Gail Lehman – Clerk of Session
Born in Winter Park, FL, Gail spent summers in Franklin as a child and has attended FPC since the Chapel was the main sanctuary. She attended Brevard College and WCU and became an elder in 1981. Gail has lived in Franklin permanently since 1990 and re- joined FPC that same year. After working with the Macon County Recreation Park for twenty years, Gail is now retired and volunteers with the Nantahala Hiking Club, Little Tennessee Greenway and Habitat for Humanity, in addition to being an active member of FPC.
Beverly Linton – Chair Congregational Care
A retired Reference Librarian, Beverly is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She received an A.B. degree in English from Shorter College, a Masters Degree in English from Duke University, and an M.S. L. S. in Library Science from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Beverly also serves as First Presbyterian Church Librarian.
Patsy Clinton - Chair Service & Mission
A native of Macon County, Patsy has served on the Service and Mission Team for seven years prior to becoming an Elder. Patsy and her husband, Barry, attend the 9:00 worship service where Barry plays the mandolin and sings with the Chapel Band.
Ronald L. Hill - Chair Christian Education
Ron graduated from the University of Utah in 1972, earning a BS in math, and then received his MBA from National University, San Diego, in 1977. He is a California native and has been an elder for the past 10 years. Ron and his wife, BJ, moved to Franklin in 2006.
Ernie Potter – Chair Business Affairs
Leaving a Civil Service job in New York State in 1993, Ernie and his wife, Emily, moved to Franklin and joined First Presbyterian Church in 1997. He became an ordained elder in 2000 and has served on the Business Affairs, Christian Education, Service & Mission and Disaster Support ministry teams.
Toby Tobias – Chair Worship & Music
A native of Ohio, Toby spent his Navy time in a Helo squadron in Pensacola, FL. He lived for many years in Florida and worked in the aerospace industry in sales and sales management. In 2002 he bought a home in Franklin and traveled back and forth from North Carolina to Florida for two years, before making the move to Franklin permanent in 2005. Toby performs with Men Macon Music, and plays bass guitar and sings with the FPC Chapel Band.
Jim Geary – Co-chair Community Relations
Jim was born in Latrobe, PA. He joined the USAF in 1958 and retired in 1978. Prior to relocating to Franklin in 2006, Jim and his wife, Sandy, lived in Goldsboro, NC, where Jim worked as a cabinet maker, ambulance company manager and real estate photographer. They joined and have been active in FPC since April 2006.
Jeff Stevens – Co-chair Community Relations
Jeff grew up in Conway, SC. He attended the University of South Carolina, and served in the USAF during the Vietnam War. He worked for Motorola from 1976 until 2000 when he joined Crown Communications. He is now employed by Secondary Solutions. Jeff and his wife, Jan, moved from Atlanta to Macon County in 2008, and have been active at FPC since 2009.
Suzanne Spaduzzi - Co-Chair Property
Suzanne and her late husband Paul joined this church in 2002. In her professional career, Suzanne worked in real estate, business and finance. Before moving to Franklin, Suzanne served as an elder at Buford Presbyterian in the Atlanta area.
Lew Mesta - Co-Chair Property
Lewis and his wife Pat joined FPC this year. Lewis has a business background as a purchasing manager with several corporations. He was baptized a Presbyterian and has served as both a deacon and elder in Presbyterian churches in other states.
Genesse Gottschalk - Co-Chair Hospitality
A member of FPC since 2007, Geneese and her husband Bill Hoehn live in Franklin. At FPC, she is active on the Service and Mission Team. At Presbyterian churches in other states, she has served as an elder and Sunday School teacher. In her professional life, she has worked as a writer and researcher for the Federal government and public policy organizations.
Sue Genter - Co-Chair Hospitality
Sue and her husband Clyde live in Otto. Since joining FPC in 2010, Sue has been singing in the Chancel Choir and serving on the Hospitality team. Recently, she has started baking the Bread of Love loaves that are given to church visitors.