2012 Officer Nominations

Below are the 2012 officer nominees for Pinnacle Presbyterian Church and brief biographical information about each. Join us for our Annual Meeting on Sunday, Feb. 5, following the 10 a.m. service.

Elder Nominees

Greg Barber

Greg Barber moved to the Valley in 1998 with his wife, Jane, and two sons, Chris and Danny. Their oldest son is married, and they have three beautiful granddaughters, Faith, Hannah, and Ashlin. Their youngest son is a junior at ASU Engineering School. They have been members of PPC for 13 years. Greg has participated in many committees, groups, and activities in the church. Most recently he has been co–teaching the senior high church school, working for Habitat for Humanity, and participating in mission trips to Nashville and New Orleans. He is a financial executive and is currently employed at American Water.

Ruth O’Brien

Ruth O’Brien and her husband, Jim, returned to her native Arizona after two–and–a–half years living and working in the United Kingdom. Ruth has been a member of PPC for 8 years and has previously served on Session, chairing the Worship Committee. She currently serves on the Personnel Committee, has been a confirmation mentor, Teach for America sponsor, and participates in Bible study classes. Ruth is a management consultant, working with commercial and not–for–profit organizations, including the Arizona Industries for the Blind. She is an evangelist for hiring people with disabilities.

Skip Brown

Skip Brown, his wife Gena, and their two daughters Wendy and Gena Bea, have been members of PPC for 16 years. Skip is a retired US Army officer as well as a retired assistant superintendent for the Paradise Valley Unified School District. He is currently a senior project manager for Valley Schools Management Group, adjunct faculty for NAU, and sole proprietor of Brown Consulting. Skip has served on Session twice, chaired the Property and Personnel Committees, led the Mission Study Committee, and chaired the Interim Pastor Nominating Committee. He is currently serving his second term on the Pinnacle Preschool board and is on the Finance Committee.

Kristin Stewart

Kristin Stewart has been a member of PPC since 1996. She has taught church school, served as a Deacon, performed as a liturgical dancer, and chaired the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. Her husband, Curt, and their three sons, Flynn (16), Hale (14), and Owen (10), are also very active in the life of PPC. Kristin grew up near Chicago and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Loyola University. She was the Special Events Manager for the Snowmass Resort Association and the Ritz–Carlton Hotel in Aspen, CO. Kristin is co–founder and board member of The Brain Child Foundation that funds pediatric hydrocephalus research. An avid skier, tennis player, and yogini, her favorite role is head cheerleader at the Stewart’s many sporting events.

Deacons Nominees

Susan Beasley

Susan Beasley has been a member of PPC for the past 10 years. She and her husband relocated from the Atlanta area, where Susan worked as a registered nurse. She is now a stay–at–home mom to Jimmy, Brad, and John. Her daughter, Ashley, is away at college. Susan has participated in Uncorked, church clean up, liturgical dancing, and supports her children in the PPC youth and music programs.

Becky Boren

Becky Boren moved to Arizona from Dallas just over two years ago. She was a partner in an accounting firm leading the financial services and high tech industries for the Southwest Region. After evaluating various churches in the Scottsdale area, she and her husband, Jim, found PPC to be the right choice for them and joined in 2010. They have enjoyed getting to know their PPC family through various volunteer opportunities and in attending various classes and activities offered.

Meredith Brenalvirez

Meredith Brenalvirez and her husband, Rudy, have been Scottsdale residents since 1993. They have 3 children, Ted (16), John (14), and Laura (12). They joined PPC in 2006. At their previous church, Meredith was a Sunday school teacher for the primary grades. Today Meredith is the President of the Board of Military Women in Need, an award winning non–profit organization preventing homelessness among women veterans and widows of veterans. During the holidays, she runs Project Snowman, teaching local first graders about the military and creating Snowman holiday cards for veterans in homeless transitional facilities and VA hospitals.

Nathan Jones

Nathan Jones and his wife, Erin Kelly, moved to Scottsdale from Minnesota in 2003. They joined PPC in 2010 with their daughter Christine (6). Nathan has been an active participant in the PPC men’s group, Theology on Tap, and can usually be found at POW! on Wednesdays. Prior to joining PPC, Nathan had been a Volunteer in Mission for the Presbyterian Church (USA). While he was in college, Nathan was a staff member of a Presbyterian Church camp in northern Minnesota. He is currently working as a financial advisor with USAA in Phoenix.

