Staff Information
Our dedicated staff come from a variety of backgrounds but share a commitment to make your experience at Laity Lodge as memorable as possible. If you’re ever in the area, please come by the office in Kerrville and say “hello.” Otherwise, we’ll meet you in the Canyon during the retreat. Please meet our team.
Tim Blanks Director of Operations
830-792-1231
Tim chose to live in the Texas Hill Country in 1995. He is a graduate of Westminster College in London. Tim loves to spend time outside with his wife, Amy, and their Australian Shepherd, Bucket. His role at Laity Lodge is to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Lodge. He considers working at Laity Lodge to be one of the great blessings in his life.
Jessica Caccamese Program Manager
830-792-1236
Although originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jessica has called Texas home for the past 26 years and currently resides in Grey Forest with her husband, Ron. Filling the role of Program Manager ensures Jessica is in close contact, not only with many of the speakers, musicians, and artists that help resource our retreats, but also with Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence Mark Roberts and Director Steven Purcell. Her additional administrative and organziational support will ensure the continuation and growth of Adult Programming at Laity Lodge. Previously, Jessica was on staff at University United Methodist Church in San Antonio. An avid Disney fan (there are 60 Mickeys in her office), Jessica is passionate about fun and loving others.
Ann Jack Laity Lodge Registrar and Church Liaison830-792-1230
Ann handles registration for all the retreats at Laity Lodge. If you have any questions about availability, the facilities, or special needs, Ann is the one to call. Before Ann and her family moved to Kerrville, she was the registrar for the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin. Ann marks her 15th year with Laity Lodge in 2010, and enjoys encouraging people to get away from their everyday worlds to retreat.
Ann and her husband, Karl, live in a Hill Country stone cottage built in 1932. They have three grown children, Lee, Ben, and Laura. Ben makes his home in the garage apartment of the cottage. Lee graduated from Angelo State University and lives in Austin. Laura has been a Laity Lodge Youth Camp camper, counselor, and recently completed her teaching degree from ASU.
Steven D. PurcellDirector of Laity Lodge
830-792-1203
Steven Purcell came to Texas in October 2006 by way of Seattle and Austria. In Europe, he was the Director of Conferences and Retreats at Schloss Mittersill for five years, where he gained an appreciation for schnitzel and cross-country skiing. His bio changed considerably after moving to Texas when he married Amy Hodge in August of 2008. They chose to settle in Boerne, Texas, where they support the living habits of a 9-lb. Shi Tzu, named Gracie, and various backyard birds. Steven enjoys travel, reading, music, the arts, and any excuse to enjoy a great meal with his wife and friends. Steven is excited about the Foundations for Laity Renewal and honored to be a part of the Laity Lodge team.
Tenure:
October 2006 to present
Education:
1998 Master of Christian Studies, Regent College; Vancouver, B. C.
1990 Bachelor of Arts, Southwest Baptist University; Bolivar, MO
Professional Experience:
Senior Product Manager, Sherpaq Mobile Products; Seattle, WA. (2002-2006)
Director, Schloss Mittersill Arts Conference; Mittersill, Austria (1997-present)
Managing Director of Conferences and Retreats, Schloss Mittersill; Mittersill, Austria, (1997-2002)
Publications:
Even Among These Rocks: A Spiritual Journey, Paraclete Press, 2001
Traveling the Prayer Paths of Jesus, (cover design and illustration), Upper Room Books, 2003
Parables and Passion: Jesus’ Stories for the Days of Lent, (cover design and illustration), Upper Room Books, 2006
Mark D. RobertsSenior Director and Scholar-in-Residence
830-792-1216
Mark Roberts joined the Laity Lodge team in October 2007 as Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence. A long-time resident of California, where, most recently, he was the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church, Mark has a hard time admitting in public how much he loves the Texas Hill Country. Mark has deep roots in Laity Lodge, especially for a Left Coaster. His uncle was a Bible teacher here in the ’60s and ’70s. Mark’s beloved grandfather became a Christian at Laity Lodge during this time in response to a sermon by Howard Butt, Jr. Before coming on staff, Mark loved coming to Laity Lodge as a speaker. His wife, Linda, is his ministry teammate as a marriage and family counselor, a spiritual director, and a retreat speaker. Mark and Linda have two teenage children, so pray for them without ceasing. (Actually, their children, Nathan and Kara, are wonderful, but Mark doesn’t want to brag. Still, a little prayer wouldn’t hurt!)
