The following persons have been nominated to appear on the ballot at diocesan convention Oct. 10 in Punta Gorda:

The Standing Committee (Elect two presbyters and one lay person for three-year terms; elect one layperson to fill a one-year unexpired term):

The Rev. Doug Scharf, rector, Holy Innocents’ Church, Valrico

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Diocesan Council, 2005-2007; Committee for Congregational Development (Chair, Subcommittee for Church Planting), 2007-Present; Faculty, School for Ministry Development, 2008-Present; Cursillo, Assistant Spiritual Director; Kairos, Assistant Spiritual Director.

Nominee's Statement: As a cradle Episcopalian, I have been blessed to serve in this diocese in a variety of capacities since my childhood. My time of service on Diocesan Council and the Committee for Congregational Development has afforded me with a working knowledge of the governance of the diocese. In addition, my experience in youth and young adult ministry has provided me with valuable insights into the needs and concerns of the emerging generation. I would be honored if chosen to serve on the Standing Committee of this diocese.

The Rev. Kathy Schillreff, rector, St. Monica's, Naples

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Diocesan Council; Commission on Ministry; dean of Naples Deanery; Convention Planning Committee; clergy events planning committee.

Nominee's Statement: I am a cradle Episcopalian, and having moved a lot, I’ve experienced our church in all its diversity in many parts of the world. For the past 9-plus years, I’ve been vicar and rector of St. Monica’s, a growing parish in Collier County. A lifetime of parish and diocesan activities has prepared me to serve on the Standing Committee, to support Bishop Smith and our diocese as we move forward in mission and ministry.

The Rev. Doug Zimmerman, rector, St. Wilfred's Church, Sarasota

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Member, Standing Committee, 2006-present; chair, Committee for the Dispatch of Business at diocesan convention, 2005-2008; board member of Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity; assistant spiritual director for Cursillo #109 and 114. 

Nominee’s Statement: I consider it a privilege to have been able to serve “in the councils” of this diocese, on the Standing Committee, and would welcome the opportunity to continue in this role. This is a ministry of careful and prayerful consideration, and I would be honored to be given the opportunity to serve in this role for another term.

Joseph W. "Jay" Fleece III, St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, St. Petersburg.

Occupation: Attorney.

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Diocesan chancellor, 1992-1999; Constitution and Canons Committee, 199201999; St. Thomas vestry, 2007-2009.

Nominee’s Statement: Having served as chancellor of the diocese for seven years, I had a unique opportunity to work with and advise two different bishops. During that time, I learned much about the governance of the diocese and the dynamics that come into play between the bishop, the Standing Committee, the Diocesan Council, the clergy and laity. That experience, plus my 29 years as a lawyer, should enable me to be an effective member of the Standing Committee.

Sheree Graves, St. Peter's Cathedral, St. Petersburg.

Occupation: Independent business Consultant, owner of VeReality, LLC

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Member of vestry of St. Peter's for four years; senior warden for three years; verger; acolyte co-warden; Building Committee chair for $6 million project; project leader for St. Peter's City peace garden, a revenue stream for church ministries, instituted St. Peter's new website and intranet (www.myspcathedral.org); DOCC; Episcopal Hurricane relief-New Orleans; Dominican Republic Mission; diocesan Communications Task Force. 

Nominee’s Statement: As an Internet entrepreneur and business consultant for more than 25 years, I have conceived, built and sold three businesses. I now devote my time to being a "spiritual entrepreneur." I have tremendous energy for creating healthy church community. My experience includes developing leadership, fostering innovation, implementing communications techniques and strategies, and building relationships with collaborators.

Charles H. Scruggs III, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Tampa

Occupation: Attorney

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: DaySpring Board of Directors 1990-1997; (president, 1996; Recording Secretary 1997); Standing Committee 1998-2003, 2008-2009; Lay leader (rector), Men’s Cursillo #25; Associate Justice Ecclesiastical Court 2003-2007; Served on numerous Cursillo Teams, including lay leader (Men’s #25); Gulfcoast Kairos (prison ministry); Board of Directors (three terms); President of Kairos Board, 1994; Served on numerous Kairos Prison weekend teams, including lay leader (rector) of ZCI #16; two terms on St. Andrews vestry (former secretary); two terms on St. John’s vestry (former senior warden); St. Mary’s Angel Tree committee; Tuesday morning men’s Bible Study; co-lay leader of St. John’s Discovery Weekend #2

Nominee’s Statement: I have been blessed to serve our Lord in numerous and varied ways in the past. At this moment of my life I feel called to serve another term as a member of the Standing Committee for the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Professionally, I have been a member of the Florida Bar Association for almost 45 years, 12 of those as a trial judge. I presided over traffic, criminal misdemeanors, juvenile delinquency and dependency and termination of parental rights, felony (including capital murder) and all manner of civil litigation. I believe my past service on the Standing Committee and the Ecclesiastical Court, 45 years practicing law and 12 years as a trial judge uniquely qualifies me to serve for another term as a member of the Standing Committee.

