Meet the Pastors

Scott Bowen
Senior Pastor
Scott and his wife Amanda have been married since 2003. They have four children. All six Bowens moved to Signal Mountain from Opelika, Alabama in 2014 when Scott began serving at Signal Pres.
That move was something of a ‘homecoming’ for Scott and Amanda. Scott was on staff at Signal Pres from 2000-2004 as a Youth Director, and he and Amanda first met at the Mountain Opry in 2001. After getting married they moved to Massachusetts, where Scott attended Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. In 2007, the Bowens moved to Opelika where Scott served as the pastor of First Presbyterian Church for almost eight years.
Scott grew up in Nashville, and attended the University of North Carolina. At the heart of his vision for ministry are Paul’s words to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28: ‘Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”
That move was something of a ‘homecoming’ for Scott and Amanda. Scott was on staff at Signal Pres from 2000-2004 as a Youth Director, and he and Amanda first met at the Mountain Opry in 2001. After getting married they moved to Massachusetts, where Scott attended Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. In 2007, the Bowens moved to Opelika where Scott served as the pastor of First Presbyterian Church for almost eight years.
Scott grew up in Nashville, and attended the University of North Carolina. At the heart of his vision for ministry are Paul’s words to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28: ‘Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

Andy Cornett
Associate Pastor of Families
Though he can talk your ear off about most things, Andy doesn’t really like to say too much about himself. His aim is to follow Jesus in a life that passionately loves God and loves people.
He and his wife Robin have a wonderful family of three kids and a dog. He loves to cook (and eat), read books, and be outdoors: fortunately his family agrees with those (and their house shows it).
Both Andy and Robin graduated from Wheaton College in 1997, and Andy has been in student ministry ever since. He completed his Master of Divinity degree through Fuller Seminary in the Fall of 2009 and was ordained a year later.
You can most likely find Andy at some local spot (doing study or prep), in the office, at home, or out and about with students and families. He loves face time with people, so his door (or phone or email) will be open if you want to get together.
Andy’s own great passion is to see students and families become life-long disciples of Jesus who shine like stars in this world. The church and the family work are meant to work together for the sake of that mission, growing deeper in knowledge of who we are in Christ and spreading outward in love to those around us. It’s always an adventure – and never a waste. (1 Cor. 15:58)
He and his wife Robin have a wonderful family of three kids and a dog. He loves to cook (and eat), read books, and be outdoors: fortunately his family agrees with those (and their house shows it).
Both Andy and Robin graduated from Wheaton College in 1997, and Andy has been in student ministry ever since. He completed his Master of Divinity degree through Fuller Seminary in the Fall of 2009 and was ordained a year later.
You can most likely find Andy at some local spot (doing study or prep), in the office, at home, or out and about with students and families. He loves face time with people, so his door (or phone or email) will be open if you want to get together.
Andy’s own great passion is to see students and families become life-long disciples of Jesus who shine like stars in this world. The church and the family work are meant to work together for the sake of that mission, growing deeper in knowledge of who we are in Christ and spreading outward in love to those around us. It’s always an adventure – and never a waste. (1 Cor. 15:58)

Joey Sherrard
Associate Pastor of Discipleship
Joey began his ministry with Signal Pres in 2016. As the Associate Pastor of Discipleship, it is Joey’s privilege to help men and women “to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18-19) so that we can together grow in grace and maturity in the Christian life.
Through corporate worship, Core Classes, discipleship groups, and oversight of men’s and women’s ministries, and various other book groups and studies, Joey works to create an environment where growing disciples can learn the freeing way of the Lord Jesus.
Originally from Starkville, MS, Joey returned there after seminary to serve as associate and then interim senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church before moving to St Andrews, Scotland for graduate school. He attended Rhodes College, the Trinity Fellows Academy, and Duke Divinity School, and received his PhD from the University of St Andrews in systematic theology.
Joey and fellow Mississippi native Kate have been married since 2005. They have two sons and together they enjoy exploring Chattanooga and traveling whenever they have the chance.
Through corporate worship, Core Classes, discipleship groups, and oversight of men’s and women’s ministries, and various other book groups and studies, Joey works to create an environment where growing disciples can learn the freeing way of the Lord Jesus.
Originally from Starkville, MS, Joey returned there after seminary to serve as associate and then interim senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church before moving to St Andrews, Scotland for graduate school. He attended Rhodes College, the Trinity Fellows Academy, and Duke Divinity School, and received his PhD from the University of St Andrews in systematic theology.
Joey and fellow Mississippi native Kate have been married since 2005. They have two sons and together they enjoy exploring Chattanooga and traveling whenever they have the chance.
Meet the Staff

Celestial Allen
Director of NightOWLS Ministry
In her free time, Celestial enjoys interior design and traveling with her family. Isaac, Celestial, Maddie, and Ben are always ready for a road trip! They travel to Texas at least once each year and also love visiting New York City.

