elder-nominations
Get to know the elder candidates
TODD GUNTER
Todd earned his degrees in business and communications from Towson University. An avid football, basketball, and lacrosse player in high school and a two-sport athlete in College, Todd is the past President of the Boy’s Latin Alumni and formerly on the Board of Trustees for Boys Latin. Todd started his own company that independently represents manufacturers of coating and sealing materials. He is the past President of the Baltimore Chapter of the Construction Specification Institute.
Todd and his wife Linda have an adult daughter. They are founding members of HVC and Todd has served as an elder since 1990. He currently facilitates a Core Group and serves on the in-service team. At age 22, in the midst of personal and family trials, he challenged God to reveal Himself to him and then accepted Christ. His spiritual relationship took on a powerful new depth when he experienced healing from terminal cancer at age 37.
Chas Jones
Chas was born in Ludwigsburg, Germany, and raised in Howard County. He was a volunteer leader in Young Life for 7 years working with high schoolers at Towson High, McDonogh School, and Loch Raven High. He earned his undergraduate degree in business administration from Towson University and continued with a Masters in Business from Johns Hopkins, a law degree from the University of Baltimore, and a Masters of Law in Taxation from Georgetown University. Chas is currently a shareholder at the law firm of Thomas & Libowitz, P.A., and heads its Estates and Trusts department.
Chas and his wife, Gail, started attending Hunt Valley Church in May 2009 and became formal members that December. They have been active in church activities such as leading small groups and serving on hospitality teams. Chas is currently serving HVC on the Pastoral Search Committee. Both currently attend Bible Study Fellowship. They have four adult children and are grandparents. Chas and Gail enjoy investing in their children’s lives and praying for the needs of others. They hope to one day have a place at the beach. Chas has been an elder at HVC for three terms and prior to 2009 has also served as both a deacon and elder at another PCA church.
Brad Paulis
Brad is a Timonium native who went to Dulaney High School and earned a Bachelors and Masters in Mathematics from Bucknell University. He is a founding partner with Continuing Care Actuaries where he specializes in consulting to retirement communities. Brad grades actuarial exams for the Society of Actuaries, serves on the Financial Advisory Panel for CARF International, and is President of the Board of The Wesley.
Brad met his wife Nancy at Bucknell and they have three adult sons. The family has been attending Hunt Valley Church since the fall of 2006. Nancy is a music teacher who plays the flute and piano. She is involved in women’s ministry as a facilitator, musician, and mentor. Over the years Brad has been involved in various ministries including leading a core group with Nancy, teaching Sunday School, and working in The Café at The Point. Outside of HVC, Brad has enjoyed serving many years as a Boy Scout leader with his sons who, along with Brad, are all Eagle Scouts.
Bob Shank
Bob was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and moved to Maryland in third grade. After graduating from Dulaney High School, he attended Kutztown University where he majored in telecommunications with a minor in business administration. While in college, he served on Young Life’s Student Staff and led YL Clubs in Bethlehem, PA. He has spent most of his career in government technology sales and sales management.
Bob and his wife Gayle have been members of Hunt Valley since 2016. Bob served as an Elder at another Presbyterian church for 6 years. Here at Hunt Valley, he leads a Core Group, serves on the Love Your Neighbor team, and is a Site Host on Sunday mornings. Bob and Gayle met in college and made stops in PA, CT, and SC, before they settled in Timonium. They have two grown children, who are both married with children of their own. They are avid runners but also enjoy walking together in their neighborhood as well as spending time with family and friends.
Gary Werner
Gary was born and raised in Perry Hall. Gary graduated from Towson University with a degree in elementary education. Later, he earned his master’s degree in education from Johns Hopkins University. For 11 years Gary was a 5th-grade teacher at Gunpowder Elementary in Perry Hall. Gary is currently an elementary science resource teacher in the Office of Science for Baltimore County Public Schools. In this role, Gary’s main responsibilities are to write and revise Kindergarten through 5th-grade science curricula, provide ongoing professional development, and mentor and coach elementary science teachers throughout BCPS.
Gary was raised in another local PCA church. In the spring of 2009, Gary, his wife Lori, and their son started attending Hunt Valley Church. While at HVC, Gary has served in various ways including being a part of the audio/visual team recording sermons, running lights, directing camera crews, etc. Additionally, he has facilitated a Core Group since 2014. Gary enjoys gardening, yard work, woodworking, and playing video games, especially with his son.