Diocesan Council: (Elect two laypersons for at-large seats for two-year terms):

William L. Moore, MD, St. Peter’s Cathedral, St. Petersburg

Occupation: Physician.

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Diocesan Council, 2007-2009; Nominating Committee, 2009; Resolutions Committee, 2009.

Nominee’s Statement: I am presenting myself as a candidate for the Diocesan Council for lay member at-large. I served on the Diocesan Council in 2008-2009, and this year on the Nominating Committee and Resolutions Committee. I also believe my experience as a family physician and associate medical director of Hospice enables me to bring an understanding of compassion and interpersonal skills to the Council. Presently I serve on the Ethics Committee of St. Anthony’s Hospital and have served on the boards of several hospitals. This background would be beneficial in relating to diocesan affairs. I also have the experience of the past two years on Diocesan Council. My ecclesiastical education was enriched by my successful completion and graduation from the Education in Ministry program in 2006. My current devotion is to the end-of-life care. I feel a certain calling to help in God’s work and that of the diocese by supporting the bishop.

David N. Pfaff, St John's Episcopal Church, Naples

Occupation: Retired.

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Member of: Communications Commission '82; Computer Selection Committee '83; Finance Committee, ‘02-‘04. Chairman of: Social Concerns Commission '84-'87; Personnel Committee '87-'89; Endowment Committee '91-'94; Lay Readers, ‘92-‘95; Stewardship and Lay Ministry Commission, ‘94-‘95; Interim Rector Selection Committee, ‘06; New Rector Selection Committee, ‘08; Finance Committee, ‘06-present. Vestryman '84-'87, '94-'97 and '98-‘02; Senior Warden, ‘96, ‘98-‘02; Treasurer, ‘03. Lay Reader, Acolyte and Licensed Eucharistic Minister, ‘90-present; Diocesan Convention Delegate, ‘95, ‘97, ‘99, ‘00, ‘01; Episcopal Election Convention ‘97; Alternate Lay Deputy, ‘03 General Convention. Naples Deanery Lay Representative to Diocesan Council, ‘98-‘04: Member of DaySpring Conference Center Long Range Planning Committee ‘99-‘00; DaySpring Director Selection Committee, ‘00; 20/20 Committee, ‘00-‘01; Finance Committee ‘01-‘07; Chairman, Communications Committee, ‘01-‘04; Clergy Compensation Committee, ‘04.

Nominee’s Statement: I have been blessed to serve my parish and diocese and am blessed at the prospect of serving again. My career in management, from small businesses to regional bank units, continuously involved me with nonprofit organizations where I was both a volunteer and a full-time professional. Many of my roles were with higher education and mental health groups, including 17 years on the Dean’s Council of the delaParte Mental Health Institute of USF-- 15 years as its chairman. I am a 55-year resident of Naples with a thorough understanding of state and region. In addition to serving St Johns (Naples) Parish on its vestry, as senior warden, treasurer and many other positions, I am a lay reader, lay Eucharistic minister and acolyte. My previous service at the diocese, on Council and serving on the Finance Committee, on several groups involved in reorganizing DaySpring and as teh first Communications Committee chair, has made me thoroughly familiar with its missions, resources and opportunities. I am anxious to serve.

Steven R.  "Rusty" Whitley, St. Hilary's Episcopal Church, Fort Myers

Occupation: CPA.

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Currently on diocesan Finance Committee, parish treasurer, vestry, Bishop Nominating Committee, Finance Committee 1998-2006, Parish Nominating Committee, 1996-1998.

Nominee’s Statement: As a prior member of the Finance Committee, I was often involved in many discussions regarding the finances of the diocese. Many communications either to or from the Diocesan Council or the parishes seemed to need more explanation to be clear to nonaccounting minds. My 30 years of CPA experience will assist in bridging this communications gap and work toward a team effort in supporting the diocese and the parishes, not one or the other.

