Our Paid and Volunteer Staff
Rev. Dan Morley, Senior Pastor
Beginning July 1, 2007 Pastor Dan was appointed as the Senior Pastor serving with the First United Methodist Church of Gilbert. Dan and Bonnie and their daughters, Amy and Ally, have served several churches in the Desert Southwest Annual Conference – University UMC of Las Vegas, St. Johns UMC of Kingman, Desert Spring UMC of Las Vegas and St. Matthew UMC of Mesa. Pastor Dan received his Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. He enjoys building with his hands and gardening in the earth. Pastor Dan loves to help others build and rebuild their lives upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and to discover that they are loved by God and as Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
Contact Rev. Morley
Rev. Laszlo Vega, Associate Pastor
Laszlo is an Arizona native, born in Douglas and raised in Bisbee. After high school and some college,
Laszlo went into security work and eventually became a Detention Officer at the Pinal County Jail. He was
a Sergeant at the jail until God called him to ministry. Since graduating from seminary in 1997, Laszlo
has served two churches in Phoenix as an Associate Pastor, and Shepherd of the Pines UMC in Overgaard, AZ
and Heritage UMC of Las Vegas as the Senior Pastor. Laszlo joined the staff at 1st UMC of Gilbert July 1,
2006. He has been married to Cheryl (Sherry) since 1983, and they have no children. He enjoys the
outdoors, camping, fishing, and hunting when he can.
Contact Rev. Vega
Rev. Tina Rees, Associate Minister of Pastoral Care
Tina Rees is a former computer nerd who became a theology nerd. After eleven years dancing with
technology, God called Tina to dance with Him, so she gave up her former career to attend seminary
full-time in 1997. God, being a strong supporter of education, called again, and Tina found herself
attending Ottawa University in pursuit of a Masters in Professional Counseling. Finally finished with
way too many years of graduate school, Tina obtained her state license in counseling and now serves a dual
appointment with FUMC of Gilbert and Arizona Interfaith Counseling where she works as a Staff Counselor.
Tina is married to Phil and has two daughters: Alexandra and Katie. Tina’s passions
include books, music, crafts, and gardening.
Contact Rev. Rees
Dina Reid, Church Secretary
Dina was born and raised in Southern California. She Graduated from Oregon State University with BS in
Psychology. She has lived in the valley for over fifteen years, mostly in Gilbert, and loves spending time
with her husband Curt, daughter Ashley (11), and their diverse pets. Her passions include cooking and
baking, as well as needlework, scrapbooking, and traveling, especially to tropical places. Dina has been
our church secretary for over two years and feels blessed to have this position and the chance to get to
know the many wonderful members of our congregation.
Contact Dina
Gayle Disch, Assistant to the Pastor
Gayle is a Wisconsin "Cheesehead" who relocated to Arizona after
completing her Master's Degree at Arizona State University. She is married
to Garry, her husband of 11 years, and has one son Robert. After 32
years in Public Education in 2005 Gayle retired from Mesa Schools. She
thought she'd take a break from teaching but God had other plans, he
called her to teach PreKindergarteners at our church Preschool and that
has been a joy! For the past 22 years at FUMCG, Gayle has had the
privilege of working with numerous members of our congregation on various
committees and activities.
David Moore , Assistant to the Pastor
David was educated in New Mexico and later Lubbock, Texas, where he majored in Sociology and minored in
Psychology. He is also a graduate of the Thunderbird International Management School's Global Leadership
Program. He has been married to Laurie for 18 years and is the proud father of Zach (11), and Tucker (4).
In addition to working in the Defense/Aeronautics industry in electronic component sales, David is one of
the Assistants to the Pastor. He also chairs the Stewardship committee and co-chairs the United Methodist
Men (UMM). His passions include Tae Kwon Do, Contemporary Christian Music, golf, volleyball,
and basketball.
Deanna Helland, Treasurer / Accountant
Steve and Deanna have been married for over 20 years. They have one child, Stephanie, 14 years old.
After graduating from the University of Iowa, Deanna worked in healthcare accounting/finance for 12 years.
When she had Stephanie, she became a "stay-at-home" mom. Deanna has also kept busy doing volunteer work
(school, PTSO, church, MOMS Club, homeowners' association) and the bookkeeping for Steve's consulting
business. She was hired as the FUMCG Church Accountant in April 2002. In her spare time, she enjoy's
reading, traveling with her family, playing bunko, and watching Diamondbacks baseball.
Contact Deanna
Kathy Ingram ,
Youth Director
Kathy was born and raised in Arizona in the Methodist Church. She is married to
Steve and they have three children, Theresa (26), Grant (24), and Jeff (20).
