Leadership & Staff

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 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 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.

In October of 2020, we welcomed Christal Pearson 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.”

Christal has been a member of Second Presbyterian Church since 2008, and she currently teaches Confirmation and has served on the Session and chaired the Preschool Committee. She is a Hollins University graduate and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English. A former teacher with Roanoke County Schools, Christal is passionate about literacy and education, and continues to work with students as an English tutor. She loves Second Presbyterian and is excited to help people feel welcome and at home here. Christal lives in Roanoke with her husband Darin, daughter Lila, and their dog Sam.

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.

On Wednesday, January 5, 2022, we officially welcomed Nathan Anderson to his position at Second Presbyterian. Most recently, Nathan has been working for the Taubman Museum of Art. He is an illustrator and ordained minister in the Baptist church. While serving as a pastor in previous congregations, Nathan was drawn toward administrative tasks, and recognizes the need to be a good steward of a congregation’s resources and facilities. He is eager to learn and excited about the role ahead.

A native of southwest Virginia, Nathan is most at home walking in the woods, working in his garden, or watching the birds. He and his wife, Hannah, live in Roanoke with their three children.

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.

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 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.

Andrea is a Roanoke native and enjoys spending time at home with her husband, Lane, and whippet, Mona Lisa.

Lisa W. Greer joined the staff of Second Presbyterian Church in November 2022 as the part-time Financial Secretary. Lisa graduated from Emory & Henry College with a BA in Accounting. She has spent her career in government accounting at the Auditor of Public Accounts, Roanoke County Finance, and at the Town of Vinton Treasurer’s Office. Lisa also is working in the Second Presbyterian Church Nursery on Sundays. We are so glad to have her on the team!

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.