Nominees for Council 2019

Executive Board

Elect 2 Clergy and 4 Lay for a three-year term. Also Frontera Unida Board of Directors, Chair (2016);
elect 1 Cleric and 1 Lay to fill one-year unexpired terms. Diocesan Council Host Committee (2019)
Nominated by: The Rev. Rob Harris, Rector
Description of duties: The Executive Board is required St. Christopher’s, Bandera
to meet two times a year, but occasionally meets more
often. The board functions in a way similar to a parish The Rev. John “James” Derkits,
vestry, including preparing the diocesan budget and Rector; Trinity, Port Aransas
submitting it to Council for approval. The Executive Qualifications: James has served
Board appoints several departments and committees, four parishes of differing sizes
as described in Canon 5 from DWTX Constitution in two dioceses, in addition
and Canons. Members of the Executive Board serve as to starting a church plant in
liaisons to the various departments and commissions Houston. While in the Diocese
of the diocese. A knowledge of (and experience in) of Texas, he served on its
ministries representing the breadth of the diocese is Standing Committee and other
an asset to persons who serve on the Executive Board. diocesan committees. James has
At the same time, a willingness to engage in diocesan a particular interest in creative reinvigoration of churches
ministry and learn of the breadth of the diocese is the and communities within their particular context utilizing
most basic requirement for service on the Executive organic networking and local resources.
Board. Local Church Activities: Pastor to the people; administer
Clergy the sacraments; and bless and declare pardon in the
name of God
The Rev. Rod Clark, Vicar Community Activities: Port Aransas Education
St. Peter & St. Paul, Mission Foundation member (2015 - 2018)
Qualifications: Before Diocesan Activities: Mustang Island Program
being called to ordained Committee Chair; Bishop’s Council of Advice (2016)
ministry, Rod started his Nominated by: Ms. Ivette Sullivan, Senior Warden of
own production company in Trinity, Port Aransas
the Coastal Bend, providing
television and radio broadcasts The Rev. Matthew V. Frey, Interim Rector
of local sporting events. He Redeemer, Eagle Pass
is an innovative thinker Qualifications: Matthew is a
with vision and problem-solving skills and an avid prayerful, pastoral leader as
outdoorsman who loves spending time on the water or well as a thoughtful and careful
deep in the backcountry. Most importantly, he is the listener. He has a heart for raising
father of Iona, Owen, and Liv and is married to Andrea, a up strong, healthy leaders of all
professor of Education at South Texas College. ages for work in God’s Kingdom.
Local Church Activities: Vicar, handyman, pastor, Local Church Activities: Rector,
teacher, preacher, missioner Vestry, School Chaplain
Community Activities: Proyecto Desarrollo Community Activities: NAMI
Diocesan Activities: Co-founder of The Order of Diocesan Activities: Past member of Episcopal
Naucratius (2013 - present); World Missions Committee, Schools Commission; past co-chair of Reconciliation
member (2014 - present); delegate to Provincial Synod Commission; Dean and Chaplain at Camp Capers;
(2017); Chaplain Camp Capers Summer Camp (2015- former Province VII Synod Alternate; Spiritual Director
2018), Dean Camp Capers Summer Camp (2019); for Happening and Vocare
Spiritual Director Happening Movement (#139); Nominated by: The Nominating Committee
Chaplain Mustang Island Family Camp (2015-2017);
Nominating Committee member (2017); Continued on next page.

2
 The Rev. Jeff Hammond, Rector
St. Barnabas’, Fredericksburg
Qualifications: Interested in the
life of the Diocese of West Texas
and willing to serve.
