Our Leadership

Session of Elders/Governing Board

Anne Bentzen

Bio to follow.

Linda Burpee

Linda and her husband, David have been members of the Bedford church since the mid-1970’s. Linda has served as the Clerk of Session for the past 8 years and is a member of the personnel and mission committees. She also serves as a committee member of the Presbytery’s Permanent Judicial Commission and the Boundary Training/Response Committee on Ministry Sub-Committee.

Linda is an attorney with a practice focusing on elder law, estate planning/settlement and real estate law in Somers, where she has lived and practiced law for over 30 years. She and David have three children. Their son lives and works at a university in the Chicago area, one daughter is an immigration attorney in NYC, and their younger daughter is currently serving in the Peace Corps.

The Bedford church has had a tremendous impact on their family and has truly helped to shape the paths their kids have taken in their lives. The family has cumulatively volunteered on some 19 trips to Nicaragua, and their oldest daughter was an in-country staff member for Bridges to Community in Nicaragua for two years. Linda now serves on the Bridges to Community board, as well as on the board of the Westchester Youth Alliance, and also as the chair of the program committee of the Presbyterian Center at Holmes. The church continues to challenge their family to learn and grow in their faith.

Jessica Cunningham

Jessica lives in Cross River with her husband, Sean (former BPC Session member), their three children: Leah, Tate, Brynn, and Clumber Spaniel, Arthur.  Jessica and Sean joined BPC in 2002, after looking extensively for a home church and happily finding BPC.  The congregation was immediately supportive and kind, offering warm and understanding glances when the Cunningham babies (at the time) were unsettled or fussing; Jessica and Sean knew they were in the right place, and among friends right away!  Jessica was a Deacon six years, Moderator for three of those years.  She is on the Vision Committee for the church, and is delighted to join the Session.   Jessica is a local realtor and licensed home inspector.

Amy Drabek

Bio to follow.

Danielle Gamar

Danielle Gamar considers herself blessed to be the proud mother of two children, and having a career working with children and adolescents.  Her son is in his second year at the University of Buffalo, and her daughter is a Senior at Byram Hills High School.

She works as a Clinical Social Worker at a Westchester County Middle & High School where she supports students in making healthy decisions, enhancing their well-being, and raising awareness to remain substance free.

Danielle stays active by attending the gym, while enjoying hiking, camping, skiing and travel when she is able.  

Ashely Glod-Hayes

Bio to follow.

Michelle Gosh

Michelle lives in Mount Kisco with her wife, Kim, two sons, Kevin and Brady, and their three pups, Harrison, Teddy and Georgie.  Michelle works in the Brewster School District as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment.  Michelle has served as a deacon for six years and was a member of the Pastoral Nominating Committee this past year.

Being a member of Bedford Presbyterian Church has been transformative. The spirit of care and kindness and the purposeful work carried out for the betterment of others are only two of the many reasons that BPC has become a cornerstone in the lives of Michelle, Kim and their family. They are grateful to be members of such a wonderful, spiritual community.

Brian Hiller-Dupont (Clerk of Session)

Brian lives with his husband, Don, and their son, Brandon James, in Armonk, New York. In a career spanning 33 years, Brian has taught Kindergarten, First Grade, General Music and Instrumental Music in Chappaqua, New York. Brian is an internationally-known author and clinician and presents workshops at national and state music conferences throughout the United States and in Canada. Brian and Don have co-authored 14 books for music educators. He is now a retired, stay at home Dad for Brandon.

Brian’s first introduction to BPC was through Scott and Michele Eames and their sons, Patrick and Tyler. Brian would often attend services when the boys were performing in the children’s choirs. What struck Brian the most was the warmth and welcome he received each time he visited. The inclusive environment, the countless outreach opportunities, the strong sense of community and fine music program all contributed to Brian and Don’s decision to become members and to raise their son in this special place

Maria Andra Laverde

Maria Andrea (She/Her/Hers) lives with her husband Andres and two boys Lucas and Noah in Somers, NY. Maria Andrea has been a corporate attorney for over 17 years. She practiced both in the United States and in Colombia, where she was born and raised. She moved with Andres to New York in 2010. The family had been member of BPC since 2021. The family enjoys the warmth and welcoming environment of the church.

