VESTRY
Toni Yoder-Knapp 204-2026
Senior Warden: Toni Yoder has been associated with Good Shepherd for many years via her long association with EDS. Toni's children are all alumni of EDS, as is her eldest grandson. She presently has several grandchildren enrolled in the school and one of her grandsons was among the first graduating class of EDS. Toni is the co-owner and manager of Oilquip, Inc., here in Lake Charles. Oilquip is a third-generation business serving the industries throughout the region. She is also a trained potter and loves giving her time at the wheel as a way of giving back. She works annually with the Salvation Army's Empty Bowl Project. In addition, she makes the Communion wafers we use each week. Toni brings her fine-tuned business management skills and her love for charitable work to the table, as well as her deep spiritually centered faith, something every vestry needs.
Dr. Charles Stewart 2026-2028
Dr. Charles Stewart was newly elected to the vestry in January at our Annual Meeting, and we are so fortunate to have him. Charles is married to Dr. Wendy Whelan-Stewart, and they are the proud parents of Asa Stewart a fifth-grade student at EDS. Both Wendy and Charles are college professors. Charles is the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Provost at LSU Eunice. He also serves as the Board President of the Calcasieu Club. Charles was a Mathematics Major with a concentration in Statistics. Prior to his position at LSU-E, he also served as the Dean of Computer Sciences and Engineering at McNeese and Dean of Arts and Sciences at Sowella Technical Community College. Charles brings a depth of skill to the vestry and we are so happy to welcome him.
Robert Williamson: Treasurer
Robert Williamson has graciously accepted our call to serve as Treasurer of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. Robert is replacing Denise Rau, who graciously asked to be relieved of those duties after a long 2 1/2 years as we cleaned up the books and accounting practices here at Good Shepherd. Robert comes to us as a dedicated member of the Church. He is married to one of our high school teachers and Eucharistic Ministers Skye Williamson, and father to three boys. Robert comes to us with a strong financial background of over 25 years in banking and service to several non-profits. His resume is perfect for Good Shepherd. Robert regularly attends the 10:30 service with his family. Robert has worked very hard to continue the work we began in 2023 to enable Good Shepherd is using proper methods of accounting, sound judgement, and is on solid ground with all areas of our finances
Mary Jones: Chancellor
Mary Jones is an attorney, here in the Lake Charles community. Her family has been a part of the Good Shepherd family since its inception. Mary is the first Chancellor of the Church. She was recruited by Mother Mitzi as one of her first orders of business. A Rector of a church the size of Good Shepherd needs good legal advice on many issues. The Chancellor assists the rector and the vestry on contracts, writing resolutions, policies, and negotiations. Mary has a long history as an oil and gas attorney doing just that kind of work and has been instrumental in helping us to move forward with all of our hurricane damage, and our new policies. Mary also serves as the Chair for the Diocesan Committee on Constitution and Canons which has benefitted us here at Good Shepherd as work to ensure our By-Laws and policies are aligned with the National and Diocesan Polity.
Beth Frey 2024-26
Beth Frey was Received by Bishop Jake Owensby, here at Good Shepherd in 2022. Since that time Beth has been very active with St. Cecilia's Group, and serves as a Lay reader for the 8:30 am service. Beth is presently a Eucharistic Minister and will serves regularly at the 8:30 service. Beth and LeAnn live with their menagerie of pets close by the Church. She has been employed with Sabine Pools for 28 years, as their head designer, so if you have had a pool built, you have probably worked with Beth. Beth's business savvy makes her a huge asset to the Vestry.
Earl Daigle 2024-26
Earl Daigle is our Junior Warden, and a lifelong Episcopalian. He and his wife Marybeth have two sons: Owen is grown and on his own. Carson is a junior at EDS and has been at EDS for a most of his educational career. Earl and Marybeth are loving caregivers to both Earl's mother and Marybeth's father. Earl and his family attend the 10:30 service here at Good Shepherd. In addition, Earl is a Maintenance Supervisor at LyondellBasell. His expertise in maintenance makes Earl a great asset for the vestry, which is why we invited him to be Junior Warden
Paul "Sonny" Marks: 2025-27
Sonny is an experienced Vestry member, as he has served before, here at Good Shepherd. We are so thankful to have him back on board. Sonny is a regular at our 5:00 service, where he attends faithfully with his wife Louise and where he serves as a Eucharistic Minister. In his spare time Sonny is an attorney and sometimes journalist. Sonny is also our thurifer, so you will see him at high Holy Days swinging the incense. Sonny brings a depth of abilities, strengths, and a calming spirit to the table.
Amy Allen 2025-27
Amy Allen is no stranger to Good Shepherd or the Vestry. She has graciously accepted the Vestry's invitation to serve out an unexpired term vacated this past summer. Amy follows in her parent's footsteps in serving her Church community with zeal and vigor. She and JD usually attend the 5:00 service. Amy likes to say she was Baptized here, confirmed here, married here, her children were Baptized and confirmed here, and she will be buried here when the time comes. She is a cradle Episcopalian in other words, but more importantly she is a cradle Good Shepherd lamb! Amy's enthusiasm for our Church is contagious, and she works tirelessly to ensure our Church thrives. She works as second or third in command on our annual book sale, and that is a huge job! We are so thankful she said yes to the call to return to the vestry to fill this position.
Matt Hughes: 2025-27
Matt Hughes first came to Good Shepherd as a child. He has a love and fondness for this Holy place. He sees Good Shepherd as his spiritual home, and we are so very glad he has agreed to serve on the vestry. You have probably seen Matt signing in the choir at the 10:30 service. He also serves as a lay Eucharistic visitor, bring Holy Communion to those who cannot make it to Church. Matt is a retired nurse anesthetist, he serves in several local non-profits, as well as in our Brown Bag, and our front desk. We are thrilled to have Matt on board.
Cameron Viator 2026-2028
Cameron is one of our newest members to the vestry. He was elected at the Annual meeting in January of 2026. He is also the youngest member of our vestry and we are thrilled to have him. Cameron was raised in Moss Bluff and is working on his degree in Criminal Justice at McNeese State University. Cameron has an extensive background in law and criminal justice as he has worked in corrections and within district attorney's offices in both Oklahoma City, OK and here in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Cameron has his sights set on becoming an attorney as he plans to attend Law School in the future.
Jay Winters 2026-2028
Jay Winters has been here at Good Shepherd for more than 21 years. He and his wife Rebekah, along with their two children Aly and Phillip are all very active within our community and Church. Jay is a Physical Therapist by profession, as is Rebekah. He serves as an usher, is a longtime member of the Tend My Lambs Project here at Good Shepherd, serving as the Treasurer of that group. In his spare time Jay is usually following one or both of his children around to various athletic events. With Jay's long experience here at Good Shepherd, his commitment to ministry, and his thoughtful demeanor Jay brings several great gifts to the vestry table for leadership.