2025 Officer Nominees

Growing up as a Foreign Service kid, my family moved every 3 or so years. Before I turned 16 I had already lived in Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, and Germany. This nomadic life brought many exciting new experiences, but I did miss a lot of the "roots" friends back in the States would reference. When I went to college at University of Richmond in 2009, one goal I had was to find my church "roots". What I thought would be a long search process stopped after I visited the second church on my list: FPC. From the first I was touched by the warmth of the congregation and the messages from the pulpit. I joined as a member in 2012 and have been a deacon, served on various task forces , and enjoyed the love and fellowship of the Young Adults group. FPC has been and continues to be an important "root" in my life and I have watched my faith grow so much over the past ten years. When not working, I can be found with a good book, a show on Netflix, or out on the Capital Trail on my bike.

Elizabeth Smart Fay (Beth) grew to adulthood at FPC and after a 20+ years break at other churches, rejoined us in 2021 with her husband Richard (Rick). Beth is 64 years old and previously served as a Deacon at First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City, Virginia. She is a retired colonel in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and served in Afghanistan, where she met Rick. They’ve been married for five years. Beth loves her dogs, Sasha and Tucker and taking them on RV trips with Rick, especially to visit Rick’s three grandchildren in South Carolina. Rick and Beth also love to travel overseas but are happy to join with FPC members online for worship, Bible study, and Women on Zoom while away from home. She also loves painting, gardening, genealogy, reading, studying wines, and volunteering with several historical societies and projects. Rick and Beth live in Caroline County, Virginia.

I grew up in Richmond and attended Washington and Lee University and the University of Virginia School of Law. After graduation from law school, I joined the law firm of Troutman Pepper (formerly "Mays & Valentine"). My wife, Kim Lewis, and I joined the church in 1993. We have been married for thirty-one years. Our children, Clark Jr., and Mary Pace grew up at FPC and are current members. I also had the privilege to serve on the Diaconate from 2000 - 2006 and the Session from 2006 – 2012, 2022 – 2025. During this time, I served on many committees including, Stewardship, Nominating Personnel and Finance. I enjoy playing golf. Kim and I also enjoy traveling with our family and spending time at Smith Mountain Lake.

Although a Florida native, I’ve called Virginia home since the early 1980s and Richmond since the early 1990s. I grew up in the Presbyterian Church and have been a part of the FPC Richmond family for roughly 20 years. Along the lines of the saying, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life”, I love to serve the Church and my community and view my opportunity to contribute as a reward. Throughout my years at FPC I’ve enjoyed serving on several committees, as a Deacon, usher and bus ambassador. I view Christianity is a journey where we learn and grow and FPC has been very instrumental in my journey. I am honored to have the opportunity to give back and serve now as an Elder while continuing to learn and grow myself.

I joined First Presbyterian Church in March 2020, the last Sunday of in-person worship before the COVID lockdown. I am completing my first term on FPC’s Session, and am honored to continue to serve. I have been a member of the Coronavirus Task Force and the Master Plan Task Force, and I chaired the Communications Committee until being elected Clerk of Session in the fall. I am a Trustee of Union Presbyterian Seminary, representing FPC.

My husband, Bill, and I moved to Richmond in 2019, following my retirement from a long career in public relations and communications. After a start in daily journalism, I shifted my focus to health care and led public relations for hospital systems in Virginia, North Carolina, and metro Washington. Bill is an ordained pastor and member of the Presbytery of the James, who retired in 2021. We have two wonderful sons, Laird and Neale, and daughters-in-law, Jenna and Courtney, and seven precious grandchildren, ages 1 to 8.

I was raised in Harrisonburg in the Methodist Church and joined the Presbyterian Church in 1980. I was ordained as an Elder at Orange Presbyterian Church, more than 20 years ago, and have subsequently served on the Session of two other congregations. I am so grateful to be a part of First Presbyterian Church, which offers rich worship experiences and many opportunities for faith development and fellowship. I feel at home here, and for that I give thanks.

After graduating from Randolph-Macon College, I chose to make Richmond my home and quickly found a vibrant community at First Presbyterian Church. For the past forty years, I’ve been profoundly blessed by the friendships and fellowship here.

