ANNUAL MEETING 2022: VESTRY AND CONVENTION DELEGATE NOMINEES
VESTRY NOMINEES:
ROB DURAN
Tell us why you feel called to run for vestry:
I am thankful for and indebted to the Episcopal church, generally, and to this cathedral, specifically, for providing such a nurturing and generative spiritual home. It took me a long time to get here but I feel like it's where I've always belonged. As for my candidacy for the Vestry, I want to assist the cathedral in whatever ways that I'm able and needed. To that end, my backgrounds in business, finance, and law may be beneficial to the work of the Vestry.
I am relatively new to the Episcopal church and to St. Paul's. Music initially drew me to this faith community, and most people here know me through my participation in the St. Paul's Choir, the Schola Cantorum, and the Evensong Choir. By way of profession, I am an independent oil and gas consultant specializing in acquisitions and divestitures and the management of assets across multiple basins. Prior to my career in the energy industry I worked as a practicing attorney at law firms in Texas and Oklahoma. My educational background includes a Juris Doctorate (law degree) from Vanderbilt University Law School and a B.B.A. in Finance (minor in Philosophy) from Oklahoma Baptist University. My family and I live in Edmond and we are active in the ministries of the church, including the youth group and the Cathedral Choristers.
KYLE FOSTER
Tell us why you feel called to run for vestry:
The Cathedral provides so much to my family--the opportunity for beautiful worship, a supportive community, and a place for our kids to grow in their faith and make lifelong friends. I've always felt that, if something is important to me, I have a responsibility to devote my time and talent in service of that cause. I have a great deal of experience with serving and leading in volunteer and civic organizations, so I feel very blessed to be able to offer those skills in service of the Cathedral if I have the honor of being selected as a member of the vestry.
I'm a fifth-generation Oklahoman who grew up in the southeastern portion of the state. I attended East Central University for my bachelor's degree and earned a master's at Drexel University and a PhD at Oklahoma State University. I work for the state as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the coordinating board for Oklahoma's 25 public colleges and universities. I oversee the College Readiness division and serve as the primary staff member for authoring and revising all statewide academic policies. I also serve as the chief regulatory officer in the agency for the authorization and supervision of private institutions of higher education. I'm an active member of the Downtown OKC Kiwanis Club, where I serve as Membership Chair and President-Elect. I'm also a member of the ECU Alumni Association Board of Directors and recently completed a term as Vice Chair for Board Development on the Oklahoma Hall of Fame's Second Century Board. My wife, Kendall, and I live with our two daughters, Tatum (8) and Merritt (2), in Crown Heights, along with two spoiled dogs, Little Bit and Lady. On the rare occasions that we're not busy with family activities, I love reading and learning new things.
FRANCI HART
Tell us why you feel called to run for vestry:
I have the time to serve. I have experience leading organizations and knowledge of how nonprofits should work. I love St Pauls, am excited about its new energy and wish make a contribution to its future.
As a member of the choir and long time leader of spiritual exercises, I am familiar with many of the workings of our Parish. I am a retired fund raiser, raising millions of dollars for universities and hospital systems. Recently, I have become president of a small oil company. I am also a certified spiritual director with almost 5 years experience. My volunteer activities include Rotary, Leadership OKC and serving in numerous nonprofit boards. Before the pandemic I was spiritual director for St George’s Guild and I am a volunteer consultant for Hope for The Future.
BILL PARKER
I am a recently divorced retired lawyer; was confirmed in 1974; attended Church of the Resurrection on NW Highway from 1980 until moving to the Cathedral after both daughters were married here in 2005. At Resurrection I served on vestry 1981-1990, co chairman of the building committee with Dan Morgan when Resurrection sold it’s NW Highway location and built new parish building on Rockwell in 1988-1990. Served two terms as senior warden at Resurrection.I am indebted to Canon Susan, who was wonderful and important in the provision of pastoral care whilst I was teetering between life and death for months in the hospital after the wreck and during my recovery. I am inclined to talk more and listen less than I should. I’m working on that; remember, God’s not finished with me yet!
HEATHER SESSING
Tell us why you feel called to run for vestry:
I believe I feel called to run because I love this church and want to be part of serving and guiding the church for the next few years. My time with my church service responsibilities has given me a peek at some of the challenges and opportunities the church handles and I’d like to be part of our forward progress.
I was raised Methodist and came to the Episcopal Church in 2009. My husband (Mark) and I have been attending St. Paul’s for nine years. We have two children and attend the 9am service. I work in the Environmental Operations group at OG&E. Here at St. Paul’s I serve on the Building & Grounds and Outreach committees, and I am a Sunday School teacher.
VINAY THOTTUNKAL
Tell us why you feel called to run for vestry:
I believe in service on the vestry as my commitment to my Christian and business principles. I am optimistic in my abilities in identifying the vision and strategic planning of the parish and prioritizing the resources to be successful.I started my life in Norman, OK in 2001 as a graduate student at the Univ of Oklahoma. I hold master's degrees in both Structural Engineering and Construction Administration from OU. I currently work as the Director of Engineering for one of the nations largest Building manufacturing companies and serve as the Executive Director for the Oklahoma Structural Engineers Association. I currently live in Norman with my wife Amanda, our 5-year old daughter Kavitha and two cats named Ty & Coco. Our family enjoys camping, traveling and cooking together.
NOMINEES FOR DIOCESAN CONVENTION (Slate of 7): Gary Derrick, Robert Dennis, John Koons, Jana Plowman, Mark Sessing, Aleithia Stephens, Sherry Sullivan