Leadership & Staff

Dr. George C. Anderson is the seventh Senior Pastor in the history of Second Presbyterian Church (Roanoke, VA). He began preaching at Second on February 22, 1998. Previously, he had been the Senior Minister at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS, and an Associate Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, TN. He is a graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC, and Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Dr. Anderson is involved in every aspect of church life with an emphasis on preaching, teaching, visiting, and staff oversight.

George and his wife, Millie, have three daughters: Paige, Rachel, and Virginia. Virginia became a new mother to daughter Emory on November 1, 2017.

The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link joined the staff of Second Presbyterian in August 2011. She attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC, where she majored in history and religion: Christian education. Following graduation, she served First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach, FL, as Director of Christian education, and subsequently recognized the call to ordained ministry. In 2009, Elizabeth earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Afterwards, she served as a Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry, at Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN.

Elizabeth is married to Chris Link, and the two welcomed their first child, Eleanor, in the spring of 2018.

The Rev. Ben Brannan joined the staff of Second Presbyterian as the Associate Pastor for Youth & Young Adults in March 2021 following a two-year pastoral residency at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ben has a long tenure in youth development, spending six years as Assistant Camp Director at YMCA Camp Cherokee, coaching high school and club soccer for nine years, even spending three years as a part-time substitute teacher. Following a career change, he felt God’s call to pursue theological education and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. While in school, Ben served as Youth Minister and Pastoral Intern at Second Presbyterian in Richmond. He brings joy, creativity, and deep faith to all he does.

Ben is married to Valerie Brannan, and they welcomed their first son, Camden, in March 2022.

In October of 2023, we welcomed Connie Polly to the staff of Second Presbyterian Church as Engagement Coordinator. In this part-time position, she helps members and visitors discover their interests and find ways to explore their faith through meaningful involvement in the church. The aim of this role is to further our church’s efforts to create a congregational family that works together in support of each other and in the mission of the church: “Finding direction by following Jesus.”

Connie has been a member of Second Presbyterian Church since 2007 and currently serves on the Session. She loves Second Presbyterian and is excited to help people feel welcome and at home here. Originally from Bedford, Connie lives in Roanoke with her husband and children and enjoys dog walking, exercising, and being active.

Maria Blackshaw began her part-time role of Children’s Ministry Coordinator in January 2023. She works in partnership with Elizabeth Link and the Christian Education Committee to continue to provide a biblically grounded, theologically rich and creative children’s ministry program. She holds degrees from Emory University, UNC Chapel Hill, and the University of Texas. Her background is in library science and art history, and her gifts for creative work and volunteer coordination abound. We are excited to have her on the church staff and hope you will join us in welcoming her to this role.

Maria is a mother of four, Lily, Gemma, Isabel, and Elinor. She is a church member, elder, and long-time children’s Sunday school volunteer.

Nathan Anderson joined the staff here at Second Presbyterian in 2021 as the Church Business Administrator. With advanced degrees in both Theology and Leadership, he has worked in the non-profit sector for over twenty years. Nathan comes to us having most recently worked at the Taubman Museum of Art. He brings his gifts of administration and recognizes the need to be a good steward of both the resources and facilities of Second. As the Administrator, Nathan oversees the operations of the church, allowing the pastoral team to focus on the mission and caring for the people of Second and the broader community.

As an artist and illustrator, he has illustrated three books. A native of southwest Virginia, Nathan is most at home walking in the woods, working in his garden, or watching the birds.

Stacy Moore received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Hollins College. She has worked at Second Presbyterian in various capacities since 1998. Other work experience includes Mill Mountain Theatre, Roanoke County Public Schools, and Salem Red Sox Baseball.

Stacy’s favorite hobby is spending time with (and spoiling) her niece.

On November 30, 2020, we welcomed Meredith Koliba to her new role of Pastors’ Assistant. Meredith attended Second Presbyterian as a child with her family. While in high school she worked in the church nursery and found a love of working with children. She then attended Radford University to study Early Childhood Education/Special Education and graduated with her degree in 2009. Since graduating, she has spent most of her career working for Starbucks Coffee Company in management. She loves working with people and has a kind and gentle personality.

Meredith enjoys spending time with her husband David doing outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, kayaking and taking pictures of her surroundings. She is excited to join the staff at Second Presbyterian and to use the skills she has acquired through management and attention to detail to assist the pastors and the church.

Andrea Boone joined our staff as Media and Communications Specialist in June of 2018. She served as the Busy Bee Lead Level instructor at Second Presbyterian Church Preschool for five years prior. Andrea graduated Summa Cum Laude from Radford University with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education and a minor in Business Administration. She enjoys bringing her experience in the world of performing arts to her work in media and design.

Andrea and her husband, Lane, welcomed their son in winter of 2022. She finds joy in spending time at home with her family and beloved whippet, Mona Lisa.

The Rev. Rachel Vogado joined the team as Media Assistant in September of 2023. A lifelong Presbyterian originally from Tallahassee, FL, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Museum Education from Florida State University and a Masters of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary. She has served churches in Memphis, Indianapolis, and North Carolina. Her first role here at Second was Interim Media and Communications Specialist while Andrea was away on parental leave. We are fortunate to have Rachel back sharing her gifts with us!

Libby Smith joined the church staff as the new Church Accountant in August 2024. She was raised as a PK (preacher’s kid) and is now a PW (preacher’s wife). She graduated from Lee University in Clevland, TN with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and has spent most of her career working in accounting for non-profits. Her husband, Randy, graduated from Liberty University with his MDIV and is a preaching elder at the local house church that they attend. They have one son (Aaron) and one grandson (Carson) in the area, and they enjoy spending as much time as possible with them. We are so glad to have Libby on the team!

Iman Alston joined the staff as custodian in late November of 2022. With experience in custodial work and security and a can-do personality, she remains a valuable addition to the team!

Alice Light joined the staff of Second Presbyterian as Preschool Director in July of 2022. Alice has 17 years of experience teaching elementary school, most recently in Salem City Schools. She has taught in Roanoke City Schools and in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, where she and her husband, Rich, lived prior to relocating to Roanoke in 2010. Alice grew up in the small, Lowcountry town of Walterboro. She earned her Masters of Education in Literacy from The Citadel and Elementary Education degree from College of Charleston.

Alice and Rich live in South Roanoke with their two daughters, Ann Colston and Wells. Both girls attended the Preschool. The Light Family are active members of Second Presbyterian Church.