Local Church Activities: Rector
Community Activities:
Fredericksburg High School
swim coach; member of
Ministerial Alliance; Friends of
Enchanted Rock Board
Diocesan Activities: Recovery Ministries; Habitat Task
Force Chair; Bishop’s Address Committee
Nominated by: Vestry, St. Barnabas’, Fredericksburg
The Rev. James “Jim”
Kee-Rees, Rector
Trinity, Victoria
Qualifications: After serving as
the Native American Missioner
in the Diocese of Oklahoma
and seeing first-hand the
difference congregational
support makes in the daily
lives of those being served,
Jim is a strong supporter of the ministry of the Diocese
of West Texas. He is passionate about World Missions
and the opportunities to share Christ’s love and learn
from other cultures. Jim has extensive experience with
youth ministry and each year serves as Dean for various
diocesan Camp ministries.
Local Church Activities: Sacramental, pastoral and
liturgical ministry at Trinity; member of Trinity
Episcopal School board; leading a joint capital campaign
between church and school called “Building Together”
Community Activities: Member of Brownson Children’s
Home Board; Board member of The Albert and
Mary Dick Charitable Trust; member of Pine Street
Community Center Steering Committee; Board Member
of Piers Living Free Sanctuary for Animals and Nature
Conservancy; volunteers with local art museum
Diocesan Activities: Serving with World Missions to
build Navajoland partnership; Camp Capers Dean;
member of Diocesan Christian Formation committee;
participates in Diocesan curacy program; past Diocesan
Synod Representative; Chair of the Nominating
Committee (2017); Duncan Park Chaplain; Spiritual
Director for New Beginnings
Nominated by: The Rev. Carrie Guerra, Assisting Priest
at Trinity, Victoria
The Rev. Brad Landry, Rector
St. Paul’s, San Antonio
Qualifications: Brad is
prayerful, thoughtful and
studious. He asks good
questions and looks beyond
the surface issues. Very
pastoral.
Local Church Activities:
Rector
Community Activities:
Involved with Girl Scouts and San Antonio Road
Runners, a local running community
Diocesan Activities: Board of Examining Chaplains;
Dean at Camp Capers Summer Camp and Father/Son
Retreat; Chaplain to Diocesan Vergers Guild
Nominated by: The Rev. Dr. Michael Marsh, Rector of
St. Philip’s, Uvalde and The Rev. Dr. Patrick Gahan,
Rector of Christ Church, San Antonio
The Rev. Charles “Chuck”
Sharrow, Vicar
St. Paul’s, Brownsville
Qualifications: Strong
leadership ability
Local Church Activities:
Currently Chuck serves as the
vicar of St. Paul’s, Brownsville.
From 1985-1988 Chuck
was a Society of Anglican
Missionaries and Senders
(SAMS) missionary in Bogota, Columbia with his wife
Ruthanne and the Anglican Church in Columbia.
Community Activities: Helped establish Spanish
language Global Leadership Conference in Brownsville;
former member of the Alliance Evangelica of
Brownsville; formerly active in the ministerial association
of Brownsville
Diocesan Activities: Spiritual director for two
Happenings and one Cursillo; past Executive Board
member; served three years as a TMI Trustee; Colorado
Adventure Program chaplain (2014); served twice as
Chaplain at Camp Capers and Mustang Island Family
Camp; traveled to Honduras as Chaplain of the medical
mission; served on the Bishop’s Council of Advice;
current Dean of the Valley Convocation; served on
mission trips to India and Guatemala (2017)
Nominated by: Mr. Carter Huber, member of
St. Alban’s, Harlingen

Continued on next page.

3
 Lay Mrs. Rosine Carter,
Annunciation, Luling
Ms. Esther Bell Qualifications: Rosine has
Messiah, Gonzales well rounded experience in
Qualifications: Esther Bell has all aspects of the business of
been a faithful servant to her the church. She is an active
Lord, church and this Diocese member of the congregation
for many years. She has served and Vestry. She has served
on Executive Board, Standing in a leadership role on many
Committee and a multitude of Community boards and
commissions and committees. brings both spiritual and business understanding to the
I cannot think of a better position.
