Church Staff

CHURCH STAFF

To contact a staff member, please call (210) 826-3215. You can also fill out the form on our Contact Us page and a staff member will get back to you shortly.

PASTORS

Rev. Holly Gotelli

Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. Robert Ortiz

Modern Worship Teaching Pastor

BIOGRAPHY

Holly grew up in Richardson, Texas, in a clergy family: both of her grandfathers were ordained pastors, and her maternal grandfather served over 40 years in the Central Texas Conference of the UMC. Holly holds both undergraduate and law degrees from Texas Tech University, and received her Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at SMU. She also served on the North Texas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, the North Central District Committee on Ordained Ministry, and as a clergy coach for colleagues in the conference. Prior to serving at AHUMC, Holly served 8 years at Flower Mound UMC and 7 years as Associate Pastor at Suncreek United Methodist Church in Allen, Texas.

Holly is married to Trip and they have two children.

BIOGRAPHY

Robert Ortiz is an ordained elder in the Rio Texas Conference and serves AHUMC as the teaching pastor in our Modern Worship. He has been on staff at AHUMC since July 1, 2012. His missional focus is to share the love and compassion of Jesus with everyone.

Robert earned a BA in Sociology from UTSA, Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. His doctoral project focused on Church collaboration. He has served churches in Del Rio, San Antonio, and Kingsville, Texas. He also serves as a member of Metro Mission Board and is on the board of San Antonio Campus Ministry.

Robert is married to Diane, a first-grade teacher with NISD, and they have five adult children and one granddaughter. He is a passionate Spurs fan and loves his hometown of San Antonio.

Rev. Donna Strieb

Prayer & Spiritual Formation Pastor

Rev. Chris Estus

Recovery Pastor

BIOGRAPHY

Donna Strieb is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church and has served on the staff of AHUMC since October 1, 1980 in various capacities with children, youth, and adults. Prior to that time, she served at Aldersgate UMC, The Federated Church in Ayers, MA, and at First Presbyterian Church and First Christian Church both in Huntsville, TX. Growing up in this church from the age of 2 when her family moved to San Antonio, Donna is a graduate of Trinity University with a BA in Christian Education and did graduate work at Perkins School of Theology. She is experienced in Christian Education with children, youth, and adults but her passions are spiritual formation, prayer, worship, the Academy for Spiritual Formation, and leading our monthly Taizé Services. Since 2000, Donna has served as Pastor of Prayer and Spiritual Nurture, and although retired in 2017 after 49 years of ministry, she continues to work part-time here at AHUMC. Donna loves music, ballroom dancing, creating altar settings, traveling, reading, theater, and making Shutterfly books. She is married to John since 1969 and they have one son, Lawrence, who lives in Austin.

BIOGRAPHY

Rev. Chris Estus has served at AHUMC since 2011 as a teacher, worship leader, musician and recovery group leader. He has been in recovery for over 20 years and is called to bring people in recovery & followers of Jesus into conversation with each other. He and his wife Pat founded the Pioneer Group in 2001 and are active in the San Antonio recovery community. He is a graduate of the State University of NY–Oswego with degrees in Economics and Political Science. In his free time, Chris likes to hike.

Rev. Ryan Jacobson

Congregational Care Pastor

Rev. Dr. Darrell Smith

Discipleship and Communications Pastor

BIOGRAPHY

Ryan Jacobson is husband to Kylea and father to Oliver. He joined the AHUMC staff as Director of Missions and Outreach in 2010, after spending two years of volunteer service with Riverside Community Church. In 2018, he became one of our Associate Pastors, still overseeing Missions. In July of 2020, Ryan become the Pastor of Congregational Care. In this new position for the church, Ryan will be developing our systems of care and encouraging our congregation to be involved in “watching over one another in love” as Wesley phrased it. Ryan has a very deep passion for the historical and cultural context of the Bible and loves to explore the implications that context has on our life of faith in today’s world. He graduated from Texas State University with a B.S. in Mathematics. He is currently attending Fuller Theological Seminary, expecting to graduate with an M. Div. in 2022. Ryan and his family love to spend time with friends and family in the outdoors and around the table.

BIOGRAPHY

Darrell Smith is a teacher, writer, and theologian. He has served the AHUMC community in some form or fashion since 1999. That service has led Darrell to homeless shelters, recovery groups, and refugee ghettos as well as universities, churches, and prisons. He has supported relief efforts in Central and South America and worked with such organizations as Renovaré, Apprentice, and Kairos Prison Ministry. Darrell attended the Perkins School of Theology, Wayland Baptist University, the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies, and Texas A&M University and holds degrees in English, Speech Communication, Christian Ministry, and Worship Studies. Darrell is married to Stacy, and they have three children.