John Kilbridge

John Kilbridge moved to Arizona from New Jersey in 1993. He had been raised Roman Catholic, but began attending PPC when he married his wife, Christine, in 2000. They have a daughter, Lily, who is 8. He officially joined the church in March 2011 and has been active at POW! and teaching Church School. He received his post–Baccalaureate in Special Education from ASU and his Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Phoenix. He has been teaching since 1996, and in the Fountain Hills School District since 1998. He also enjoys golf and participates in a charity golf tournament each year, benefiting the Lions Club of Arizona.

Kathy Lauen

Kathy Lauen has been a member of PPC for 10 years. She and her husband, Mark, have three children, Haylie (17), Parker (15), and Chase (13). Kathy has taught Sunday school, participated in Vacation Bible School, and has volunteered at the many fun activities for the youth at PPC. She looks forward to serving in other areas of the Church, and to meeting and working with new people and growing in her faith.

Andy Oldham

Andy Oldham moved to Arizona with his wife, Laura, in August 2010. They joined PPC the following month. He has been involved with the Thursday morning Men’s Breakfast and the Theology on Tap men’s groups. In past Presbyterian congregations, Andy has served as a Deacon, chaired the Emergency Aid Team, been elected Elder twice, serving on the Christian Education Committee of one congregation as chair. Andy is employed by the Trilogy Gold Club at Vistancia in Peoria and is apprenticing in the Professional Golfer’s Association.

Nancy Shamadan

Nancy Shamadan has lived in Scottsdale since 1981. She was the General Manager of the local television company for 20 years and attended Valley Presbyterian Church. Since retiring, she and her husband, Dr. Jim Shamadan, have lived in North Scottsdale and attended PPC for the last 10 years. She has been active in the choir over the past ten years, beginning in the chapel and moving into today’s sanctuary. She is looking forward to expanding her commitment to PPC.

Susan Storch

Susan Storch, her husband, Bob, and their two children, Alex and Anna, first lived in Scottsdale in 1978 and attended Mountain View Presbyterian Church. Following a move to North Scottsdale in 2003, they joined PPC. They were again transferred in 2005 to New Jersey. They expected this to be a short assignment and therefore kept their main residence and membership at PPC. Sadly, while they were in New Jersey, Bob, Susan’s husband of 40 years, passed away and she returned to Scottsdale in June of 2009. Since returning, Susan has been on three PPC mission trips, worked with hospitality, and is currently a greeter. Susan is also a retired elementary school teacher.

Paulette White

Paulette White has been a member of PPC since 2004. She moved to Arizona with her husband, Tom, from Evansville, IN. Paulette has hosted a meeting of ACT II, organized church pews, volunteered at Andre House, housed visiting choir performers and participated in dinner groups at PPC. As a physical therapist, she worked in a variety of settings (acute care, home health, public schools) and retired as Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Deaconess Hospital, Evansville, IN. Paulette’s past board positions include Evansville Philharmonic, Ark Crisis Nursery, and Vanderburg Co. Medical Auxiliary.

Youth Deacon Nominees

Sarah Beghin

Sarah Beghin is a junior at Pinnacle High School, where she enjoys participating in her school choir and theater programs. Her family joined PPC in 2002. She went through confirmation and joined the church in 2009, with Carol Stull as her mentor. She has been highly involved in the youth programs at PPC for the past 9 years, such as youth group, youth hand bells, and choir. She has also participated in the youth mission trips to Forks, Washington and Fresno, California. She helped with nature conservation and church camp in Forks, and Vacation Bible School in Fresno.

Clare Cline

Clare Cline is a junior at Pinnacle High School. Clare’s parents have been members of PPC since she was a baby. Clare joined PPC after confirmation 3 years ago, with Sally Williams by her side as a mentor. Growing up, PPC has always been a part of Clare’s life. She attended preschool, church school, Club Wed, youth group, and church services at PPC. She is also involved in Youth Sunday every year and looks forward to volunteering for the children’s sermons. Clare is also active in her school. She is involved in 6 different clubs, plays softball, and rides horses.

Cole Henry

Cole Henry moved from Atlanta to Scottsdale in 1998 and has been with PPC ever since. He went through confirmation in 2009, with Greg Barber as his mentor. Cole grew up in the Christian Education program and participates in many volunteer activities with the church. He is also a regular member of the Youth Group and serves on their Leadership Team. Cole has gone on two mission trips with the church, to Forks, Washington and Fresno, California. On both trips, he helped with Vacation Bible Schools for local children. He also represented PPC at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium in 2010.

