The Vestry Nominations Committee is pleased to submit the following slate for Vestry and the St. James’ Diocesan Council Delegation. The Spirit has been at work in this process, leading us to identify five candidates for vestry (4 for 3 year terms, and 1 to finish a term that will be vacated mid-year due to life things) and four delegates for Council, who are uniquely gifted for the work and enthusiastic to serve. This slate, in its entirety, will be up for a vote at a meeting during the 12-1 pm hour on December 21.
In developing this Vestry slate, the Vestry Nominations Committee took a careful look at our three-year goals and sought out individuals with the passion, experience, and skills needed to help us realize those goals. We are delighted to present you with a slate of proven leaders, committed to the St. James’ ethos of radical hospitality and representative of various diversities of our congregation. Vestries always work and listen hard, and they frequently have to make difficult decisions for the life of the congregation. The nominees on this slate offer their names without reticence, but with a clear-eyed view of challenges we must tackle in our multicultural community’s life together.
The congregation willing, the members of this vestry slate will join the following continuing Vestry members: Jeff Cox, Stephanie Dodoo, Jennifer Graf, Rudy Green, Anaflor Bernal, Matt Harriger, Hector Krebber, and Mikal Lewis. We are grateful to Rodger Brown, Harrison Eppright, Jill LaCour, and Sue Reed Tate who will roll off of the Vestry as of the Annual Parish Meeting.
In developing the Diocesan Council slate, the Vestry Nominations Committee thought about what will be going on at Diocesan Council 2026 in the Woodlands and who needs to be there representing St. James’ in order for our delegation to be an effective voice and presence, alongside our clergy.
Vestry Slate
Each year four new Vestry members are elected to serve for a three-year term. This year, we are also filling one, one year-term because of an expected life change for one of our continuing members.
For the four open three-year Vestry Terms:
Hannah Bowman
Hannah comes to St. James’ from Durham, NC after graduating with a master’s in theology from Duke. She is passionate about joining the work of St. James’ ministry and organizing partners. As a vestry member, she hopes to build upon her background in teaching and theological studies to develop a vision for continued formation at St. James’.
Lisa Braithwaite
Lisa Braithwaite has been an active member of St. James’ Episcopal Church for over 20 years, participating in ministries such as the Hospitality Committee, Jazz at St. James’, and the Lenten
Tea. She enjoys helping create welcoming spaces and supporting church events through planning, coordination, and volunteer engagement.
Professionally, Lisa is the Head of Investment Data Governance at the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), where she leads data governance, data quality, and process improvement efforts across the Investment Management Division. Her work centers on collaboration, clear communication, and building structures that help teams operate effectively.
Outside of work, Lisa prioritizes family, wellness, and community involvement. She is close to her father, sister, and nephews; she enjoys early-morning workouts, walking her dog, and learning new skills (she is currently learning how to solve the Rubik Cube once and for all!). Lisa is open to serving on the Vestry to support the continued growth and stability of the St. James’ community and to contribute her organizational and leadership skills where they are most helpful.
Harris Kerr
Harris Kerr grew up in Midland, Texas, where attended Midland public schools, then New Mexico Military Institute for two years of high school, and then two years of junior college. He graduated UT Austin with BA and UT School of Law with JD. He practiced law in Midland for 48 years, doing a little bit of everything. There, he was received into the Episcopal Church in 1995 at Holy Trinity Episcopal. When Holy Trinity split, he joined those committed to a diverse church community to re-found St. Nicholas Episcopal Church. Harris retired in 2023, moved to Austin, and joined St. James’. He says, “St. James’ is church I always hoped to belong to, at long last.” Harris served on the vestry at both St. Nicholas and Holy Trinity, and he was senior warden at Holy Trinity. He and his wife have two daughters: Rachel who lives in Midland, and Ruthanne who lives in Austin.
Daniel Segura-Kelly
Daniel Segura-Kelly is a devoted member of the St. James’ Episcopal Church community, grounded in a deep commitment to faith, service, and welcome. Confirmed at St. James’ in 2018, he brings years of involvement in both church life and community leadership. His journey with the Episcopal Church began during his time at Texas State University, where he discovered a spiritual home through campus ministries. Daniel’s service-oriented spirit continues to shape his work in local civic organizations, and he hopes to bring that same dedication to the vestry.
For a one-year Vestry Term to create continuity when Jennifer Graf moves:
Rodger Brown
Rodger Brown joined St. James’ Episcopal Church in 1985. He has been active in Jazz at St. James’ (including the first ever Jazz at St. James’ festival) and promoting other music events when he was on air at KAZI radio. He has been serving as an usher since St. James’ was located on E. MLK.
Delegates to Diocesan Council
Delegates to Diocesan Council commit to attending the entirety of the Council meeting in 2026 and being a part of the preparation for the work of Council. Lay delegates are accompanied by our canonically resident St. James’ clergy delegates: The Rev. Eileen O’Brien, The Rev. Addison McMillan, The Rev. George Porter, and The Rev. Robby Vickery.
Anthony Chapple
Anthony Chapple is retired from a career in health care relations, spanning over 30 years, for the State of Texas and the Texas Medical Association. He is vice president of the Myra McDaniel Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. Anthony is an Area Coordinator for the House of Bishops with the Office of the General Convention in New York. He has previously served on the Executive Board of the Diocese and chaired the Governance Committee. In addition to his work for the Episcopal Church, Anthony is a board member for First Focus on Children, a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions.
Gina Houston
Gina Houston is a cradle St. Jamesian and, as far as we know, the last child born while the church was at its original location on East 7th Street. She has served the congregation in the choir, on Vestry, as Campus Minister to Huston-Tillotson University, as Church Treasurer, as producer of the Good Friday Project, as MC for Jazz at St. James’, and as a guest preacher. Gina has served as volunteer at two General Conventions. Whenever she can, Gina finds time and reason to be onstage. She would be honored to represent St. James’ at Diocesan Council.
Jorge Juarez
Jorge Alberto Juarez comes from Mexico and he has been part of the Episcopal Church for the last fourteen years. He and his family, Griselda, his wife, and his children, Jorge, Romeo, and Giselle, joined the St. James’ community a number of years back. Since then, the Juarez family has been faithfully involved at St. James’ in a whole variety of ways from liturgical service to youth group to supporting Parish Workdays. Jorge represented St. James’ at Diocesan Council in 2024 and 2025.
Roger Williams
Roger Williams and his wife Norma joined St. James’ when Bill Miller was rector, and their children Joseph and Rachel were baptized at St. James’ on MLK. Roger has served St. James on the Vestry, the Finance Committee, and the Children’s Ministry, is a Lector, and has represented St. James’ at multiple previous Diocesan Councils. Roger was confirmed at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and attended St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Schools. He is an intellectual property lawyer in private practice in Austin.
