
Our Team
We are here to be of help and invite you to contact the church office with questions about First Presbyterian Church Hilton Head Island, 843.681.3696
FPC's APNC is searching for an Associate Pastor for Congregational Evangelism and Engagement. The job description can be found here.

Dr. Will Robinson
Senior Pastor & Head of Staff
Will is committed to making disciples of the Lord and to helping people know Him and experience His love. Will came to FPC Hilton Head as Pastor/Head of Staff after serving as Head Pastor for 10 years at Salem Presbyterian Church in Salem, VA. Prior to that, he served as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, OK. Will is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Union Presbyterian Seminary where he received his Ph.D. In addition to being a passionate preacher, he enjoys teaching, writing, and community engagement. Will and his wife Kate, a speech pathologist, have two children, Mary and Eddie. To contact, wrobinson@fpchhi.org

Dr. Diane Knauf
Associate Pastor for Congregational Care
Diane is an experienced pastor who enjoys listening and being present to people as they navigate the joys and challenges of life. She likes meeting new people and making relationships and finds her role in congregational care and connection to be a great fit. Prior to joining FPC Hilton Head as Associate Pastor, she served churches in North Carolina. Her favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:38-39, a reminder that nothing can separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ. Having grown up in Rochester NY, she and her husband, Drew, enjoy exploring the beauty of the Lowcountry. Diane received her doctorate of ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in May, 2023. To contact, dknauf@fpchhi.org

Dr. Russell Floyd
Minister of Music
Rusty came to FPC as Minister of Music in 1999 after serving on the faculty at Hope College in Holland, MI. He is a graduate of Furman University in Greenville, SC, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, and Michigan State University where he received his Ph.D. An accomplished clarinetist and musician, Rusty has performed with numerous orchestras and chamber music ensembles. In addition to leading FPC’s music ministry, Rusty also performs as co-principal clarinetist with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and leads the annual community presentation of Handel’s Messiah. The FPC music ministry is also blessed by the extraordinary voice of his wife, Laura.
To contact, rfloyd@fpchhi.org

Charlie Frost
Organist
Charlie joined FPC Hilton Head in 2018 as organist accompanying the Sanctuary Choir and plays during the traditional worship services. He also directs the FPC Carillon Handbell Choir, and performs recitals as part of the church’s music ministry. A native of Red Bank, NJ, Charlie began playing the organ in churches and directing choirs as a sophomore in high school. He has a Master of Music degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ and has served as Minister of Music in churches in California, Long Island, New York and Grand Rapids.
Prior to becoming FPC’s organist, he served for 16 years as Minister of Music at Sea Island Presbyterian Church in Beaufort, SC.

Beth Green
Children's Music Director
Now in her 24th year as “The Music Lady,” Beth Green has been blessed to serve as Director of Children’s Music Ministry at FPC for 16 years. She loves working closely with Jodi & Jackie and fosters a love of music for children in preK-through-5th grade who participate in FPC’s children’s choir. Beth holds an M.Ed, with a specialty in Integrated Teaching Through the Arts, and she is also a Certified Teacher Trainer. In her role as the Founder/Director of The School for Performing Arts, she provides children with voice, piano, voiceover and audition prep lessons. She produces professional voiceovers for commercial and business applications. Beth’s favorite role is being proud Mom to her 27-year-old son who serves in the U.S. Army.