Trustee Nominees

Phil Bianco

Phil Bianco moved to Arizona from Northern California in 1971. He, his wife Kimberly, and their two children, Nicholas and Ava, have been active members of PPC since 2007. Phil has served on the “Ask Me” Committee and is active in Club Wed/POW! and Theology on Tap men’s group. Kimberly is currently a Deacon at PPC and teaches at the Pinnacle Presbyterian Preschool. Phil is currently employed at Realty Executives.

Nancy Holloran

Nancy Holloran, a lifelong Presbyterian, joined PPC in 1997. Raised in Tucson, she and her husband Duane (deceased) moved to the Phoenix area in 1963. Nancy is an ordained Elder and currently finishing her term as a Deacon at PPC. Work experience includes public school teacher, Block Grant Coordinator for Phoenix Interfaith Counseling and Director of Volunteers at Duet. She served on the Board of Directors at Westminster Village and Quality Time. She enjoys time with her grandchildren, family, friends, and church and community volunteer opportunities.

Laura Handy–Oldham

Laura Handy–Oldham moved to Arizona with her husband, Andy, in August 2010 and joined PPC a month later. Since moving here, Laura has served on the Mission Committee and participated in adult education classes. As a lifelong Presbyterian, she has also served as a Deacon, where she chaired the Deacon Board, was a Nominating Committee member, Adult Education Committee member, Adult Education teacher, chaired the Mission Committee, and has led mission trips and activities. Laura is currently employed as Director of Patient Access/Revenue Cycle at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Ken Lindgren

Ken Lindgren is a retired tax lawyer who specialized in tax, trust, and estate planning matters. He became a winter resident in 1997 and in 2005 he made Scottsdale his full–time residence. In addition to his law practice, Ken was active in various education and arts organizations in Minneapolis. He served as chairman of a large suburban school district, a trustee and chairman of an arts college, a trustee of a major art museum, and a trustee and chairman of the Minnesota Arboretum (the developer of the Honeycrisp apple). He is currently serving as an usher at PPC.

Nominating Committee Nominees

Sean Englund

Sean Englund was born and raised in Arizona. Sean and his wife, Diana, have been members of PPC since 2005 and have two children, Nicole (14) and Jenna (11), both of whom were baptized at PPC. He has been a Youth Mentor through confirmation. He has participated in missions of PPC, such as Habitat for Humanity. Sean is also one of the original members of the men’s group, Theology on Tap. He is currently serving on the Families Ministries Committee. He is also working as the Operations Manager at Loma Vista Farm in Scottsdale.

Molly Rosenbaum

Molly Rosenbaum has been a member of PPC since 2001. She truly enjoyed her experience as the interim youth coordinator, filling in while the committee searched for Kristin Willett. She has also taught Sunday School for the elementary and senior high students, served as a Deacon, chaired the Fall Round Up for two years (one year they learned how to square dance). She served on the Pastoral Search Committee that helped find Wes Avram, and served food at Andre House. Molly’s most important job is raising her young family. She has two children Kate (11) and Evan (8). As they get older, she looks forward to the opportunity to get more involved with the missions of our church. In addition, Molly enjoys her career as a realtor.

Marcia Sobek

Marcia Sobek was born in Chicago, but grew up in Scottsdale. She and her husband, Dave, have been active members of PPC since 1999. They have two children, Madeline (15) and Grant (7), who are both active in the children and youth programs. Marcia has previously served at PPC as Elder, where she concentrated on the Worship, Children’s Ministries, and Music Committees. She has also served on the Pinnacle Presbyterian Preschool Board. She is currently assisting with the Cholla Choir and Chimers. She works as a full time dentist in her own private practice.

Curt Sorenson

Curt Sorenson, and his wife Marilyn, joined PPC in 1998. He has been active at PPC having been a member of a previous Nominating Committee, Finance Committee, Pinnacle Concert Series Committee, and is currently a member of the chronic homeless filming committee and Pinnacle Theological Center Advisory Group. He has been a past treasurer of the Amigo’s, past member of the Chapel Choir, and was awarded the Senior Service Award from the Grand Canyon Presbytery.