Nominating Committee 2007  

Welcome to Our New Church Leaders!

From Nominating Committee Chair Megan Lyons

I was blessed to have a wonderful group of dedicated people on the 2007 Nominating Committee with me. Many thanks to all of you for making the committee such a rewarding experience for me. 

My fellow committee members were Lee Phillips, co-chair, Cole Bevis, Thom Campbell, Deb Fitzgerald-O’Connell, Jeff Hodes, Mac Mercer, Jaimee Nygaard, Nancy Partridge, and Karen Sparacino.

The Nominating Committee is pleased to introduce our nominees for the following offices:

Elders

Lisa Bokovoy has attended FPC her entire life.  The daughter of our Pastor Emeritus, Henry Baumann and his wife Pat, Lisa has three children of her own. Andrew is a junior and Jonathan is a freshman at Chantilly High School. Stephanie is in the 5th grade. Lisa has her BSW from James Madison University and her MSW from the University of North Carolina. She has spent the majority of her career as a residential lighting consultant with Burgess Lighting. Over the years Lisa has served as Chair of the Preschool Committee, as Choir Mom for the children’s choirs, on the Music Director Search Committee, on the Christian Education committee and as chair of the Youth Director Search Committee. Lisa enjoys reading, scrap booking, the beach and spending time with her family.

Mike Britton joined Fairfax Presbyterian Church in April 2005. His wife, Tina, is a Guidance Counselor at Sangster Elementary in Springfield. They have two daughters, Mika, a sophomore at Fairfax High School, and Maya, a fourth grader at Daniels Run Elementary. Mike works as a program manager for Sprint Nextel in Reston. He holds degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois and a MBA from Southern Methodist University. Mike is currently an usher and a youth group leader for the sixth graders. He looks forward to this additional opportunity to serve.

Jim Conrad was born and raised in downstate Illinois. He attended Arizona State University, where he graduated with a degree in Agriculture. He has been a member of Fairfax Presbyterian Church since his job brought him to the Washington DC area along with his family in 1968.  He is a volunteer at Oak Marr Recreation Center, a campaign worker for local political candidates, and provides support to people at the Emery Rucker Shelter in Reston and the Northern Virginia AA hotline. Jim is a member of the FPC Web Team and coordinates the e-mail prayer chain. He and Mary Jane Donahue have been members of one of the original FPC Seekers groups for approximately 15 years. They recently celebrated their 23rd anniversary. They live in the Oakton area. Jim is honored to be nominated for the Session and looks forward to working with others in support for our church and faith.

Al Henderson has been a member of FPC since 2001. He has served as a Deacon and has been the leader of the FPC Men’s Breakfast fellowship program since 2003. He is a graduate of Purdue University in Industrial Management and George Washington University in Engineering Management. After a number of years in Industrial Engineering, he moved into management of software development programs and year 2000 software modifications.  He is currently working in SAIC management. His wife Sandy is involved in supporting FPC Membership Connections and various receptions. They have two grown daughters, Vicki and Kathy.  Al enjoys golfing and fellowship events; especially opportunities to bring people together. “ I am honored to have been nominated to become an elder at FPC and work in new ways to support our church.”

Bobbi Hess joined FPC in 1987. Over the years she has been involved in Stewardship and Finance, Membership Concerns, Christian Education, Youth activities and Vacation Bible School. She has previously served on Session and the Board of Trustees. Bobbi works for Strategic Insight, where she is a Corporate Officer and consults on Strategic and Program planning for defense acquisition and Navy Surface Warfare. Bobbi is also active in school and Boy Scout activities, serving as 1st Vice President of the Bruin Band Boosters and as a Committee Member for Boy Scout Troop 1131. Bobbi and her husband Doug live in Burke with their two sons, Phillip, a junior at Virginia Tech majoring in Marketing and Advertising, and Brian, a sophomore at Lake Braddock Secondary School.

Deacons

Mike Lamb has been a member of FPC since 2004, transferring from Westminster Presbyterian in Alexandria. He is married to Sheila; they have two children, Emily, 5, and Dylan, 2. They currently reside in Oakton. Mike graduated from George Mason University with a BA in communications; he is currently Vice President of Global Technology Services, an IT consulting firm based out of Winchester. Outside his family and work, Mike has many interests, which include reading, fishing, golf and most other sports.

Vanessa Mueller moved to Virginia with her husband and two children a year ago. A true Texan, she graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Music Education, majoring in bassoon, and taught band for five years at a school between Amarillo and Houston. Vanessa and Jim were married at Northwood Presbyterian in San Antonio, and have moved six times since then. Although Vanessa enjoys a variety of musical outlets, her focus now is on the marvel of little boys: Samuel, 5, who will start kindergarten this fall at Waples Mill Elementary, and Ryan, 3, who will attend 2-day preschool here at FPC.

Lenny Pacholski has been a member of FPC since 2001 after relocating to Northern Virginia from Nashville, Tennessee. She is married to Bob and they have two daughters, Rachel, 20 and Amy, 15. Lenny has been an active member of FPC, serving in various volunteer roles such as Bread Outreach Team, Joyful Ringers, Radiant Ringers, church office volunteer, Christian Education, Presbyterian Women and the health ministry. After spending more than 25 years in the health care field as a Registered Nurse, she is looking forward to a second career as a teacher at Chantilly High School in the Medical Technology program. “I’m honored to be nominated as a Deacon and look forward to the opportunity of serving at FPC.”

Rob Updegrove has been a member of FPC since 1998. During the past few years, he has served as head of an usher team. His wife Maria and he each have an adult child from previous marriages. Rob just retired from the federal government, where he had management positions in libraries at the Commerce Department, the Executive Office of the President and the Comptroller of the Currency (Treasury). He has many interests, including Shetland Sheepdogs, gardening, travel and reading. “I have long been impressed by the faith and engagement of the congregation at our church. We have had dedicated ministers, a wonderful music program and organ, and a diverse congregation where I hope everyone can feel comfortable. It is truly an honor to have been asked to be a deacon in our church.”

Dave Wender has been a member of FPC since 2005. David is married to Jodi and they have two kids, Kaitlyn, 11, and Ryan, 9. The Wenders moved to Northern Virginia in 2002 and decided to settle here when David retired from the Navy last November. David has made one trip to Honduras with the Mid-Life Men and continues to be involved with that group. He has also recently started serving as an usher. “I am a big fan of FPC’s mission focus, facilitating a wide variety of ways to reach out. I was completely surprised and very honored to be asked to be a Deacon and look forward to the experience.”

Trustee

Jerry Cook has been a member of FPC for approximately 10 years and has previously served as an Elder. He has been a member of the Property Committee and participates in the Summer Choir. His wife Nancy Anne has been involved in the church through the Worship Committee, leading the flower ministry for many years. They live in Fairfax and have two married sons and seven grandchildren. Jerry is a professor of electrical engineering at George Mason University, where he has actively supported student ministries through Campus Crusade for Christ and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He enjoys golf, music and Virginia Tech sports.

Youth Deacon

Brian Hess has attended FPC his entire life and was confirmed in May, 2007. He is an active member for the Youth Group, serving on Youth Council, participating in Sunday school and fellowship activities, serving on mission trips and playing drums for youth events and the Encounter worship services. Brian is a sophomore at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke where he plays percussion in the Marching and Concert Bands and rows for the Crew Team. Brian is active in Boy Scouts. He is an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 1131 in Burke and recently earned his Eagle Scout rank. Brian also holds a 2nd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Brian is very happy to be able to serve as the Youth Deacon for year 2008.