Diocesan Review Committee: (Elect one presbyter for a three-year term):

The Rev. Barbara L. Muller, priest-in-charge, St. Cecilia's Church, Tampa

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Music staff for Fresh Start, two years; presenter for Education for Ministry program; Hispanic Ministry.

Nominee's Statement:

Before moving to Southwest Florida, i served on the Court Array of the Diocese of Central Florida for three years. While working in the Diocese of California, I was dean of the Marin County Deanery and was executive director of an ecumenical ministry to nursing homes in Marin County. Since moving back home to Florida, I have served in a number of capacities in the diocese, both official and unofficial. Most recently, I have assisted with music for the Fresh Start program, taught in the Education for Ministry program and am starting an Hispanic ministry at St. CeciIia's in Tampa. I have served one term on the Diocesan Review Committee and wish to continue for another term.

Ecclesiastical Trial Court: (Elect two clergy and one layperson for a three-year term):

James A Marcrum, St. Rafael's Episcopal Church, Fort Myers Beach

Occupation: Chief operating officer, AKJ Industries, inc., a hazardous waste recycling company.

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Five years at St. Rafael's, serving as a convention delegate, member of the parish Audit Committee and Finance Committee. He is also the parish's webmaster, implementing an online giving program and e-mail newsletter.

Nominee’s Statement: With the latest changes in Title IV which came out of General Convention 2009, I firmly believe that new insight will be required on every level of our collective understanding of the canons, doctrine, articles of faith and expectations. As an active lay person in the Episcopal Church, with experience in three different, individualized dioceses (Pittsburgh, Chicago and Southwest Florida) over the last 25 years, I will bring my diverse experience, insight and understanding to the Court.

My formal education and business experience in mergers and acquisitions, general executive management, negotiations, contracts, and meditation/arbitration have also well-prepared me to serve our diocese on the Ecclesiastical Court.

Jonathan D. Smith, St. Mary’s Church, Dade City

Occupation: Attorney and Mediator

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Ecclesiastical Trial Court, 2006-2009; member, Nominating Committee for fifth bishop of Southwest Florida; three-time delegate to diocesan convention; diocesan liaison to Kairos; three term on vestry in two parishes; member of rector search committee for parish; parish chancellor; team member for 16 Cursillo weekends; member of Kairos Board of trustees; member Institutional Council ZCI; rector, ZCI Kairos #43; lay Eucharistic minister; choir member for 23 years; member of 17 Kairos teams.

Nominee’s Statement: Since the Ecclesiastical Trial Court, as we know it, ceases to exist in mid-2011 due to amendments of the canons, I believe ti is important that the membership thereof continues until then. I have just complete a three-year term on the court and I believe my experience there and in my practice as an attorney who tries cases and as a mediator who settles them makes me well-suited for this position. Spiritually, my Lord has called me to a very wide array of tasks to which I have never said no, and each opportunity to serve in my church or in collateral ministries has rewarded me with blessings and growth. It would be a blessing to continue to serve as one of your lay judges on this important, though short-lived, tribunal.

The Rev. Benjamin L. Creelman, deacon, St. James' Church, Port Charlotte

Occupation: Deacon

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Food Pantry; Homeless Coalition

Nominee’s Statement: 

I have been serving at St. James in Port Charlotte for the past year. I am a cradle Episcopalian, married for 39 years with two grown children. My church assignments have allowed me to be involved with parish food banks and the Charlotte homeless Coalition and ministry of care. My 30 years of experience as a police officer, seven in the Superior Court, have given me experience in the duties and requirements of the court.

The Rev. Margaret Koor, deacon, St. Nathaniel's Church, North Port

Occupation: Registered Nurse, Tidewell Hospice

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Ecclesiastical Trial Court, numerous terms; board member, diocesan School for Ministry Development; oblate, The Order of Julian of Norwich.

Nominee’s Statement: I have served on the Ecclesiastical Trial Court for a number of terms, having the experience of the first Title IV trial in this diocese. I bring to this committee past experience and knowledge of the proceedings of the court. Professionally, I am a Registered Nurse, now working at Tidewell Hospice. I have worked in obstetrics and psychiatry in the past. I have served this diocese as a deacon for the past 17 years, presently at St Nathaniel’s, North Port. Prior to my assignment at St.Nathaniel’s I served for seven years at St. Boniface and Nativity in Sarasota. I am serving on the board of the School of Ministry Development and the Cursillo Secretariat. I am also an Oblate in the Order of Julian of Norwich, a monastic order of the Episcopal Church. I bring to this committee a knowledge of the Title IV canons and the professionalism arid spirituality of my life in the world and in the church as a deacon and a nurse.

