Asheville, North Carolina
EXPLORE FAITH. EMBRACE COMMUNITY. MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
60 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801 | info@trinityasheville.org | Tel: 828-253-9361
TRINITY CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT - 2026
VESTRY NOMINEES : CLASS OF 2029
Stuart Bush
Stuart was born and raised in Dallas Texas and is a cradle Episcopalian. Stuart and his wife Carla attended Church of the Incarnation in Dallas for 40+ years before they moved to Asheville and joined Trinity in 2022. They feel very fortunate to have found a wonderful church home at Trinity as it has been one of the true highlights of their move to Asheville.
After graduating from University of Texas with a major in accounting Stuart joined KPMG and became a CPA. He then returned to graduate school at University of Virginia for his MBA. After a few years in New York City in corporate finance he returned to Dallas to become Chief Financial Officer for a privately owned company.
In 1984 Stuart joined the global executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates in its Dallas office and over the next 15 years became Managing Director and leader of its Healthcare Practice. He then joined Heidrick & Struggles where he was named Senior Partner and later Managing Partner; in 2004 he started his own firm Chartwell Partners which grew to have multiple offices around the US and was recognized as one of top 25 executive search firms in the US. He retired in 2022.
Stuart and Carla have two children, Erika and Jack, who both reside with their spouses in the NYC/NJ area. They also have two grandsons, Otto and Wes, who have brought pure joy into their lives.
Since joining Trinity, Stuart has been active in the Appalachian Regional Ministry traveling to Robbinsville each month with a wonderful team of Trinitarians. He also served on the Search Committee which came to a successful conclusion with the arrival of Mike Reardon to lead Church of the Advocate. He is also a proud member of the Joe Sechler Usher Team.
Stuart and Carla have embraced retirement and love hiking and golfing in the mountains.
Randy Hall
Randy was confirmed into the Episcopal Church in 2000 at Trinity, which has remained an important and deeply meaningful part of his life through the years. His connection to this parish has continued to deepen through worship, fellowship, and service. He frequently has the privilege of serving as a chalice bearer, and has also served on Trinity’s Investment Committee. These opportunities have given an even greater appreciation for the traditions, people and sense of community that make Trinity special.
Randy’s faith has become an increasingly important part of his life, and he is grateful for the way Trinity has provided a place to worship, to grow spiritually, and to share in the life of a
community. He would be honored to serve on the Vestry and to help care for the parish, both today and for those who will come after.
He has spent his professional life in banking and finance and currently serves as a bank chief financial officer. He is a CPA and Chartered Global Management Accountant and holds an MBA. He hopes that the experience he has gained in stewardship, leadership, and financial management can be useful to Trinity as it pursues its mission.
Randy has shared his life with his partner, George Zourzoukis, for 22 years. George is a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, and their life together has given Randy a special appreciation for the richness of both the Episcopal and Greek Orthodox traditions of faith, worship, and community.
He is thankful for the many ways Trinity has shaped his life and faith. Serving on the Vestry would be an opportunity to give back to a parish that has given him so much and to help nurture its spiritual life, community, and future.
Lang Hornthal
Lang has been a member of Trinity Episcopal Church since 1997. His time here has been blessed by many special relationships that have helped forge spiritual connection to Trinity. A once avid attendee of the 8:00 service, he has served on the vestry as Junior Warden. He now serves as Chalice bearer at the 10:45 service, on the Parish Life committee, and is a member of the St. Andrew's men's group.
As a lifelong Episcopalian, Lang feels lucky to have found Trinity and to be a part of this nurturing community. He and his wife, Ann-Patton have four boys: Will, Alex, Ashe and Walker, with the latter two currently serving as acolytes. They could not wish for a better
support system for their children and are appreciative for the life balance this church provides.
Lang serves as the Executive Director for the forestry non-profit EcoForesters, helping conserve and restore
Appalachian forests. He is honored to work in this incredible part of the world and to have meaningful work in care
of God's creation. He also currently serves on the Buncombe County Land Conservation Advisory board.
Lang cannot think of a better way to honor his faith than to participate in the calling of service for this special
place. He is honored to be considered for this position.
Michelle Koon
Michelle grew up in Western North Carolina and was active in her Baptist church youth group, choir, and handbell choir. She attended Appalachian State University where she majored in Public Relations and Marketing, and after college worked for Piedmont Airlines as a flight attendant.
Michelle married Fred in 1993, and they have two children, Rachel and Josh. While living in Tennessee, she served as president of a MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers). The family returned to Asheville in 2000 to be closer to their families. She worked alongside Fred while he built his construction company. They were members at Biltmore Church while their children
were growing up. She volunteered her time in her children’s classrooms and served as a group
leader in their small group class at church. She also volunteered at ABCCM women’s and children’s program.
As empty nesters, Michelle and Fred began looking for a new church home. Fred grew up at Trinity and after returning to Trinity following the death of his mother, they met Scott and immediately decided to attend services. They became members in 2018 and are currently Welcome Ministers at the 10:45 am service. Michelle has also spent time at Lake Logan, painting and working on the grounds.
Michelle loves working in her yard and is always finding projects to do around her home. She is currently the secretary of the Town and Country Garden Club and a member of the French Broad River Garden Club. She enjoys reading, golf, her exercise routine, taking long walks, and playing Mahjong with her friends. Michelle is grateful for the community she and Fred have found at Trinity and would welcome the opportunity to serve the parish as a member of the Vestry.
Tara Shields
Tara Shields has been a member of Trinity Episcopal Church for the past three years. Along with her husband and two teenage sons, she has found Trinity to be a spiritual home and a welcoming place to learn, grow, and explore faith together as a family.
Raised Catholic, Tara was drawn to the Episcopal tradition in part through the familiarity and beauty of its liturgy and ritual. After spending a period of her life away from a liturgical church participation, worship at Trinity has felt like a homecoming and has offered her new opportunities to deepen her faith and engage with a supportive community.
Professionally, Tara works at MAHEC as a Practice Support Coach, helping primary care practices throughout Western North Carolina integrate behavioral health into the care they provide. Her work reflects an interest in building connections, strengthening communities, and helping people and organizations grow.
Outside of work and church, Tara enjoys spending time with friends and family exploring the natural world and loves to stay active through playing volleyball, practicing yoga, and going to dance classes.
Tara is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the vestry and hopes to contribute the perspective of both a newer member of Trinity and a parent raising teenagers within the church community. She looks forward to listening, learning, and working alongside others to support Trinity as a place where individuals and families in all stages of life can find belonging, deepen their faith, and participate meaningfully in the life of the church.
Nominees to the Diocesan Convention
Craig
Weeks
