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, and two wonderful grandchildren.

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 they have one daughter.

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 dad to his son, Camden, and his dog, Sevy.

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 was commissioned in spring of 2024 by the Presbytery of the Peaks as a commissioned lay pastor. She has a great love for this congregation, a heart of compassion, and an organized approach to ministry.

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.

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. Maria is a church member, elder, and long-time children’s Sunday school volunteer.

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 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.

In late 2020, we welcomed Meredith Koliba to her role, which began as 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 is excited 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. She enjoys bringing her experience in the world of performing arts to her work in media and design.

Erin Mucha joined the team as our part-time Media Assistant at the end of 2024. She is a Roanoke native and Ferrum College graduate. She has served in roles as a Youth Minister, Music and STEM Teacher, and Administrative Assistant for a church. She has experience in website development, graphic design and photography through her freelance company, Delightful Hobbit.

Aubrey Beeson began serving as the Nursery Coordinator in August 2021. In this role, she oversees the scheduling and coordination of nursery care for Sunday services and special church events. Aubrey is passionate about creating a welcoming, safe, and nurturing environment where our youngest members can grow and thrive while their families worship and serve. She feels blessed to support both the children and the dedicated nursery staff each week.

In addition to her role in the nursery, Aubrey serves on the Service and Outreach Committee and is an active CASA volunteer in the community.

Jeffrey Sandborg holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Illinois in Choral Conducting and Literature. He also received the Masters of Music in Voice from Illinois and the Bachelor of Arts in Music from Knox College. He held the Wade Professorship in Choral Music at Roanoke College from which he retired after thirty eight years as Director of Choral Activities.

Jeff has served as Choir Director at Second Presbyterian Church since 1987. He is married to our Church Organist, Marianne Sandborg.

Marianne M. Sandborg was Resident Artist of Voice at Roanoke College till 2023. At Second, she is organist and soloist. As a soprano, her career has included performances 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.

Her competition awards include the New York Oratorio Competition and the Yrjö Kilpinen International Voice Competition. Additionally, she was first prize winner in the Philadelphia Cathedral/Diana Barnhart American Art Song Competition. Marianne is included in the International Who’s Who of Professionals® and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers®, and is a past member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She is currently a member of the Roanoke Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Alison Conte began serving as Children’s Music Director in June of 2022. Alison has been a part of our children’s music 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.

Welcome 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.

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.

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 lived prior to relocating to Roanoke in 2010. Alice earned her Masters of Education in Literacy from The Citadel and Elementary Education degree from College of Charleston. She and her family are active members of Second Presbyterian Church.