University of the South Trustees: (Elect one layperson for a three-year term):

David McCallister, Grace Church, Tampa

Occupation: Lawyer

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Board of directors, University of South Florida; Ecclesiastical Trial Court; senior warden, St. Luke's, Land O' Lakes; Vestry, St. Luke's, Land O' Lakes; delegate to convention from St. Luke's, Land O' Lakes; lay reader, Grace, Tampa.

Nominee's Statement: Seminaries direct the future of the clergy of the Episcopal Church. The University of the South has an important historical tradition to uphold. I am a cradle Episcopalian from Miami, educated in Episcopal schools, experienced as a senior warden and Vestryman, and with a conservative viewpoint. I was nominated for trustee last year; and I presently serve on the board of directors of the University of South Florida chaplaincy, and the diocesan Ecclesiastical Trial Court. To learn more, I visited Sewanee itself in this last year. My position is that it is critical that at this time of turmoil, our seminaries absorb the messages, not only from the General Convention, but also from constituent dioceses; to produce a healthy body of clergy and propound a theology consistent with our Anglican tradition. I would be honored to serve the Diocese of Southwest Florida in this position.
 

David Dunn-Rankin, St. Mark’s, Venice.

Occupation: President, Sun Coast Media Group; publisher, Charlotte Sun newspaper

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Lay reader, Foyer Groups, vestry spouse, all at St. Mark’s, Venice.

Nominee’s Statement: David Dunn-Rankin and his wife, Janie, are both proud graduates of the University of the South. Both of their daughters, Sarah and Rachel, are currently enrolled at the University of the South. Janie and David currently serve on the Parent’s Council for the University and have been recognized for their continuous giving since graduation. David welcomes the opportunity to serve this great institution that has given so much to his family.

Roger S. Schwenke, Church of the Ascension, Clearwater

Occupation: Attorney/Senior Partner, Carlton Fields, P.A., Tampa

Diocesan/deanery/parish activities or committees: Previous Deanery Lay Representative to the Diocesan Council – for both the Tampa and Clearwater Deaneries; Presiding Judge, Ecclesiastical Court (1997-present); University of the South Trustee (2006-present); Member – Commission on Young Adult/ Higher Education; Member, Diocesan Committee on Constitution and Canons; past member of Standing Committee (1989-92); Diocesan Council (1979-85); Lay Deputy to 2003,2006 and 2009 General Conventions; Alternate Lay Deputy to General Convention (1985,1988, 1994 and 1997 --- attended and seated at all but one of these); team member of several Cursillo weekends; former delegate to Diocesan Conventions; past member of numerous Diocesan Committees, including Youth Committee, Companion Diocese Committee, Committee on Counseling Centers, and Special Committee on Diocesan Assessments.

Nominee’s Statement: I have been honored to serve as a Trustee to the University of the South for the past three years, including service as a member of two trustee committees. This is a critical time for the university. Its endowment lost more than 20 percent of its market value in 2008. Moreover, both its chancellor (Bishop Parsley from Alabama) and its vice chancellor and president, Joel Cunningham, have announced their retirements.Bishop Parsley noted in his letter calling a special meeting of the trustees, held this past April to begin the process to select a new president, “seldom does a Board of Trustees have both the honor and responsibility of participating in the process of electing the next leader of an extraordinary institution such as Sewanee.” I was the only trustee able to attend the special meeting, and while there I had the chance to meet with both the regents and the Search Committee members; the process will continue with the upcoming trustee’s meeting in October, and I would like the chance to continue after October with the other trustees as an active participant in this very important task. That is why I felt it was important to run for a second term as a trustee, and why I ask for your support.

Other elections:
Each deanery elects representatives to Diocesan Council, usually at fall convocations. Positions to be filled are:
Clearwater: one presbyter
Fort Myers: one presbyter
Manasota: one layperson
St. Petersburg: one presbyter
Tampa: one layperson
Venice: one layperson
Naples: The Rev. Alice Sadler was re-elected to a second term as clergy representative at the deanery's spring convocation earlier this year.