in two different dioceses, I work with and believe in the power of Episcopalians across The Episcopal Church, and, through engaging with partners in Tanzania, England, and South Sudan, I have witnessed the global body of Christ and our place in it. My secular career as an engineer and a scientist in private sector and federal government has given me a firm foundation in leadership, governance, innovation, and setting strategy and direction. At the last General Convention, 7% of the clergy there were deacons, even though we are 17% of the clergy. I will bring a needed diaconal perspective, passionate about God’s call to us to place the most vulnerable and marginalized at the center of our common life.

General Convention Deputy

Abingdon, White Marsh

It is with gratitude and a spirit of discernment that I offer myself for nomination as a deputy to General Convention. If elected, this would be my third and final term serving in this capacity-a decision shaped by both a sense of completion and a desire to make space for new voices in our diocesan delegation.

I have served as the Rector of a rural church since 2010. Since moving to the Diocese of Virginia in 1991, I’ve been blessed to serve the Diocese in a variety of roles: as a member of the Standing Committee, a regional President, a diocesan youth advisor, a member of the diocesan staff, and on committees focused on stewardship, racial reconciliation, congregational development, and for the nomination of our former Suffragan Bishop. I’ve also contributed to three diocesan task forces, each offering opportunities to listen deeply, collaborate faithfully, and help shape our shared life.

My ministry has been rooted in connection. I’ve worshipped or met in all but five of the churches of our Diocese, and each visit has deepened my appreciation for the diverse and faithful communities that make up our Diocese. These relationships continue to inform my commitment to represent our collective voice with humility, clarity, and hope.

Should I be called to serve once more, I will do so with the intention of offering seasoned leadership, fostering collaboration, and helping prepare the way for those who will follow. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

Position: General Convention Deputy

San José, Arlington
& Cristo Rey, Springfield

The Rev. Bryan Vélez García currently serves as Vicar of Iglesia Episcopal San José in Arlington and Iglesia Episcopal Cristo Rey in Springfield, Virginia. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico and a Master of Divinity from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Theology at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico. Fr. Vélez García has served the wider Episcopal Church through elected and appointed positions at the diocesan, provincial, and churchwide levels. He has been elected four times as Deputy to General Convention, twice serving as Chair of the Deputation for the Diocese of Puerto Rico. He has also represented his diocese as Deputy to the Province II Synod. At the most recent General Convention, he was a member of the Legislative Committee on the Certification of the Election of the Presiding Bishop. He currently serves as a member of the General Convention Task Force for LGBTQI+ Inclusion and a member of the Board of Directors of The Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice.

His ministry in education and chaplaincy has been equally significant. He served as Director of Chaplaincy at the Inter-American Metro Academy of the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico and as Chaplain of The Episcopal Cathedral School in San Juan, where he helped re-envision Christian formation in academic settings. Since then, he has continued his vocation as a Chaplain in the Air National Guard of the United States Air Force, endorsed by the Bishop of the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries of The Episcopal Church.

In 2019, Fr. Vélez García helped organize the first all-Spanish-speaking Episcopal Youth Event for Province IX and Hispanic congregations in the United States, held at Ciudad del Saber in Panama. Earlier, in 2015, he served as a Young Adult Service Corps missionary in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Father Vélez García believes that his ministerial, academic, and personal experiences enable him to contribute to the Episcopal Church, as well as to our diocese, as it continues to grow into a representative, just, and faithful body of the Gospel. “I am willing to bring all my experiences and perspectives to bear so that our diocese is diversely represented in decision-making that takes into consideration the diverse opinions and realities we face both socially and in the life of our church”.

Standing Committee

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Oak Grove

Father Rod Gordon has served St. Peter’s since 2015, first as supply priest, then as Priest-in-Charge, and elected Rector in September 2021. He was appointed Dean of the Northern Neck Region at the 227th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Virginia in November 2021. Ordained to the priesthood on December 12, 1992, Father Gordon has served parishes in both the Diocese of Southern Virginia and the Diocese of Virginia. Prior to ordination, he served parishes in the Diocese of Chicago and as a chaplain at Children’s Hospital and Grant Hospital in Chicago and Evanston Hospital, Evanston, Illinois.

After serving as the Director of Social Services for Essex County, Virginia since 2013, Father Gordon retired from secular work in 2021. His secular experience includes 22 years in the County of Henrico, Virginia Departments of Finance and Social Services.

While at Henrico County Social Services, Father Gordon also served as the Executive Director of Interfaith Services of Henrico (now HEARTH), a non-profit organization benefiting citizens of Henrico County.

Born and grew up on the Northern Neck of Virginia, Father Gordon is a graduate of Rappahannock High School of Warsaw, Virginia Commonwealth University of Richmond, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary of Chicago, and the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.

