THE REVEREND DOUGLAS E. REMER,
XV Rector of Saint John's Church and Chairman of the Vestry
A graduate of Rutgers College and The General Theological Seminary, Father Remer was ordained in 1975 and has served as rector of St. John's Church and chairman of the board of trustees of St. John's School since January 1, 2003. Prior to coming to Tampa, Father Remer served as rector of St. Martin in the Fields Church and chairman of the board of trustees of St. Martin's School in Atlanta; as rector of Calvary Church in Tarboro, North Carolina; as associate rector of St. Michael's Church in Raleigh, North Carolina; and as curate of Grace Church in Utica, New York. In addition to his parish work, Father Remer also is involved in various national and diocesan ministries, including membership on the board of trustees of The General Theological Seminary. Father Remer and his wife, Sterling, have three grown children.

Gregory G. Gaar (2013), Senior Warden

Gregory was raised as a Presbyterian and ordained an elder in Saint Mark's Church in Tucson prior to moving to Tampa. After arriving here in 1986, he found Saint John's, attended Adult Inquirer's class, and was confirmed in 1987. Since then he has participated in Discovery weekends and Cursillo, has served on Parish Life and Outreach and Evangelism Commission, was Clerk of the Vestry from 1990 – 1993, and continues to serve on the Commission on Worship. Gregory enjoys his participation in worship as a Lay Eucharist Minister both at Saint John's and at Canterbury Towers.

He graduated from Tulane University and Louisiana State University School of Medicine. Although much of his current work is administrative, he continues to practice clinically as Chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine / Medical Director of the Florida Poison Information Center at Tampa General Hospital and is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at USF.

This is a challenging time for any church but believes that, with work, Saint John's has the ability to marshal our resources and increase our ministries to both our congregation and the community in which we live. As a Member of your Vestry, he pledges to commit himself to continuing, and increasing, the good works we have started in our parish.

Paul A. Brokaw (2013), Junior Warden

Paul Brokaw is a lifelong Episcopalian and has been a member of St John's since 1990. Paul and his wife Margaret moved to Tampa from the Kansas City area, with their two daughters, in the summer of 1990. Since arriving at St. Johns, Paul has served as the Acolyte Master and also served in that same capacity for fifteen years at their parish in Mission, Kansas. Paul has served two terms on the Vestry and two terms as Senior Warden. He also served on the vestry in his parish in Kansas. While attending their parish in Kansas, Paul completed the Education for Ministry course, offered by the University of The South, then was an EFM Mentor at St. Johns in the early 1990's.

Paul has worked in the Automotive Aftermarket Parts Industry for over thirty years. He has worked in product management, inventory management, sales, marketing and general management of distribution companies. Paul currently is Director of Marketing and Purchasing for an automotive parts distribution company in Clearwater.

During his twenty years at St Johns, Paul has been involved with Discovery, Fathers Ministry, Lay Eucharist Ministry and of course, served as Acolyte Coordinator since 1990. Paul and his wife Margaret have two daughters and are raising their 12 year old grandson Darian, who lives with them. Paul, Margaret and Darian attend the 9:00 am service regularly.

Vicki Malizia, Clerk of the Vestry

Franklin E. Hancock (2014), Treasurer

Mr. Hancock has been a member of St. John's Episcopal Church since 1987. He and his wife, Tricia, have four children, Alex, Charles, Katie and Elizabeth. Mr. Hancock received a B.A. cum laude from Wake Forest University and M.B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of North Carolina. He is Co-Head and Managing Director of Healthcare Investment Banking for Raymond James Financial. Mr. Hancock is a member of the Tampa Yacht Club, Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club and YMKG and is active in several local charities.

Hugh Cruse (2015)

Hugh is honored to be nominated for this opportunity to serve St. John's Episcopal Parish. His current service includes volunteering on the Board of Directors for Faith Café, and he is a member of the Outreach and Evangelism Commission here at St. John's. Hugh has also participated in leading Sunday school classes, in canvassing campaigns, and with other volunteer activities at St. John's.

Hugh was born and raised in the Episcopal Church in Wichita Falls, Texas. He had the same rector for his baptism, confirmation, and service as an acolyte through all of his teen years, and as a result, feels very fortunate to have been raised in a nurturing and stable Christian environment. The other significant influence of his early Christian formation was through fellowship experiences with Young Life. This ministry was a nice complement to church in which Hugh was able to grow spiritually through regular Bible studies and serving at camp in the mountains of Colorado.

