To our Members:

It is my privilege to present these candidates for our 2025 - 2026 vestry, all of them capable and Spirit-led people who demonstrate a diversity of leadership experience, evidence of faithful stewardship, and a clear understanding of the congregational principles of Village Church within the Diocese of the Carolinas and the Anglican Communion. They will be responsible primarily for finances, facilities and personnel with some key involvement in community leadership under the Rector - guidance, collaboration and support for the parish as a whole.

SOME DETAILS…

  • 2 of the candidates below, Bill Simmons and Susan Elliot, are nominees from this cycle and will replace members whose 3-year terms have ended. They are 2 of 4 total nominees this cycle who were willing and able to serve.

  • The other 2 candidates, Eric Carter and Keri Geary, were nominated by the congregation and approved by the vestry last cycle and will be stepping in to take the place of departures to St. Thomas.

  • All of these candidates are presented for election by affirmation of the membership, seeking a majority of a quorum (40%+) present at our May 5 annual meeting. The quorum number this year is 102 of 255 members-in-good-standing.

  • If you know of any reason a candidate should not be presented for vote by affirmation, please contact me ASAP (seth@villagegreenville.com)

Every blessing,
Seth+

The QUALIFICATIONS and DUTIES of the vestry are found on pages 9-10 of the Canons of our Diocese. If you would like to read more about our polity and governance, you can do so in the Canons of the Diocese of the Carolinas (ACNA).

Vestry Candidates

SUSAN ELLIOT

Originally from Atlanta, Susan moved to Greenville in 2018 for a job in marketing at Michelin. She started regularly attending Village in 2019 and became a member in 2021. Since then, she has been involved in small groups, Alpha, and prayer ministry. Susan has a BA in French from Furman University and an MBA from Emory University. 

BILL SIMMONS

Bill was born in Tennessee but grew up in the DR Congo where his parents were missionaries. He has been the CEO of national for-profit and international non-profit organizations well over two decades. Since 2010 he has served as President and CEO of Hope Rises International, formerly American Leprosy Missions, which was founded in 1906. Bill and his wife Cindi live in Greenville, SC. They have three sons, a daughter and 3 grand-children who live in Berea. Bill graduated from the University of Tennessee with a BA in Political Science and is pursuing postgraduate studies in spiritual formation at Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary.

ERIC CARTER

Eric is from Greenville. He is currently Deputy General Counsel for Techtronic Industries (better known by its power equipment brands: Ryobi, Ridgid, Hart, Milwaukee Tool, etc.), and founder of GioCounsel (a General Counsel service for startups and small businesses). Eric, his wife Annabelle, and their three sons (Oliver, Peter, and Ira) began attending Village in the summer of 2020. Eric completed his bachelors in Political Science at Furman University and his juris doctor at Vermont Law School. Over his career, Eric has served on boards and advisory councils for multiple non-profit organizations.

KERI GEARY
Keri and her husband, Steve, have lived in Greenville since 1997. Keri spent 20 years raising their three daughters and son, and volunteering in the church, schools, and community, before returning to the paid workforce in 2015 to lead a department at a large area church. As former Episcopalians, Village Church felt a bit like coming home in 2022. Keri completes a two year spiritual direction program this spring and looks forward to sharing this prayerful practice with others. Keri and Steve also have twin granddaughters. She has a BA in English from Washington and Lee University and an MBA from Tulane.