Courtney Armstrong
Kids Ministry Specialist 2nd-5th
Courtney and George have been married for 27 years. They have 3 children: Caroline, Brennan, and Foster. Courtney is a former elementary school teacher from Jacksonville, Florida. Courtney and her family have been members of Signal Pres for over 20 years, and she has served in Kids Ministry at Signal Pres for over ten years.

Amanda Bowen
Kids Ministry Specialist 0-3
Amanda and Scott have been married for 20 years and have four children-2 boys in high school and 2 girls in middle school. Amanda enjoys travelling, cooking, reading, hiking and taking walks with or without her two goldendoodles.

Matt Broom
Director of Technical Support Ministries
Matt is also the Director of Percussion at Signal Mountain Middle/High School and enjoys cupcakes, Braves baseball, Souther Star peanut better pie, UTC athletics, Mexican food, playing music, Miss Griffin’s Footlong Hotdogs, and changing his Slack profile picture to unflattering photos of Dr. Bowen.

Paul Byrd
Director of High School Ministry
Paul moved here from Colorado Springs, CO in fall of 2022. Since then he has gotten well connected into the city and has continued his love for mountains, rivers, and nature in general. Paul enjoys long road trips, baseball, food, and the use of the oxford comma. His favorite bovine is the American Bison, favorite caniform is the black bear, and his favorite piscivorous avian is the blue heron!

Becky Cox
Kids Ministry Specialist 4yrs-1st Grade
Becky Cox is married to Mikeal and have three kids – Tucker, Kyle, and Bella. Mikeal works at Volkswagen and Becky taught kindergarten for 20 years. She’s looking forward to her new position with Signal Pres because she will get to continue working with many of the kids and families she already knew from Nolan and meet new ones as well!

Lorie Dewey
Director of Women's Discipleship
Lorie has served in Women's Ministry for over 16 years. She earned a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Gordon Conwell, and has a particular interest in women's spiritual development. Tom and Lorie have been married for over 30 years and have three sons.

Jason Duroy
Assistant Director of Music Ministry/Organist
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Barbara Hailey
Administrative Assistant
Celebrating over 25 years on staff, Barbara continues to enjoy greeting each caller and visitor to the church, and thrives on seeing that all is done for the greater good of Signal Pres

Steven Ingram
Director of Music Ministry
Steven has a deep appreciation for how music, with all its variety of stylistic approaches, can facilitate worship and be used as a tool to minister to God, his people, and the world. He enjoys both directing a choir in traditional worship and playing piano in an informal worship setting.

Bridget Lejune
Ministry Coordinator - Student & Family Ministry
Bridget was born and raised in Louisiana (GeauxTigers) and has lived in Chattanooga for almost 2 years. Before joining the Signal Pres, she worked as an elementary teacher for 7 years. Bridget is the dog-mom to the cutest mini Australian Shepherd, Luna.

John Livingston
Director of Middle School Ministry
John likes to golf (disc golf and regular golf), play music with his friends, and spend time with his wife Mattie. In the summer of 2022 he lived in the Czech Republic and ran camps for students.

Johnny Long
Executive Director
Johnny was called into full-time ministry in 2012 after 20+ years as an executive in corporate logistics. Johnny has served on many committees with the EPC and was the chair of the West.

Amy Meller
Director of Presbyterian Day School
Amy graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Elementary Education. She and her husband Steve moved to Chattanooga in 1996. Amy is a mother to three young adults and a pet mom to a veritable zoological society.

Jack London
Chief Accountant
Jack and his wife Edna have been married 54 years.
Jack has been a member of Signal Pres for 20 years. He is a retired partner from HHM where he worked for 30+ years.
Jack has been a member of Signal Pres for 20 years. He is a retired partner from HHM where he worked for 30+ years.

Krista Olszewski
Ministry Coordinator - Women's Ministry
Krista was born and raised on Long Island and moved to Signal in 2019 with her husband Mike and their 5 amazing kids. Krista worked in the financial industry for over 10 years. In her free time, you can find her curled up with a new book, gaming, or trying out one of the many amazing restaurants Chattanooga has to offer.

Brynn O'Rear
High School Resident
Brynn and her family were missionaries in Ukraine, but she primarily grew up in South Georgia. She graduated from Bryan College with her degree in Biblical and Theological Studies, and also met her husband, Collin. Brynn and Collin reside with their fur ball of energy, Harlow

Catherine Payne
Director of Kids Discipleship
Catherine and her husband, Jay, have five children (all boys!) and are longtime members of Signal Pres. She has a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and was a classroom teacher before staying home with her kids. Now she uses her background in education in a different way as she serves Covenant children and their families.

