Dr. George C. Anderson
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 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 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 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.
Christal Pearson
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.
Nathan Anderson
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
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
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 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 Greer
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!
Dr. Jeffrey R. Sandborg
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 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 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 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.
Sally Nichols
Nichole Booker
Nichole earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Virginia Tech and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Radford University. She has also earned her Level I Orff-Schulwerk certification from Appalachian State. Nichole moved to Roanoke in 2006 to start her dream job of teaching elementary music. She worked with the children’s groups subbing for several years and is currently is a ringer for the Handbell Choir. She also is a current member of NAfME and AOSA.
Nichole and her husband, Brandon, have three children, Andrew, Evan, and Elizabeth.
John Brady Anderson
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.
John Tarta
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 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.
Session Members
Aaron Copeland
Helen Dean
Fred Greear
Pat Houghton
Robert Martin
Sally Nichols
Connie Polly
Martha Wheeler
Maria Blackshaw
Pattie Clevenger
Nancy Gray
Alice Holman
Kenneth Laughon
Ginger Avis
Susan Carter
John Caudill
Kandy Elliott
Lucinda Hancock
Mark Lawrence
Megan Moore
Darin Pearson