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Leadership & Staff

Dr. George C. Anderson

Dr. George C. Anderson

Senior Pastor

Dr. George C. Anderson is the seventh Senior Pastor in the history of Second Presbyterian Church (Roanoke, VA). He began preaching at Second on February 22, 1998. Previously, he had been the Senior Minister at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS, and an Associate Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, TN. He is a graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC, and Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Dr. Anderson is involved in every aspect of church life with an emphasis on preaching, teaching, visiting, and staff oversight.

George and his wife, Millie, have three daughters: Paige, Rachel, and Virginia. Virginia became a new mother to daughter Emory on November 1, 2017.

The Reverend Elizabeth N.H. Link

The Reverend Elizabeth N.H. Link

Executive Pastor

The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link joined the staff of Second Presbyterian in August 2011. She attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC, where she majored in history and religion: Christian education. Following graduation, she served First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach, FL, as Director of Christian education, and subsequently recognized the call to ordained ministry. In 2009, Elizabeth earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Afterwards, she served as a Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry, at Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN.

Elizabeth is married to Chris Link, and the two welcomed their first child, Eleanor, in the spring of 2018.

The Reverend Benjamin S. Brannan

The Reverend Benjamin S. Brannan

Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults

The Rev. Ben Brannan joined the staff of Second Presbyterian as the Associate Pastor for Youth & Young Adults in March 2021 following a two-year pastoral residency at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ben has a long tenure in youth development, spending six years as Assistant Camp Director at YMCA Camp Cherokee, coaching high school and club soccer for nine years, even spending three years as a part-time substitute teacher. Following a career change, he felt God’s call to pursue theological education and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. While in school, Ben served as Youth Minister and Pastoral Intern at Second Presbyterian in Richmond. He brings joy, creativity, and deep faith to all he does.

Ben is married to Valerie Brannan, and they welcomed their first son, Camden, in March 2022.

Nancy O. Gray

Nancy O. Gray

Parish Associate for Visitation

Nancy O. Gray began serving as part-time Parish Associate for Visitation in June of 2022. Nancy’s career was in higher education, and she has used her considerable gifts to serve in many ways from consulting, to chairing the Mill Mountain Theatre Board, and filling important roles at our church. Nancy is chair of the church’s Visitation Committee and is a student in a lay pastor’s degree program at Union Presbyterian Seminary. She has a great love for this congregation, a heart of compassion, and an organized approach to ministry.

Connie Polly

Connie Polly

Engagement Coordinator

In October of 2023, we welcomed Connie Polly to the staff of Second Presbyterian Church as Engagement Coordinator. In this part-time position, she helps members and visitors discover their interests and find ways to explore their faith through meaningful involvement in the church. The aim of this role is to further our church’s efforts to create a congregational family that works together in support of each other and in the mission of the church: “Finding direction by following Jesus.”

Connie has been a member of Second Presbyterian Church since 2007 and currently serves on the Session. She loves Second Presbyterian and is excited to help people feel welcome and at home here. Originally from Bedford, Connie lives in Roanoke with her husband and children and enjoys dog walking, exercising, and being active.

Maria Blackshaw

Maria Blackshaw

Children's Ministry Coordinator

Maria Blackshaw began her part-time role of Children’s Ministry Coordinator in January 2023. She works in partnership with Elizabeth Link and the Christian Education Committee to continue to provide a biblically grounded, theologically rich and creative children’s ministry program. She holds degrees from Emory University, UNC Chapel Hill, and the University of Texas. Her background is in library science and art history, and her gifts for creative work and volunteer coordination abound. We are excited to have her on the church staff and hope you will join us in welcoming her to this role.

Maria is a mother of four, Lily, Gemma, Isabel, and Elinor. She is a church member, elder, and long-time children’s Sunday school volunteer.

Nathan Anderson

Nathan Anderson

Church Business Administrator

Nathan Anderson joined the staff here at Second Presbyterian in 2021 as the Church Business Administrator. With advanced degrees in both Theology and Leadership, he has worked in the non-profit sector for over twenty years. Nathan comes to us having most recently worked at the Taubman Museum of Art. He brings his gifts of administration and recognizes the need to be a good steward of both the resources and facilities of Second. As the Administrator, Nathan oversees the operations of the church, allowing the pastoral team to focus on the mission and caring for the people of Second and the broader community.

