Get to Know Your Leaders: The Next Class of Elders and Deacons
One of the unique things about the Presbyterian church is our commitment to electing leadership from within our church family. They serve alongside our members, staff and pastoral team in a number of ways: our Elders provide leadership and prayerful direction as stewards of the church’s vision, and our Deacons provide nurture, care and support to our church family. Both roles are essential in the life of the church.
September 20, 2020 there is a Congregational Meeting to elect the 2023 class of Elders & Deacons, listed below. Training occurs throughout the Fall and culminates in their ordination and/or installation during worship in January 2021.
Get to know our leaders
For the office of Elder:
Scarlett Stewart Broughton
Scarlett is a lifelong member and this will be her 2nd time on Session. She and her husband, Scott, live in Maitland with their 4 children: Ellie (11), Sam (9), Hosanna (7), and Brady (2). Growing up, Scarlett participated in many of the church ministries including Weekday School, Children's Ministry, various choirs and the Student Ministry. She is the former Director of Discipleship and led the 20s Ministry for 5 years. She is beyond grateful for her church home and the numerous people at First Pres who helped build her foundation in Christ.
Jeffrey Brown
Jeff was born in Texas, graduated from the University of Texas. Moved to Georgia out of school to work for Turner Construction, a National General Contractor. After living in St. Simons Island for 2 years he moved to Atlanta where he lived for 8 years and met his wife Grace, they were Young Life volunteers. They moved to Orlando in 2015, living in College Park, and have three kids, Martha Mayes - 6, Allie - 4, and David -2. Jeff recently purchased PremUS of Orlando an industrial flooring and coatings business, an adventure that started on June 1.
Lance Fair
Lance Fair moved to central Florida in 2007 with his wife, Karen, and their three children, Lauren, Courtney, and Fletcher. They joined First Presbyterian Church of Orlando in January 2008. Lance has been a Life Community group leader for the last five years and served as a member of the Session from 2012 to 2018. Since leaving the Session, Lance has continued to serve as a leader of the Elder Sponsor Committee for Inquiring Covenant Partners. Lance is the Chief Operating Officer of a real estate investment company in Orlando, and he and Karen have been married for 34 years.
Michael Kelley
An Orlando native, Michael C. Kelley is a construction and development attorney with Shutts & Bowen. He earned his Bachelors in Economics from Rollins and received his J.D. from the University of Florida. Actively involved at FPCO and in the community, Michael is a co-facilitator of the "Couples of the Bible" Sunday School class, an advisory board member of and a vocational guild facilitator for The Collaborative, participating member of the Fellowship of Believers community group, co-founder and host of The Orlando Society Room (a debate forum), and is a 2016 Gotham Fellow. But most importantly, Michael is married to Chandy and together they have two children, Charlotte and Mac.
Greg McNeill
Greg grew up in North Carolina where he graduated from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Journalism and School of Law. He moved to Orlando in 1985 to join the Lowndes law firm where he is now a shareholder and General Counsel. He is married to Wendy; they have three children: Dillon, Cameron and Taylor. Greg and his family have been members of FPCO since the early '90s; this is Greg's second term as elder, having previously served from 2012-15. He enjoys Apologetics and often teaches the subject to Sunday School classes and Bible study groups.
Jonathan D Thigpen
Jonathan is a civil engineer from Georgia Tech and a Principal at Kimley-Horn. He lives in Winter Park with his wife Karen and four school-age children (Jacob, Ava, Rachel, and Jeremy). The Thigpens joined First Pres in 2013 shortly after moving to Orlando from Ocala. In his free time, Jonathan likes playing music on the piano and guitar, sports, and spending time with friends.
For the office of Deacon:
Theresa Eber
Theresa and husband Ryan have twin three-year-old daughters, Adelynn and Olivia. They reside in the Winter Park area where Theresa stays home with their girls. Prior to having children, Theresa worked in non-profit corporate philanthropy for Orlando Health. She has a heart for her community and enjoys being involved with the women and children's ministries at First Pres.
Melissa Hart
Melissa Hart grew up in Orlando as an active member of FPCO. She attended the University of Florida where she met her husband, Terrence, now married for 16 years. They have 3 children, Brennen, Damon, and Skyler, who attend The First Academy. Melissa was previously a classroom teacher at Weekday School and TFA. She also owned a local bakery, Cookie Cousins, for 10 years and recently sold it to be home with her family.
Betsy Hirschy
Betsy has been a member of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando since the 6th grade. Over the years, she has served the church in different capacities, including the youth department and SHINE. She grew up in Orlando and married her high school sweet heart, Sage Hirschy. They have three boys, Cole (7), Brooks (5), and Jake (3). Betsy is also a registered dietitian and has a private practice in the College Park area.