I’ve had the privilege of serving in various roles, from teaching Sunday School and co-leading the Sunday Night Youth Program to participating in the Young Adult Ministry, where I formed lasting friendships. Music has also been a cornerstone of my time at First Church—I played handbells under Michael Grant and sang in the Chancel Choir for over 25 years with Suzanne Riehl. Today, I continue to enjoy the beauty of our music ministry led by Jason Brown.
More recently, I’ve joined Circle 7, a group of inspiring women dedicated to giving back, and I’ve found renewed strength through small group Bible studies, particularly during Lent.

I’m honored to be nominated to serve as an elder and look forward to supporting the church’s mission in new ways. With our committed ministers and staff, I believe the future of First Presbyterian is bright as we continue to nurture faith, fellowship, and service.

I grew up in Rocky Mount, NC, where I met and later married my high school sweetheart Neely after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a business degree. I recently retired from a 40+ year career in food distribution and food manufacturing with industry leaders such as US Foods, Performance Food Group, and Icelandic/High Liner Foods Seafood. Career opportunities took Neely and me, and our three sons, to live and enjoy church in Florence, SC, Charlotte, NC, and Roanoke, VA. Before moving to Richmond to finish my career, we enjoyed living and working in Portsmouth, NH.

We moved to Richmond and joined FPC in 2019. I have been involved as a Reading Buddy at HMES the last three years and a member of Jim Irby’s RISC Justice Ministry team. For each of the last 25 years, including at FPC, I have been involved in the youth ministry in our 3 previous churches.

Neely and I enjoy travel (all 7 continents as of this past October), time at the beach, and enjoying 3 sons, 2 daughters in law, and watching our 4 grandkids grow up.

I have lived in the Richmond area since 1977, and in the city for about 20 years. My husband Christopher (Kit) and I have been married for 56 years and we have two children. Our daughter Sarah lives in Richmond and our son Tim, along with his wife and their three children, live in Washington, DC. We have travelled extensively for the last 25 years but are happily living a quieter life these days because our son and his family are close by now. So I am happy to be able to be a more active member of the church.

A native Virginian, I moved back to Richmond with my husband Bob 12 years ago and we joined First Presbyterian shortly thereafter. We had looked at several Presbyterian churches in the area but were drawn to First Presbyterian because of the plethora of programs and activities and the wonderful music program. Once we joined I became a member of circle 4, spent time as a Merry Martha, served on PW program committees, and am currently the PW corresponding secretary. As a retired special education teacher I was glad to be involved with RISC when they focused on education in the Richmond schools. I am an avid reader and history lover (likely a product of growing up in Virginia ) and my husband and I enjoy traveling anywhere. My 2 grandsons keep me entertained and young at heart.

My husband Robert and I moved to Richmond in 2005, from Roanoke Va. We had moved many times, my husband being an Engineer with GE. We lived in Schenectady, Erie, Pittsburgh, Peoria, Blacksburg, Milwaukee and Roanoke as we raised our two children Jen and Matt and 2 terrific dogs. Bob and I joined the church in 2020, the COVID Crew, though for many years we attended. I am a nurse executive, and traveled a great deal in my job, completed a doctorate in nursing practice and currently am somewhat retired. We have a home in Wilmington NC where we thought we would retire to; however, life does not listen to your plans and a more wonderful scenario occurred. My son moved his family here and we now have a little granddaughter down the road from us. So, while you will still find us and the dog going to Wilmington, we spend much time here. I will be completing a first term as a deacon and am grateful to have a chance to continue and find new ways to serve the church. I am a member of RISC, the usher team, attend Amy’s Wednesday Bible Study, and Centering prayer on Thursday mornings. I am so grateful to be a part of the FPC community and the opportunities it offers to serve collectively and individually in what I hope are meaningful ways.

I grew up in Severna Park, MD, and attended college at East Carolina University. After spending several years in Raleigh and Baltimore, I was (easily) convinced to make my final move to Richmond, where my wife, Virginia, and I were married at FPC. On a typical day outside of work, we enjoy spending our time outdoors with our children, Thomas (3) Nora (5 months), and chocolate lab, Bubba.