As an artist and illustrator, he has illustrated three books. A native of southwest Virginia, Nathan is most at home walking in the woods, working in his garden, or watching the birds.

Stacy Moore

Stacy Moore

Church Secretary

Stacy Moore received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Hollins College. She has worked at Second Presbyterian in various capacities since 1998. Other work experience includes Mill Mountain Theatre, Roanoke County Public Schools, and Salem Red Sox Baseball.

Stacy’s favorite hobby is spending time with (and spoiling) her niece.

Meredith Koliba

Meredith Koliba

Pastors' Assistant

On November 30, 2020, we welcomed Meredith Koliba to her new role of Pastors’ Assistant. Meredith attended Second Presbyterian as a child with her family. While in high school she worked in the church nursery and found a love of working with children. She then attended Radford University to study Early Childhood Education/Special Education and graduated with her degree in 2009. Since graduating, she has spent most of her career working for Starbucks Coffee Company in management. She loves working with people and has a kind and gentle personality.

Meredith enjoys spending time with her husband David doing outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, kayaking and taking pictures of her surroundings. She is excited to join the staff at Second Presbyterian and to use the skills she has acquired through management and attention to detail to assist the pastors and the church.

Andrea Boone

Andrea Boone

Media and Communications Specialist

Andrea Boone joined our staff as Media and Communications Specialist in June of 2018. She served as the Busy Bee Lead Level instructor at Second Presbyterian Church Preschool for five years prior. Andrea graduated Summa Cum Laude from Radford University with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education and a minor in Business Administration. She enjoys bringing her experience in the world of performing arts to her work in media and design.

Andrea and her husband, Lane, welcomed their son in winter of 2022. She finds joy in spending time at home with her family and beloved whippet, Mona Lisa.

Rachel Vogado

Rachel Vogado

Media Assistant

The Rev. Rachel Vogado joined the team as Media Assistant in September of 2023. A lifelong Presbyterian originally from Tallahassee, FL, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Museum Education from Florida State University and a Masters of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary. She has served churches in Memphis, Indianapolis, and North Carolina. Her first role here at Second was Interim Media and Communications Specialist while Andrea was away on parental leave. We are fortunate to have Rachel back sharing her gifts with us!

Nicky Harless

Nicky Harless

Part-time Financial Secretary

Nicky Harless joined the staff of Second Presbyterian Church in September of 2023 as the part-time Financial Secretary. She has over 20 years of accounting experience for a wide variety of businesses and loves that she can use her education and experience to help with the finances of the church. Nicky has a diverse background in not only accounting but also compliance and law (licensed Oklahoma attorney). In her spare time, she loves to read, cook (and eat!), and is an avid animal lover. She currently has one dog, Kole, who is her heart dog. When able, Nicky enjoys volunteering at various animal rescues in the area as well as I81 Transports. We are so glad to have her on the team!

Dr. Jeffrey R. Sandborg

Dr. Jeffrey R. Sandborg

Choir Director

Dr. Jeffrey R. Sandborg holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting and Literature from the University of Illinois. He also received his Master’s of Music from the University of Illinois. He now serves as Professor of Music and Choir Director at Roanoke College, Director of the Roanoke Valley Choral Society, and Director of Canticum Novum Chamber Singers.

Jeff is married to Marianne Sandborg, our organist and soloist, and he has been with Second Presbyterian since 1987.

Marianne M. Sandborg

Marianne M. Sandborg

Organist and Soloist

Marianne M. Sandborg is Resident Artist at Roanoke College, where she teaches voice, and is also organist and soloist here at Second Presbyterian. A lyric soprano, she has performed with Opera Roanoke, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Roanoke Valley Choral Society and Orchestra, Blacksburg Master Chorale, and Salem Choral Society. Marianne and her husband, Jeffrey, were the 1998 winners of the Perry F. Kendig Award for Excellence in the Arts.

She was a semifinalist in the New York Oratorio Competition and the Yrjö Kilpinen International Voice Competition and was first prize winner in the Philadelphia Cathedral/Diana Barnhart American Art Song Competition. Marianne is included in the 2005-6 International Who’s Who of Professionals® and 2004-5 Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers®, and is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and the Roanoke Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Alison Conte

Alison Conte

Children's Choir Director

Alison Conte began serving as Children’s Choir Director in June of 2022. Alison has been a part of our children’s choir team for years, serving as Second’s Preschool/Kindergarten Choir Director, and most recently as our Interim Children’s Choir Director. She taught preschool music at First Presbyterian and Noah’s Landing in Roanoke. Alison is a member of the Christian Education Committee and a flower arranger for Sunday services. She attends the Montreat Worship and Music Conference each summer with a group of adults, senior high, and middle high youth from Second. Alison is a member of the professional organizations PAM and Choristers Guild.

