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Diocesan 
Elections

56th Annual Diocesan Convention Election Results  

Questions? Contact Beth Gould, Administrative Assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary, at bgould@episcopalswfl.org.

The following are election results by the 56th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southwest Florida Virtual Business Meeting on December 5, 2024.

 

Watch the Convention Business Meeting Here

Delegates at the convention voted online via the VPoll voting application. Please see the election results below:

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ELECTION A BALLOT: Standing Committee, Lay: Elect one (1). Elect one (1) lay person to a (3) three-year term.

  1. Mrs. Michelle Thomas

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ELECTION B BALLOT: Standing Committee, Presbyter: Elect two (2). Elect two (2) presbyters to a (3) three-year term

  1. The Rev. Joseph Hudson

  2. The Rev. Sandra Rogers

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ELECTION C BALLOT: Diocesan Council, Presbyter: Elect one (1). Elect one (1) Presbyter to a two-year term.

  1. The Rev. Eddie Gibbons

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ELECTION D BALLOT: Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Board, Lay: Elect one (1). Elect one (1) Lay person to a 3-year term

  1. Mr. Edwin Ortiz

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ELECTION E  BALLOT: Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Board, Clergy: Elect one (1). Elect one (1) clergy to a 3-year term.

  1. The Rev. Janet Tunnell​

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The convention also affirmed Diocesan Council elections, held in September. These are:

  • Clearwater Deanery – Ms. Connie Mehr

  • Ft. Myers Deanery – Ms. Paula Paquette

  • Manasota Deanery – The Rev. Joyce Holmes, St. Wilfred's

  • Naples Deanery –  Mr. Tom Connolly

  • St. Petersburg Deanery – Mr. Ron Clayton, and The Rev. Rob Crow, St Augustine's

  • Tampa Deanery – The Rev. Dale Van Wormer, St. John's

  • Venice Deanery – The Rev. Andrea Rose Hayden, St Nathaniel's

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The members of the 56th Diocesan Convention affirmed the appointments to the Commission on Ministry.

Lay:   Appoint 1 Lay (to the remainder of an unexpired first term)

  • Ms. Chris N. Vasquez, Co-Chair 

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Presbyter: Appoint 4 Presbyters (three-year terms/No more than two consecutive terms)

  • The Rev. Carla B. McCook, Co-Chair (first term, 2024-2027)

  • The Rev. Whitney A. Burton (second term, 2024-2027)

  • The Rev. Christian M. Wood (second term, 2024-2027)

  • The Rev. Jonathan W. Evans (first term, 2024-2027

 

The members of the 56th Diocesan Convention affirmed the appointments of the Canonical Deans.

  • (Fort Myers)............The Very Rev. A. Charles Cannon      [2024-2025 second term]

  • (Clearwater).............The Very Rev. Daniel J. Lemley      [2024-2025 first term]

  • (Manasota)...............The Very Rev. David J. Marshall      [2024-2025 first term]

  • (Naples)....................The Very Rev. Jessica H. Babcock      [2024-2025 first term]

  • (St. Petersburg)........The Very Rev. Ethan J. Cole      [2024-2025 second term]

  • (Tampa).................... The Very Rev. Robert C. Douglas      [2024-2025 third term]

  • (Venice)......................The Very Rev. Cesar Olivero      [2024-2025 second term]

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After the convention, the newly formed Standing Committee elected new officers. These officers are:

    • President: The Rev. Ryan R. Whitley

    • Vice President: The Rev. Michelle Robertshaw

    • Secretary: The Hon. Jack Day 

    • Liaison to the C.O.M.: The Rev. Joe Hudson

 

Standing Committee Members:

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Presbyters:
The Rev. Joe Hudson [2027 - 1st term]
The Rev. Dr. Jessica Harris Babcock [2026 -1st term]
The Rev. Michelle L. Robertshaw [2026- 2nd term]

The Rev Sandy Rogers [2027-1st Term]
The Rev. Ryan R. Whitley  [2025 – 2nd term]

 

Lay Members:
Mrs. Michelle Thomas [2027- 1st Term]
Ms. Rachel Schnabel [2026 -1st term]
Ms. Jacqueline Smith [2025 - 2nd term]
The Hon. Jack Day [2025 - 1st term]

 

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55th Annual Diocesan Convention Election Results  

Questions? Contact Beth Gould, Administrative Assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary, at bgould@episcopalswfl.org.

The following are election results by the 55th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, meeting at the Charlotte Harbor Events and Convention Center on October 7, 2023.

 

Watch the Convention Business Meeting Here

Delegates at the convention voted in person via the VPoll voting application. Please see the election results below:

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ELECTION A BALLOT: Standing Committee, Lay: Elect one (1). Elect one (1) lay person to a (3) three-year term.

  1. Ms. Rachel Schnabel

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ELECTION B BALLOT: Standing Committee, Presbyter: Elect two (2). Elect two (2) presbyters to a (3) three-year term

  1. The Rev. Dr. Jessica Harris Babcock

  2. The Rev. Michelle Robertshaw

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ELECTION C BALLOT: Diocesan Council, At large, Lay: Elect two (2). Elect two (2) lay persons to a (2) two-year term.

