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Brooke Taylor, Senior Warden

A member of St. James’s since 2011, I love our parish’s welcoming spirit and vow to be doers, not just hearers, of the Word. I was chair of WomanKind in 2016; participated in Sacred Ground; and serve on the Becoming Beloved Community steering committee, Children’s Center Board and as an usher. I worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for 20 years and then as a corporate communications executive for 10 before retiring in 2005. Bob and I have two sets of twin granddaughters and two grandsons. I am honored to join the vestry at a time when I believe it is especially important that we put our faith into action in the church and in the larger community.

Billy Baxter, Junior Warden

For the past 22 years, St. James has been an integral part of who I am and who I want to be.  Brooke and I were married here in 2002.  All three of our kids (Charlotte, Harrison, and Stuart) were baptized and confirmed here.  At St. James, I am an usher; a student in EFM (4th year); a former small group book co-leader; a member of the Tuesday Morning “Young” Mens’ Bible Study; and an active participant in Invite, Welcome, and Connect ministries.  St. James has given so much to me — especially over the past 5+ years — and I’m called (and excited) to give back.  When not managing litigation at Dominion Energy, I like to read, spend time with my family and our two dogs, and play weekly pub trivia.

George Booth, Treasurer

George Booth is a retired insurance professional.   He attended Virginia Episcopal School  and Washington & Lee University.   George and his wife Rixey were married at St.  James’s.  Their sons, Robert (24) and Lea (26) were both baptized at St. James’s as Christ’s own forever.

George has previously served on the Vestry – Finance Chair 2005 to 2007 and St. James’s Children’s Center Board – Finance Chair – 2017 to 2021. He’s a member of Parish Choir and has served as a lector and Caritas volunteer.

Jennifer Pollard, Register

I was born and raised in Bloomington, MN, and lived there till my family moved to Mobile, AL, my senior year in High School. After three years in Mobile, I moved to Washington, DC, to work for my Congressman, and spent the next seven years working on Capitol Hill. During that time, I graduated from George Washington University and began law school at George Mason. I attended law school at night and worked full time days. From 1986 to 2006 I was a state court prosecutor (Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney) in Alexandria, and then in King George County for about nine years.

In 2017 I moved to Richmond, and from 2017 to 2020 I represented indigent criminal defendants in the City of Richmond and Henrico County. My two children are Tyler, 33, who lives here in Richmond (and made me a grandmother about a year ago), and Madison, 28, an artist who recently moved to San Diego.

Retirement has been busy and joyful, with participation in St. James’s offerings, including Altar Guild, Outreach Committee, Tuesday Readers Book Club, Sacred Ground, and IWC Committee

(although I greatly miss our pre-COVID jazz mass and Wednesday dinner programs). I have enjoyed volunteering at CARITAS and the Real Life organization, babysitting my grandson, playing pickleball, running, reading, and live music at Richmond’s many venues.

Betsy Blair

Betsy Blair has a family history at St. James’s dating back to her great grandparents. Betsy and her son, Cliff, were baptized at St. James’s where Betsy’s been a member since 1994. Her deep appreciation for music, overall, and specifically the leadership of Mark and Virginia Whitmire, led her to join the Parish Choir from 2010-2016.

Betsy has been to Honduras and the Sudan twice with St. James’s mission outreach. She currently is in Year 4 of Education for Ministry (EFM), and is on the Steering Committee of Becoming a Beloved Community, following her participation in the Sacred Ground educational forum. Betsy is a Registered

Nurse, semi-retired, having served at the bedside of Intensive Care settings, and administratively as a Chief Nursing and Chief Operating Officer. Betsy served on the Corporate Board at Westminster Canterbury Richmond from 2013-2016.

Benjamin Crowley

I have been fortunate to call St. James home since 2001. Danielle and I were married here in 2010, and you have probably been witness to my two children (Finn 11, Grace 7) tearing around Baker House on Wednesday nights. I am a Pilgrim’s Path graduate, have led and participated on mission trips to Alaska and Honduras, served as an usher, an EYC leader, Shrine Mont Chief Rocketeer, and most recently a JYF leader. I have received far more from St. James than I have ever given and I am both called and excited for the opportunity to give back. I look forward to being part of the tremendous possibilities that the next three years will bring for our church. I am a dentist, and when I am not managing my practice, I enjoy skiing, camping, and flying control-line airplanes.

