Diocesan Staff and Functions

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C. Andrew "Andy" Doyle, IX Bishop of Texas 

The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle was invested as bishop of Texas on June 7, 2009. He was elected on May 24 and consecrated on November 22, 2008.

Stephanie Taylor, Executive Assistant to Bishop C. Andrew Doyle

 Rebecca Sweitzer, Confirmation Visitation Coordinator

The Rev. Canon Ann Normand, Canon to the Ordinary

Canon Normand assists the diocesan bishop with administration, legal matters, and coordination of the diocesan ministry staff. She is the Diocesan Deployment Officer.

Patricia Gilbreath, Administrative Assistant, Canon to the Ordinary

Responsible for clergy licensing.

Alice Kerr, Recorder of Ordinations

The Rev. Canon John A. Logan, Jr., Canon Logan (Canon Emeritus), Secretary of the Diocese

Serves as the secretary of the diocese, printing Volumes I and II of the Journal, as well as the clergy roster directories that are printed each year in April and November. He also assists the Bishops and Canons on Request.

Laura Krustchinsky, Receptionist

The Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High, Jr., Bishop Suffragan

Bishop High is the Regional Bishop of the East Region of the Diocese. He is the Executive for Pastoral Ministries. He oversees pastoral and administrative needs in the East Region. He oversees the Renewal Division (Armed Forces, Beginning Experience, Cursillo, Faith Alive, Kairos, Marriage Encounter, Vocarè), Wider Ministries (Ecumenical and Interchurch), Prison Ministry and Criminal Justice. In addition, he is responsible for pastoral care for clergy and their families. The Tyler office is located at All Saints' School.

Martha Harvey, Executive Assistant to Bishop Suffragan Rayford High

The Rt Rev. Dena A. Harrison, Bishop Suffragan

Bishop Harrison is the Regional Bishop for the West Region, having pastoral oversight of congregations in the Austin, Central, Southwest, and Northwest convocations. As Executive for Ministry, she oversees the Commission on Ministry, Diocesan Camps, Diocesan Single Adults, World Mission and Campus Ministries. She is the Bishop’s Liaison to St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, and El Buen Samaritano. The Austin office is located on the campus of the Seminary of the Southwest.

George Dehan, President

Leads in fulfilling the mission of offering quality programs and Christian hospitality to the thousands of guests and campers that come to the facility annually.  The job of fulfilling that mission is to work within a 4$ million budget while creating a strategy to increase awareness of the summer camp, adult education, giving opportunities and ecological programs available to Camp Allen.

Janie Stevens, Missioner for Christian Formation

As Missioner for Christian Formation, Janie Stevens is available for consultation for all ages in curriculum choices, congregation programs, sacramental teaching, seasonal programming,  conferences, teacher training. Maintains diocesan Christian Education Resource Centers and holds curriculum fairs, teacher training and Christian Formation events throughout the year.

Erin McClure, Administrative Assistant for Christian Formation

Carol E. Barnwell, Director of Communication and Editor

Phone: 713.520.6444 ext. 1032 or 800.318.4452  Cell: 713.703.6385
The Office of Communications is responsible for diocesan-wide communications, advertising, events and special projects, development of educational material and videos and printing of The Texas Episcopalian ten times annually. Barnwell is available for training local communicators people. 

LaShane K. Eaglin, Web Administrator and Graphics Specialist

The website administrator is responsible for maintaining the website, updating and creating new pages, print design and layout and special projects. Eaglin is available to consult with web and print issues.  Note: Most departments are responsible for maintaining their own information. 

Bob Schorr, Congregational Development Coordinator

Phone: 713-353-2108 or 800.318.4452 
Fax: 713-520-5723

Rebecca Nelson-Gomez, Administrative Assistant for Congregational Development

Shirley Platt, Manager of Database Services

Responsible for Management and integrity of centralized, consolidated database that includes contact and other information for diocesan churches, clergy and certain vestry and other lay leaders, as well as diocesan boards and committees . Reports, labels and portions of the Journal Directory and diocesan web site are produced from this database.

Robert J. Biehl, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer

Provides in-house accounting and administrative support to foundations of the diocese.  In addition, Mr. Biehl, who is a CPA, has over 20 years of trust and estate planning experience, provides expertise to the diocese for tax, gift and estate planning, financial management, investment oversight and administrative assistance.  Acts a liaison to the Episcopal Foundation of Texas and the Church Corporation (which holds title to all real estate property in the diocese) regarding all property acquisition, building projects, and the sale of property.

Rochelle L. Childers, Administrative Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer

Responsibilities also include, assisting congregations in their responsibility and accountability for the stewardship of their money and property; assisting churches, schools, and institutions in obtaining Religious Property Tax Exemptions; providing 501(c)(3) letters, and assist in the processing of Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. 