Sarah Ryan

Sarah was born and Raised in Bedford now lives with her husband Conor and their blended family of four children (Madison, Luke, Ava Rose and Annabel). As a family they began volunteering to cook at BPC while the church hosted the Emergency Shelter. They found the BPC’s commitment to service inspiring, and the warm accepting community to be a place they felt at home. They joined BPC wanting their children to grow in faith in a place where all were welcome.

Sarah is a real estate agent and store owner who loves to celebrate the creativity of others. She is part of the Children’s Education Committee and is helping with Sunday Spirit activities and is grateful for the dedication and hard work that so many put into developing this amazing community.

Bart Tyler

Bart and his wife, Diana, first joined BPC over 20 years ago.  They got to know BPC through their involvement in the Midnight Run and Bridges to Community.  They are residents of Katonah and perhaps best known as the owners of Kelloggs & Lawrence Hardware, in downtown Katonah, for nearly 25 years.  They sold the store two years ago which has made it possible for them to attend more frequently and for Bart to join the choir and more recently the session.  They resonate most with BPC’s mission and outreach.

Deacons

Sarah Alley

Sarah Alley lives in Katonah and has two children, Helen 26 and John 20.  She is a teacher in Chappaqua NY. She’s been a member of BPC since 2013. She was drawn to BPC because of the welcoming spirit that the congregation and church has.

Marcy Carlson

Marcy and her husband, Bing, have been members of Bedford Presbyterian Church since 1968. Soon after they moved into the house they built in Bedford. Their three daughters have grown up in the church and were actively involved in all the youth programs and music. They felt that BPC was part of the family. So much so that two of them were married here. One of their daughters in Colorado, was married by former pastor and ski buddy, Paul Alcorn, on the top of Keystone Mountain.

The Carlson’s were drawn to the church because of its focus on building community within the congregation and its involvement in mission work in Northern Westchester, West Virginia, and Nicaragua. Our facility provided a community center, –a meeting place for many organizations and activities in the village.

Over the years, Bing and Marcy have been involved in the Sunday School program, the music: ringing handbells, choir, the Intergenerational Band which played holiday carols in church, and teaching elementary age students to ring tone chimes. Both have been session members and on a variety of committees.

Michele Eames

Bio to follow.

Pat Ferguson

Pat and her husband Tom moved to Bedford in September of 1968 along with their two daughters, Jane and Jill, who were 6 and 3 at the time.  Tom commuted to NYC for many years and they always felt very fortunate to be able to raise their girls in such a beautiful rural area.  They joined Bedford Presbyterian Church that fall, so they have been members for over 50 years.  Their daughters were confirmed and married at BPC and all their grandchildren have been baptized there.  Pat has been singing in the choir and playing bells for all of those 50 years, and Tom was always very active serving on the Session, as a Deacon and many other activities.  As a family they ran the Easter pancake breakfast for several years.  Pat and Tom were on the committee that planned our beautiful Columbarium.  BPC is truly like a second home to their family and they have always loved the supportive community, the mission work and the music.

Kim Lapple (Chair)

Kim lives in Mount Kisco with her wife, Michelle, two sons, Kevin and Brady, and their three pups, Harrison, Teddy and Georgie.  Kim is principal of H.C. Crittenden Middle school in the Byram Hills School District.  At BPC, she has previously served as a deacon for six years and is the co-chair of the Rewarding Potential Scholarship.

Being a member of Bedford Presbyterian Church has been transformative. The spirit of care and kindness and the purposeful work carried out for the betterment of others are only two of the many reasons that BPC has become a cornerstone in the lives of Michelle, Kim and their family. They are grateful to be members of such a wonderful, spiritual community.

 

Andres Meija

Bio to follow. 

Diane Palmento

Diane Palmento and Michael (Bruneau) joined BPC about a year into that worldwide phenomenon known as COVID. They watched Carol as she faithfully ministered to a small congregation week after week by zoom. Having known Carol from her last church position, they realized that she was happy and the people around her were also happy in spite of nature’s way of separating us from each other. Then they began coming in person and that was a game changer. They found a home where people smiled, shared and were immensely happy in their religious life, as well as their relationships. It is a home where they shall serve.

 

Lisa Sayre

Bio to follow.