For most of my ordained life, I have served as a bi-vocational priest, serving as a supply priest, part-time priest-in-charge, or part- time rector. I have been called to smaller parishes, who could no longer financially support a full-time clergy person, or the parish could not find clergy willing to serve them, especially a small rural congregation. It is time for systemic change in how we raise up and transition clergy into smaller rural parishes. As a member of the Standing Committee, I believe that I can offer my voice and experience in supporting the development and implementation of solutions for rural congregations in developing and sustaining team ministry concepts in their communities and encouraging seminarians and clergy to adapt and embrace this vital ministry opportunity.

Standing Committee

Canterbury Episcopal Campus Ministry, Harrisonburg

The Rev. Laura Minnich Lockey is a life-long Episcopalian, raised in a military family, with church experiences in many dioceses and locations. She loves the Episcopal Church; it is where she learned that she was a beloved child of God, and where she learned to love Jesus. As her family moved from one station to another in the US and Germany, and her living environment shifted every 18 months to 2 years, the Episcopal Church and the language of the liturgy stayed the same. The liturgy speaks deeply to her soul.

She holds BSEd and MSEd degrees in Special Education from Southwest Texas State University, and an M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary. In 1992 she married Russell (USCG Retired); they have three adult children.

She served churches in Texas, Alaska, Mississippi, and Virginia:

• St. James, Del Rio, Texas-Seminarian Intern-1991-1992
• Trinity, Juneau, Alaska-Deacon, Curate, Interim Rector-1993-1995
• Mediator, Meridian, Mississippi-Assistant-1996-1997
• St. Francis of Assisi, Philadelphia, Mississippi-Vicar-1996-2001
• Harrisonburg, Virginia-Campus Missioner-2001-present
• Long Term Supply-Christ Church, Luray, VA-2012-2013
• Long Term Supply-St. Stephen and the Good Shepherd, Rocky Bar, VA-2016-present

Committees and Other Service:

• Higher Education-Diocese of West Texas
• Vocare Director-Diocese of West Texas
• Southeast Deanery-Diocese of Alaska
• Camp Director for the Southeast Deanery-Diocese of Alaska
• Chaplain to the ECW-Diocese of Mississippi
• Executive Board-Diocese of Mississippi and Diocese of Virginia
• Young Priest Initiative Co-Chair-Diocese of Virginia
• Chaplain to Shrine Mont Camps-Diocese of Virginia
• Director of St. Elizabeth’s Camp, Shrine Mont-Diocese of Virginia
• Fresh Start Facilitator-Diocese of Virginia
• Chair of the Interfaith Chaplains, JMU
• Basic Needs Advisory Board, JMU
• Standing Committee, 2021-2023-Diocese of Virginia

In the midst of these challenging times in our church, and in our society, Laura listens well, and practices collaborative leadership; seeking common vision and understanding is essential. With experience in educational, parish, and diocesan systems, she has a strong understanding of how systems can work well together. The majority of her career has been spent in chaplaincy and small churches; this gives her a unique perspective on committee work. She served on the Standing Committee in the past, and enjoys that kind of collaborative work.

Standing Committee

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Ivy

I have served as an ordained minister in the Diocese of Virginia for the past sixteen years. I love our diocese and yearn to see our congregations faithfully meet the challenges of this time. Our neighbors need the Gospel of Jesus Christ-the gift of new, transformed life-and God is calling our diocese to share that Good News with them in word and deed. I am standing for election to the Standing Committee because I believe that my formal training, parish ministry experience, and leadership roles have equipped me with the knowledge and skills to help our diocese live out more fully our stated priorities: discipleship, justice, and reconciliation.

After earning my Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and History from the College of William & Mary, I received my formation for the priesthood at Yale Divinity School and Berkeley Divinity School, graduating in 2009 with a Master of Divinity and a Diploma in Anglican Studies. In 2024, I earned a Master of Science in Church Management from Villanova University. This innovative program taught me how to apply best practices from the nonprofit sector to parish management.
Following seminary, I served for several years as the Assistant/Associate Rector at St. Thomas, McLean, focusing my ministry on growing discipleship among children, youth, and young adults. From 2011 to 2018, I was the Rector of Leeds Church, Markham-a pastoral-size congregation in rural Fauquier County. During my tenure, the number of young families in the congregation increased, and the parish developed a ministry of racial justice and healing through a partnership with Mount Morris Baptist Church-a predominantly African-American congregation down the road.

Since 2018, I have served as the Rector of St. Paul’s, Ivy, a program-size congregation in the suburbs of Charlottesville. In my current role, I have come to appreciate the critical importance of wise administration and strategic planning for effectively proclaiming the Gospel and witnessing to the Kingdom of God.