Dick Fowlkes II

Hi I’m Dick Fowlkes and I’ve been a member of SJEC for my whole life (64 years).

I love SJEC and I’m excited to serve in leadership on our vestry as our congregation is reconnecting after the pandemic and the events of the last few years. My hope is that as a vestry member I can help reconnect with members who haven’t yet returned and that I can serve as an ambassador for SJEC in Richmond. I am excited to see us returning to the warm, welcoming, dynamic parish that I love so much. I can’t wait to see all of you in church soon, if I don’t see you I’ll be coming to find you.

David Gardner

My name is David Gardner and I’ve been a member of St. James’s since 2012. My wife Laura, a life-long member of St. James’s, and I were married at St. James’s and we have an 8 year old son, William. I have enjoyed participating in numerous activities and ministry opportunities at St. James’s over the years as an usher team leader, Sunday school teacher, baptism guide, and member of the Tuesday Men’s Bible Study. I appreciate the opportunity to serve as a vestry member during a very important time in the life of the parish. Penny Nash, our interim rector, has defined our current period of transition ministry as a time to assess the health and vitality of the parish, and clarify its identity and mission as we ultimately work towards the calling of a new rector. I hope to be able to help support Penny, current vestry members, parish staff and the congregation as St. James’s works to solidify its foundation for the next chapter in its life as an integral part of our Richmond community.

Outside of St. James’s, I am a financial advisor with Wells Fargo and enjoy coaching William’s athletic teams, playing golf, and reading.

Teri Miles

Teri Miles has been an active member of St. James’s since 2004. During that time, she has served on the Altar Guild and as a LEM, while also committing to the EfM four-year course of study and attending Sewanee’s School of Theology. In addition to her commitments here at St. James’s, Teri is active in many non-profits, including VMFA, SPARC, University of Mary Washington, Richmond Society of Human Resources Management, and Elder Homes, among others. Teri has been an attorney at Altria, in the Office of the Virginia Attorney General, Circuit City Stores, and McGuire, Wood, Battle & Boothe. She is an enthusiastic traveler.

Melinda Parker

Melinda joined St James’s when she moved to RVA in 2018 on a recommendation of a native who knew Melinda’s love of choral music and liturgy. A native Washingtonian, she joined the Episcopal Church as a child when her father took the position of choirmaster and organist at All Souls Memorial (by the Zoo). Wherever life has taken her, Melinda has been involved in church life. She has served on the search committees at Winchester’s Christ Church and The Church of the Redeemer, Baltimore where she also served on the Vestry.

As a new member at St James’s, she immediately felt welcomed by so many, and has loved being a part of the Parish Choir, volunteering with Caritas, helping with The Taste of St James’s, and contributing to our famous hospitality. She is especially grateful to two special St James’s friends who facilitated the connection to her husband, Mark Cooper. Their clan now includes Mark’s three daughters and their families, and Melinda’s two sons and their families. Melinda will soon be retiring from nursing and looks forward to spending more time with her adventurous husband and family, hiking, biking, and gathering together.

Cheryl Redmond

Cheryl Weber Redmond joined St. James’s in 2008. She has since then participated in several mission trips and served on the Mission Committee, taught Sunday School and more recently Confirmation, and currently is a member of the West Gallery Choir.

Cheryl is a registered Nurse and is a member of the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps and has given hundreds of vaccines during the recent health crisis. She is a 2nd grade classroom assistant at Anna Julia Cooper School. Most importantly, she is married to Scott Redmond and mother to Anastasia (19) Mary Stewart (18) and Robbie (13).

John Reynolds

Dr. John W. Reynolds retired from his medical practice in 2014. He was a pathologist working in Richmond since 1984. He has worked in both the Bon Secours and HCA systems. He graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, in 1974. Training included a residency at Baylor Hospital, Dallas, and a fellowship at MD Anderson Hospital, Houston. He has attended St James’s parish since 1984. After retirement, he became active in the Thursday morning men’s breakfast and has volunteered as an usher at the 11:15 AM service. He has been active in EfM. He is interested in the future of the parish and The Episcopal Church in general.

