Jaime was born and raised in the Central Louisiana area. She has a certification in Christian Education from Columbia College in South Carolina. Before working at First United Methodist Church, Jaime was the office manager at a pediatric office in Alexandria.
David Mire, Director of Youth and Young Adults
David Mire began working at First United Methodist Church in November 2012. He coordinates all youth and young adult activities for the church, including Sunday and Wednesday night studies as well as mission trips and projects.
David was born and raised in Crowley, LA, and he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in sociolgy from McNeese State University. Before taking on his position at FUMC, he was the Director of Children and Youth Ministries at Wesley United Methodist Church in Sulpher, LA.
David lives in Woodworth with his wife, Martha and daughter, Rebekah.
Mike Wood, Business Administrator
Mike Wood joined the staff at FUMCA as the business administrator in July 2008. He oversees the business areas of the church and supervises maintenance staff. He is originally from Lubbock, Texas and graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.S. in business.
Mike retired as a Captain in the U.S. Army in 2004; his last assignment was operations and training officer for Camp Beauregard in Pineville, Louisiana. While in the army, he received the Distinguished Service Medal and the Louisiana Cross of Merit, among other awards. He was also a teacher and coach for the Rapides Parish School Board for three years.
Mike currently resides in Pineville with his wife Shana. He has three children: Jesse, a soldier in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Stewart, GA; James, a graduate of Louisiana College; and Heather, a high school freshman. Mike also has 2 step-daughters: Regan, a student at University of Louisiana – Monroe; and Gwen, a high school senior.
Julie Bacon, Communications Director/Office Manager
Julie Bacon began working as the administrative assistant in December 2012 and was promoted to the Communications Director/Office Manager position in April 2013. She oversees the office work stream, updates the website and produces printed material for the church. Julie was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas and graduated with a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Before joining the FUMCA team, she was a CBP Canine Officer in Texas.
Julie lives in Alexandria with her husband, Jeremy and son, Jackson.
Bill Sumrall, Communications Assistant
Bill Sumrall began working as the communications assistant in June 2013. He assists in updates to the website as well as, writes articles and takes photos for the newsletter. Bill is a native of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1979.
Before joining the FUMCA team, he worked for The Town Talk newspaper in Alexandria until December 2008 and has been a freelance writer/online content provicer since then.
Bill lives in Alexandria with his wife, Kimberly.
Candi Moreau, Administrative Assistant
Candi Moreau joined the FUMC staff as the administrative assistant in May 2013. She is the first contact person for visitors to the church, and she oversees the church calendar, donations and membership records. Candi is a native of Alexandria, LA.
Before working in the church office, Candi worked for 6 years with the FUMCA Preschool & Childcare.
Candi lives in Alexandria with her son, Jace and daughter, Jerzi.
Candy O'Brien, Director of Childcare
Candy O'Brien has been the childcare director since February 2007. She oversees the full-time Childcare Program for children ages six weeks to five years old. Candy was born and raised in central Louisiana and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in social work from Northwestern State University.
Before taking on her position at FUMCA, Candy was a case manager for CLASS (Central Louisiana AIDS Support Services) and at Hope House in Alexandria.
Candy is married to Chris O'Brien and lives in Pineville with their four children.
Melanie Taylor, Director of Preschool
Melanie Taylor has been the preschool director since 2006. She oversees the Preschool Program for children ages two to pre-kindergarten and the Mother's Day Out Program. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in education from the University of Louisiana at Shreveport.
Before accepting her position at FUMC, Melanie taught elementary school.
Melanie is a mother of three children.
Barry Hoekstra, Senior Pastor
Jaime Gentry, Children and Volunteer Coordinator