WORSHIP & MUSIC

Nona Schwab

Music and

Worship Director

We're Hiring

Music and Worship Associate Director

BIOGRAPHY

Nona Schwab is the Director of Music and Worship Arts. She has been a part of the Music & Worship Staff at Alamo Heights UMC since 2001. She moved into the Director role in October 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master of Music from UTSA. She has completed her Orff Level 1, trained with Randy McChesney from Education Through Music, and been a clinician for choirs in Texas and New Mexico. Before joining the staff at AHUMC she taught Middle School choir in North East ISD. While teaching she volunteered at AHUMC in the music ministry by singing in the choir and helping with the children and youth choirs. Nona enjoys the broad spectrum of variety that her job entails. She gets to share her love of music with all generations and mentor and guide young people in the growth of their faith through music, worship, play, and community. Nona enjoys a good adventure, movies, reading, spending time with friends, and tending to her dog and two cats.

APPLY NOW

at Indeed.com

AJ Navarro

Modern Worship Director

Olivia Alvarez

Liturgical Coordinator

BIOGRAPHY

Although A.J. is recognized as the drummer with the CLC Worship Team, he has served in musical direction for our community for the last 17 years. In addition to leading the CLC Worship Team, A.J. is a professional drummer and percussionist who feels called to bring excellence to music and the arts in and around the community. He and his wife Kristin have two sons—Aaron and Nicholas.

BIOGRAPHY

Olivia is no stranger to working in the church. Growing up in San Antonio, she was always in the churches where her father led worship. Whether helping him with his work duties, participating in classes, or sitting in on a sermon, she was involved from the start. When it came time for her to branch off into her own endeavors, she once again landed in the church—this time at AHUMC. Olivia began helping us with our livestream efforts in 2020 and has since moved into assisting the pastors and worship leaders as the Liturgical Coordinator. Olivia also serves as the Vice President and Historian for Sam's Covers, a local nonprofit, and attends the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Mary Lou Russell

Organist & Pianist

Ashley Person

Music and Worship Assistant

BIOGRAPHY

Mary Lou loves sharing music with this wonderful, appreciative congregation of souls. She became a member and began as organist in March 2000. She was a full-time faculty member of the Music Department at San Antonio College beginning in 1971 and retired Professor Emeritus in 2013.

Mary Lou has been on staff as organist/pianist in Baptist churches since she was 13. She toured on weekends with gospel singer Cynthia Clawson for 3 years when their children were in school together, and has accompanied countless vocal/instrumental recitals and musicals throughout the years. She won a 2012-2013 Globe Award for Best Musical Direction.

Since she retired from teaching, she enjoys taking classes here at AHUMC and volunteering at the Lunch Bunch providing musical entertainment. Being a dancer at heart, she has taken up tap dancing at Third Coast Rhythm Project. Mary Lou has two granddaughters, two children, two exes, and a cat.

BIOGRAPHY

Ashley Person is a former teacher, turned stay-at-home Mom. She started working in the Music Ministry office in the Fall of 2014, after spending a lot of time here bringing her kids to choir and ringing in the handbell choir. She spends most of her time volunteering here at AHUMC and her kids' schools. Ashley's favorite part of working here at AHUMC is the sense of community.

Sarah Carol

Music and Worship Assistant

Angela Leonhardt

Children's Music Coordinator

BIOGRAPHY

Sarah Carol moved to Texas from Missouri in 1977. After her retirement, she transitioned to an assistant for the Music Ministry. In her free time, she loves painting still life and figurative studies.

BIOGRAPHY

Angela has been a volunteer and contracted staff member for the Music and Worship Ministry for 17 years. Currently, she serves as our Coordinator of the Sunday Sound Children's Music Program. Angela is the Music Specialist at Hidden Forest Elementary School in NEISD. She has taught music for 24 years in NEISD and Concordia Lutheran School. Angela holds a Bachelor's and two Master's degrees from The University of Texas at San Antonio and is currently working on her Doctorate at Boston University. She is a certified K-12 Music Teacher, Orff-Schulwerk teacher trainer, and was named Hidden Forest Teacher of the Year in 2018. She loves sharing musical experiences with children and, when not making music, enjoys quilting, reading, and traveling with her husband, Don!

