officers &
Staff

Barry presently serves as the Vice-Moderator of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic and the Temporary Stated Clerk oft he Presbytery of the James. Born in Washington, DC and raised in Northern Virginia, Barry graduated from Virginia Tech and made his career in radiation and nuclear safety at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

He was ordained as an Elder at Catoctin Presbyterian Church in Waterford, VA,where he was active in worship,youth ministry and pulpit supply. He and his wife Ann joined Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, in 2018 and served as Clerk of Session for four years. Last March, Barry was certified as ready to receive a call as a Commissioned Ruling Elder.

Rev. Leah Epps is the pastor of Greenway Presbyterian Church in Lenoir, NC and a member of Presbytery of Western North Carolina. Leah is a 2016 graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Her first call was to the yoked churches of Fairview Presbyterian and United Presbyterian, both in Lenoir. Leah was ordained and installed for these churches in December of 2020. It was not long after taking the call, both churches independently began talking about merging. It was a long process, and the result was Greenway Presbyterian which began January 1, 2023. Leah enjoys traveling, games, puzzles, and being in the outdoors; whether mountains or oceans, she embraces the joys found in God’s creation.

Warren J. Lesane, Jr., is a native of Mayesville, SC and is a product of Goodwill Presbyterian Church. He is a graduate of Sumter County SC public schools and completed undergraduate work was at Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte NC. Warren matriculated at the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center Atlanta, GA and has done additional studies at the Summer Public Policy Institute, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois; and the Summer Interfaith Institute at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Pastoral calls include Mt Lisbon and Mt Sinai Presbyterian Churches, Lee County South Carolina; The Presbytery of Atlantic called Warren to organize the North Sumter New Church Development which New Covenant Presbyterian Church was chartered in 1983. Warren was elected as its first installed pastor. He served as interim pastor of Hermon Presbyterian Church, Rock Hill SC; and Third Street Presbyterian Church, Gastonia NC.

Warren was called as the Associate Executive for Church Development in the James Presbytery, Richmond Virginia in 1990. In 1993, Warren was called as the Transitional Associate Executive in the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic in Richmond Virginia. Lesane was appointed University Chaplain/Assistant Professor of Religion at Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte NC in 1996. Warren served the United States Air Force Reserves and retired in 2010 as a Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel. His last assignment was as the Senior Individual Mobilization Augmentee Chaplain attached to the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base SC. He retired with 28 years of service to God through the military. He was mobilized to active-duty status five times during his career.

He is a Life Member of the NAACP and the Military Officers Association of America. Other membership and service includes National Black Presbyterian Caucus, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Johnson C. Smith University Legacy Society. He currently serves on the Catawba Economic Development Corp, Sharon Manor Board and Massanetta Springs Camps/Conference Center. Past Church work included serving a six-year term on the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board which enabled him to chair PMA from 2020 to 2022, Board of Pension Trustee and the Presbyterian Foundation Board of Directors.

Warren is a Teaching Elder in the Presbytery of Charlotte and served as the Associate Presbyter for Church Development until June 2012. Warren was elected Executive and Stated Clerk for the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, a Matthew 25 Synod, in 2014. The Synod encompasses Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, District of Columbia and 7 counties in West Virginia. The fourteen presbyteries include Abingdon, Atlantic Korean American, Baltimore, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Virginia, James, National Capital, New Castle, New Hope, Peaks, Salem, Shenandoah, and Western NC.

Warren currently chairs the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board (PMAB) of the Presbyterian Church (USA). He loves the Lord with heart, mind and soul. He loves the Church of Jesus Christ in its many forms and the people whom God has called him to serve. He enjoys mentoring young people and pointing them towards a personal relationship with Christ. Church transformation and church growth are his passions.

Cameron Motley proudly serves as the Synod Administrator for the Synod of the Mid Atlantic, facilitating meetings, communications, and records to ensure smooth operations. Drawing from a background in teaching and a BA in English, Cameron's passion for fostering effective communication and streamlining processes reflects his commitment to supporting the Synod's mission of unity within the faith community.

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Outside of his professional endeavors, Cameron finds joy in a diverse array of interests. An avid lover of the outdoors, he can often be found exploring nature trails or engaging in outdoor activities. His thirst for knowledge extends to trivia nights and the pages of science fiction novels. Additionally, Cameron enjoys immersing himself in the imaginative worlds of tabletop role-playing games. He balances these interests with an eclectic and ever rotating mix of hobbies, currently including computer programming, playing guitar and bass clarinet, and crochet.

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Cameron cherishes his role as a devoted husband of 12 years, soon to be 13, and takes pride in his family, which also includes three wonderful children, two dogs, and a cat.

Cindy Hollingshead has served as the Finance Manager for The Synod of the Mid-Atlantic since July of 2007.  Cindy has a B.S. degree in Accounting from UNC Charlotte and has focused her career in the non-profit sector.  Cindy also serves as the Accountant/Finance Manager for the Presbytery of the James and considers it a blessing to be part of the PCUSA.  

She is married to Allen Hollingshead and together they have five children and 10 grandchildren.  She is an avid golfer and enjoys playing in competitive events at both the local and state level.  With a passion for traveling and reading, Cindy organized a book club in January of 1999 that still meets monthly to discuss their book selection.  Cindy is also mother to her fur doggy, Zoey.  Zoey is a Golden Doodle and certified comfort therapy dog for hospice.  While previously working as a volunteer for The East Bay Hospice Organization in California, Cindy hopes she and Zoey can again begin volunteering in Richmond.

Montressa Barbee-Watkins, CEO of Global Alliance Marketing brings over 30 years of experience in marketing to the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic.  Her areas of expertise include broadcast marketing, digital marketing, website design, and content writing. She is committed to outstanding results and effective communication strategies that work.

She is married to Floretta Barbee-Watkins.  They have one daughter, and three grandchildren.  Montressa and Floretta are world travelers and avid campers.They enjoy traveling abroad to exotic destinations and they like to experience the wonder and beauty of the United States in their RV.