I am a Richmond native and I have been back in my hometown since 2009 when my husband Gray and I got married and moved home after several years in Texas. We have two daughters at St. Catherine's School, where I am also on the faculty as a Spanish teacher. I have been a lifelong member of First Presbyterian and have fond memories of Sunday School and Confirmation classes as a child. I love the opportunity to continue to learn and grow in Faith Formation in the Covenant Class now, just as my mom used to enjoy. I even went to First Presbyterian Preschool, as did our girls, during which time I served on the Preschool Board. I am a graduate of William and Mary and have a Masters in Education from SMU. While in Dallas, Gray and I attended Highland Park Presbyterian Church, whose pastors worked together very kindly with FPC as we were planning our wedding many states away with Mary Kay Collins. This is my 16th year working as a language teacher and tutor. I love to travel, cook, read, do all the puzzles in the New York Times and I am trying to learn to play tennis thanks to my supportive and patient family. We are looking forward to welcoming a new puppy into our family soon.

I grew up in Connecticut and New York as the eldest of five children (3 sisters and a brother). I headed to Virginia to attend University of Richmond and after graduation I got a job at the AT&T regional office in RVA. I met my husband Jeff that summer. A lifelong FPC member, he and his family introduced me to their wonderful church. I joined FPC in 1984 and a year later we were married there. Jeff and I raised 3 children: Jeff, Alexandra, and Burke. Over the years I have helped on various church projects and committees, taught children’s Sunday school and supported Youth Group. I was very involved with organizing and chaperoning many of the Youth Mission trips to Mexico. I run a non-profit patient safety organization that studies medication errors to help pharmacies increase safety and improve workflow. In my free time I like to read, hike, bike, and travel.

I was born and raised in Levittown, Pennsylvania; Levittown and Longhorns Presbyterian churches. My undergraduate teaching degree is from Millersville University (Millersville, Pennsylvania) and I taught 5th grade in Beaufort, SC after I graduated. Next up was the USAF for 11 1/2 years: intelligence officer in Virginia and Iceland. Back to school for me after I got out: Information Sciences degree (University of Tennessee, Knoxville and I became a school librarian. I’ve worked as a school librarian since, in Virginia and New Jersey. Currently, I’m the school librarian at Swansboro Elementary School in the Richmond Public School system. Our kids say this is my passion - kids books are truly my passion.

Married to LaMont for over 37 years now; 6 kids and 2 grandchildren. We really like family time and tend to spend a lot of time visiting, vacationing, and talking with all of them. We love traveling, watching sports, and catching up with old friends.

I’ve been an elder twice and look forward to becoming a deacon and learning about how we can support our members.

I am excited and honored to have been nominated to serve as a Deacon at FPC Richmond! I look forward to serving the members of FPC Richmond while growing in my faith.

I grew up in Durham, NC, where I attended Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church during my childhood and adolescence. For education, I attended both the University of Miami and NC State University, and it was during my time at NCSU in Raleigh, NC, where I met my wife, Meredith. She and I first moved to Boston, and then to Johnson City, TN, and most recently to Richmond in 2019. It was in 2019 that we began attending FPC, shortly before the birth of our first daughter, Olivia. Since then we have had another daughter, Nancy Grace. It has been both a joy and blessing to have them both baptized here at FPC, and we look forward to having them grow up in the church.

I am a textile engineer by profession, specializing in clothing science and protective clothing, and have worked across military, activewear, medical, and industrial protection application areas in my career. I currently work as a systems engineer at the US Marine Corps designing next-generation ensembles for hazardous environments. In my free time, I like to spend time outdoors, whether it is gardening or landscaping, hiking or exploring in the local area, or riding bikes along the beautiful and plentiful trails we have here in RVA.

I am excited to serve as a Deacon for FPC. I have had the opportunity to engage with FPC through the Young Adults Group, volunteering with the Youth Ministry, and the Property Committee. I grew up in Roanoke, VA and was a member of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. I moved to Richmond, VA to pursue my career as a civil engineer following graduation from Virginia Tech in 2020. In my free time I love to cook and go to Pilates at Niche!