CHILDREN

Gina Beal

Children's Ministry Director

Sarah Jernigan

Weekday School Director

BIOGRAPHY

Gina Beal has been the Director of Children’s Ministries since 2002. Her love of working with children began at the age of 16 when she started volunteering in the church nursery at 1st UMC in Pasadena, Texas where she grew up. Fun fact: she taught her 2 yr old brother how to read when she was just 6 years old. Gina has an MA in Humanities and loves working with children of all ages, but especially babies. She has been on 2 mission trips to Burundi and can’t wait to go back and see how much the children there have grown. Gina has been married to her husband, Greg, for 30 years and has 3 young adult sons, Cameron, Mackie & Cooper. She loves to cook, loves to travel, and especially loves road trips with her family.

BIOGRAPHY

Sarah Jernigan is the Director of AHUMC Weekday School. Sarah has been teaching young children since she was 16 years old and started teaching Sunday School at her church. Sarah has been in early childhood education for over 20 years after graduating from Texas A&M University with a BS in Education. Sarah is a member of AHUMC and volunteers with Children's Ministry, Student Ministry, New Zion Choir, Children's Choir, and Vacation Bible School. Sarah and her husband Michael have four children Makayla, Allison, Gavin, and Harper. Sarah enjoys baking, reading books, scuba diving, and camping with her family.

Shawn Jones

Children's Ministry Associate Director

Jill S. Martinez

Weekday School Associate Director

BIOGRAPHY

Shawn joined the AHUMC staff after relocating to the San Antonio area from middle Tennessee. With bachelor's and master's degrees in education from the University of Tennessee, she has spent over fifteen years as a public school educator teaching grades K-3 as well as serving as a middle school instructional coach. Her favorite memories of fellowship and worship in the UMC were always as her kids gre - from leading children's choirs to Vacation Bible School to the mission trips with youth choir. She is excited about the opportunity to share God's love with the AHUMC Kids! She and her husband, Craig, have four children ranging from middle school through college. Shawn loves bargain hunting, the beach, and ALL things Disney!

BIOGRAPHY

Jill S. Martinez is the Assistant Director of AHUMC Weekday School. Jill had been assisting in the Pre-K class at the Weekday School and before that, she was the Director of Children’s Ministries at her church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, here in San Antonio.

Jill moved around as a child, but spent most of her years in Brandon, MS. After college, she started working in the banking industry, which moved her to Memphis, TN. While living in Memphis she met her husband, Michael. In 1998, they moved to San Antonio, which is Michael’s hometown. Together they have a blended family of three. Michael’s son, also named Michael, and their two daughters, Haley & Abi.

After having her daughters, Jill took the time to be a stay-at-home mom. She was very involved at her kids' schools and their church, having served on all PTOs at Alamo Heights schools, and her church vestry. She is currently finishing up her 6 years on the Alamo Heights School Foundation Board.

Jill loves working out at Orangetheory, listening to live music, and watching documentaries.

Clara Schweninger

Children's Ministry Assistant

BIOGRAPHY

Clara was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas with her mom, dad, an older brother named Andrew, and a dog named Harry. She attended and graduated from Concordia University in Austin, Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Religious Education and a specialization in Children’s Ministry. Her passions in ministry include working with kids, youth, and families. In her spare time, she enjoys reading books, spending time with friends and family, and trying new coffee shops.

YOUTH

Stacy Smith

Youth Ministry Director

Laura Peel

Youth Ministry Assistant

BIOGRAPHY

Stacy Smith joined the AHUMC Student Ministry staff in 2015 after 14 years as a public school educator—most recently at Alamo Heights Junior School as a 6th grade English teacher. Her love of students and teaching came together once again in the context of youth spiritual formation, and she believes that she experiences her own growth alongside her students in the weekly Sunday School classes she helps facilitate in the Youth Wing. Stacy grew up in the central Texas town of Lorena and attended Texas A&M University, where she met her husband Darrell. Since 1999, she and Darrell have lived in San Antonio and--along with their children Nate, Sammy, and Abby--have been actively involved in the life of AHUMC.

BIOGRAPHY

Laura Peel is a former middle school teacher who has worked in the Student Ministry Dept as an Admin Assistant since 2005. A lifelong Texan and Methodist, she joined AHUMC in 2002 with her husband Brad and their children Katherine and Andrew. Laura is a proud University of Texas at Austin graduate who enjoys volunteering with various organizations, traveling, reading, movies, and spending time with family and friends.

We're Hiring!

Youth Ministry Associate Director

APPLY NOW

at Indeed.com

OPERATIONS

Kacey Brewer

Facilities Director

Valerie Slade

Executive Director

BIOGRAPHY

Kacey joined the AHUMC Facilities team in January of 2019. For 10 years in her early career, she found her joy in managing sports stadiums and arenas, including Texas A&M University’s Blue Bell Park and Kyle Field, as well as the AT&T Center, here in San Antonio.

