SYNOD STAFF
BRIDGE INTERIM SYNOD LEADER/STATED CLERK
Steve Shive, Teaching Elder Steve Shive comes to the Synod from serving as the Interim General Presbyter of Grace Presbytery. Steve received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Auburn University, Masters of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary and D.Min from Union Presbyterian Seminary. Steve has been in Presbytery leadership as a Transitional and General Presbytery for over 12 years. He also has certification as an Associate Certified Coach from the International Coaching Federation. Steve is married to Doris and have raised two adopted children.
ASSISTANT STATED CLERK
Ernest Higginbotham, Ruling Elder Ruling Elder Ernie Higginbotham serves and consults with the Stated Clerk and Synod Coordinating Team in planning, administrative review, and management of the judicial process. He is an attorney with UNT Dallas College of Law having worked previously with Strasburger & Price, Nortel Networks and UnitedLex.
DIRECTOR, PARTNERSHIP FOR DISASTER RECOVERY
Kathy Lee-Cornell, Teaching Elder is a pastor and licensed social worker who has served congregations and nonprofit ministries across Texas. Kathy has previously chaired the Advisory Committee for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and served as the site coordinator for the Young Adult Volunteer Program in the Presbytery of South Louisiana. Kathy is married to another PC(USA) pastor, and together they are raising two sons and an elderly dog.
COMMUNICATION AND ADMINISTRATION COORDINATOR
Thomas Riggs joined the synod staff in February 2018 from First Presbyterian Church in Grapevine, Texas, where he served as Director of Communications and Director of Youth Ministries. Tom is a 30+ year veteran of church work in the Lutheran, Episcopal and Presbyterian churches. Tom has served at Camp Gilmont, Mo Ranch and various Presbyterian youth events. He also served as an Administrative Assistant at Grace Presbytery. Tom is an avid fan of the Texas Rangers and Arsenal Football Club.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, SOLAR UNDER THE SUN
Elizabeth Brinegar, Teaching Elder was born and raised in Arkansas. She graduated from Lyon College with a BA in English Literature and earned her Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary. She has worked as a youth director, solo pastor, non-profit administrator, and college chaplain. She currently lives in Searcy, Arkansas and is the Interim Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Batesville, AR. As half of a clergy couple, she and her husband Blake spend time split between their two churches. She enjoys spending time with her dog and cat, reading, baking, and singing in the church choir.
COMMUNICATIONS CONTRACTOR
Lindsay Freeman-McCarthy, Ruling Elder and Deacon is a 12th generation Presbyterian and daughter to two Presbyterian ministers. After moving to the Netherlands, she once again became active again in the life of the church when coming on board with the Synod. Lindsay assists with CSP, building websites, mass e-mails, and creating beautiful social media.
