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VESTRY
The Vestry is comprised of laypersons who have been elected by the membership of St. Benedict's to oversee the business of the parish.
Bart Quisenberry, Sr. Warden
My wife, Mari-Lynn and I joined St. Benedict’s in 2022 after just a few visits and were confirmed at The Cathedral the next spring. We immediately felt we were home. Both of us were brought up in Baptist churches, and we embrace the Episcopal traditions we continue to discover. For me, at least, I have always found that a church family can provide deep foundational nurture and support, so I looked for the signs of a faith community when visiting new churches, and I certainly found it here.
Julie Savini, Jr. Warden
Julie was born and raised in South Florida, and baptized, confirmed and educated in the Roman Catholic faith. She has lived in Smyrna for more than 30 years and discovered the welcoming St. Benedict’s community in 2015. Since then, she walks her daily path with Jesus and the St. Benedict’s community, which deepens her faith and practice of spiritual formation through the love and learning ever present at the parish. Julie cherishes the time she spends with her adult daughters and enjoys traveling.
Brenda Milam
Born and raised in rural north Alabama, married 55 years to my high school sweetheart and a Georgia resident since 1973. We have one grown son and one 14 year old granddaughter. Both my husband, Cecil, and I are retired.
After my mother died in a nursing home in 2005 due to neglect, I was eaten up with guilt and anger. I contacted the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program to volunteer, thinking I was going to fix this mess. For the next 18 years I visited nursing homes 3 times a month, listened to residents’ issues and advocated on their behalf with management and sometimes the State’s Health Regulation Department. When I started volunteering, I thought I was the residents’ savior, but as it turns out, they were mine. As it so often happens when we reach out to help someone, it is the giver who is most blessed and blessed I was by hearing residents’ life stories, by their trust in me, and by their faith and courage. They were the balm in Gilead I needed for my soul. Sadly, however, I was unable to fix the mess that is this country’s long term care system.
I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 1999 and became a member of The Church of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Austell, where I served on the Vestry and one term as Senior Warden. When Good Shepherd became all Spanish speaking, I took a few-years-long break from regular church attendance. Several of the parishioners from Good Shepherd had started attending St. Benedicts and encouraged me to try it. When I did, It felt a lot like coming home and I’ve been spiritually uplifted by the warm God-centered community and the loving and inspirational clergy. I’ve been touched to see so many members at St. Benedicts involved in giving their talent, time and treasure and committing the church’s resources to help “the least of these.”
It is an honor for me to serve on the Vestry in 2026 and my prayer is, with God’s help, to be able to make a positive contribution. I ask your prayers for God’s guidance for your Vestry.
After my mother died in a nursing home in 2005 due to neglect, I was eaten up with guilt and anger. I contacted the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program to volunteer, thinking I was going to fix this mess. For the next 18 years I visited nursing homes 3 times a month, listened to residents’ issues and advocated on their behalf with management and sometimes the State’s Health Regulation Department. When I started volunteering, I thought I was the residents’ savior, but as it turns out, they were mine. As it so often happens when we reach out to help someone, it is the giver who is most blessed and blessed I was by hearing residents’ life stories, by their trust in me, and by their faith and courage. They were the balm in Gilead I needed for my soul. Sadly, however, I was unable to fix the mess that is this country’s long term care system.
I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 1999 and became a member of The Church of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Austell, where I served on the Vestry and one term as Senior Warden. When Good Shepherd became all Spanish speaking, I took a few-years-long break from regular church attendance. Several of the parishioners from Good Shepherd had started attending St. Benedicts and encouraged me to try it. When I did, It felt a lot like coming home and I’ve been spiritually uplifted by the warm God-centered community and the loving and inspirational clergy. I’ve been touched to see so many members at St. Benedicts involved in giving their talent, time and treasure and committing the church’s resources to help “the least of these.”
It is an honor for me to serve on the Vestry in 2026 and my prayer is, with God’s help, to be able to make a positive contribution. I ask your prayers for God’s guidance for your Vestry.
