Staff
Reverend Kevin Wittmayer - frkevin@trinityparish.org
The Reverend Kevin Wittmayer is the seventh rector of Trinity Episcopal Church. Fr. Kevin attended Oral Roberts University and received undergraduate and master degrees in Business Administration. After an eight year career in banking, Fr. Kevin attended Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.
On January 11, 1992 Fr. Kevin was ordained an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Oklahoma. Before coming to Longview, Fr. Kevin and his wife started a church in Yukon, Oklahoma. Fr. Kevin became the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in November of 2003. Fr. Kevin is presently earning a Doctorate in Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Fr. Kevin's wife, Pamela, is the Chief Financial Officer of Trinity School of Texas, an Episcopal School affiliated with the church. Melissa, Fr. Kevin's youngest daughter is a senior in high school. Kristel Morris, Fr. Kevin's oldest daughter, is married to Seth Morris and resides in Gilmer, Texas. Fr. Kevin also serves as Dean of the Northeast Convocation of the Diocese of Texas.
Reverend Eric Zubler - freric@trinityparish.org
The Reverend Eric John Zubler joined the staff at Trinity Episcopal Church in August of 2007. He holds a Masters of Divinity degree from The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. He was ordained in June of 2007. His work in the parish involves pastoral care and counseling, education, and liturgical responsibilities for the parish and Trinity School of Texas.
Eric's background is in education at the primary grade levels. His twelve year teaching career began in the Dallas Independent School District and concluded in a suburban Denver City before his seminary education began in 2004.
Eric is married to Connie A. Zubler. They have been married fourteen years and have a two year-old daughter and a three year-old son, both of whom attend Trinity School of Texas.
Bill Bane - Director of Music Ministries - bbane@trinityparish.org
Bill joined the staff of Trinity as Director of Music Ministries in January 2008. He graduated in 1990 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration and a double major in organ and choral music from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Bill attended seminary at Brite Divinity School of Texas Christian University and the course of study program at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University.
As a licensed United Methodist Minister, he served for 9 years as pastor and associate pastor (music ministry) of United Methodist Churches in the Dallas and Denton, Texas area prior to moving to Longview. An experienced church musician, Bill has served as organist and music director for churches in Oklahoma and Texas. Bill holds the Colleague certificate with the American Guild of Organists and is a member of the Dallas Chapter of the AGO, where he is editor of the Dallas Chapter newsletter, the Crescendo. He is also a member of the Chorister's Guild.
Bill is married to Heather and they have two beautiful daughters, Sarah and Maddy who both attend Trinity School of Texas. Other family members include their three miniature Schnauzers, Mac, Jasper and Zacchaeus.
John Murphy - Verger - jmurphy@trinityparish.org
John serves Trinity in two primary capacities, as an office assistant and as Verger. In the office, he assists the staff and volunteers as needed; serves as the contact person for the Trinity conference center; and maintains attendance and service records. As Verger, John willingly assists the priests with the many details of worship services in whatever way he is needed. John is a life-long Episcopalian and has been a member of Trinity Longview since 1948. A retired local businessman, John is married to Betty; they have three sons and two grandchildren.
Rene Thompson - Director Trinity House Child Care Center - trinityhouse@trinityparish.org
Ms. Thompson is originally from Gladewater Texas. She spent quite a few years traveling the world courtesy of the military. She participated in a program with instructors from Central Texas College and earned a degree through the Military in Early Childhood Development. She has worked in day care for 10 years. She worked for the government in the Child Development Center until she transferred from Tokyo, Japan in 2005 and joined the Trinity House staff in July 2005. She served as Lead Teacher/Director's Assistant before taking on the responsibility as Interim Director for Trinity House Child Care Center.
Ms. Thompson has two beautiful children of her own, Amber who is sixteen and Kaytlin who is six months.
Charles "Flex" Wheeler - Youth Minister - fwheeler@trinityparish.org
Charles "Flex" Wheeler joined Trinity January 1, 2008, along with his wife Tiffany, as the Youth Pastor. Flex was a United States Marine for 4 years where he came to know Christ and soon after began working in youth ministry. He has been involved on many levels while working in youth ministry, from student to youth leader. He is an enthusiastic young man geared and ready to do the work of God and we are excited to have him.
Leno Mancilla - Sexton
Leno serves as our sexton, maintaining the properties of Trinity Church, Trinity House, and the Trinity Conference Center. A gifted "fix-it" man, Leno keeps all of our properties clean and in good working order. Leno joined our staff in 2003 and has been an invaluable blessing to the life of our church. Leno is married to Maria; they have five children.
Reagan Sapp - Director of Christian Formation - rsapp@trinityparish.org
Reagan recently joined the staff of Trinity as the Director of Christian Formation. She graduated from Abilene Christian University in 2006 with a degree in Human Communications and an emphasis in organizational communication. Reagan has also studied at the University of Oxford in England, served a congregation as their Youth and Family Director, and worked with Young LIfe properties. Reagan is also a member of the American Cancer Society Cattle Barron's Committee and participates on the Alley Fest/Kids Fest board in the East Texas community. She enjoys reading, traveling, her Golden Retriever Abilee, and playing golf.
George Pliler - Volunteer - gpliler@trinityparish.org
George Pliler serves Trinity as a "jack-of-all-trades." He coordinates maintenance of the church facility, schedules lay ministry volunteers, serves as an assistant verger, and also manages endowment board resources and properties. George is a former US Navy Lieutenant and retired mechanical engineer. A graduate of Texas A&M University, he worked at Texas Eastman in Longview for 32 years. He married Marie in 1964. They have 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. His favorite pastimes are running and fishing.
Pat Box - Volunteer
Pat is a retired, registered nurse and long time Trinity member who faithfully answers our telephones, organizes mailings, updates our membership database, organizes altar flower contributions, and countless other such administrative tasks that need to be done. Pat is a graduate of the Parkland Hospital School of Nursing in Dallas, Texas. She spent the bulk of her long nursing career as the Occupational Health Nurse at the Schiltz/Strohs Brewery, formerly located in Longview.