Professionally, Hugh graduated from Emory University in 1995 with a degree in Biology and from the University of South Florida in 2000 and 2002 with a Master's in Public Health and Management Information Systems respectively. He is currently employed as an information technology consultant with Edgewater Technology.

Hugh and his wife, Laura, have been attending St. Johns for the last six years and are the proud parents of three boys- Bennett (9), Mason (7), and Rowan (5). They look forward to continuing to grow with St. John's.

Stephen B. French (2013)

Stephen was raised Episcopalian and his family attended St. Andrew's Church in Tampa. He attended Berkeley Preparatory School and graduated from Washington and Lee University (B.A. 1991) and the University of Florida College of Law (J.D. 1995). After Stephen married his college sweetheart, Kim, they moved to Lakeland, Florida. The Frenches returned to Tampa in 2001 and became members of St. John's. Kim and Stephen have two enthusiastic children: Bradley (10) and Carter (7), both of whom attend St. John's Episcopal Parish Day School.

Stephen is a shareholder with the Bush Ross law firm where he is a commercial litigator. In the community, Stephen has served as a coach at Bayshore Little League, a board member of Boys Initiative/Ophelia Project, W&L Alumni Chapter President, Berkeley Prep. Alumni Executive Committee member, and Guardian Ad Litem.

Born and raised in Tallahassee, Susan transferred her membership from St. John's there to our own St. John's Church in 1990. Over the subsequent years, she has been involved in our parish in a variety of capacities, serving on the Vestry from 2001 – 2003 (senior warden, 2003); Finance Committee (2004 – 2008); St. John's Parish Day School Board of Trustees (2003); Share the Light Capital Campaign Steering Committee, Rector Search Committee (2002) and numerous years of service with the Altar Guild; Outreach Committee (chair, mission trip participant); Annual Stewardship Campaigns; Newcomers and Greeters Committees and St. John's parish representative to Diocesan Conventions.

Professionally, Susan co-founded (in 2006) and is President/CEO of Lime Connect, a not for profit organization that is breaking stereotypes in the disability talent space. Lime Connect attracts, prepares and connects high potential/highly accomplished students and alumni from leading universities throughout the U.S. and Canada who happen to have disabilities for scholarships, internships and full time careers with the world's leading corporations. She is a Florida State graduate, having also attended the University of Florida, and prior to Lime Connect Susan's background includes senior marketing and management roles in both financial services and not for profit sectors. Susan's current and previous community involvement also
includes leadership roles with Leadership Tampa Alumni; the Tampa Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors; Junior League of Tampa; United Negro College Fund and others.

St. John's is an important part of Susan's life, and she is grateful for the many gifts and blessings that she has realized through being a member of our parish family. She is honored to stand for election, and would consider it a privilege to serve St. John's as a member of the Vestry.

Christopher Lykes (2015)

Christopher and his wife Miriam have worshipped at St. John's Episcopal Parish Church since 1993. Their four sons each attended St. John's Day School for 10 years, beginning in pre-Kindergarten. Christopher feels honored to have served on both the Vestry and Board of Trustees of our school. Parish committee assignments include a Headmaster search (1999), the Capital Campaign Advance Commitment and Steering Committee for the Share the Light campaign (1999) and the Rector Search (2001). Christopher currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the church and school endowment fund and has been elected Chair (subject to Vestry approval). A banker by training, Christopher has been employed in the banking, food (packing, processing and distribution) and ocean transportation industries. He enjoys biking, hunting, fishing and reading in his spare time. He volunteers that he is honored to be nominated and looks forward to continuing to serve St. John's Parish.

Kristine M. Salzer (2014)

Kristie is a life-long Episcopalian.  She joined St. John's after moving to Tampa from Washington, D.C., 19 years ago.  She and her husband, Brad, have two teenage sons, Will and Joseph, who are currently serving as acolytes. In the past, Kristie has been active in Parish Life, Newborn and Good Samaritan Ministries and has taught Sunday School for over 5 years.  Kristie is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. She has practiced for over 25 years and now has a private practice in South Tampa. She provides nutrition education, counseling and therapy to individuals, families and corporations.  Her volunteer interests also include her boys' school, Berkeley Preparatory, where she is currently serving as the Awareness Chairman for the Capital Campaign.  She is also a Sustaining Member of the Junior League of Tampa.  To relax, she enjoys cooking and baking, walking, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She attends the 9:00 and 11:15 services.

