The 2025 Vestry and Diocesan Convention Nominees are below. Vestry Nominee Speeches will take place during at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, and the Vestry Election will take place during the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, November 9. If you are not going to make elections but would like to vote, email your Senior Warden this week or see him at church next week to fill out an absentee ballot.

2025 Vestry Nominees

Paul Wilson

As I am now becoming retired, I feel a calling to be more involved at Trinity. As for qualifications, I previously served on St Paul’s in Newport vestry for 11 years straight, with the majority of them without a full-time priest. I was also on vestry at that time when we were in search of a priest, and we brought on Ft Matt Young. While on St Paul’s vestry, I also served a three-year term on the Diocesan Executive Council, with two of those years also serving as the chair of the diocese finance and loan committee.

Not that education is a requirement for this position, but I have an engineering degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and an MBA from Xavier University which I got at night while working full time.

Josh Mitchell mentioned that strategy is an important part of the vestry. Well for the last five years I‘ve worked for a Swiss multinational manufacturing company as a global key account manager. Responsibilities for that position required putting together business playbooks for my two accounts (General Mills and Cargill). The playbook comprises developing global strategies for the various businesses units that interacted with those two customers.

I’m also a life long “cradle” Episcopalian and can’t imagine attending any other denomination!

Thanks for this opportunity to serve Trinity.

Brandon Gabbard

I know many people serve on the vestry because they think it is the right think to do, but don’t really enjoy the experience. I have served on the vestry several times and have found the opposite to be true. I enjoy the experience and find that it reinvigorates my connection to Trinity and desire to serve. I believe I bring a calm and rational approach to debate and am able to get things accomplished. If elected, as always, I will focus on the preservation and improvement of Trinity's buildings and grounds. In addition, this is an exciting time at Trinity as we will be calling our next rector. I would be honored to participate in this call and feel my experience and involvement over the years will be a valuable resource to help our next rector hit the ground running. Thank you for your consideration.

Shari Kelly-Burrows

We began attending Trinity in August 2016, after having attended another denomination for all of our lives. It was a big move! We were searching for a church whose focus was on serving God and loving our neighbors, and Trinity was a perfect fit.

Since that time, I’ve served in the choir and on the Outreach Commission–chairing the commission for two years. I’ve been a part of the weekly food bag ministry and have baked many sweet treats for college students, EYC and Soup Sundays. I truly enjoy retirement and the opportunities it has provided. I feel that now is the right time for me to volunteer to be a part of the election for vestry.

I have served as a leader in various community groups, and on church boards in our previous denomination serving on the education, finance and administration committees. I spent 32 years as a public school educator and was a high school special education administrator the last eleven years of my career.

Why now? These are exciting days! As we look to call a new rector, the vestry will be charged with the task of working through that transition. I look forward to welcoming our rector and working to continue the great traditions of Trinity, as well as broadening our vision. Our neighborhood is also changing with the multi-use development of the former IRS site. I’m anxious to be a welcoming home for our new neighbors and the community members we currently serve. I would relish the opportunity to be a part of the vestry in its work to ensure that Trinity continues to be a church for all.

James Swearingen

After thoughtful prayer and consideration of my time and talents I have decided to run for Vestry. Since joining the community of Trinity in 2004 with my husband Emery Schmidt this has become an integral part of my life. I am currently serving as Co-Chair of the Nurture Commission, serve as a Verger and participate in other parish activities including the Flying Pig water stop, Midday Musical Menu as cashier, Rummage Sale, Garden Mart and others. I have served on Vestry before and found it both challenging and rewarding. I expect the next 3 years to be both exciting and challenging and I would like to lend my time and talents.

Greg Gemeinhardt

I (Josh Mitchell) am nominating Greg to serve on Vestry

Starting in 2026, the Vestry will work closely with our new Rector to create an updated vision for how Trinity will make its impact in Covington and the Dioceses. To enable this, I believe we need to elect strong leaders with a clear vision for the future, solid business acumen and a thorough understanding of Trinity’s history and structure.

With this, I can think of no one better to be considered for election than Greg Gemeinhardt.

Greg has been a dedicated member of Trinity for over 20 years, serving on Vestry, Outreach, the Audit Commission and in countless other roles investing his time and talents. In each of these roles Greg has proven to be a visionary, someone who is disciplined and thoughtful. He has the skills and set of experiences (from Trinity, work, and other volunteer positions) that Vestry and new Rector will greatly benefit from.

I’m grateful for all Greg has done for Trinity and know if elected he will play a critical role in building off the momentum seen in the past two years and launching Trinity into decades of impact and growth.

2025 Diocesan Convention Deputy Nominees

Sr. Susan Moore

I feel it is important to have Trinity represented at the Diocesan Convention and for our voice to be heard. I’m currently involved at the Diocesan level with ECW and The Order of the Daughters of the King; serving on their respective boards and working with those who are seeking to draw the diocese together. Trinity is a strong contributor to the work of DioLex and historically has helped in selections of the various bishops of the Diocese, support for our Cathedral Domain and our input is needed. I feel I can represent Trinity and help to be a voice there and bring back information to our parish.

Todd Garland

I have attended Trinity regularly since 2018, and have been a member since 2022, the same year I joined the choir. I was elected to the vestry in 2023, and am a member of the current Search Committee for our new rector. I have served as Diocesan Convention Delegate for the past three years, because I continue to believe that one of the most important aspects of the Episcopal Church is that its governance includes and relies on laity as well as clergy. It’s a responsibility that I have always felt happy and honored to be associated with.

Elise Hyder

I care deeply about the life and future of our diocese and want to see it continue to nurture and grow its churches, ministries, and people. Over the past three years, I’ve served on the Cathedral Domain Camp and Conference Board, where I’ve seen firsthand how vital the bishop’s support is to the success of this ministry. I want to be a convention delegate to help elect a bishop who understands and values the transformative impact of the Cathedral Domain on both youth and adults.

Recently, I was honored to serve on a diocesan steering committee appointed by Bishop Mark. That experience gave me deeper insight into the operations, ministries, and hopes for the future of our diocese. These opportunities have strengthened my commitment and understanding of diocesan life. I believe my experience and service make me a strong candidate to represent Trinity at this important convention.

Mary Ann Weiss

Over the years I have been a deputy to our diocesan convention many times which led to my extensive involvement in the diocese including Executive Council, Standing Committee, Finance Committee, Commission on Ministry and the national church as Deputy to General convention six times and Standing Commissions (International Peace with Justice and Structure). I stood back for a few years but have recently appreciated being on our Rector Search Committee. Trinity has long been a love, a place where through service and among our community of saints, I have been able to find solace, heal and thrive. I would appreciate being able to represent Trinity at our Diocesan Convention this next year.

Nov. 2: Vestry Nominee Speeches