Chris Wiley
My wife, Kate, and two sons Ethan and Jonathan, have been at St. Benedict’s since we started in the Campbell Jr. High gymnasium. My kids attended St. Benedict’s school from elementary through the 8th grade. Ethan graduated from the IB program at Campbell high school and is in his third year at the University of Florida. Jonathan is a senior in the Campbell IB program and is anxiously awaiting word from schools. I am from south Alabama and Kate is from Colorado...we met in a “20’s/30’s” group at the Cathedral of St. Philip’s. I work in engineering sales and Kate teaches nutrition at Georgia State University. We have both been active in St. Benedict’s throughout the years and are looking forward to what we can do in the future.
Daphne Gary
I am a widow with a daughter, a son-in-law, and a grandson. They live in Harrisonburg Virginia. I was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and attended St. Hugh’s High School, an all-girls Anglican school before migrating to the USA. I graduated from Georgia State University with a BA in Risk Management.
After working for General Reinsurance for thirty-three years, I retired as a Second Vice President Claim Executive. My responsibilities include performing analysis of major losses and determine the contractual obligation, as well as managing nine claim analysts. I was the primary liaison with clients and management concerning contract issues. I had the opportunity to be on the Advisory Board of the Southeastern Claim Executive Association for three years.
Before becoming a member of St. Benedict’s, I attended Christ Church Episcopal Norcross for thirty-two years. I served on the Vestry twice and was the Senior Warden for two years. My involvement includes being on several committees, such as Finance, Stewardship, Parish Life, and Outreach. As a member of Christ Church Outreach committee, I made numerous mission trips to Mexico and Haiti.
Since 1992, I have been the leader of a group of women (Sisters of Service) preforming community service throughout the city of Atlanta. We adopted Nicholas House Inc. a family shelter in downtown Atlanta, as our main focus. At Nicholas House we provide and serve dinner to the residents every Monday evening. I became a Board member of Nicholas House Inc. from 2009 to 2012. As a result of my community service involvement, during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic, I was selected as a torchbearer.
Fun facts about me; I still enjoy subbing here at St. Benedict’s Episcopal School after nine years. I am a big tennis and soccer fan. Over the years, I attended tennis matches at the US Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon. I have also attended World Cup soccer matches in Paris, South Africa, and Germany. I love to cook.
After working for General Reinsurance for thirty-three years, I retired as a Second Vice President Claim Executive. My responsibilities include performing analysis of major losses and determine the contractual obligation, as well as managing nine claim analysts. I was the primary liaison with clients and management concerning contract issues. I had the opportunity to be on the Advisory Board of the Southeastern Claim Executive Association for three years.
Before becoming a member of St. Benedict’s, I attended Christ Church Episcopal Norcross for thirty-two years. I served on the Vestry twice and was the Senior Warden for two years. My involvement includes being on several committees, such as Finance, Stewardship, Parish Life, and Outreach. As a member of Christ Church Outreach committee, I made numerous mission trips to Mexico and Haiti.
Since 1992, I have been the leader of a group of women (Sisters of Service) preforming community service throughout the city of Atlanta. We adopted Nicholas House Inc. a family shelter in downtown Atlanta, as our main focus. At Nicholas House we provide and serve dinner to the residents every Monday evening. I became a Board member of Nicholas House Inc. from 2009 to 2012. As a result of my community service involvement, during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic, I was selected as a torchbearer.
Fun facts about me; I still enjoy subbing here at St. Benedict’s Episcopal School after nine years. I am a big tennis and soccer fan. Over the years, I attended tennis matches at the US Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon. I have also attended World Cup soccer matches in Paris, South Africa, and Germany. I love to cook.
Chimen Rogers
I was confirmed in the Episcopal church in 2009 by Bishop Keith Whitmore at St. Margaret’s Carrollton. I learned the importance of service work. I was the Backpack snack program coordinator, and I discovered Common Ground, where I washed feet of unhoused individuals. I moved to Atlanta and began attending St. Bartholomew’s in 2014; I met my partner, Deb Bourgeois there. We moved to Vinings in 2018. We found St. Benedict’s some time during the pandemic.