Tenure:
October 2007 to present
Education:
Ph.D. in the Study of Religion, Harvard University, 1992
Area: New Testament and Christian Origins
M.A. in the Study of Religion, Harvard University, 1984
A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy, Harvard University, 1979
Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship
Professional Experience:
Senior Pastor, Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007
Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis
Adjunct Instructor, San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001
Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis
Associate Pastor of Education, First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987 to 1991
Teaching Fellow, Harvard University, 1980 to 1983
Publications:
Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Crossway, 2007
No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer, Waterbrook, 2005
Dare to be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty, Waterbrook, 2003
Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better, Waterbrook, 2002
After “I Believe”: Experiencing Authentic Christian Living, Baker, 2002
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator’s Commentary Series, Word, 1993
Bryan Skeen Project Coordinator
830-792-1233
Bryan Skeen joined the Laity Lodge Team in September 2008 as the Project Coordinator. He was born and raised in Kerrville and after graduation moved to Switzerland to study for a year. Upon his return to the States, Bryan received a Communication degree from Hardin-Simmons University, but more importantly found a wife. After college, Bryan worked in Dallas as a case manager handling mediation and arbitration cases, before returning to his hometown. Bryan and his wife, Kendi, are the proud parents of two dogs, Carlos and Ramona. He remains busy with responsibilities in the Kerrville Offices as well as in the Canyon, but is thankful to work with and meet such wonderful people. Bryan has a love for travel, good music, photography, and his wife’s humor.
Connie Taylor Office Assistant and Hostess830-792-1242
Connie first came to Laity Lodge in 2003 as a hostess after her career with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. She presently wears two hats with the Foundation as a part-time Office Assistant in Kerrville and Hostess in the Canyon. Connie and her husband, Larry, reside in Bandera, Texas, with two sons, one daughter-in-law, and four wonderful grandchildren. Connie considers each day a gift from God meant to be enjoyed with family, friends, and service to others.
Dave L. Williamson Sr. Consultant and Director Emeritus of Laity Lodge952-941-2592
Dave has a passion for Jesus and for life. He also has a passion for helping folks make the connections between their relationship with Christ in every aspect of their daily lives. Dave came to Laity Lodge from Hollywood! Really! Minnesota before that. He traded in a boogie board, a pair of skis, and work as a counseling pastor for hiking boots, a kayak, and the happy work of planning and facilitating retreats at Laity Lodge. Dave is joined by Anne, his wife and partner, in the ministry.
Dave and Anne retired to Minnesota in 2007, but Dave continues to do consulting work for Laity Lodge.
Tenure:
1999 to 2007
Education:
B.S. Business, University of Minnesota; Minneapolis, MN
M.Div, Fuller Theological Seminary; Pasadena, CA
Th.M., Luther Theological Seminary; St. Paul, MN
D.Min, Luther Theological Seminary; St. Paul, MN
Professional Experience:
Youth Minister, Colonial Church of Edina, MN, 1965-1973
Counseling Minister, Colonial Church of Edina, MN, 1973-1991
Pastor of Congregational Care, First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, CA, 1991-1999
Other Certification:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Clinical Member, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Ecclesiastical Standing: Presbyterian Church (USA), Mission Presbytery
Publications:
Group Power, Prentice Hall, 1982
Opening Doors to the Job Market, Augsburg, 1983
Unemployed, Unfulfilled, Serendipity, 1992
Contributor, Library of Distinctive Sermons