Doris Hatcher Houck
Doris Hatcher Houck, along with husband Ron, joined First Presbyterian Church of Orlando as covenant partners during April 2015. Doris is employed as a real estate consultant with a local economics firm. Mr. and Mrs. Houck are the proud parents of son, Ryan, his wife Claire, identical twin granddaughters, Harper and Charlotte (age 4 – baptized by Dr. Thorp, in September 2016). Ron and Doris share their home in Maitland with a 3-year old Labrador Retriever named Bob Marley.
Zane Henderson
Zane Henderson serves as the Director of Emerging Leaders & Strategic Planning at Generous Giving. He is passionate about sharing the life-giving news of generosity with the next generation of Christian leaders. At First Pres, he has served on the 20s Ministry Leadership Team and is a Gotham Fellows alum. Zane and his wife, Jess, both love First Pres and are convinced the local church is the hope of the world!
Roger Noonan
Roger retired in 1997 from Caterpillar Inc. after 38 years of service in US, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Brazil. Widowed he married Wynette in 1995. He has two adopted sons, a stepson, and a “ foster” son. He served as deacon at First Baptist Sweetwater for two terms, taught Sunday School, volunteered at Loaves and Fishes for three years and now spends time with IDignity. He is the very proud grandfather of Callie Wilson, child of Billy and Becky.
Jonathan Rossi
Jonathon Rossi is a third generation covenant partner of FPCO. He attended Boone High School and graduated from Florida State University in 2015. Currently, he works for One Florida Bank and loves it.
Layne Spears
Layne was born and raised in Winter Haven, FL. Shortly after graduating from the University of Florida she moved to Orlando and married her husband, Sam. Layne and Sam were married at FPCO in 2012 and have two daughters, Meg (4) and Kate (3), who both attend the Weekday School. Currently a stay-at-home mom, Layne has a background working in non-profit and education. Since joining FPCO, Layne has been involved in Women’s Ministry, a Vocational Guild through The Collaborative, as well as a middle school youth small group leader, SHINE Ministry teacher and VBS volunteer.
Patricia Stainbrook
Pat moved to Orlando in 2014 to be close to her only son and his family. She has been a member of FPCO since 2015. In 2016, Pat completed Stephen Ministry training and has been an active Stephen Minister since. She enjoys being involved in Sunday School, Small group, and the Flower Ministry.
Karen A. Thigpen
Karen Thigpen has been attending FPCO since 2013. She and Jonathan have been married for twenty years and have four children. She is originally from Detroit, MI and enjoys cooking, traveling, and embarking on new adventures whenever possible with friends and family. She is currently a student at Reformed Theological Seminary.
Heidi Towle
Heidi Towle has been a member of FPCO since 1992 when she relocated from Michigan to Orlando to work for Walt Disney World. She is married to Russell and they will celebrate their 31st anniversary this September. They have two daughters. Danielle is a recent college graduate and Stephanie is a recent high school graduate. Heidi has been involved in the Worship Arts at FPCO as a liturgical dancer and choreographer. You may have also seen her on the church campus coaching gymnastics for the Magnolia School and teaching dance at The Christ School. She currently teaches dance for OCPS.
Hattie Summer
Hattie Summer, widowed, has 2 sons, Kyle and Kevin. Kyle and his wife, Lindsay, live in St. Petersburg with their 10 year old twins. Kevin, Erin and their 3 children are members of First Pres. Hattie taught school for 28 years with OCPS before becoming a WDS teacher at FPCO. She has been involved with various church activities including Women’s Bible studies.
Marnie Waldrop
Marnie Waldrop has been a covenant partner of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando for 19 years. Marnie serves on the Flower Ministry and volunteers in the Pastoral Department. She founded the not for profit, Camaraderie Foundation, in 2009. Her biggest joy is being the proud mom of Marilyn and Tommy.
Russ Towle
(Bio unavailable.)
Marjory McNair
Marjory met her husband Pat at the University of Georgia, and they married in 1986. After living in North Carolina and Virginia, they moved to Maitland in 1996 with their two daughters, Grace and Caroline. Once their oldest daughter was born, Marjory was a stay-at-home mom for 21 years. Since both girls left for college, she has worked at Orangewood Christian Lower School as an administrative assistant for five years, and currently works at Maitland Community Preschool as a classroom assistant. Marjory and Pat have been covenant members at First Pres for approximately seven years. It was a joy to have both of their daughters married at First Pres! She has enjoyed volunteering in SHINE, VBS, at The Northwest Community Center in the after school program, and at Grace Medical Home.