Jason Byassee
Senior Minister
seniorminister@booneumc.org

Jason Byassee grew up in Chapel Hill and studied at Davidson College before doing master’s and doctoral work at Duke University. He has previously worked as a pastor of a small rural church, as an editor at Christian Century magazine, and as a research fellow at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School. He has written four books and articles and reviews for such publications as Faith & Leadership, Sojourners, Books & Culture, and First Things. He has taught at five seminaries or divinity schools and guest lectured on dozens of other campuses.

Dr. George E. Naff, is a national certified counselor and a N.C. licensed professional counselor. After running for several years from God’s call to ministry, he completed a masters and doctorate in counseling and a diplomate in logotherapy.

George grew up in a United Methodist parsonage family in the Holston Conference, got two degrees in music education and taught instrumental music at both the high school and university level. His last music teaching appointment was as the conductor of the Duke University Wind Symphony. He still serves occasionally as a guest conductor and adjudicator for music festivals in the eastern United States and Canada and by taking national honor bands on performing tours of Europe.

He and his wife, Sue, are now "empty nesters" since their sons, Joe and Dave, have become ASU students. Back to top

Vern Collins
Youth Minister
youthminister@booneumc.org

Vern has watched the Lord transform the BUMC youth ministry into a dynamic and thriving outreach for young people.

A native of Greensboro, Vern first came to the mountains of Boone as a student at ASU, where he graduated with a degree in English. During his college years, Vern volunteered as a leader for Young Life in Watauga County, and also worked weekends at Windy Gap, one of Young Life's outreach camps near Asheville. In addition, he spent four summers during college as a counselor and climbing instructor at Camp Timberlake in Black Mountain.

When not spending time with students, Vern can be found with his wife, Piper, and their three children or pursuing one of his other loves (fishing, climbing, biking, snowboarding, or any number of other outdoor activities). Back to top

Ronald D. Wise  joined the Boone UMC staff in March 2002 as organist and choirmaster. Since September 2002, he has held the position of Director of Worship and the Arts and Principal Organist. He oversees a program of five singing choirs, four handbell choirs, a television and radio broadcast, as well as three Sunday morning worship services.

He is a member of the American Guild of Organists, the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers and the Académie André Marchal of France. He studied with several distinguished organists including Ralph Tilden, Brian Bailey, Florence Jowers and Marilyn Keiser. He has played concerts and recitals in the United States, France and the United Kingdom.

He studied at ASU in Boone, NC, Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC, Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ and the Juilliard School in NYC. He studied handbell ringing with Kathleen Ebling-Thorne and Robert Ivey and choral conducting with Joseph Flummerfelt and Judith Clurman. In his spare time, Ronnie is a part-time citizen of New York City. Back to top

Kathy has taught children in various capacities. She was an elementary school teacher in Durham and Chapel Hill and an ESL teacher for Kindergarten through 6th grade in Catawba County. Kathy has also taught 3- and 4-year-olds, adult and children's Sunday School, Disciple Bible Study classes, and 7th grade confirmation classes.

Kathy is a graduate of ASU with a bachelor's in Art Education and a master's in Elementary Education. She was certified in Gesell School Readiness assessment while working for the Trinity Scholl of Durham/Chapel Hill.

Kathy is married to Gil Long, and they have two children: Graham and Sallie. Back to top

Colette Krontz has been a lifelong advocate for children and their development. She earned a bachelors in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a masters in psychology from Memphis State University.

At BUMC, Colette has taught Sunday School, worked with Vacation Bible School, family life ministries, staff-parish relations, Boone's preschool board and Mexican Missions. Colette established and served as director for the Young Toddler Play Group, has coached Odyssey of the Mind, and has been a parent volunteer for Model UN. She received the Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service for work on playground development, and currently is on the board of Watauga Education Foundation, supporting work on grant funding for classroom enrichment and professional development. She also is a board member of Classical Kids Live NPF, a premier musical education program that combines professional actors with theatrical storytelling before world-recognized symphony orchestras.

Colette is married to Dr. Dan Krontz, and they have two children: Jason, who attends NC State, and Nicole, a middle school student at Parkway. Back to top

Jennifer Greer was born into the Catholic faith in Kingston, N.Y. As one of six girls, she spent most of her childhood traveling with her parents between the United States and England. She attended the Convent of Notre Dame and graduated high school from the American Community School in Cobham, England. Returning to the U.S. for college, she graduated from ASU with a degree in early childhood education.

Jennifer has worked for churches and other ministries in the area for the last ten years. She is currently attending Cornerstone Summit Church.

Jennifer loves the water and often can be found daydreaming about the ocean. She also loves animals of all kinds, but is especially fond of her 15 year old cat Cleopatra.
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