They have a great son-in-law (Dustin) and three wonderful grandchildren: Dusty, Layna Grace, and Gage. Kathy and Steve live in Queen Creek where they own and operate Trinity Sports and Embroidery. Kathy has taken numerous ministry classes through the Methodist Church, Group Ministries, and Youth Specialties. Kathy started in Children’s Ministry in 1983. Over the years, she has had several volunteer and staff positions in the church, including superintendent, Sunday School teacher, Christian Education Director, and Youth Director. After stepping down for a short time, Kathy implemented the Youth Ministry program at the new Song of Life UMC in Queen Creek where she created several youth programs. Even though there is a Methodist church in their community, God has led Kathy and Steve back home to Gilbert UMC...ready to serve. Kathy's passion is to instill in others the excitement of Youth Ministry.
Contact Kathy
Lori Weimers , Director of Children's Special Events
Biography unavailable at this time
Contact Lori
Lisa Strazz , Christian Education
Lisa and her husband Joe have been valley residents for 10 years. They relocated here with Motorola and joined First United Methodist of Gilbert when their first daughter was born. Lisa and Joe’s children are also active in church activities. Lisa became more involved through Bible Study and Children’s Ministry. When the opportunity to join the staff presented itself Lisa felt God’s call to be more involved in her children’s and all the children’s Christian Education. Lisa is also a Girl Scout Leader and active in the children’s school. Lisa and her family feel blessed to find such a wonderful place to call their church home.
Contact Lisa
Lora Norris, Preschool Director
Lora is married to Joe, her husband of 11 years and they have three children; Brittany age 9, Jeremy
age 6, and Riley age 3. Both Lora and her husband were raised in Arizona and have lived in Gilbert for 8
years. In addition to enjoying her family, she has the pleasure of working for our church as a Nursery
Supervisor for over 4 years. Every day, Lora feels very blessed to work with the babies and children at our
church. Prior to working at the church she worked in the hotel industry in guest services and an Event
Planner for an Education Company. Over the years, Lora has enjoyed watching the babies of our church grow
into toddlers with a nurturing Christian influence from our Nursery Team.
Contact Lora
Lara Fink, Preschool Director
Lara married Kendall 12 years ago, after growing up in the same church together in Tempe. They have 2
children; Justin 5 years old and Alyssa 4 years old. Lara and Kendall have been attending First Gilbert
for about 5 years and have been involved in Christian parenting classes and teaching Sunday school. Lara
enjoys scrapbooking, playing tennis, jogging and hanging out with her family. She has a Master’s degree in
Elementary Education with specialties in Reading and Bilingual Education. Lara taught in public schools for
9 years, then taught a small preschool at her home for 2 years. She is excited to teach and co-direct at
our church preschool.
Contact Lara
Jenny Vallera , Preschool Teacher
Jenny currently teaches the 3 year old preschool classes at First United Methodist Church of Gilbert
Preschool. She has taught in the public school system for the past 11 years. She taught for 7 years in the
Roosevelt School District in grades first through third and spent the past 4 years in the Higley School
District teaching second grade at San Tan Elementary since its opening in 2001. She received her Bachelors
degree in Education from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona and a Masters Degree in Special Education
from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. She has been happily married to Raymond Vallera, Jr.
for the past 10 years. They have two wonderful daughters, Hayley and Brandi. They have been members of the
church for the past 4 years and have been involved in Christian parenting classes and have participated as
greeters. Raymond is on the Membership and Evangelism committee and Jenny is on both the Preschool and
Missions committees. Jenny enjoys spending time with her family traveling and playing, scrap booking, and
walking. She is very excited to be a part of education and making a difference in children’s lives
everyday.
Childcare Coordinator
Aspen Gonzales is happy to be the new Nursery Coodinator. She is very excited at the opportunity to get to know the little ones as well as their families.
Contact Aspen
Dr. Gregory Gentry, Director of Music Ministries
Gregory Gentry is the Chorusmaster for the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra organization. He joined the
staff of Gilbert First United Methodist Church in spring 2005 following other music ministry positions,
including Trinity United Methodist in Kansas City, MO, and Burns United Methodist in Denver, CO. His
church music studies have included work with both George Lynn and Austin Lovelace, while his choirs have
toured both nationally and internationally. He maintains close colleagial relationships with contemporary
sacred composers John Leavitt and Thomas Porter, and has had published his own arrangements of both
Italian and Russian 18th-Century sacred music. At the Arizona State University School of Music
( http://music.asu.edu/), Dr. Gentry conducts the Symphonic Chorale, and teaches graduate and
undergraduate conducting, repertory, and score study. His upcoming conducting engagements include
appearances in Nebraska (2007), Arizona (2008), New York City (2008), and Colorado (2010) . He
is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, College Music Society, Music
Educators National Conference, Chorus America, and founding director of Southwest Liederkranz.
