Related Organizations

All of these nominations were approved at this year's Annual Council.

Diocesan Missionary Society


Mrs. Joy Buzzard
St. Thomas', Richmond
Nominated by DMS

Professional/Educational Background:
BS Accounting, Strayer University
Financial Administrator, Diocese of Virginia 2001-2015, Business Administrator, DMS 2001-Current

Church Involvement – Local, Diocesan, National:
Served as diocesan staff from 1992-2015. During this time I worked with both DMS and CCM. Worked with Church Pension Fund on projects.

Pertinent skills you bring to this work:
Detailed knowledge of how DMS has worked through the years to support the work of our churches and the Bishop of Virginia.

Why do you wish to serve?
I consider DMS to be one of DVA's finest organizations, truly working to support God's church in Virginia. This is an opportunity for me to give back to my community in an area where I believe I can serve.

Mr. Joseph S. Paxton
Emmanuel, Harrisonburg
Nominated by DMS

Professional/Educational Background:
County Administrator - Rockingham County, VA 2004 to present
Deputy Administrator, Assistant Administrator, Director of Finance & Purchase (1978 to 2003)
University of Virginia - Senior Executive Institute (2000)
Master of Business Administration - James Madison University {1983} Bachelor of Science - Political Science and Public Administration (1978)

Church Involvement – Local, Diocesan, National:
Chair - Finance Committee - Emmanuel (previous - Vestry, Sr. Warden, Treasurer)
Previous Diocesan involvement - Executive Committee (served as Vice President), Shrine Mont Board of Directors (served as Vice President), DMS Trustees(served as President and Vice President)

Pertinent skills you bring to this work:
Prior experience on DMS Board, knowledge of Diocese from serving on boards and commissions, financial background with local government

Why do you wish to serve?
I believe it is important to give back to our church and this is one such opportunity.  I enjoyed the opportunity to make a difference during my last term and would like to the opportunity to work with the Trustees to continue to make a difference in the Diocese.

Trustees of the Funds

Dr. Hugh. M Bryan III
Abingdon, White Marsh, Region II
Nominated by Abingdon and Region II, Endorsed by Region II

Professional/Educational Background: BA Swarthmore College, MD Pennsylvania State University; 8 years active duty US Army; 27 years Orthopaedic Surgeon in Gloucester, VA; Virginia Orthopaedic Society Career Achievement Award; President MidTidewater Medical Society; Speaker of the House Medical Society of Virginia (MSV); President MSV; MSV Executive Vice President Compensation Committee; MSV Budget, Finance, and Investments Committee.

Church Involvement -Local, Diocesan, National: 12 years Treasurer of Abingdon Church Men's Club; Lay Reader; Usher; Community Thanksgiving Dinner Volunteer

Pertinent skills you bring to this work: I have both organizational and leadership skills demonstrated in my work as a small business owner (Orthopaedic Surgery Office) and MSV President. I have a keen knowledge of business procedures and bylaws evidenced in my duties as MSV Speaker of the House where I organized and led the annual meeting. I have previously served on committees that oversee investments and finance for the MSV as well as the investments of the Abingdon Men's Club.

Why do you wish to serve? The mission of the Diocese depends on vision and spiritual guidance. The Trustees of
the Funds can help insure the finances are available to support that mission.

Mr. Robert Patterson
St. Paul's, Richmond
Nominated by the Rev. Wallace Adams-Riley

Professional/Educational Background:

Over 35 years experience in US and international investments, helping private and institutional clients select investment managers, monitor performance and educate boards/trustees. Extensive experience in financial stewardship with the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC. I am one of 60 people globally with the designation of Accredited Fiduciary Investment Analyst (AIFA®) authorized to assess and recommend for certification organizations to the Global Fiduciary Standard of Excellence.

  • Co-founder Diogenes-fg, an independent professional firm focused on empowering fiduciaries with the knowledge and tools to be better stewards
  • Speaker at the ASAE Finance Conference in Washington, DC, the Maryland Association of CPAs, North Carolina Association of CPAs, and the fi360 National Conference on the subject of socially responsible investing with Steve Lydenberg of Harvard
  • Past President of the Board, International Student House, Washington, DC.
  • Member of the Technology and Next Generation committees of the board for the Family Business Network (Lausanne, CH).
  • Provided professional advice to the editors of the World Competitive Year Book published by the International Management Development Institute in Lausanne, CH.
  • Mentor/lecturer to MBA Students in the US and Europe
  • Actively engaged in issues related to veterans and their families, with a focus on post traumatic stress. Past mentor to children with learning disabilities
  • International Management Development Institute (IMD), Lausanne, Switzerland, MBA
  • Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia, BA, History

Church Involvement - local, diocesan, national:

  • Local: Co-leader, Ushers, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Richmond, 2013-present
  • Vestry & Treasurer, Church of the Epiphany, Washington, DC 1985 - 2001
  • Diocesan: Member of the Investment Committee, Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC 1985-2000

Pertinent skills you bring to this work:
Teaching, group work, technology, international perspective, investment, risk analysis, quantitative and qualitative manager assessment experience. Sense of humor.

Why do you wish to serve?:
As stewards of other peoples money, the Diocese’s most important role is to maintain a prudent fiduciary governance policy for current and future beneficiaries. I believe that I have a unique set of skills to bring to the Trustees: out of the 60 Accredited Fiduciary Investment Analysts (AIFA®) globally, I am one of only 10 who is independent of any product sales or service, and one of fewer than 5 with international experience.

 My particular interest is in seeing that the Diocese include a coherent rational for the implementation of a socially responsible investment policy. All of us are stewards of the assets we have been given and we must be prudent for the benefit of future generations.

Virginia Diocesan Homes

Mr. David White
St. Paul's, Richmond

Professional/Educational Background:
B. Arch - VPI & SU; M. Arch - VPI & SU
Registered Architect; President SWA Architects, VA Inc.
Managing member, Historic Housing , LLC.  25 years in real estate, primarily apartments

Church Involvement - local, diocesan, national:
Treasurer, St. Paul's, Richmond

Pertinent skills you bring to this work:
25 years in development, finance and management of residential real estate.

Why do you wish to serve?: To give back to the world and my community.