William F. Sansone (2014)

Bill Sansone has been a member of St. John's for over 20 years. He co-chaired the Every Member Canvas for the 2012 pledge drive.  He is a committee member for the St. John's Visioning Project, and also coordinates the Shepherd's Ministry. Bill is married to Amanda, who serves in the Altar Guild.  Bill and Amanda have two children, Charlie and Adelaide.  Bill's parents, Chuck and Julie, have also been members of St. John's for many years.  Bill is an attorney and serves as a prosecutor for the State Attorney's Office in Tampa.

Steve Stanford (2015)

As a 20-year member of the St John's family, Steve is pleased to accept the nomination for Vestry service.
He was introduced to St John's with his engagement to Lynn LeVarge in 1993. The two were counseled by Father Peterson and wed at the church. They have two children – Blake (17) and Mallie (14), both of whom were blessed with a Christian education by attending St John's School from Pre-K through 8th grade. They remain active in the church youth groups and acolyte program.

Raised a Catholic, Steve was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 2008 by The Reverend Dabney Smith after attending Father Remer's confirmation class. He has been an active member of the FATHERS Ministry for over 10 years, and has consistently participated in the annual Angel Tree program. He has also served as a lector and in the Newcomers Ministry. Most recently, he had the pleasure of serving as the treasurer for the Centennial Celebration dinner, which was a tremendous success (and was operated in the "black").

He has been active in the Tampa community, recently completing a 7-year run as a director of Palma Ceia Little League and serving as its president from 2007 – 2010. In 2010 he was named a Sports Ethics Fellow by the Institute for International Sport at the University of Rhode Island. He is also a member of the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee, Leadership Tampa Alumni, and serves on the Greater Tampa Area Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs and Public Policy committees.

Professionally, Steve serves as president of PLANTZ, a local horticultural services company. The company operates throughout the Tampa Bay market, employing a staff of 15. He is a graduate of the University of Florida in Agriculture, and maintains a Certified Pest Control Operator license and a Florida Real Estate License. His most interesting job was performing as a professional water skier at Sea World of Orlando.

Sharon S. Stoll (2013)

Sharon has been a member of St. John's since 1986, having served in numerous capacities. Many will remember her as the Music Secretary (and at times Choir Guild Chairman) for over 20 years, administrating the behind-the-scenes and day-to-day operations of our Choir program. In addition, she previously served as Clerk of the Vestry for six years (elected for a term of three years and asked to continue for three years); and co-founded the Good Samaritan Ministries in 1991. Presently Sharon is a Stephen Minister and the Pastoral Care Team leader, serving as a Hospital Visitor and a Homebound Visitor. She holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology and is a graduate of the International Harp Therapy Program. She works as a Certified Harp Practitioner in all area hospitals, nursing homes and ALF's; and volunteers her time with LifePath Hospice and Tampa General Hospital in the Integrative Healthcare Department. She is co-founder and President of The Institute for Healing through Sound and Music, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that strives to bring wholeness and health to individuals through sound and music. She completed Cursillo #117 and is looking forward to serving on the upcoming Cursillo team for #121 to be held at DaySpring in February.

Sharon and her husband, Ray, attend the 9:00 a.m. service. They have one son, Eric, who is a member of St. John's Choir.

Eric N. Williams (2014)

Eric Williams was raised as an Episcopalian in Christ Church, Greenville, South Carolina.  There he spent more than ten years as an acolyte and member of the choir under the direction of Robert Powell, who wrote a number of the pieces of Service Music in our Episcopal Hymnal.  Eric moved to California to attend college and there met his wife Jan.  They began their relationship through the church, having been introduced by the Episcopal priest at St. Thomas of Canterbury, where Eric attended. A year later, that priest asked for special approval from the Bishop of Los Angeles to hold Eric and Jan's wedding during the Sunday Eucharist so that the entire congregation could attend.  During Eric and Jan's life in California, they both sang in the Choir, and Eric served as an Usher and was the Treasurer for the Church for more than five years. Eric also assisted with the maintenance at the Church, including a very fine pipe organ.

After many years in California, Eric and Jan relocated to Tampa in 1996 with Eric's company, Catalina Marketing Corporation. Now, after nineteen years with Catalina, serving as its Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Eric has recently retired and plans to spend more time with non-profit organizations.  During his fifteen years in Tampa, Eric has served St. John's as an Usher, Lay Eucharistic Minister, and member of several special committees including the search committee for our Organist, Simon Morley, when Ellie Taylor retired. Eric also serves as one of the Vergers for St. John's.  Eric currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Southeastern Guide Dogs, and on the Board of Directors of Tampa Bay Technology Forum and the Catalina Marketing Charity Foundation.