Meet Our Staff
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Laura Champouillon
Organist
As a young girl, Laura was called to be a church organist. She has spent her life serving churches as organist in NC and TN. It has been her privilege and pleasure to service this congregation since October 2004.
She was born at Fort Jackson Army Base in Columbia, SC. She forgets the year. After her dad completed his service in the Army, they moved to Burlington, NC. She graduated from the UNC-Greensboro with a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance.
She is blessed with 2 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, and 4 grandchildren. She is married to her husband, David, and they have combined a lifetime of music careers, faith, and love for sharing our music together. The music plays on, and God continues to open new doors for her. She is now an affiliate broker with a real estate firm here in Johnson City. It has been a blessing to meet new people and serve Him in a different setting.
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Valerie Couper
Contemporary Music Leader
Valerie has been working as First Presbyterian’s contemporary worship leader since August of 2020.
Valerie is a graduate of Milligan University. Go Buffs! She spent 6 years of her life living in Canada, but moved to Johnson City in 2007.
In her down time, Valerie enjoys snowboarding, writing music, and cooking.
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Dr. Lauren Ramey
Interim Traditional Worship Leader
Dr. Lauren Ramey is the Associate Director of Choral Activities and Director of Music Education at East Tennessee State University where she conducts BucsWorth Tenor Bass Choir. She also teaches courses in choral conducting and music education.
Dr. Ramey is originally from Dayton, Ohio and attended the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Choral Music Education/Piano Performance and a Master of Education (Choral) degree.
In 2022, Dr. Ramey earned a Ph.D. in Music Education/Choral Conducting from Florida State University.
She currently resides in Johnson City, TN with her husband, Clark, and their eight-year-old daughter, Jensen.
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Jennifer Jacobs
Director of children's and middle school ministries
Jennifer Jacobs is the Director of Children's and Middle School Ministries. Jennifer is originally from Cleveland, NY, and has lived in Florida and Virginia before settling in Tennessee. Jennifer and her family have called First Presbyterian home since 2005. She has worked with children of all ages here since 2007 and imagines herself doing that for many years to come.
Jennifer and her husband, Matt, along with their three children can be found camping, hiking, and boating anywhere water is found.
When she’s not outdoors, Jennifer can be found stitching away in her sewing room.
423-926-5108 Ext. 805
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Stacy Larsen
The river
Stacy Larsen has served as the Executive Director of The River since it opened in 2004. She holds a BA from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN with a major of Political Science and minors of Art, Sociology, and Women's Studies. She also has a Master of Education in Early Childhood from ETSU.
Past jobs include being a librarian, teacher, Family Support Specialist, and working with adults with special needs.
Stacy is an identical twin and has lived in Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, and Mississippi. She made Tennessee her home in 1998. After growing up in the Methodist Church, she joined the Presbyterian Church in 2002.
She has a daughter, Sarah, who lives with her husband in Knoxville and is a speech pathologist.
In her down time, Stacy likes to be creative, collect buttons, and shop at thrift stores.
Contact: 423-926-8111
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Jill Lewis
Preschool Director
Contact: 423-926-5108 Ext. 806
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Silvia Werthem
Finance Assistant
Silvia Werthem is originally from Florida and joined the staff in June of 2019 as the Finance Assistant. She assists the Pastor of the Church in overseeing and managing all matters related to Accounting and Finance. She has 25 years of experience in various fields of Accounting and Finance that have equipped her with a vast knowledge and skill set to support the church in her current position.
She is married to her husband Rod; they have 3 grandchildren.
In her free time she enjoys outdoor activities, exercising, shopping, sewing, and spending time with her grandkids.
Contact: 423-926-5108 Ext. 804
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Rich Breuer
Custodian
Contact: 423-926-5108 Ext. 807
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Kaylee Long
office Assistant
Contact: 423-926-5108
