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 19, 2021 there is a Congregational Meeting to elect the 2024 class of Elders & Deacons, listed below. Training occurs throughout the Fall and culminates in their ordination and/or installation during worship in January 2022.
Get to know our leaders
For the office of Elder:
Bill Hull
Bill Hull has been married to his amazing bride, Blair, for 27 years. He is the father of three sons of which he could not be more proud. Bradley (23), Michael (21), and David (14). Bill has been in the retail automotive business his entire career and has worked for Sonic Automotive for 22 years. He has been the Dealer Partner of the two Massey Cadillac stores in Orlando from 2003 until 2020 and now is Vice President overseeing multiple locations in the SE. Bill and his family joined FPCO in 2005 and regularly attend the Genesis service.
John O. Burden
John is the husband of Kristen and father of Jack, Anna Wells, Elijah, and Olivia. The Burden Family has attended church since the late ’70s and has been a cornerstone of the First Pres Church Family.
Paul C Ausley, Jr (Buz)
Buz became a member of First Presbyterian Church in his junior year at Edgewater High School. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy, he trained as a naval aviator and served as a fighter pilot in the Vietnam war. When Buz and his wife, Pepper, returned to Orlando, First Presbyterian Church was an important guide in their faith, and in raising their children: Christin, Paul, Russ, and Doug. Buz finished his civilian career as a government executive, working on affordable housing, homelessness, and grant funding throughout the Southeast US. He teaches Sunday School in the Yowell Class, a privilege he shared until recently with Leon Handley. Pepper served as a deacon and taught in the Weekday School for 17 years.
Samuel Spears
Sam Spears was raised in Orlando and grew up a part of the FPCO family. Shortly after moving back to Orlando, following his time at Auburn University, Sam once again made First Pres his church. Sam got married to his amazing wife, Layne Spears, at FPCO in 2012, and they have two little girls, Meg (5) and Kate (4), who currently attend Weekday School. Sam works for a private equity real estate firm in Winter Park, FL.
Stephen Cahill
Steve and his wife, Rose, have been members of FPCO since 1990 and both have previously served as elders of the church. Steve has also served as a Sunday School teacher, as well as member and chairman of a number of committees through the years. Steve and Rose have two grown and married children with five grandchildren.
Gabe de Guia
For the office of Deacon:
Blair Hull
Blair Hull married her husband, Bill, in 1994 and they have 3 children, Bradley, Michael and David. Blair graduated from the University of Richmond in 1994 with a BA in English and Economics. Prior to having children, Blair worked as a paralegal doing corporate litigation and estate planning. Blair moved to Orlando in 2002 and became a member of First Presbyterian in 2005. When her children were young, she volunteered at VBS and has also been a part of a number of women's bible studies.
Chase Brackett
Chase Brackett is an Orlando native who was born, baptized and raised at FPCO. He and his wife Jaime Brackett have been married for 21 years and have four children: Jay (16), Ben (15), Lily (10), and Chloe (9). Chase and Jaime enjoy teaching Sunday school at Shine and most recently have been teaching 5th graders for the past 3 years. Chase is in the construction business and owns and operates Prime Construction Group, which builds local infrastructure and provides a work environment that values family and faith for 90+ employees and their families. Chase enjoys working with people, coaching youth baseball and serving his family, church, and community to the best of his ability.
Dottie Clendenin
Dottie Clendenin, a Georgia native, currently lives in Orlando and is an executive for The Walt Disney World Resort. She sits on the Board for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, is a Sustainer for both the Orlando Museum of Art and the Junior League of Greater Orlando, and is a concert pianist who found her way back to the keyboard in the last decade. In 2012, she recorded her first album — The Christmas Collection, with a fast follow of her second album, Cool Beans, an artful arrangement of timeless classics. This past year, she produced her most intimate album Songs for the Soul, classic staples coupled with gospel greats. Her proudest accomplishment, however, is raising two incredible sons, George and Charlie Clendenin.
Emily Will
Emily Will was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee where she attended the University of Tennessee for undergrad (and met her husband, Kevin). Emily recently completed her Masters in Counseling at Reformed Theological Seminary and began practicing at Charis Counseling Center in Baldwin Park this past June. Emily and Kevin got married in the fall of 2019 and have loved exploring Orlando together, making lasting friendships, and always finding a new local spot to support. Emily has been attending First Pres for a little over 2 years and has loved being a part of the vibrant church community.
Frances Armstrong
Frances Armstrong and her husband Waymon have been members of FPCO for 22 years. They have raised 3 children in FPCOs Church Family. In addition to participating in Sunday school, and numerous bible studies over the years, Frances has chaired The Moms Retreat, served on The Early Childhood Committee, Children’s Ministry Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Youth Ministry Parent Council, and Women’s Ministry.
Gina Wiborg
Gina Wiborg is married to Bob Wiborg, celebrating 40 years this year! They have two children, Chris and Erica. Chris and his wife Callie have three girls, Delaney (6), Landry (4) and Berkeley (2). Erica is engaged and her fiancé, Lawrence, will soon join the family. Gina is the athletic director and PE teacher at The Christ School. She has attended this wonderful church with Bob for the past 35 years. Both their children and grandchildren have joyfully been baptized at First Pres.
Katie Shook
Katie has been a member of First Presbyterian Church since 2016. She is a native Floridian and loves the City Beautiful. Katie works for a small consulting firm in the financial services industry and completed the Gotham Fellowship with the class of 2018/2019. The only thing she loves more than college football is Jesus.
Lynn Hall
Lynn Hall has been a member of FPCO since 1988 along with her husband Eric Hall. Their 3 children were baptized at FPCO and attended Weekday School and The Christ School. Lynn taught children’s Sunday School classes, served on the Children’s Ministry Council, and was a caregiver with Stephen Ministry. Lynn works full-time as an Accountant and has for over 30 years, but her favorite-of-all-time new title is Grandma.
Patricia Gray
Patricia Gray has been attending First Pres for almost 10 years with her husband, Eric. She was on staff with the Student Ministry team at First Pres for a few years before starting a family. Patricia is currently on part-time Young Life Staff. She lives in Maitland with her husband, daughter Sawyer Beaux, son Harrison, and their dog Samson.
Stuart Doyle
Stuart Doyle has had a dual career with one track centered on business communications in the corporate, nonprofit charitable and government sectors and the other in higher education on the college/university level. A native of Richmond, Va., he has been an Orlando resident since February 1989. Stuart has benefited in life from being raised in a Christian family and community, having known God through Jesus Christ from earliest memory and accepting Jesus Christ as his personal savior in 1982. He has attended First Presbyterian since Christmas 1992 but joined the covenant partnership in 2013.
Anibal Gonzalez
Bob Dukes