Meet our Staff
Beth Anthony - Hospitality and Communications Coordinator
office@livingriver.org
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After graduation from the University of Montevallo, Beth served as the band director at Pizitz Middle School and the assistant band director at Vestavia Hills High School, in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Later she moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue a career in film production. There she remained for 25 years primarily producing national television commercials. The career in film production offered her travel opportunities all over North America as well as many international locations. Eventually she returned to Alabama and moved into the field of publishing. She was the managing editor of Recovery Campus Magazine and the managing editor and food editor of Tailgater Magazine.
Back in Alabama, Living River seemed to be calling her name. The Cahaba River and the Cahaba lilies were fascinating to Beth even as a child growing up in Montevallo. It was her dream to one day be a steward of the Cahaba River. Beth is pleased to now have a connection with the Cahaba through her work at Living River. |
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Justin Kemmler - Spiritual Formation Program Director
justin@livingriver.org
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Justin Kemmler worked as the Summer Camp Program Director at Crestfield Camp and Conference Center, in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, for two summers (2016 & 2017). During that time he worked with hundreds of children and youth to provide a safe place for them to grow spiritually while having fun doing it. During the summer of 2017 at Crestfield, Justin was a part of the American Camp Association (ACA) continuing accreditation team. Justin worked with the staff through the accreditation process, which includes working through and reviewing all of the policies and site details, to ensure that Crestfield met the standards set by the ACA. When he isn’t working, Justin can be found enjoying movies and games of all kinds, as well as working on his balcony herb garden that he is trying not to kill. During his time in Alabama he hopes to display the highest quality of programming and hospitality he, and Living River, can provide.
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Lauren Allred - Director of the Cahaba Environmental Center
lallred@livingriver.org
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Lauren Allred earned her B.S.E. in Elementary and Collaborative Education and her M.S.E. in Elementary Education from Jacksonville State University located in Jacksonville, AL. She taught at The Donoho School in Anniston, AL for two years before becoming a part of the Living River team. Lauren grew up in the camping program of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley and is thrilled to marry her love of camp and education as the Director of the Cahaba Environmental Center. While teaching ancient world history, Lauren gained a deep appreciation for the importance of rivers throughout the world and their impact on human civilization and growth. She is excited to join others who are passionate about passing on a love of nature. Lauren has fond memories of the history of Living River which include digging ditches at the inaugural senior high work camp on the Living River land, wielding a gold shovel at the groundbreaking ceremony, and taking the first selfie in the John Jenkins Cabin. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys kayaking, hiking, reading, and traveling.
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Beckie Hamrick - Food Service Director
kitchen@livingriver.org
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Hey there, my name is Beckie Hamrick. I am the Kitchen Manager at Living River: A Retreat on the Cahaba. I grew up in Alabaster, AL. and currently live in Montevallo. I have three wonderful children and a supportive husband. I love camping, fishing and spending time with the family.
I have lived and traveled from Florida to Canada and Texas, and back to North Carolina. I love getting behind the wheel and just going. You never know who you may meet or what you may see. I absolutely love my job. I get to work with a large variety of people from many different places. I am in one of my favorite places, the woods, surrounded by the most beautiful river in Alabama, the Cahaba River. Who could ask for more! |
