PASTORAL NOMINATING COMMITTEE
NAT AUTEN - Nat's first introduction to the Presbyterian Church started with his parents being active members in Shelby and Rockingham. He has very fond memories of Vacation Bible School, crafts at Christmas, the smell of Wednesday night supper and sounds of passing candy in the pews! The most important role he plays is that of a father, husband, son, and brother. His wife, Jennifer Auten, whom he met in Hickory, works at Claremont Dental Arts and is a phenomenal mother to their daughter Saylor (age 5). Saylor loves the donuts that Karl brings to the nursery on Sundays! It was very important to Jennifer and Nat that they find a church home that would support their family --- First Presbyterian has provided more than they could have ever imagined, and they look forward to giving back in the years to come. Throughout the week you will find Nat serving as the CEO of the YMCA of Catawba Valley, president-elect to the local rotary club, and board member for the Chamber.

JIM BENTON - Jim Benton was born and raised on a farm southeast of Atlanta. After attending Georgia Tech and serving two years in the Army, he moved to Hickory in 1968 with IBM. Jim was baptized and joined First Presbyterian in 1973. He has served as a deacon and elder in the church, chaired a previous search committee, served on the Property and Stewardship committees, volunteers with Habitat and currently serves on the board, and participated in many domestic and international mission trips. Jim has been married to Judy for 53 years. They have two sons, Jay and Josh; three grandsons, James, Coleman, and Joe.
MANDY HILDEBRAND - Mandy was baptized, confirmed, and has spent her entire life as a member of First Presbyterian Church Hickory. It is not uncommon to see three generations of the Pitts family worshiping together. She is currently serving as an Elder, member of the Worship Committee, and an active participant in the Tuesday night Women’s Bible Study.  Growing up in the church, she was an active participant in all programs as a child and teenager and went on the first College Mission Trip to Mexico.  She has served in many roles and on many committees throughout her adult life at the church including: Retreat Group Leader, Sr. High Youth Leader, Sabbath Soup Committee, Youth Minister Committee, Table Parent for Wednesday Night Alive, and the Stewardship Committee. Mandy is the CEO of the Hickory Metro Convention Center and Visitors Bureau. She is married to Scott Hildebrand, who serves the Hickory Police Department and as a Deacon in a church his great grandfather started 107 years ago.  
MELVIN MEARES - Melvin Meares has been a member of FPC since 1991. He spent the majority of his professional career as an IBM technical sales specialist covering the retail industry in North America, retiring in 2010. Melvin has served the church in many ways; including mission trip participant and leader, three terms on session (three years as clerk), member of multiple committees, Sunday school teacher, and youth advisor. Melvin also serves in key leadership roles in the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, including one year as Moderator of the Presbytery. He is also a graduate of the presbytery’s School for the Laity. Melvin is married to Sharon, and they have two daughters, Meredith and Melissa.  
KATHERINE MULL - Katherine is a lifelong Presbyterian and has been a member of FPC Hickory for 10 years. During that time she has served as a youth advisor, an elder, and member of the nominating committee, Family Ministry, and the 2015 youth director search committee. Most recently she has served as a member of the Mission Study Task Force, and of course in her favorite role—as Director of Youth and College Ministries from 2015-2021. Both prior to and following her time as youth director, Katherine has dabbled in legal assistant work. She has also served on the board of Family Guidance Center and currently serves on the Hickory Landmarks Society board, co-chairs the youth committee for the Presbytery of WNC, and chairs the Historic Preservation Commission for the City of Hickory. She and Stuart have been married for 11 years and have 3 children—Henry (7), a 2nd grader at Oakwood, Garland (4), and Monroe (1), who are both in preschool at FPC.
TY POSTON - Ty is humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve First Presbyterian and our Lord and Savior, on the Pastoral Nominating Committee.
He has been an active member of First Pres for over 30 years. As a young adult, he was called to serve as a Youth Advisor and to serve on and Chair the Outreach Committee. Once his boys reached middle school, he returned as a Youth Advisor for many years. During his tenure as an Advisor, Ty participated in 6 Youth Mission trips. He served on and chaired Youth Council for 5 of those years. He also chaired the search committee to call a Youth Minister and Director of Christian Education when Freida retired.
Ty is an ordained Elder and served 1 term on session. While an Elder, he served on the Nominating Committee, chairing it in his final year on session. Currently, he serves on the Personnel and New Member committees.
In his professional life, Ty is an Executive Recruiter specializing in the mortgage banking industry for 35 years. Ty and his wife, Amy, together have 5 children, who grew up in First Pres. Today they have 4 grandchildren, all of whom were baptized in our church! 
Ty is very passionate about our church and our call to serve others. He believes we are all called to use our gifts to further the important work of the church, perhaps now more than ever. He trusts serving on the Pastoral Nominating Committee is a call from God to share his gifts and experience in the effort to identify, evaluate, and ultimately call the next Senior Pastor.
MEAGHAN TEXER - Meaghan Texer has been a member of First Presbyterian Church for 22 years. She grew up in Richmond, VA and met her husband, Toby, at the College of William and Mary. After graduating in 1993, she moved to Hickory and had the privilege of teaching 5th grade at Oakwood Elementary with Shirley Thomason. Meaghan currently works with her family business, The Texer Group. She and Toby have two children, Sadie and Baylor, and they are grateful for the FPC family that has helped raise them!
Meaghan has served in many capacities at FPC; Elder on Session, Junior High Advisor, Sunday School Teacher, FP3 Teacher, Family Ministry Committee, Nominating Committee, Interim Family Ministry Director, “Invited” Capital Campaign Committee, and Pastoral Nominating Committee that brought Whit Malone to FPC. She is currently serving on the Stewardship Committee, Youth Council, FPC Pre-School Board, and Sunday School Task Force. Outside of church, Meaghan enjoys volunteering her time at University Christian High School. After serving 4 years on the Board, she currently serves on their Principal Search Committee, Marketing & Development Team, and coaches the Boys’ and Girls’ Swim Teams.
Meaghan is honored to be asked to serve on this Pastoral Search Committee and looks forward to working with its members!
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