Board Members

AED Board of Directors

The Association for Episcopal Deacons elects new board members every two years, by ballot of AED membership. The Board consists of 5 elected deacons, 2 elected priests, 1 elected bishop and 2 elected laity, who serve for four years. Other appointments are made as needed. Liaisons to Anglican Deacons Canada and The Fund for the Diaconate are chosen by those bodies.

The board's goals:

Promote the critical need for the diaconate in The Episcopal Church to fulfill Jesus’ mandate: to love one another as I have loved you.
Develop clear and comprehensive structures to implement AED’s mission, including its role as a major resource portal for all aspects of diaconal work.
Increase AED membership to 60% of ordained deacons.

Board members, March 2024. All deacons unless noted.
Top: Frank Alton (priest), Ruth Elder, Jon Owens, Douglas Argue
Middle: Juan Sandoval, Denise LaVetty, Kristi Neal, Leann Culbreath (priest)
Bottom: Terri Hoffmann (lay), Geri Swanson, Carole Maddux, Tracie Middleton, Carter Hawley, Jan Grinnell, Sue von Rautenkranz, Brendan Barnicle (priest)

Officers

President
Carole Maddux
Atlanta
Term ends Spring 2027

Vice President/President-elect
Kristi Neal
Western North Carolina
Term ends Spring 2029

Secretary
Ruth Elder
Maryland
Term ends Spring 2027

Past President
Douglas Argue
Southern Ohio
Term ends Spring 2025

Treasurer
Phyllis Jones, New Jersey
(appointed through 2025)

Board Responsibilities and Covenants

Directors

Deacons

Jan Grinnell, Rhode Island (2025)
Denise LaVetty, New York (2027)
Tracie Middleton, Texas (2025)
Juan Sandoval, Atlanta (2025)
Geoffrey Smith, New Hampshire (2027)
L Sue von Rautenkranz, Washington (2027)
Ruth Elder, Maryland (appointed through 2025)
Jon Owens, California (appointed through 2025)

Presbyters

Leeann Culbreath, Georgia (2027)
Frank Alton, Los Angeles (2025)
Brendan Barnicle (appointed through 2025)

Bishop

Katharine Jefferts Schori (2025)

Laity

Terri Hoffmann, Oregon (2027)
Phyllis Jones, New Jersey (appointed through 2025)

Liaison from Anglican Deacons Canada

Lisa Chisholm-Smith, Ontario

Liaison from The Fund for the Diaconate

Geraldine Swanson, New York

Former Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori joins AED’s Board
“I do look forward to joining the Board for AED,” said Bishop Jefferts Schori, “and to learning more about the grass roots change agents in and around The Episcopal Church – otherwise known as deacons!” Read more.

Listening to Presiding Bishop Curry's greeting at the March 2023 board meeting.

Terms end in the spring of the year listed, prior to the spring board meeting. Officers and directors serve for four years.

In 2021 Presiding Bishop Michael Curry recorded a short video offering his thanks to AED’s past President, Deacon Maureen Hagen, for her service to AED, deacons, and the Church.