Rev. David Schaefers
Pastor and Head of Staff

David was called to FPC Richardson in 2012 after serving for four years as an associate pastor in Charleston, South Carolina. David is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2007 and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. A lifelong Presbyterian, David grew up (for the most part) in and around Tyler, Texas. He is married to Leigh Schaefers (a ruling elder in the PCUSA) and they have two girls, Celia and Emme.

More about Pastor Schaefers

Email David at: david@fpcrichardson.org
Follow David on Twitter at: @schaefers

Rev. Bev Hughes
Parish Associate

Rev. Bev was commissioned as a Parish Associate for First Presbyterian Church, Richardson in 2013. After being raised in the Roman Catholic faith, Bev received her B.A. from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and her Master of Divinity from Dubuque Seminary. She is married to Wayne Hughes and has 2 grown children and 5 grandchildren. Bev’s primary responsibility will be in the area of pastoral care but she will also assist with Christian Education, Fellowship, and Mission.

Email Bev at: revbev@fpcrichardson.org

Ralph Stannard
Director of Music

Ralph Stannard, a second generation Dallasite, has been Director of Music since 1998. He has a bachelor degree in music theory and composition from the University of Texas and a Masters of Music degree in instrumental education from the University of North Texas. He studied voice pedagogy with Grant Williams and choral conducting with Frank McKinley and Henry Gibbons. Ralph is also the choir director at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas and is the artistic director and conductor of the Plano Civic Chorus. A lyric baritone soloist, Ralph performs for numerous oratorios and masterworks throughout the Dallas metroplex.

Email Ralph at: ralph@fpcrichardson.org

Debbie Rowley
Director of Education and Invitation

Debbie is a retired public classroom teacher of 30 years and is happy to be working in Christian Education. She received a Bachelor's degree from Texas Tech and a Master's degree from the University of North Texas, both in the field of Education. A life long Presbyterian, ruling elder, and member of First Presbyterian since 1968, Debbie is excited to combine her past experiences in this new position! She has 3 grown children, Sarah and her husband Jason, and daughter Kelly whom all live away but are thought of constantly!

Email Debbie at: debbie@fpcrichardson.org

Shirley Latham
Organist

Shirley Grubbs Latham has served as organist at First Presbyterian, Richardson since 1975.  Shirley is a native Texan who grew up in Henderson, Texas and graduated from high school there.  While there, she studied organ with Frankie Allison and Carol Hamilton and studied piano with Anne Dean Turk.  She holds both a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas where she studied organ with Helen Hewitt and Dale Peters.  She has accompanied our church's Sanctuary Choir on five European tours.

At FPC, Shirley serves as a member of the Worship Ministry.  She heads up our Sanctuary Guild and is a member of the Wednesday Morning Prayer Group and the Sew and Tell Group.  She also serves as a volunteer with Faith Presbyterian Hospice and with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. 

Email Shirley at: shirley@fpcrichardson.org

Becky Lormor
Handbell Director

Since 1988, Becky Lormor has directed the Ruth Greer Handbell Choir for adults, and periodic handbell activities for children and youth. As a board member of the Greater Dallas Handbell Association, she has chaired events for ringers and directors. Becky earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree at the University of Evansville, Indiana. She and her husband, Gene, have two sons.

Email Becky at: blormor@tx.rr.com

Katie Gassensmith
Children's Choir Director

Katie Gassensmith graduated from Indiana University in 2003 with a degree in music education. She spent the following 10 years teaching Kindergarten through 8th grade general music and choir in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. Katie and her husband, Jeremiah have been married for 8 years. Besides conducting the children's choir at FPC, she is busy raising her two young boys.

Email Katie at: katieg@fpcrichardson.org

Cathy Battler
Office Assistant

Cathy Battler has served as a church Administrative Assistant for 20 years.  Her first position was as assistant to the Business Manager at the First Presbyterian Church in Reading, PA, where she served that congregation for 10 years. After moving to New Jersey she became the Parish Administrator at Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, Beach Haven, NJ, where she worked for 9 years. Then she made the excellent decision to move to McKinney, Texas and joined the FPC staff in 2016.  Cathy is married to her husband, Charlie, and together they have 3 grown sons and 3 grandchildren. 

Email Cathy at: cathy@fpcrichardson.org

Janice Fandrick
Financial Secretary

Janice has a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College, and earned her M.A. from the Center for Studies in Aging at the University of North Texas.  She has been a member of FPC since 1980 and served as FPC’s Business Administrator from 1996-2006, when she retired.  A lifelong Presbyterian, Janice was born and raised in the Northeast and reports that all three churches she has belonged to have been "First Presbyterian".  Janice has been active in many areas of church leadership.  She admits to being addicted to mysteries, and enjoys music, theater, and traveling. Janice has two grown children, Jessica and Ricky.

Email Janice at: janice@fpcrichardson.org

Dona Blodgett
Kitchen Coordinator

Barbara Carpenter
Wedding Coordinator

Gilli Smith
Childcare Coordinator