In addition to my parish leadership experience, I served as a Deputy for our diocese to the 2018 General Convention and was a longtime member of the Committee on Priesthood. I currently serve as Vice Chair of our diocese’s Committee on Racial Justice and Healing and as a board member of St. James Episcopal School in North Philadelphia, which is a tuition-free middle school dedicated to serving children and families in one of the city’s most impoverished communities. If it is God’s will, I am ready to serve our beloved diocese in this way.

Standing Committee

St Martin de Porres, Alexandria

I am currently the Priest-in-Charge at St Martin de Porres Church in Alexandria, VA. This Convention marks two years since our creation. We are the newest church in the Diocese, and the Diocese’s only church named after a black saint. We are a diverse and growing community filled with joy and a passion for Jesus Christ.

I grew up moving every three years or so, and continued this pattern through my adult life until I moved to Alexandria in 2017. As a result, I have spent my life as an outsider and perpetual newcomer. As an outsider, I learned to seek others who are not seen or heard. Because of my experiences, I feel called to welcome all and bring those on the margins inward to the center.

As Co-Coordinator of the Truth and Reparations Task Force from April 2022 through March 2025, my priority was to ground our work spiritually, enabling us to move forward with justice, mercy, and humility. The intention behind the Task Force was to humbly acknowledge centuries of oppression and work together with Black, Indigenous and other people of the global majority to mend our relationships. To me, mending relationships is about treating each person as a beloved child of God by extending full respect and dignity to all.

I am well-qualified for the ministry of the Standing Committee. My strengths in administration, strategic planning, and finance (I hold an MBA), as well as my gift of spiritual grounding and my calling to draw those on the margins inward, will serve me well in this ministry.

Province III Deputy

All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Richmond

Greetings! I’m a deacon in the Diocese of Virginia. I was ordained in April 2016 and joined one of the best Disturbances of Deacons the Episcopal Church has ever seen!

Beginning in 2107, I entered full-time ministry as a chaplain at Westminster Canterbury Richmond, where I serve, alongside other chaplains, a community of over 900 residents and roughly 500 employees. Before that, I had a 25-year career in higher education and non-profits.

Prior to ordination, I served as a vestry member, Senior Warden, and lay delegate to Annual Convention at Christ Ascension Episcopal Church. Post ordination, I served at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Richmond, and I currently serve at All Saints Episcopal Church, Richmond.

Within in the Diocese, I served as Archdeacon (2019-2023) and on the Transition Committee for the 14th Bishop of Virginia (2022). I currently serve on the Ministry for Racial Justice and Healing, and I remain an active member of the Community of Deacons.

I am a graduate of Education for Ministry, and I mentored EfM groups for 5 years. I am a Master of Arts in Public Theology student at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond.

I am interested in learning how other dioceses are engaging in the work of racial justice and reconciliation and creation care, and how that work can inform our own work (and vice versa). I ask for your support so that I may serve the wider Church as a delegate to Province III.

Province III Deputy

Emmanuel, Harrisonburg

Throughout my ministry I have worked in partnerships and collaborations. When we work in tandem in mission and ministry, we learn from each other as well as find strength and joy in our common vocation. It is because of this experience and with a solid belief in working together, I am offering myself for consideration as the Province III representative for our diocese.

Currently, I serve as the Rector of Emmanuel, Harrisonburg, since August of 2024, having moved back to that city for the first time since I graduated undergrad from JMU in 2000. My family and I are excited to be in the Diocese of Virginia, having served all my ordained ministry previously in the Diocese of Georgia. While in Georgia, I served at a parish that was a recipient of a mission and ministry grant from the diocese, focused on growth and revitalization. While doing that work, I also served the diocese on Standing Committee, as a chaplain to summer camp, on multiple short term mission trips to the Dominican Republic, and as a Deputy and 1st alternate to the past two General Conventions.

Since moving to the diocese, I am currently serving as a member of the Congregational Vitality committee and also served as a chaplain at Shrine Mont this past summer.

If elected, I would bring my years of experience in collaborative ministry, as well as a creative and open mind towards engaging the work of the gospel in new ways. It would be a joy to represent the diocese in this way. I appreciate your consideration.

Province III Deputy

Interim – between positions

I have served several parishes in various parts of Virginia and in Ohio over the past 20+ years. Recently returning to Virginia, I’m looking forward to engaging in the life of the Diocese. In Ohio I participated in the Province V Provincial Gatherings where we built intentional methods for parishes in neighboring dioceses to work together. We had an intentional group for resort community clergy which I was part of. Connecting parishes with one another is an opportunity for the Region as well as collaborating on educational programs. I would like to opportunity to help with similar collaboration here in Region III. There are opportunities to make connections and encourage one another. Prior to ordination I worked in satellite systems for the USAF and was active in my parish. I served on the search committee for the Suffragan Bishop of the Armed Forces in 2016. Serving as a Page in the House of Bishops for six of the past seven General Conventions has provided me with insight into many areas of the Episcopal Church.