Jane Jude
Audio/Visual Coordinator
As FPC’s Audio Visual Coordinator, Jane Jude is responsible for the systems that amplify sound, provide on-screen lyrics, scriptures and images, and broadcast services for viewing via livestream or as recorded videos. Jane prepares all of the worship presentation slides and pre-service announcement video loops that help inform the congregation about upcoming events.
She also recruits, trains and schedules members of the tech team who operate soundboards, cameras and computers during worship services, memorial services and other events. Jane and her husband, Keith, have been members of FPC since 1984. They have two adult children, Amelia and Stewart, and an English Cocker Spaniel named Mack. To contact, jjude@fpchhi.org

Jodi Krivda
Assistant Director of Faith Formation
As the Assistant Director of Faith Formation, Jodi works to maintain, grow and enrich relationships with families and children. She manages the children’s Sunday School program along with its volunteer base. On Wednesdays, she works with Beth Green and other volunteers to run an afterschool program which allows children from FPC and the community to enjoy Bible study, fellowship, music enrichment, and a meal together. Throughout the year, Jodi works on special events for children and their parents. She also contributes to the Family Ministry and Communications Ministry, as well as supporting youth and adult education activities along with Jackie Wilhelm. To contact, jkrivda@fpchhi.org

Lavon Stevens
CrossRoads Worship & Music Director
As the Worship and Music director of Crossroads, Lavon brings an uplifting beat to FPC. Formerly the Minister of Music at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church on Hilton Head for 16 years, he has also served in various capacities with other churches, communities, and charitable organizations. Born in Thunderbolt, GA and educated in voice, piano and theater at DeKalb College in Atlanta, Lavon is equally comfortable with classical music, jazz, pop, R&B, gospel and spiritual music. His community involvement includes work with the Native Island Gullah Celebration, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, the Junior Jazz Foundation, and the Mitchellville Restoration Project. He has two sons who are his pride and joy.

Jackie Wilhelm
Director of Faith Formation
Jackie is a graduate of Wake Forest University. A lifelong educator, she brings to her position as Director of Faith Formation her teaching experience in public secondary schools, as well as many years at FPC helping to guide children, youth and adults in their faith journeys. Jackie and her husband, Todd, feel blessed to have raised their daughters, Brooke and Jordan, in the FPC faith community. To contact, jwilhelm@fpchhi.org
Administrative Staff

Cindy Bobbitt
Communications Coordinator
Cindy is a native of South Carolina and earned a BA in Journalism from the University of South Carolina. She initially worked in Chicago for several national nonprofit organizations. There she met her husband, Allan, who is retired from DePaul University. After returning to graduate school and earning a Master's in Education, she accepted a teaching job in the Lowcountry to be near her parents who have lived on the Island since 1980. Before joining the FPC staff in 2019, she worked for Family Promise. To contact, cbobbitt@fpchhi.org

Susan Brannon
Director of Administration
Susan was born and raised in Indiana. In 1981, Susan came for a summer visit and has been here ever since. She is a Purdue University graduate and has been on staff of FPC since 1995 in various administrative capacities. Currently, Susan is the director of administration where she is responsible for the administrative and operational functions of the church. To contact, sbrannon@fpchhi.org

Edward Gray
Events Manager
Edward Gray is a native of the Lowcountry, currently living in Ridgeland. He has been employed by FPC since 1992 and has become an invaluable resource for the congregation. His job includes acting as the point person and the hands-on manager of event setups, breakdowns and cleaning. This position is in addition to normal duties as a sexton. Edward has one daughter and granddaughter and enjoys fishing and old cars.

Scott Helms
Facility Manager
Scott Helms is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ. He joined the staff for First Presbyterian Church in 2009 and currently has 25 years of maintenance, management, and property operations experience. Scott works with the Facility Ministry Committee to ensure the facility is compliant with all required standards. The main areas of focus being maintenance and upkeep, housekeeping, hospitality, and safety.
To contact, shelms@fpchhi.org

Sue Koppenol
Bookkeeper
Sue was born in Naples, Italy, to a naval family. She received a BS in Economics from the University of Delaware and subsequently held a number of positions at Beneficial Reinsurance Company and Group International Associates in NYC and Madison, NJ, where she raised three wonderful children. While in Madison, Sue and her husband, Bob, opened Starting Line Sports, a run/swim/triathlon store and joined the Madison Board of Education as secretary to the Superintendent/Administrative Assistant for Human Resources. Looking to join family on HHI, she and Bob moved to the island . . . and feel very fortunate and grateful to be here! To contact, skoppenol@fpchhi.org