person for this position. The Diocese is lucky to have her. Local Church Activities: Past Sr. Warden (2 times);
Local Church Activities: Vestry; Lay Reader; Lay current Vestry member; Coordinator, No Strings supper;
Eucharistic Minister; Lay Eucharistic Visitor; Outreach Lay Eucharistic Minister; Lay Reader; Council delegate
Committee; Council delegate (10 years); past President, Women of the Church; past
Community Activities: Hospital prayer team; Habitat for cookbook chairman
Humanity; served on National Cursillo Committee and Community Activities: Executive Committee member
presently the Editor of 4th Day Magazine Seton Association for Edgar B. Davis Hospital; past VP
Diocesan Activities: Lay Ministry; Christian Education Junior League of Corpus Christi; Past Bayfest Chairman
Committee; Cursillo Secretariat; Executive Board; Diocesan Activities: World Mission Committee
Standing Committee; Deputy to General Convention. member; team leader/missionary to Southeast Mexico;
Nominated by: The Rector and Vestry of Messiah, coordinator for SE Mexico projects with World Mission;
Gonzales past chairman of the World Mission Arts Festival; past
Cursillo Rectora and team member
Dr. Blaine Bennett Nominated by: The Rev. Mark Bigley, Rector of
St. Philip’s, Uvalde Annunciation, Luling
Qualifications: Committed
and actively involved in parish Mr. Alan Cockerell
and diocesan activities, Blaine St. Andrew’s, Seguin
has previously served on the Qualifications: Alan is a
diocesan Executive Board faithful, reliable person with
and is currently serving on a servant’s heart. His deep
Congregational Development involvement in the church and
Committee. He has career the community have prepared
and work experience in broad range of managerial and him well for diocesan service.
administrative duties. Local Church Activities:
Local Church Activities: Vestry (4 times); Senior Facilities Committee; Parish
Warden (twice); Stewardship Committee; Organist; Life and Hospitality; Audit Committee; previously –
Choir Director; Sunday School Teacher; Vestry
Council delegate or alternate (9 times) Community Activities: Very involved with Guadalupe
Community Activities: Sits on numerous boards County Habitat for Humanity; formerly – 4H Club and
including: Uvalde CISD; Adult Activity Center; Middle Little League
Rio Grande Development Council; Workforce Board; St. Diocesan Activities: Helped host Diocesan Council in
Henry de Osso; Uvalde Food Pantry; Uvalde Appraisal 2017; Camp Capers Nails and Prayers
District; Habitat for Humanity; Virtual College of Texas; Nominated by: The Rev. Alex Easley Holloway, Rector of
Grant Reader and Scoring Panels for numerous State and St. Andrew’s, Seguin
Federal Grant Competitions.
Diocesan Activities: Executive Board; Congregational
Development Committee
Nominated by: The Rev. Dr. Michael Marsh, Rector at
St. Philip’s, Uvalde Continued on next page.

4
 Mrs. Melinda “Missy” Denney Mr. Rodney Hart
St. Thomas, San Antonio St. Mark’s, Corpus Christi
Qualifications: Missy is Qualifications: Rodney is a
passionate about being wise, consensus builder with
involved in the works of many year’s experience serving
the Diocese and the greater clients as an engineer and
church. She has experience on consultant in estate planning
the parish vestries, in diocesan, and banking.
