Jenny Thagard - Executive Director
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Jenny became the Executive Director of Living River on September 1, 2018. Jenny has a strong background in Education, in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and several years of experience with Summer Camp at Living River. She was most recently the Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church, Tuscaloosa and a Certified Christian Educator within the PC(USA). Jenny retired after 26 years in public education serving as a teacher of gifted students, Assistant Principal, and Principal in Tuscaloosa City, Shelby County, and Tuscaloosa County School Systems. She also worked in teacher education and administration at The University of Alabama. In her tenure, she worked with all ages preschool through college.
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Greg Byrd- Retreat Host and Coordinator
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Greg grew up in Alabaster and graduated from Thompson High School. Greg started his time at Living River in 2018 as a summer camp counselor, then transitioned to the Retreat Host role. Over that time, he was also the youth director at Shades Valley Presbyterian and at First Presbyterian in Birmingham. Greg enjoys coming to camp and hiking with his three dogs, Alice, Ammie, and Ace.
Greg is now Living River's Retreat Host and Coordinator, working with rental groups through planning a meaningful retreat at Living River! Please reach out to Greg with any questions about a current booking or planning an event at Living River in the future! |
Greg is top left with a group of 2021 elementary campers.
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Rev. Rachel VanKirk Mathews- Development Director
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Rachel grew up in Athens, AL. She majored in Electrical Engineering at The University of Alabama while her college sweetheart, Wesley, studied engineering at Auburn University. They moved to Georgia, where she earned her Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary in 2018. Rachel started at Living River in 2022, and before that, was an Associate Pastor. She and her husband have two children, Benny and Maria. Their family enjoys being outdoors and exploring the places where they live.
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Brett Melton- Facilities Director
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Brett graduated from Samford University's school of business in '92. He is a licensed master plumber, gas fitter, and state licensed HVAC contractor with over 28 years of residential and commercial maintenance experience. Brett is married to Kim Melton and is the father of two grown children, John and Laura, and one granddaughter, Harper June. Brett and Kim are members of a United Methodist congregation in Helena.
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