Nancy Putnam
Receptionist
Nancy Putnam is a native of Westchester, NY. She graduated from Centenary College and has worked in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors as an executive administrative assistant. Prior to moving to Hilton Head Island in 1999, at which point she joined the FPC staff, she and her husband, Bill, called Morristown, NJ, their home. To contact, nputnam@fpchhi.org

Andrea Siebold
Volunteer Director of Volunteer Ministry
Andrea Siebold has been a volunteer member of the FPC staff since 2019. With an undergrad degree in Social Work, a Masters in Education, a partial MBA in Accounting, and a varied entrepreneurial career of starting and/or buying various companies, retirement on Hilton Head Island brought a chance to focus on several non-profit organizations. Her work at First Presbyterian church is directed at connecting members and visitors with spiritual, missional and congregational opportunities. To contact, asiebold@fpchhi.org

Jean Tharin
Administrative Assistant Membership
Jean and her family moved to Hilton Head from Massachusetts in June 1994. Joining the church as a nursery worker in June 1996 and full time staff as an Administrative Assistant in August 1998. Her responsibilities include Membership, Calendar and Columbarium. Jean enjoys spending time with her husband Pat, daughters, Alicia and Stephanie and granddaughters Kacie and Sophia. To contact, jtharin@fpchhi.org

Anniel White
Housekeeper
Anniel is a native of Jamaica. She subsequently immigrated to England where she attended nursing school. She came to the United States in 1981 and began working at FPC in 1998. Since that time Anniel has become a truly valued employee of FPC. She also works at The Cypress and with Hospice of the Lowcountry. Anniel is married and has five children.

Elders
Michele Green, Clerk of Session
Class of 2023
Don Krahnke
Facilities, Chair
Outreach
Rosalyn Lester
Personnel
Bob White
Giving, Chair
Worship & Music
Charlotte White
Congregational Life, Chair
Outreach
Jim Wood
Adult, Chair
Outreach
Class of 2024
Jack Alderman
Communications
Planning & Research, Chair
Moses Awe
Finance, Chair
Planning & Research
Ed Finison
Outreach, Chair
Personnel
Lisa Black
Personnel, Chair
Blaine Lotz
Nominating
Social Witness
Worship & Music, Chair
Martha-Anne McDonald
Adult
Giving
Tim Pollard
Family, Chair
Finance
Class of 2025
Ingrid Boatright
Facilities
Outreach
Sharon Chaney
Adult
Social Witness
Dawn Edington
Congregational Life
Planning & Research
Jim Hipp
Facilities
Finance
Sissy Jarrell
Facilities
Worship & Music
Mark Matlock
Communications, Co-Chair
Karen Smith
Family
Outreach
Deacons
The ministry of Deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of witness, service and compassion; sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless and the oppressed. The Board of Deacons serves the congregation and others with ministries focused on…
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Lay Visitation, calling upon those in need of comfort
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Health, promoting wellness of body, mind and spirit
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Prayer, praying for those in our congregation and beyond
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Family Promise, supporting temporary housing for the homeless
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Memorial Receptions, offering refreshments and hospitality to memorial service guests
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Neighborhood Care Groups, creating opportunities for neighbors to care for and fellowship with one another
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Knitting, gifting items hand-made with love to convey sympathy or joy
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Stephen Ministry, caring for those experiencing grief, divorce, illness or other life changes
Debbie Berling, Moderator | Rusty Brown, Vice Moderator
Class of 2023
Debbie Berling
Rusty Brown
Sally Cardamone
Sandy Knight
Cristy Robertson
Karen Simpson
Class of 2024
Julie Hellman
Lindsay Jones
Cord Middleton
Jan Raisch
Shari Slusne
Tim Treisch
Class of 2025
Betsy Baker
Charlie Deaton
Edwina Dunlap
Jan Meyer
Bill Roesch
Robin Swift