She went to middle and high school in Sugar Land, Texas. Her younger years were spent in Midland, TX and Sumatra, Indonesia, where her father managed oil production facilities for Texaco and Chevron.

Kacey, an Aggie, married her husband, David in 2018. They have one son, Brooks, who is fortunate to be loved on and taught by the wonderful teachers at the AHUMC Weekday School.

Kacey says that her spirit is being nurtured in such amazing ways by the people on the staff and in the congregation and she will be forever grateful for the impact this has on her life.

BIOGRAPHY

Valerie has a BBA in Finance from Texas Tech University. Prior to her ministry at the church, Valerie spent many years working in the banking industry as a Commercial Credit Operations Manager and Human Resources Manager. When her children were small, Valerie took a break from banking to raise her two daughters, CJ and Shelby. God opened the door for her to work part time at the AHUMC Weekday School and, later, Children’s Ministry. Valerie is married to Chip, and they are grateful to call AHUMC their church family. Valerie enjoys singing in the sanctuary choir, playing hand bells and serving on Emmaus teams.

Sarah Smith

Brand Manager

Dana Hawkes

Operations Associate Director

BIOGRAPHY

Sarah has been practicing graphic design and all things creative for the past six years. With her recent move to San Antonio by way of Los Angeles in 2020, she is excited to join the AHUMC community. Sarah has spent most of her life in the Foothills of the Smoky Mountains and around Knoxville, Tennessee, where she graduated from the other UT. (Go Vols!) Sarah loves to play board games, go to concerts, thrift shop, play frisbee, and be outdoors with her terrier pup, Samson.

BIOGRAPHY

Dana, a native San Antonian, has been attending AHUMC since 2006, then joined with her 3 daughters in 2009. With a degree in Finance and Communications from Trinity University, Dana spent 15 years in commercial banking. In 2010, Dana joined the AHUMC staff and has served various roles at the church. Currently, Dana works in the Finance department and as our new Welcoming Ministry Coordinator. You can find her Sunday mornings in the atrium passing out donuts and coffee and hopefully answering your questions about the church.

Dana enjoys spending time with her daughters, friends, traveling, reading, and walking her dogs.

Adam Crowell

Multimedia Storyteller

Leah Jayne

Executive Secretary

BIOGRAPHY

Adam Crowell has been in the world of media production for over 20 years. Adam is a native Texan and grew up in the Round Rock/Austin area. He has worked in the church world for over 20 years in various leadership and support roles. His other work experience varies from Fedex delivery to working in a custom t-shirt shop.

Adam has been married to his beautiful wife Faye since 2010 and together they have one son, Benjamin. As a family they enjoy silly games and walking/scootering around their neighborhood. Adam has a love for comics and photography.

BIOGRAPHY

Leah Jayne started working at AHUMC in 2005 and feels blessed on a daily basis by the people who grace this campus. She was married to her husband, Mike, in the AHUMC Chapel on Broadway in 1982, and her children attended the Weekday School and VBS while growing up nearby. Her grandchildren are continuing the tradition by being involved on this campus.

Cristian Ortiz

Digital Content Coordinator

We're Hiring!

Welcoming Ministry Coordinator

BIOGRAPHY

Cristian Ortiz, a proud San Antonio native, has always had a passion for storytelling. During his childhood, that passion manifested itself through an obsessive love for music, literature, movies, and everything in between. So, come college time, he decided to further study stories by pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). During his time at UNI, he also began creating his own stories through work involving videography, social media marketing, and journalism. Since graduating, Cristian has continued to pursue storytelling through work involving the many aspects of content creation. He is now happy to be doing that kind of work at AHUMC, where he can utilize his passions and talents to spread love throughout a city that he’s honored to call his home.

BIOGRAPHY

We're Hiring!

WEDDINGS

Nance Haney

Wedding Coordinator

BIOGRAPHY

Nance Haney has been a member of AHUMC since 1973 and has served as the wedding coordinator since 1995. In this position she has had the opportunity to participate in over 800 weddings. She is married to Ben Haney and together they have two daughters a son in law and two precious grandchildren. Serving as wedding coordinator brings much joy and she considers it a privilege and a blessing.

FACILITIES

Kacey Brewer

Facilities Director

Gabriel Garza

Custodial Supervisor

BIOGRAPHY

She went to middle and high school in Sugar Land, Texas. Her younger years were spent in Midland, TX and Sumatra, Indonesia, where her father managed oil production facilities for Texaco and Chevron.

Kacey, an Aggie, married her husband, David in 2018. They have one son, Brooks, who is fortunate to be loved on and taught by the wonderful teachers at the AHUMC Weekday School.