Alison is married to Nic Conte and they have two children, Laura and Nicholas.

Patricia Clevenger

Patricia Clevenger

Children's and Youth Music Accompanist

Patricia Clevenger earned a Master of Arts in Vocal Performance from Radford University and a Bachelor of Music Education from James Madison University. She has taught General Music at the elementary and middle school levels, and was a middle and high school choral director. She was an adjunct voice teacher at Hollins University for six years. Pattie is currently an adjunct voice teacher at Roanoke College and teaches private voice and piano lessons. She is a member of the Chancel Choir at Second Presbyterian and has worked with the children’s choirs for over five years.

Pattie resides with her husband Todd and their children Lilli and Patrick.

John Brady Anderson

John Brady Anderson

Church Sexton

Welcome to John Brady Anderson, who has taken on the work of Church Sexton. John Brady first came on board as Interim Church Sexton; he transitioned fully into the role in late April of 2022.

Iman Alston

Iman Alston

Church Custodian

Iman Alston joined the staff as custodian in late November of 2022. With experience in custodial work and security and a can-do personality, she remains a valuable addition to the team!

Shirley Newton

Shirley Newton

Church Custodian

Shirley Newton joined the staff as custodian in early 2023. Originally from Texas, Shirley has a love of antiques and a keen eye for detail.

John Tarta

John Tarta

Church Maintenance

John Tarta moved to Roanoke in 1977 with his wife Joy and two daughters, Heather and Holly. He now has two wonderful grandsons also. John worked at Tultex (Roanoke Fashions) as Maintenance Diriector until it closed due to The Great Flood of 1985. After that, he worked at On Target as Store Manager for five years. Later, he worked for the YMCA as the Building and Grounds Director, up until 2007 when he semi-retired. His wife retired in 2009 and now they spend a whole lot of time fishing together.

Alice Light

Alice Light

Preschool Director

Alice Light joined the staff of Second Presbyterian as Preschool Director in July of 2022. Alice has 17 years of experience teaching elementary school, most recently in Salem City Schools. She has taught in Roanoke City Schools and in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, where she and her husband, Rich, lived prior to relocating to Roanoke in 2010. Alice grew up in the small, Lowcountry town of Walterboro. She earned her Masters of Education in Literacy from The Citadel and Elementary Education degree from College of Charleston.

Alice and Rich live in South Roanoke with their two daughters, Ann Colston and Wells. Both girls attended the Preschool. The Light Family are active members of Second Presbyterian Church.

Treasurer
Joe Miller
Vice Treasurer
Bob Martin
Clerk of Session
Bill Durham
Assistant Clerk
Ken Lyons
Trustees
Ron Ayers
Mary Ann Johnson
George A. McLean, Jr.

Session Members

Class of 2024
Maria Blackshaw
Pattie Clevenger
Nancy Gray
Robin Hobbs
Alice Holman
Kenneth Laughon
Betsy Prillaman
Chrissy Underwood
Class of 2025
Ginger Avis
Susan Carter
John Caudill
Kandy Elliott
Lucinda Hancock
Mark Lawrence
Megan Moore
Darin Pearson
Class of 2026
Mary Airheart
Margaret Ashburn
Chasity Fitzpatrick
Barry Green
Sally I’Anson
Drew Kepley
Randy Rhea
Ken Sizemore

Chairs of Church Committees

Bill Durham, Clerk
Ken Lyons, Asst. Clerk
Maria Blackshaw, Christian Education
Maria Hammond, Congregational Life
Wayne Lewis, Finance
Joe Miller, Treasurer
Kelly Speas, Asst. Treasurer
Ken Lyons, Nominating
Chrissy Underwood, Personnel
Sally Nichols, Preschool
John Caudill, Property
Alice Holman, Service and Outreach
Cynthia Lawrence, Stewardship Co-chair
Cindy Waters, Stewardship Co-chair
Pattie Clevenger, Worship and Music