Allison McCloskey

Responsible for annual assessments and Mission Funding administration and reporting; diocesan operating and missionary budgets; financial reporting for the Executive Board and Finance Committees regarding the diocese and foundations; establishment and monitoring of internal controls; oversight of accounts receivable, accounts payable and staff payroll and is a resource for tax-related questions (charitable contributions, clergy compensation, etc.) and for guidance in congregational financial matters. 

Dora Laird, Accounts Payable

Responsible for diocesan and foundation accounts payable and provides other administrative assistance related to foundation investments. 

Works closely with Benefits Administrator to provide assistance with clergy insurance questions.  Provides front-end administration of accounts receivable and assistance to financial department with various matters.

Sue Edmonson, Financial Support Staff

David N. Fisher, Director of Foundations

Directs the administration, accounting, and asset management activities of the Foundations of the Diocese.  Also provides consulting services and support to the Treasurer’s Office, the Bishop’s Office, and churches throughout the Diocese.  Mr. Fisher acts a liaison to the Episcopal Foundation of Texas, the Bishop Quin Foundation, and the Church Corporation (which holds title to all real estate property in the diocese) regarding all property acquisition, building projects, and the sale of property.

Nancy Lennard, Financial Assistant to Foundations

Contact for Housing Trusts, Participating Fund Accounts, the Bishop Quin Foundation's loan and grant program.

Debra Klinger, Human Resources and Benefits Administrator

Debra Klinger handles all questions, enrollment and terminations regarding medical, dental, life insurance for clergy and lay employees, including the HSA accounts; also provides information regarding handling of worker's compensation and disability claims for all clergy and lay employees..

Mary MacGregor, Director of Leadership Development

Mary MacGregor directs the Iona Center, which has a mission of training the baptized for leadership.  The three primary areas that fall under her supervision include clergy, lay and congregational training opportunities.  Some of the key training resources are the Iona School for Ministry, Wardens' and Vestry Conferences, the Stewardship Conference, congregational coaches, and other workshops, on-line broadcasts and conferences.  In addition Mary oversees the Continuing Education for Clergy program and the upcoming training experience to be offered in late 2007 called Crosspointes. 

Julie Russo-Heath, Administrative Assistant

Kathy Culmer, Mission Funding Coordinator
Phone: 713.520.6444 ext. 1050 or 800.318.4452 

Oversees the process of reviewing ministries supported through the Mission Budget, coordinates the effort to provide information to congregations about these ministries, and provides education to churches and individuals on Mission Funding.

The Rev. Canon Jaime J. Case, Canon for Multicultural Ministry
Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Post Office Box 2247
Austin, TX 78768-2247
Phone: 512.478.0580 or 800.947.0580
Fax: 512.478.5615

Denise Trevino, Administrative Assistant for the Canon for Multicultural Ministries

Sally Rutherford, Diocesan Outreach Coordinator

Resource and referral information for networking churches in the diocese regarding their outreach ministries in respect to human needs and social conditions. Coordinates the Diocese of Texas Episcopal Community Outreach Ministries grants process available to local congregations and or/convocations.

Russ Oechsel, Archdeacon

Oechsel's roles as Archdeacon of the Diocese of Texas are to serve as advocate, convener, chaplain, a source for pastoral care, and as the liaison to the diocese for the community of deacons.

Maggie Immler, Relief Coordinator 

Responsible for Texas Episcopal Disaster Relief and Development administration, coordinating assistance to Galveston homeowners with volunteers, and networking with the larger long term recovery community.

Luke Blount, Volunteer Coordinator/AmeriCorpsVISTA

Carolyn Gibbs, Preparedness and Planning Coordinator/AmeriCorpsVISTA

Responsible for research, planning and outreach related to emergency preparedness for the diocese and congregations through Texas Episcopal Disaster Relief and Development and in partnership with Episcopal Relief and Development. Additionally working on establishing a rapid response pastoral care training and program for future emergency response within the Diocese of Texas and beyond.

Responsible for coordinating contracted and volunteer labor on project houses for Texas Episcopal Disaster Relief and Development. Other job duties include overseeing all aspects of necessary rebuild work, making volunteer work assignments and supervising crew chief interns on site.

The Rev. Cecilia B. Smith, Safe Church Minister
Phone 512.478.0580 or 800.947.0580

As Safe Church Minister for the Diocese, she is responsible administering Safeguarding God’s Children and Safeguarding God’s People.  She also serves as Coordinator for Diocesan Council  

Marty Brickley, Administrative Assistant for Safe Church Ministry

Ewart Jones, Diocesan Missioner for Youth and Young Adults Ministry

Ewart Jones is responsible for training of youth workers, provides a clearinghouse of youth event information (diocesan, provincial and national), plans and implements diocesan youth events, administers any available scholarship assistance for youth to participate in youth activities, serves as a speaker for youth and church-wide events, and assists with development of EYC programs on the congregational level.     

Erin McClure, Administrative Assistant for Youth and Young Adults Ministry