I am a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and finished my BA degree while on active duty. Two years ago, I retired from Norfolk Southern Railway, where I worked for thirty years.
I still see service work as important. I taught ESOL classes at St. Jude’s for two years. Currently, I do volunteer work with Beloved Atlanta, which is a residential program for survivors of commercial sex exploitation. I feel called to commit to St. Benedict’s vestry for three years. I am an avid Atlanta Braves fan. I also enjoy meeting friends for lattes at various coffee shops around Atlanta.
I am a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and finished my BA degree while on active duty. Two years ago, I retired from Norfolk Southern Railway, where I worked for thirty years.
I still see service work as important. I taught ESOL classes at St. Jude’s for two years. Currently, I do volunteer work with Beloved Atlanta, which is a residential program for survivors of commercial sex exploitation. I feel called to commit to St. Benedict’s vestry for three years. I am an avid Atlanta Braves fan. I also enjoy meeting friends for lattes at various coffee shops around Atlanta.
David Oliver
Rachel, Jack and I have been members at St. Benedict’s since 2011, and we are truly blessed to be part of the St. Benedict’s family. In many ways, the church and our fellow members are the heart of our lives here in Smyrna. We’ve been active in service to the parish through the years in a variety of ways. I’ve served as treasurer and on the rector search committee, and Rachel has been Sr. Warden, a long-time member of the choir and assistant for the children’s choirs. Service to our fellow parishioners and to God is something we love and are called to do. As a member of the vestry, I look forward to helping guide St. Benedict’s efforts to deliver on our mission of spreading Christ’s works through worship, education, fellowship and outreach. A little bit about the Olivers for those of you who may not know us: I work for a financial services trade association, Rachel is an interior designer, and Jack is a senior at Campbell High School. I’m a huge Braves fan, love college football and all sports in general. Other free-time pursuits include hiking, biking, tennis and reading good books.
Chijioke Ebbis
Chijioke (chee-joe-keh) Ebbis (eh-beese) was raised in the Episcopal Church at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Stone Mountain, GA. Chijioke has a background in public policy, public administration, community development, and affordable housing. He is currently a Managing Director for The Kelsey, a non-profit that develops affordable housing and provides technical assistance to government agencies, non-profits, real estate developers, etc in affordable housing with an emphasis on integration and inclusivity for disabled and non-disabled residents. Chijioke has a strong commitment to community, social justice, and understanding faith and Scripture both spiritually as well as in its secular historical context. His favorite Bible verse(s) are Proverbs 8-9.
Taylor Stukes
Taylor Stukes has been a member of St. Benedict’s since 2017 and is an ardent 8 o’clocker. He is a prior member of our Vestry (2019-2022), and is currently active as a Common Ground coordinator, a Eucharistic Minister, a Eucharistic Visitor, a driver for our Transportation ministry. He regularly reads scripture and Prayers of the People as part of our Sunday service, and also drives a Tuesday afternoon vanpool each week for Holy Comforter’s Friendship Center.
His business experience includes founding, operating, and selling a small engineering firm (MSI Engineering, Tampa, 1994-2003); twelve years as Scholarship Committee chair of the Georgia Institute of Transportation Engineers (raising and distributing $10,000 to $12,000 in scholarships each year); and ten years of Board service with various Homeowner’s Associations in metro Atlanta, including two terms as a Board President.
Taylor strongly believes that St. Benedict’s Church has a bright future. He is committed to strengthening our youth and family missions, our financial foundation, our visibility among Smyrna churches, and our relationship with St. Benedict’s School.
His business experience includes founding, operating, and selling a small engineering firm (MSI Engineering, Tampa, 1994-2003); twelve years as Scholarship Committee chair of the Georgia Institute of Transportation Engineers (raising and distributing $10,000 to $12,000 in scholarships each year); and ten years of Board service with various Homeowner’s Associations in metro Atlanta, including two terms as a Board President.
Taylor strongly believes that St. Benedict’s Church has a bright future. He is committed to strengthening our youth and family missions, our financial foundation, our visibility among Smyrna churches, and our relationship with St. Benedict’s School.
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