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- Weekend Retreat Host
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Greg is far right, middle row with a group of 2021 staff and campers.
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Greg is top left with a group of 2021 elementary campers.
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Rev. Rachel VanKirk Mathews- Assistant Director for Development
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Rachel grew up in Athens, AL. Following in the family tradition, 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 Masters in Divinity in from Columbia Theological Seminary. After graduating from seminary, Rachel worked as a farming apprentice. Rachel's first call was to serve as an Associate Pastor in Lexington, KY for three years . She and her husband have two children, Benny, age two, and Maria, born June 2022. They recently moved to Birmingham where Rachel began work as the Assistant Director for Development at Living River. Their family enjoys being outside as much as possible and exploring the places 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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