Meet our Staff – FUMC Brownwood

Jay is married to the love of his life, Renee, and together they have three awesome children. Reagan is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University’s Musical Theatre program and now lives and works in Brownwood, Garrin is a graduate of the Watchmaking program of the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology in Paris and now works for Haltom Jewelers in Fort Worth, TX, and Evan attends Brownwood ISD. Jay is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University and Brite Divinity School where he received a B.S. in Psychology and a Master of Divinity. He is currently working on a D.Min through a program with Colorado Theological Seminary. Jay arrived in Brownwood the Summer of 2018 and joined the incredible staff here at First. When he isn’t preparing sermons or visiting in the community, Jay enjoys being in the outdoors and loves SCUBA Diving. It is Jay’s passion to see the church serve the community and reach those who do not yet have a relationship with Christ.

Joey serves as the Common Ground Pastor. He is a 1990 graduate of Howard Payne University and loves the opportunities he has to interact with HPU students. He also helps coordinate our Kids First Mentoring program connecting FUMC mentors to serve in all of the Brownwood Elementary schools. He enjoys helping new members connect to a small group and find meaningful community. Joey really enjoys it when he gets to know people on a more personal level over coffee. He loves to read. Malcolm Gladwell is his favorite contemporary author. He loves History. He was a social studies teacher in public schools for almost 20 years. He has 2 sons; Caleb and Josh who live in Dallas. He loves chocolate, traveling to the mountains, and college football.

Alex is from the swamps of Southeast Texas and the land of gators and gumbo. He came to Brownwood for Biblical Studies at Howard Payne in 2015 where he played four years of college basketball and gradated in 2019. While in college Alex served as a youth intern in his summers at Midland and as a college intern during the school year at Coggin in Brownwood. Alex’s goal for the youth is for them to fall in love with Jesus by knowing God, Themselves and their world through study and service. Alex is so thankful for all the support he’s experienced from the Brownwood community and Howard Payne and is looking forward to the great thing God will do with this youth, church, and city!

Randee is married to Robert Green and has two amazing kids, Cooper and Kate. Robert and Randee met at Southwest Texas State University where she graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Randee has led our Weekday Preschool in the past and since the Fall of 2012 has been the Director of Children’s Ministries serving families with children ages birth-5th grade. She is passionate about sharing Christ with kids, helping parents build faith at home and leading our awesome small group leaders. Feel free to call her by her nickname, Mrs. Rags.

Wiley is married to Carolyn and has three boys, Noah, Benjamin, and Henry. He is the Common Ground Worship Leader and has been at FUMC since October 2017. Wiley has been leading worship in churches in the Brownwood area for around 15 years. He is passionate about running after God’s heart in worship as a corporate body in the Common Ground Service. Wiley works full time running his IT business in Brownwood and enjoys the interactions with great customers and friends. Wiley enjoys Hunting, riding his Harley, growing his beard, Football with his boys, and going to the lake with the whole family. Also steak. And bacon.

Eric is married to Jill (for 35 years) and has three grown and married children, one beautiful granddaughter, three snarky grand-dogs and two fur dogs of his own. Eric has been the director of choral activities at FUMC Brownwood since 2014 and is responsible for the music portion of the Sanctuary services of the church family. Eric has a passion for people discovering their place of service in their spiritual journey and helping them achieve a sense of belonging. He loves potlucks, Broadway-styled musicals, dialogue about hard-to-grasp-issues-of-the-day and family!

*Coming Soon*

Stephanie recently relocated to Brownwood from Indianapolis, Indiana with her free spirited and adorable daughter, Olivia. They have a golden doodle named Maggie who completes their family of three. Stephanie is our new financial secretary, guiding us through this pandemic with a financial background and a love for Jesus. She and her girls love to explore outside, dance and sing to worship music and discover all that Brownwood has to offer.

Dean has been the church pianist at FUMC since December 2014. He has been a music educator for 27 years and is currently the music teacher at Northwest Elementary. He is also an accompanist at Howard Payne University, treasurer of the Arts Council of Brownwood, and very involved at the Lyric Theatre. In his spare time, Dean enjoys cooking and spending time with his two cats, Lucy and Ethel.

I joined the FUMC staff in May 2019. We moved from Rapid City, SD for the warmer weather and to join our son in Brownwood. I have been married to Orville Brando for 37+ years. Love to be around people and work with them; enjoy playing my flute and piano, crafts, read and Love, Love being at the beach. I have a very spoiled cat & dog. As Administrative Assistant I handle all aspects of the church office; attendance counts, visitor & member information, phones, creates forms & ads and creates the church bulletins; available to assist anyone with needs of church forms or whatever their needs are.

Richard joined the staff here at FUMC in 2009 after serving in school maintenance for 22 years at Richland Springs. He is married to Carolina and has 6 amazing children, 5 Girls and 1 Boy! Richard is responsible for the maintenance of the facilities and works hard to make sure the building is ready for events and worship each week. And by the way, Richard loves the Dallas Cowboys.

Tara is the mother to one son named Conner Rylee. Tara is the First Looks Coordinator and is responsible for planning the lessons and activities for the Nursery to 5 year olds on Sunday morning. Her desire and passion is for every child to know the love of Jesus. She loves spending time with her son, Conner, playing with her dog, Vayder, and cats, Myrakle and Koko Poof. She loves Jesus, children and animals.

Sandy has been married to Brian for 27 years and together they have four kids. The 12-year gap between the older kids and the twins just means they were a blessed surprise! Sandy has been the Weekday Preschool Director since 2013 and is responsible for the functions of the preschool, overseeing the awesome staff of pre-school teachers. Her passion is kids! She wants them to receive the foundation at preschool to succeed in school while knowing that God loves them! She loves crafting, decorating, and family!

Jay Fraze

Joey Wilbourn

Alex Bingham

Randee Green

Wiley Wood

Eric Evans

Stephanie Salter

Dean Kiesling

Kathy Brando

Richard Garza

Tara Davis

Sandy Benson

2500 11th Street, Brownwood, TX 76801 – Church Office (325) 643-1555

Jay Fraze

Email Pastor Joey Wilbourn

Email Pastor Jay Fraze

Joey Wilbourn

Alex Bingham

Email Alex Bingham

Email Randee Green

Randee Green

Wiley Wood

Email Wiley Wood

Email Eric Evans

Eric Evans

Email Stephanie Salter