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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (June 15, 2006) — Ten individuals from throughout the United States will be honored later this month by Milligan College and Standard Publishing of Cincinnati, Ohio. They will be presented as the 2006 National Leaders in Christian Service at the annual North American Christian Convention (NACC) in Louisville, Ky., the week of June 27.
“These individuals do an outstanding job integrating their faith with their profession,” said Milligan President Donald R. Jeanes. “They are wonderful examples for us of what servant leadership is all about and what it can look like on a daily basis in a variety of professions.”
Individuals being recognized as part of the 2006 National Leaders in Christian Service include:
Tommy Greer, Johnson City, Tenn., is a certified public accountant and a managing partner for Blackburn, Childers and Steagall. He serves on several boards in the region, including the Economic Development Board, Appalachian Christian Camp, and the Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House. He attends First Christian Church in Johnson City, where he serves as an elder, on the Finance Committee, and works with the high school ministry.
H. David Hale, Louisville, Ky., is the president and CEO of First Capital Bank of Kentucky. He holds a J.D. degree from West Virginia University School of Law and served as West Virginia’s banking commissioner under Governor John D. Rockefeller IV. He serves on numerous boards, including the Kentucky Youth Association, Lincoln Foundation, and several colleges. He attends Fern Creek Christian Church in Louisville, Ky.
Troy Hammond of Pittsburgh, Pa., is the vice president of Products for Plextronics, Incorporated. He spent many years with McKinsey and Company, a leading global business consulting firm. He is a Milligan graduate and holds a Ph.D. in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has been involved in the establishment of Discovery Christian Church in Cranberry Township, north of Pittsburgh. Hammond currently teaches quantitative methods for management in the Milligan College MBA program.
Jim Hensley, originally from Bristol, Tenn., is the retired director of development for Angeles Crest Christian Camp near Los Angeles, Calif. During his 24 years with Angeles Crest, he developed a Senior Adult Celebration and raised millions of dollars in church and individual support for the camp. Most recently he has been involved in the establishment of Financial Planning Ministry, where he serves as chairman of the board. He and his wife, Carolyn, who attended Southwest Christian Church in Temecula, Calif., recently relocated to Carrollton, Georgia.
Ellen Myatt, Blountville, Tenn., was recently named publisher of the Rogersville Review. She is the former publisher of the Business Journal of Tri-Cities. Myatt has served on several boards and initiatives, including the Tri-Cities TN/VA All-America City Partnership, the Tri-Cities TN/VA Economic Summit, and the Salvation Army. Her efforts on behalf of children through educational initiatives such as 2010 and Junior Achievement have made a significant difference in the lives of many. Myatt attends Colonial Heights Christian Church in Kingsport, where she serves as a teacher, choir member, and on the food ministry.
Virgil and Carol Plymale lived and served in Columbus, Ohio, until their retirement in 2002. Virgil was a manufacturing engineer and Carol a hospice and school nurse. They were active members of Madison Christian Church in Groveport, Ohio, and led several mission trips to England, Haiti, Mexico, and Brazil. Since retirement, they have traveled throughout the world to serve churches, mission agencies, Christian camps, schools, hurricane relief, and anywhere there was a need. They are currently reside in Broomfield, Colo.
Mark Webb, D.D.S., is a dentist in Bristol, Tenn. He has made seven trips to provide dental work at missions in Haiti and Mexico, and is working with a representative of FAME on plans for a proposed mission hospital in Mexico. For more than 20 years, Webb has provided low-cost dental work to the children of Mountain Mission School in Grundy, Va. Webb is a member of the Bristol City Planning Commission, is the announcer for Tennessee High football games, is a member of the Kiwanis Club, and serves on the boards of the Appalachian Christian Camp and Milligan College. He is an elder at Central Holston Christian Church in Bristol, Tenn.
Brent Welch, M.D., Johnson City, Tenn., is a gastroenterologist with the Gastrointestinal Associates of Northeast Tennessee. He has been a member of the Johnson City Rotary Club and has served leadership positions for the University of Tennessee Alumni Association and Boy Scouts of America. As an elder at First Christian Church in Johnson City, he initiated the development of a long-range strategic plan that has helped the church implement several new ministries.
Cody Custer of Wickenburg, Ariz., is a professional bull rider and one of the founders of Professional Bull Riders, Inc. He is unable to attend the NACC and will be honored this fall at a special PBR event. Custer is the 1992 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion and qualified for the NFR eight times, the last one in 1999. He retired after the 2003 season, having qualified for the PBR World Finals nine times. Custer has been involved in the Pro Bull Riding Outreach, a Christian program for bull riders and fans.
Milligan introduced the Leaders in Christian Service program in 2001. According to Jeanes, the program identifies examples of individuals from all walks of life who advance the cause of Christ in everything they do. Character, professional/vocational leadership, and church and community service are all considered.
For more information, call the Institute for Servant Leadership at Milligan College at 423.461.8316 or visit www.milligan.edu/LCS.