Andy Sherrod

Andy Sherrod is a cradle Episcopalian who grew up attending Fork Church in Hanover.  Andy and his wife Tina have been members of St. James’s since 2002, and their daughters Drew and Powell were confirmed last year.  Andy has taught Sunday School and Confirmation classes, and is a long-time member of the Tuesday morning bible study group.  He is an attorney who leads the employment law practice group at Hirschler.  Andy is excited to serve on the Vestry and looks forward to doing his part to help St. James’s continue its resurgence from the pandemic and to chart a vibrant course into the future.

Emily Stock

Emily participated in Pilgrim’s Path in 2004 and was a founding member of the Wine Women & Wonder bible study. She has taught Sunday school, including confirmation, and volunteered with Mardi Gras, WomanKind, Vestry Nominating, and other St. James’s activities over the years.

Emily grew up in a Navy family that eventually landed in Virginia Beach. She moved to Richmond after college at JMU and graduate school for urban planning at UVA. She now works for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation as Chief of Rail Transportation. She is honored to be considered for vestry at St. James’s, and looks forward to serving and welcoming others to the church home she and her family have leaned on as a spiritual refuge.

Karen Townsend

Karen has been an active member of St James’s for 15 years, having completed Pilgrim’s Path together with her husband, Johnny in 2009. She can be found on Sunday mornings in the alto section of the West Gallery Choir and on Wednesday nights in the kitchen leading a cooking team. The Advent Fair is another favorite St James’s tradition for Karen, as her family annually scours their old homestead in James City County for wreath-making greenery. Karen is grateful to St James’s for many formative faith and community experiences, especially MLK Evensongs, Shrine Mont and Emerald Isle retreats, WomenKind, and service on the Outreach Committee.

Outside of church, Karen does tech-oriented work–as owner/operator of a small software company specializing in real-time hurricane tracking and decision support tools for emergency management. In her off hours, she is an avid gardener and steward for the City’s trees and parks. Karen and Johnny met in graduate school classes within the Forestry Department of Clemson University, where she studied urban forestry and he pursued a botany degree. With daughters, Robin and Sarah both away at college, Karen is glad to apply her ’empty nest’ energies to the work of the Church vestry.

Wilson Trice

Wilson Trice is a lifelong member of St. James’s, has served two terms on vestry previously, including a term as Senior Warden, and on two search committees, one as chair. For thirty years he has served as a trustee of the Endowment Fund and, until his recent retirement from law practice, he was the church’s legal counsel. Over the years he has played many roles in the church, including various parts in the Christmas pageant. He regrets that, after his failure as a wise man, he was dropped from the cast. His favorite role was anchoring first base for the short-lived (but fabulously successful) St. James’s softball team. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve.

Harry Turton

Harry and his family have been members of St. James’s since 2001. He has served (separately) as 9 am & 11:15 am Usher Chief since 2007.

Harry has worked in the Richmond banking industry since graduating from Florida State University in 1987. He started with Central Fidelity Bank as a trainee, moved to First Market Bank in 2003 and Union Bank and Trust (by merger) in 2010. In 2021 he was named Commercial Real Estate Group President of Atlantic Union Bank (successor to Union Bank and Trust).

He has enjoyed serving his community during his professional career, working with organizations like Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, Bon Secours Health System, Richmond LISC, Freedom House, United Way, Venture Richmond, Rebuilding Together and Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, in board and other capacities.

Harry and his wife Heather were wed in 1996. They have twin 17-year-old daughters – Hampton and Hadley. Harry enjoys tennis, golf, time with family in Hot Springs and White Stone, VA, and FSU Football.

Harry received his M.B.A. from VCU in 1999. He is also a 2001 graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond, Center for Creative Leadership 2007, and LEAD Virginia 2016.

Shelton Way

Shelton Way and her then-fiancé Lawton joined St James’s in 2010.

Shelton was baptized and confirmed at St. James’s, and then the couple was married here in 2011. They have since welcomed and baptized three children: Ford (7), Margaret (6) and CeCe (3). Shelton has participated in Pilgrims Path, taught Sunday School, helped to organize Womankind, co-chaired the Feast of St James, volunteered in the nursery, and has served on the Annual Giving committee. She has loved welcoming her children into the St James’s community and is thankful for the wonderful friendships that she has made here.

Work-wise: Shelton studied architecture at UVA & Savannah College of Art and Design. After graduation, Shelton worked as an architectural intern/designer at a firm in Williamsburg (Guernsey Tingle Architects) until she had the kids. Now Shelton works for them as a food supplier/stuff hauler/laundry folder/virtual school manager/bus driver/scheduler.

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