Deputy Bios

Debbie Short - I am looking forward to attending General Convention in Anaheim this summer. This will be the 5th GC I have attended. It truly is an honor to be elected and I take this responsibility seriously. I retired from serving as Canon for Congregational Development a year and a half ago. I was on the diocesan staff for 14 and a half years. What a wonderful privilege and opportunity it was to serve the people of WV. I met so many incredible folks and made lasting friendships. I was Executive Director of Women’s Resource Center, a shelter for victims of domestic violence and abuse and their children, for 10 years before coming to the diocese. I love retirement and enjoy traveling, reading and spending time with my family, especially my granddaughters, Kathleen and Anna. I continue to do spiritual direction as well as serve as a mentor for ETS.

Charles Hunsaker - I am married to Marie and am retired from a financial services corporation after approximately 40 years of service. This is my second General Convention. I also serve as Treasurer of the Diocese currently in my second term. Marie and I attend Good Shepherd in Parkersburg when we are not traveling in our motor home. During our travels we have enjoyed visiting many Episcopal Churches across our Country.

Beth Marquart is a member of St. John’s, Charleston. A student of spiritual practices, Beth is an Associate of the Order of St. Helena and is a spiritual director with the West Virginia Institute for Spirituality. Beth is passionate about social justice, inclusion and Christian formation. She holds advanced degrees in Business Administration and Human Resources Management, has served as the administrator for Equipping the Saints, the diocesan congregational leadership program, and mentors an Education for Ministry group in her local parish. Beth recently adopted a 5 year-old Norwegian Elkhound mix, Pearl, from the local animal shelter. As a result, she has added "brushing the dog" to her spiritual practice. This is Beth’s first GC and she is excited about the whole experience, especially the varieties of worship and being part of the larger church at work.

Cheryl Winter has served as rector of St. Timothy's in Hurricane since 1993 and is Dean of the Kanawha Deanery. She has served on many committees and commissions in the diocese of WV since her ordination in 1988 inlcuding the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council. Cheryl also served as the Diocesan Deployment Officer for several years and continues to provide consulting services to congregations in transition. This will be her 5th consecutive General Convention as a Deputy. She will serve on the Constitution Committee.

Kevin Kelly - I am the rector of Trinity Church in Huntington, where i have served for the last eight years. Before that, i served congregations in the dioceses of Atlanta and Georgia. I am a graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary. This will be my first time serving as a deputy to The General Convention and my first time even attending one. My wife Christine and i have three children - Jack is nine; Sam is seven; and Kate is three.

Donald Vinson serves as Canon for Congregational Development and Dean of Equipping the Saints in the Diocese. During his fifteen years in West Virginia, he has served as rector of St. John’s Church, Huntington; Standing Committee (President); Board of Examining Chaplains (Chair); Commission on Ministry; Commission to End Racism; Bishop Nominating Committee (Vice-chair). He is a graduate of The General Theological Seminary (1987), and has also served in the Dioceses of Easton and Alabama. He is married to Linda; they have two sons, Daniel (married to Chantal) and Philip. He was a Deputy to General Convention 75 in Columbus in 2006.

Eric L. Miller - I am delighted to be serving as a deputy from the Diocese of West Virginia to the 76th General Convention. This will be my first General Convention experience; I missed the chance to observe Convention in Columbus, Ohio three years ago for the joys of officiating at my brother’s wedding. I serve as rector of St. Stephen’s in Beckley and am passionate about preaching and sharing the good news of God in Christ. We share the love of Christ through serving one another and the world. I am excited to see the Church on the macro level and hope to witness many new ministries and ways of Christian transformation.

Richard Heller - I am the first clergy alternate for the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia. Along with having three small rural churches shared with my wife, The Rev. Dr. Lisa Heller, I am a full time hospice chaplain serving southern Ohio. We, two children and my wife, live on a fifty acre farm. Where, the sounds of life and the spirit of God prevail. The last half of my life is based on serving people and helping them work through grief and trauma. The first half of my life was in finance and economics. I hope I can bring to this forum additional balance and

spiritual thrust to do G-d's will in all of His business.