As a young boy I sang in choir in a UCC church in Denver. Moving east I was confirmed in a Presbyterian church in Bedford NY. Over the next 30+ years I served as a member of the session and in other leadership positions for the congregation and youth and met my wife June who led the choir. After fifteen years in Morristown NJ we moved to Richmond VA. Searching for a home church brought us to FPC with it’s great music and organ and welcoming members. A major avenue of service for me has been 15 years of mission trips through ASP, including a trip to Nicaragua with Bridges to Community, which allowed me to connect with youth and express my faith. I am blessed to be retired and still able to sing in choir and share in praising our Lord.

I grew up attending FPC with my family all the way from pre-school to being a confirmand in middle school. I graduated from Woodberry Forest School, then Wofford College, and lived in South Carolina for several years after graduation. I’ve worked in business development for a wholesale petroleum supply and trading company during most of my time since graduating.

I met my wife, Rainey (who just recently joined the choir), in college and we married in 2020. Ask us about our pandemic wedding sometime! We moved back to Richmond in 2021 and rejoined the congregation in 2022.
I enjoy being outside and am an avid runner — you can usually find me out early in the morning running or walking our dog, Bertie, near our church. I also am happiest spending time with family and friends in the mountains, usually on a pair of skis.

I’m excited for the opportunity to serve as a deacon and look forward to connecting with members and visitors alike at First Presbyterian in this capacity

I joined FPC with my late husband, Mark in 2016. We immediately felt the warmth and friendship of the congregation. After Mark’s passing that year, I had incredible support from so many members and staff. I have served on the bereavement committee, usher, treasurer assistant, and youth council. I completed one term as deacon. I am concluding a term as an elder of the Session. While on Session, I served as head of the personnel committee for two years and am a member of it now. I was blessed in 2022 to find love again and married Joe McNulty. We are enjoying traveling and our two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Sophie and Annie. I work in the Career Services department at the University of Richmond. I enjoy cooking, gardening and quilting when I get the time.

Steve Mintz has three wonderful children, an even better wife, and a perfect dog. He was baptized in and worshiped at a little country Methodist church until he became a Presbyterian when he was a student at William and Mary. He has called Virginia home his entire life, he has called the Richmond area home for 33 years, and he has called FPC home for nearly 30 years.

I became a member of FPC when my family moved across Cary when I was two. My family was very active in many aspects of the church but music was my favorite. I learned to love singing in a choir with Michael Grant and carried that through my life, culminating in a degree in vocal performance with a concentration in elementary education from Hollins University.

I served as director of the preschool/kindergarten choir for 13 years, was a member of the worship committee for 10 years, served as memorial flowers chair for 4 years, and worked with the Preschool for 10 years. In my free time, I enjoy my garden club, needlepoint, and being a member of the Junior Board of Children's Hospital Foundation.

I have been a longtime member of FPC together with my husband Jim. We joined the church soon after we were married and so enjoy being a part of it and its volunteering opportunities. I have served as a deacon and an elder. I have also sat on the New Members Committee and am presently on the PW Council, the FPC Outreach Council, the Community Grants Committee and The First Fund Committee and a member of Covenant Class. I have served on the Faith In Action Capital Campaign, Associate Minister Search Committee and chair of the Communion Preparation Committee. I have served as a mentor for FPC confirmands. I am also one of the wedding coordinators for FPC and a volunteer for RISC. Am retired from a banking career. Enjoy the beach with family and friends, cooking, reading a good cookbook, & cheering for the HOOS! I have been very active as an Advisory Board member with VCU Massey Cancer Center. Also enjoy volunteer work with Maymont and CARITAS.

I am a native of Richmond, Virginia and graduated from Virginia Tech School of Architecture and a graduate of NC State School of Design. Pat and I joined First Presbyterian Church in 2000. Since joining, I have served as Moderator of Diaconate and on Session. I have always believed in faith in action, which has led me to serve on City Council and many nonprofit organizations. Currently, I serve as the Chair of the Carver Literacy Project (Richmond Kiwanis), Board Member CrossOver Healthcare Ministry, Board Member ChildSavers Foundation, Chairman Richmond Community of Caring, Board Member Carver Promise, and Board Member Richmond Slavery Museum Foundation.