provincial and National Local Church Activities: Elder;
leadership with the Daughters Senior and Junior Warden; Lay
of the King. Reader; Lay Eucharistic Minister; Council
Local Church Activities: Vestry member (3 times); Community Activities: Nueces County Hospital District
Junior Warden; search committee; Lay Reader; Lay (15 years); Walk to Emmaus; Youth Coach;
Eucharistic Minister; Cursillo team; Council delegate FCA Ministry Leadership; FAC Coach at Roy Miller
and alternate; Altar Guild; Global Mission Committee; High School, Corpus Christi
Outreach Committee; Hospitality Committee; Daughters Diocesan Activities: Mustang Island Development
of the King, and parish secretary Board; Bishop’s Task Force; Cursillo Teams and Rector
Community Activities: Bulverde Republican Women; May 2019
Volunteer at the Comal County Republican Office; San Nominated by: Mr. John de Montel, member of
Antonio Rodeo committee; San Antonio Conservation St. Mark’s, Corpus Christi
Society; “Night In Old San Antonio” Fiesta booths
Diocesan Activities: Chapter, Diocesan and Provincial Mr. Carter S. Huber
president for Daughters of the King (DOK); Commission St. Alban’s, Harlingen
for Women’s Ministry; Triennial Delegate; National DOK Qualifications: Ability to focus
council 1st VP, 2nd VP; 2015 Triennial chair; Habitat for on task; dedication to Church
Humanity; 2018 Diocesan alternate delegate to General and congregation; problem
Convention. solver; solution finder
Nominated by: The Rev. Beth Wyndham, Diocese of Local Church Activities: Lay
West Texas Church Planter Eucharistic Minister; Lay
Reader; Vestry; Usher; Board
Mrs. Sharon B. Flores member, St. Alban’s School
St. John’s, McAllen Community Activities: Past President Valley Grocer’s
Qualifications: Years of Association; Chair American Heart Association; Board
leadership within home parish member, Harlingen Country Club
and knowledge of Diocesan Nominated by: The Diocesan Nominating Committee
programs; willingness to serve,
and be engaged in processes of
the Diocese of West Texas
Local Church Activities:
Vestry; Stewardship Chair;
Fundraising Chair; Lay Reader;
Lay Eucharistic Minister; past Council delegate; past
Council co-chair; past School Board member; past
School Board President; past Mission to Guatemala
participant; past Camp Capers camper, counselor,
teacher and reunion planning committee
Community Activities: Book club
Nominated by: The Rev. Carrie Guerra, Assisting Priest
at Trinity, Victoria

Continued on next page.

5
 Mr. Jason Louis
All Saints’, Corpus Christi
Qualifications: Jason started
attending All Saints’ in
2013. Since then he has
taken advantage of many
opportunities to broaden
his spiritual journey. He is a
leader in liturgy and worship,
sings in the choir, a leader for
our interfaith collaborations, and a regular and eager
volunteer in many more areas. His path of study has
led him to Education for Ministry where he is in his
second year, and he is a participant in classes and special
offerings. He has emerged as a valued and wise leader
in the congregation. He is the current Sr. Warden, lay
ministry scheduler, building committee and finance
committee member, and council delegate. He has a sure
grasp on the varied dynamics of the congregation’s life
and is deeply committed to strengthening the local and
diocesan ministry we share.
Local Church Activities: Vestry and Senior Warden; Lay
Reader and Scheduler of worship leaders; Newcomers
committee; Food Pantry; Council delegate (4 years);
Choir member
Community Activities: Vice President, Corpus Christi
Chorale; volunteer at the Texas State Aquarium.
Nominated by: The Rev. Jonathan Wickham, Rector of
All Saints’, Corpus Christi
Mr. Javier Rincones
St. Alban’s, Harlingen
Qualifications: Dedication to church
and school; strong organizational and
motivational skills
Local Church Activities: Lay Reader;
Vestry; School board member
Community Activities: School
supporter, Harlingen High School
Nominated by: Mr. Carter Huber, St. Alban’s, Harlingen
6
Ms. Meredith Rogers
St. Mark’s, San Antonio
Qualifications: Being a
past diocesan staff member,
Meredith has an understanding
of the breadth of diocesan
ministries, liturgy, events, and
other activities. She is always
willing to learn even more
from leadership and other Executive Board members.