  1. Mr. Richard Helms

  2. Ms. Marla Ryder

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ELECTION D BALLOT: Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Board, Lay: Elect one (1). Elect one (1) Lay person to a 3-year term

  1. Mr. Justin Miller

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ELECTION E  BALLOT: Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Board, Clergy: Elect two (2). Elect two (2) clergy to a 3-year term.

  1. The Rev. Michael Alford

  2. The Rev. Marcella Drawdy

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ELECTION F BALLOT: University of the South Trustee, Lay: Elect one (1). Elect one (1) lay person to a three-year term, which begins 7/1/2024 and ends 6/30/2027

  1. Jeffery Patenaude

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The convention also affirmed Diocesan Council elections, held in September. These are:

  • Clearwater Deanery – The Rev. Peter Lane, St. Alfred’s, Clearwater – 3rd Term

  • Ft. Myers Deanery – The Rev. Bill Van Oss, St. Michael & All Angels, Sanibel – 3rd Term

  • Manasota Deanery – Ms. MaryPage Hill, Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota – 2nd Term

  • Naples Deanery – The Rev. Jonathan Evans, St. Monica’s, Naples – 2nd Term

  • St. Petersburg Deanery –The Rev. Anne Hartley, St. Thomas’, St. Pete– 1st Term

  • Tampa Deanery – Ms. Katie Arp, St. John the Divine, Sun City – 2nd Term

  • Tampa Deanery – The Rev. Dale Van Wormer, St John’s, Tampa- unexpired - 2nd Term

  • Venice Deanery – Mr. Randy Arsenault, Good Shepherd, Punta Gorda – 2nd Term

 

The members of the 55th Diocesan Convention affirmed the appointments to the Commission on Ministry.

Lay:   Appoint 2 Lay (three-year terms/No more than two consecutive terms)

  • Ning Bonoan

  • James Corn 

Deacon: Appoint 2 Deacon (three-year terms/No more than two consecutive terms)

  • The Venerable Michael Kitt

  • The Rev. Mary Alice Lopez

 

The members of the 55th Diocesan Convention affirmed the appointments of the Canonical Deans.

  • (Fort Myers) ....................................... The Very Rev. A. Charles Cannon [2023-2026]         

  • (Clearwater)....................................... The Very Rev. Raynald S. Bonoan [2021-2024]

  • (Manasota)......................................... The Very Rev. Matthew Grunfeld [2023-2026]

  • (Naples)............................................. The Very Rev. Edward C. Gleason [2021-2024]

  • (St. Petersburg)................................... The Very Rev. Alexander Andujar [2022-2025]

  • (Tampa) .............................................. The Very Rev. Robert C. Douglas [2022-2025]

  • (Venice)..................................................... The Very Rev. Cesar Olivero [2023-2026]

 

After the convention, the newly formed Standing Committee elected new officers. These officers are:

    • President: The Rev. Ryan R. Whitley

    • Vice President: The Rev. Michelle Robertshaw

    • Secretary: The Hon. Jack Day 

    • Liaison to the C.O.M.: Mr. Duane Hollier

    • Members:

Presbyters:
The Rev. A. Charles Cannon, III [2024 - 2nd term]
The Rev. Dr. Jessica Harris Babcock [2026 -1st term]
The Rev. Michelle L. Robertshaw [2023- 2nd term]
The Rev. James C. Teets  [2024 - 2nd term]
The Rev. Ryan R. Whitley  [2025 – 2nd term]

Lay Members:
Mr. Duane A. Hollier, Sr. [2024 – 2nd term]
Ms. Rachel Schnabel [2026 -1st term]
Ms. Jacqueline Smith [2025 - 2nd term]
The Hon. Jack Day [2025 - 1st term]

Diocesan Convention Elections  

​​Candidates for office may nominate themselves. Lay nominees must be at least 16 years of age and their name must be duly enrolled in the register of their congregation, they must be regular in attendance at divine services and make stated contributions of record to the general support of the congregation. (Canon VII, 3 a.).

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Questions? Contact Beth Gould, Administrative Assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary, at bgould@episcopalswfl.org.

About the Positions

  • Standing Committee: The Standing Committee is a council advising the bishop. In certain circumstances, the Standing Committee is the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese of Southwestern Florida in the absence of the bishop. The Standing Committee is involved in a number of matters including church indebtedness and ordination. Standing Committee members serve three-year terms, and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. They meet monthly on Tuesday mornings, or as needed. 

 

  • Diocesan Council: Diocesan Council is the board of directors for the corporation of the diocese and serves as an "interim body” between conventions. It is responsible for the oversight of the work of the diocese including finance, congregational development, property issues, diocesan policy, DaySpring and other matters concerning the fabric of the diocesan community. Council usually meets on the third Saturday of the month at DaySpring, about six times a year.

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  • Disciplinary Board: The Disciplinary Board consists of nine persons (five clergy and four lay) who meet in order to consider the ecclesiastical discipline of a bishop, priest or deacon, governed by Title IV of the Canons for the Government of the Episcopal Church.

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