Contact Greg
Anna Gentry, Contemporary Music Coordinator and
Handbell Choir Director
After studying conducting with George Lynn in Denver, Colorado, Anna formed a foundation for
directing church choirs ranging from children’s groups to adult choirs, solo work to bell choirs,
musical extravaganzas to contemporary Christian. Before coming to Arizona, she was the Director of
Music Ministries at Taylorville United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Anna's credits as a
stage director include Oh! Mr. Sousa at the Sun City Sundome (Nov. 2004), American Gothic at ASU's
Lyric Opera Theatre (Nov. 2005), Gilbert's enthusiastically received production of Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (April 2006) and Walk a Little Faster at Central Community Theatre
(April 2007). She is a professional singer, actress, stage and music director, as well as researcher,
with works published by Johns Hopkins University Press, Continuum UK, Gale, Routledge, and the Music
Library Association. Anna is Honors Disciplinary Faculty at ASU's Herberger College of the Arts, and
conducts the Desert Gold Chorale on ASU's Polytechnic campus.
Contact Anna
Jonathan Cochran, Organist
Organist Jonathan Cochran has accompanied works such as Handel’s Messiah, Christmas Oratorio by
Camille Saint-Saens, Bach’s Wachet Auf and John Leavitt’s Requiem. As a pianist, he has played music
theatre productions, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hello Dolly and Fiddler on
the Roof, and most recently a showcase of 1930s Broadway revue music at Central Community Theatre in
Phoenix. As an organist, he has performed as a soloist at the Temple Square Concert Series as well as
St. Mark’s Cathedral and the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City (sidenote: he's been known to stir
audiences with his rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theme to Phantom of the Opera!). Formerly a
violinist (as well as an organ concerto soloist) with the Mesa Symphony Orchestra, his awards include
National Finalist of the National Music Teachers Association for Organ and winner of Utah State Fair
Organ Competition. In London he was Associate Director of Music at St. Peter’s Church in Eaton Square.
Jonathan is a certified teacher of Alexander Technique, earned his music degree from Utah State
University, where he was also a teaching assistant in the organ performance program.
Tami Bruce, Director of Chapel Chimes
Tami Bruce is the director of our new youth bell ensemble, Chapel Chimes. Her musical background includes extensive bell ringing (familiar with both bells and tone chimes), as well having played clarinet as an undergraduate while studying at the University of Arizona in Tucson . Tami earned her medical degree in 1997 from the University of Arizona , and now practices medicine in Mesa . She has been a member of First United Methodist Church of Gilbert since 1995. Since joining First Gilbert’s Wesleyan Bells in 2006, she quickly regained her musical land-legs! Tami lives in Gilbert with her husband David and their two young children, Alyssa and Cayden.
Therese Pineda , Parish Nurse and Director
of Health Ministries
Therese has been a Registered Nurse for 15 years. With a background in pediatrics, Labor &
Delivery and Mom & Baby care. Therese has been with the church for 8 years and is married with 5
children. She is a member of the American Holistic Nurses Association and is a grief counselor for women
who have lost a child through miscarriage or still birth. Therese is also a certified instructor of Sign
Chi Do and the Art of Moving Prayer and is currently teaching this awesome program through out the valley
as well as here at our church.
contact Therese
Carol Sharff, RN, IBCLC, Parish Nurse
Carol is a Lactation Consultant and former maternal/child nurse, in charge of our "Mom & Me"
mother/baby home visit program. She is originally from Illinois and moved to AZ in August, 2001. She is
married to Gunter and they have four children and six grandchildren. She loves quilting and scrapbooking!
Her hobbies include reading and playing the piano.
Tiffiny Scott, Webmaster
Tiffiny was born and raised in Arizona, where she developed a love of tennis, softball, and volleyball.
She holds a B.S. degree in Information Technology and she has worked in the telecommunications and IT
industries for 10 years. Growing up at First Mesa UMC, Tiffiny spent several years as a Junior High camp
counselor, youth drama coach, and YPC small group leader. She has been attending Gilbert UMC for over four years with her husband Joshua, and two sons, Brady (8) and Kegan (5). She loves to paint, write,
sing in the car with her kids, and go golfing with her husband. Tiffiny and Joshua, together with Robert
Newman and Kathy Ingram, also teach the Senior High Sunday School class. Tiffiny is thrilled to participate in
Gilbert UMC's web ministry.
Contact Tiffiny
Kim Dare, Financial Secretary
Biography unavailable at this time
Rudy and Cheryl Delarosa, Hispanic Ministries
Biographies unavailable at this time
Committee Chairs
Administrative Council - Rick Frazier
Adult Ministry - Bob Brown
Building Committee - Alan Ball
Capital Campaign - Nancy Ball
Children's Ministry - Christine Baker
Finance Committee - Robin Lee
Kitchen Committee - Ray Vallera
Membership & Evangelism Committee - Linda Faber
Missions Committee - Diane Gardner
Music Committee - Anna and Greg Gentry
Nominations Committee - Dan Vrana
Preschool Committee - Sharon Dalton
Staff Parish Relations Committee - Ed Stressman
Stewardship Committee - Jerry Hallmark
Trustees Committee- Jim Schwalenberg
Wellness Committee - Therese Pineda
Worship Committee - Michelle and Kelly McClain