Local Church Activities: Youth minister; Lay Reader;
Lay Eucharistic Minister; Acolyte and first year in
Education for Ministry (EfM)
Community Activities: San Antonio Sports and Social
Club – Basketball (6 months), Dodgeball (1 year), Flag
Football (5 years); Maker at 10Bitworks Makerspace
Diocesan Activities: Camp Capers Program Director
and diocesan Youth Liaison (diocesan staff, 3 years);
After-School Coordinator, Good Samaritan Community
Services (1 year); Lifeguard, Ropes facilitator, Camp
Capers (5 years); served on Happening staffs and as
Diocesan Happening representative (10 years);
College Missions Council member; current volunteer at
Good Samaritan Community Services
Nominated by: The Rev. Beth Knowlton,
Rector of St. Mark’s, San Antonio
Mrs. Suzanne B. Scott
Reconciliation, San Antonio
Qualifications: Suzanne has
served 3 terms on the vestry
and served as Senior Warden.
She has more than 30 years
of progressive management
experience within a successful
public sector career. Since 2007
she has served as the General Manager of a governmental
entity, reporting to an elected board and managing an
annual budget of $222 million with 300 employees.
Local Church Activities: Vestry and Senior Warden;
Usher; Endowment Fund; Parish Activities Committee;
Grounds and Landscaping improvement strategic
planning committee
Community Activities: Active member of numerous
Chambers of Commerce; current Regional Council
member of National Parks Conservation Association;
current Chair of water stakeholder groups; former
Chair/Current Board member, Bexar County Arts Fund;
Former Chair Green Spaces Alliance; Former Chair, San
Antonio Chamber Water and Public Affairs Committee;
Nominated by: The Rev. Robert Woody, Rector of
Reconciliation, San Antonio
Continued on next page.
 Ms. V. Sue Shields Mr. Mark Williams
St. Alban’s, Harlingen St. Andrew’s, Seguin
Qualifications: Dedication and Qualifications: Mark has
strong sense of Community a passion for church work
Local Church Activities: and lives out the mission of
Usher; Daughters of the King the church in his daily life.
Community Activities: He is smart, experienced,
Vice President of the Harlingen and dedicated to servant
Country Club Board of leadership.
Directors; Volunteer, Humane Local Church Activities:
Society Choir; Lay Reader; Outreach Committee; Finance
Nominated by: Mr. Carter Huber, member of St. Alban’s, Committee. Formerly – Vestry; Treasurer; Audit
Harlingen Chairman; Senior Warden; Chairman of Rector Search
Committee
Community Activities: Very involved in Habitat for
Mr. John S. Warren Humanity Guadalupe County; STEPS mentoring
St. Peter’s, Rockport program; Seguin Pregnancy Center; Rotary Club;
Qualifications: I believe John Heritage Museum; Open Table
is a strong match for the Diocesan Activities: Delegate to Council
Executive Board because of Nominated by: The Rev. Alex Easley Holloway, Rector of
his care, commitment, and St. Andrew’s, Seguin
experience in the governance
and administration of the
Diocese of West Texas and his
familiarity with the Episcopal
Church at large. John has served faithfully as a diocesan
council delegate, a deputy to General Convention, a
member of the Standing Committee as well as a variety
of other committee and special appointments for the
Diocese of West Texas. He has the legal expertise to be
a good resource in all matters related to the Executive
Board’s actions between Diocesan Councils as authorized
by the Constitution and Canons.
Local Church Activities: Vestry member and Senior
Warden (Church of the Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi
- 3 terms total); Parish Chancellor; board member and
Chancellor - St. James’ School in Corpus Christi;
Parish Cursillo representative; member and Chairman
Parish Mission Society; board member and Chairman
Board of Trustees - Cliff Maus Village Trust; Parish
Endowment board member; parish 150th Community
Outreach co-chair; Council delegate
Diocesan Activities: Standing Committee; Executive
Board; Trustee of Episcopal Church Corporation in West
Texas; General Convention alternate deputy - 2006, 2009,
2015, and deputy - 2012; Diocesan Focus Group - 2012;
Cursillo Secretariat, team member and Rector; Council
balloting and Vendor Committees co-chair; Nominating
Committee; Bishop’s Address committee; Budget Task
Force 2017-2018 co-chair
Nominated by: The Rev. James Friedel, Rector of
St. Peter’s, Rockport