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Betty Cochran, Administrative Assistant 
Betty is administrative assistant in the Paradise Valley United Methodist
Church office. She works closely with the Senior Pastor and all aspects of the
church's lay ministry. Betty has worked at the church since 1988, and can field
any question ably and with a smile.
When she's not at her desk, Betty enjoys traveling with her husband, Dale, to
visit their children and four grandchildren.
John Kouns, Youth Director
John joined our staff as the Director of Youth Ministries in the spring of
2004. Prior to becoming full-time lay staff, John was a volunteer adult youth
worker at PVUMC.
John holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of South Carolina with a
minor in Cultural Religion. He is excited about his call of full-time ministry
after working in telecommunications for several years and is currently
exploring the possibility of a Master’s degree in counseling and ordination
within the United Methodist Church. John is also involved with several other
organizations and mission outreach opportunities, including our very own Open
Table.
In his free time, John and his wife Kathrine, a high school choral director,
enjoy music, sailing, camping, playing with their dogs, and hanging out with
teenagers.
Karen McFarland, Connectional Ministries Director
Karen has been on staff at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church since 1995.
Previously, she worked for four years at St. Luke’s UMC in Indianapolis. Karen
is the staff member who guides the Lay Ministry Team, Welcoming, New Members
and Nominations. Karen is also the Lay Leader for the Central East District
working with Rev. Sharon Ragland, District Superintendent. In her role she
attends many district church conferences and works with individual church lay
leaders throughout the district. By virtue of her position as Central East
District Lay Leader she is also a member of the Conference Covenant Council and
may attend many other committees. "I’m following my passion by being a
part of the Conference’s New Faith Ministry Team and the Faith Team as my
schedule permits. I’m grateful to be able to share ministry from Paradise
Valley United Methodist Church, realizing that my first priority is with our
church."
Karen and her husband enjoy movies, dining out, travel and visiting with their
three adult children.
Mickey Price, Church Administrator
Mickey, our Church Administrator, has a Bachelor of Business in Accountancy and
Information Science from Western Illinois University, as well as an MBA from
the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. He joined the
Paradise Valley United Methodist Church staff in August of 2002, bringing with
him 25 years of accounting and management experience. He oversees day-to-day
operations of the administrative staff and our church property and works
closely with the Trustees and Finance Ministry team.
Father of 2 college students, Mickey enjoys his volunteer work with Boy
Scouts and PTA.
Mindy Sobraske, Preschool Director
Known as "Teacher Mindy," Mindy is director of the Paradise Valley
United Methodist Church Preschool. She has taught
at the school since 1986 and has also taught parenting classes through various
community organizations. Mindy holds a B.A. in Education and Special Education
and has done graduate work toward a Master's Degree in Elementary Education,
including work in Family Studies and Child Development. Since 1978, Mindy has
been certified by the Arizona State Department of Education in Elementary and
Special Education. Since 1992, she has been a validator for the National
Academy of Early Childhood Programs and National Association for the Education
of Young Children.
When Mindy is not teaching young children, she enjoys working with the National
Charity League, gardening, reading, biking, doing needlepoint or working with
her Arabian horses.
Pam Selthun, Communications Coordinator
Pam handles the day-to-day operations of both the internal and external communications for Paradise Valley United Methodist
Church. These include producing the monthly Desert Scroll, the weekly bulletins, and the Paradise E-News, as well as updating
the website and PVUMC Facebook page.
Pam has worked in the area of communications and education since graduating from Valparaiso University with a journalism degree in
1985. For 10 years, she served as Director of Publications for Thunderbird, the American Graduate School of International
Management. During that time, she earned her master’s in English Linguistics from ASU. She has taught college-level English
in China, in the Czech Republic, and at Scottsdale Community College. For the past five years, she was an instructor for Young
Rembrandts and developed and led the Young Authors Writing Workshop program.
Pam is married to Stuart and they have two daughters. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, reading and
volunteering with Girl Scouts, at her daughters’ schools, at church and in the arts.
Brett Robison, Director of Music and Arts Ministries
Brett Robison has conducted choirs and orchestras at all levels for the past ten years. He has conducted the Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque, as well as orchestras at the University of Arizona and University of New Mexico. He currently conducts the Scottsdale Arts Orchestra, Scottsdale Baroque Orchestra, and Fine Arts String orchestras. His passion for conducting instruments is expressed through conducting the symphonic repertoire as well as choral-orchestral works.
He is also Co-Artistic Director and co-founder of Scottsdale Musical Arts.
Brett is married to Jennaya Robison and they have three children.
Ashley Snavley, Organist/Art Music Director
Ashley completed her Master of Music Degree in Organ Performance under the study of Dr. Kimberly Marshall at Arizona State University. She was also a member of the ASU Baroque ensemble and studied with Professor Russell Ryan as a collaborative pianist. A graduate of the Robert Cook Honors College at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Ashley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. In Arizona, Ashley has worked as the assistant organist, handbell director, and music associate for children and youth at the Episcopal Parish of St. Barnabas. For the last year she also served as their interim organist and choirmaster.
Ashley has started her Doctor of Musical Arts degree with Dr. Marshall at ASU and is looking forward to her studies over the next few years.
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