Kacey says that her spirit is being nurtured in such amazing ways by the people on the staff and in the congregation and she will be forever grateful for the impact this has on her life.

BIOGRAPHY

Gabriel, who goes by “Gabe,” was born in McAllen, TX and spent summers when he was growing up at his family ranch in Mexico.

He has been with AHUMC since 2001. As Custodial Supervisor, Gabe handles the day-to-day coordination of campus upkeep, set-ups, scheduling the custodial team and keeping custodial supplies stocked.

Gabe and his wife, Stephanie, have three children, Skye, Gabriel Jr., and Mia. He enjoys live music and BBQ.

The best piece of advice Gabe has ever received was from a co-worker who told him, “ You’re rich. You just don’t know it yet.”

Gabe says the most inspiring part of his job is working with people and seeing how coming to the church fills them with peace.

Rick Ortiz

Custodian

Sonia Lewis

Custodian

BIOGRAPHY

Rick has called San Antonio home since he was born and has been serving as a custodian at the church since 2001.

While often behind the scenes, he ensures the campus is ready to welcome guests by setting up rooms as well as general upkeep of the building and property.

He is the oldest of three younger siblings, two brothers and a sister.

Rick loves playing golf, hunting and is a fan of the Houston Astros and Dallas Cowboys. His all-time favorite athlete is Hall of Fame golfer, Lee Trevino.

Working at the church, Rick has built many relationships with staff and congregants over the years and considers them family. He looks forward to Sundays when he can see everyone and catch up.

One of Rick’s fondest memories at the church is when staff got together to enjoy a pick-up basketball game every Tuesday in the Christian Life Center.

BIOGRAPHY

Sonia began working with AHUMC as a custodian in the Fall of 2021 and has been working in the AHUMC family since 2011, cleaning the Asbury campus.

She also works as an usher at the AT&T Center. She loves meeting new people there every shift and getting to be a part of the experience.

Sonia grew up in Los Angeles and was a nurses aide at hospitals for 20+ years there.

She moved to Colorado Springs before landing in San Antonio in 2003.

She is a mother to daughter KaTisha and son Joshua and loves spending time with grandsons Semaj and Zion. Together, they bowl and ride electric scooters and bikes. Seafood is Sonia’s favorite food and she loves the movies Drumline and The Temptations.

Sonia enjoys the people at AHUMC and how positivity and humanity come through the words of the people at this church.

On their days off, Sonia and her friend cook for and feed the homeless in Downtown San Antonio.

Enrique Guzman

Maintenance Technician

Parish Julian

Custodian

BIOGRAPHY

Enemencio “Enrique” Guzman started working as the church’s only maintenance technician in the summer of 2021. He is originally from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico and moved to Texas when he was 14. He has called San Antonio home for over 40 years.

Prior to coming to work for the church, he had a 40 year career in the restaurant industry. Recently, he managed the restaurant at the Menger Hotel and worked as a server in the Tower of the Americas Charthouse Restaurant.

Enrique married his wife, Monica, in 1997 and they have three children: Noel, Veronika and Kristina.

Enrique loves music and plays the guitar in his free time. He is also learning to play the trumpet.

He enjoys camping, fishing, sports and the outdoors.

Enrique really enjoys helping people. If you talk to his neighbors, he takes care of the pesky home maintenance issues for them and even helps if their kids need a ride to school. We’ve heard that, if you ever want to go to the beach, he is the ultimate host for beach outings.

BIOGRAPHY

bio

BOARD OF STEWARDS

The Board of Stewards (BOS) functions as the Administrative Board of the church as called for in the Discipline of the United Methodist Church. The board meets monthly, typically on the third Thursday of each month. Board minutes are available from Leah Jayne if you would like a copy.

OFFICERS

Kitty Meyers, BOS Chair

Leah Jayne, Secretary

Lydia Ponce, At Large

Dan St. Romain, Lay Leader

Roger Lind, Foundation Chair

Dianne Dorsett, Finance Chair

Frank Guerra, Finance

Charles Johnson, Finance

Carr Hornbuckle, Trustees Chair

Scott Boynton, Trustees

Brian Nash, Trustees

David Kinder, SPRC Chair

Carol Cauley, SPRC

Dale Clark, SPRC

Jack Rogers, SPRC

CONTACT THE BOS

Board of Stewards Meetings

Typically, the Board of Stewards meets every third Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. The specific dates and times are listed below. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Leah Jayne in the church office, so we can prepare seats for you. People are welcome to attend, but not participate. The BOS minutes are available through Leah as well.

2022 Meeting Dates

June 16 at 5:30 p.m.

Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m

Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 15 at 5:30 p.m.