Carol Price
Hospitality Director
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John Ridge
Director of Support Services
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Cara Rock
Director of Embrace Ministry
Cara graduated from Auburn University with a B.A. in Psychology and a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education. She was a Special Educator in the public schools before staying home with her children for 18 years. Now Cara is using her training to serve the families of Embrace Ministry.

Lyle Schlegel
Middle School Resident
Some of my favorite passages in Scripture include Genesis 16, John 4, and Acts 10. A few of my interests include birdwatching (my favorite sighting was a Stellar’s Jay in Colorado’s Estes Park), catching up on the list of books I need to read, and spending time in aquariums.

Jesse Schwindt
Executive Administrative Assistant
When Jesse isn’t at church you can find him collecting sports cards, riding around on his vintage motorcycle, or playing pick-up basketball. He also enjoys going to coffee shops where he can relax and read a good book.

Leza Simpson
Assistant Director of Presbyterian Day School
When she’s not at PDS, you will find Leza sailing with her family, walking in the woods, reading, gardening, and cooking. Of all the blessings in her life, she is most thankful for Christ’s love, forgiveness, and eternal life. She considers her amazing husband and daughters precious gifts.

Hannah Sims
Ministry Coordinator
Before joining the Signal Pres staff in June 2018, she worked as a therapist with kids and adults with autism for three years. Hannah married Fletcher Sims in April 2018 and have the cutest seven-year-old golden retriever, Willow.

Hannah Sutton
Communications Coordinator
Loves all things arts. Longtime resident of Signal Mountain. Hannah is mom to 4 children. Two teenagers and two babies! Her favorite thing to do is take walks around old town with her children and husband, Chris. Often you will see 2 of their 3 cats following along with them.

Camille Ward
Director of Student Discipleship
Camille enjoys face time with people so never hesitate to reach out – she would love to spend time with you! She also invites you to pray for her and the Student Ministry as we seek to be the faithful presence of Jesus’ love to families and students equipping them to live in Christ’s love & serve in his name!
Meet the Elders
DAVID BARKER
LEE BEHAR
TONY BOALS
ANDRE DANTZLER
JULIE FOREMAN
DREW FOWLER
T. W. FRANCESCON
MARC FUNK
DOUG GREGORY
BRANT HOLT
JIM HYNDS
JOHN KINARD
ROBERT KULISEK
LEE BEHAR
TONY BOALS
ANDRE DANTZLER
JULIE FOREMAN
DREW FOWLER
T. W. FRANCESCON
MARC FUNK
DOUG GREGORY
BRANT HOLT
JIM HYNDS
JOHN KINARD
ROBERT KULISEK
PEGGY LAROCHELLE
BOB MARSHALL
TAL MINCEY
CARTER NEWBOLD
FRANK PEELE
DONNA PETERSON
TOM PLAUCHE
TYLER ROGERS
STOKES SMITH
STEVE TIPPS
ANDY TUCKER
JOHN WILSON
BRUCE ZEISER
BOB MARSHALL
TAL MINCEY
CARTER NEWBOLD
FRANK PEELE
DONNA PETERSON
TOM PLAUCHE
TYLER ROGERS
STOKES SMITH
STEVE TIPPS
ANDY TUCKER
JOHN WILSON
BRUCE ZEISER
Meet the Deacons
JENNIFER AGAN
GEORGE ARMSTRONG
JOHN BARKER
CLINT CAVETT
JEFF CLAXTON
GARRISON CONNER
BILL CRABBE
FRANCES DICKERSON
KRIS EDMONDSON
DOUGLAS FORD
ANNA GRAUNKE
CHAD HARRIS
GARY HELRIGEL
GEORGE ARMSTRONG
JOHN BARKER
CLINT CAVETT
JEFF CLAXTON
GARRISON CONNER
BILL CRABBE
FRANCES DICKERSON
KRIS EDMONDSON
DOUGLAS FORD
ANNA GRAUNKE
CHAD HARRIS
GARY HELRIGEL
DAVID HIGGINS
SUSIE HIGGINS
KATHERINE HURST
KIM HUSTON
ALLYSON KINARD
JOHN LARAMORE
ERIC MERKLE
MARC MILLER
JOHN RENNICH
DAVID SIMPSON
WARREN SINOR
GERRY STAFFORD
ANDY WILLIAMS
SUSIE HIGGINS
KATHERINE HURST
KIM HUSTON
ALLYSON KINARD
JOHN LARAMORE
ERIC MERKLE
MARC MILLER
JOHN RENNICH
DAVID SIMPSON
WARREN SINOR
GERRY STAFFORD
ANDY WILLIAMS