PEVA STAFF
Rev. Dr. Melissa (Lissa) Sumner Long
General Presbyter
PEVA Office - 757-397-7063
Lissa's office - 757-966-1940
Lissa began her service with the Presbytery on September 3, 2024, as Transitional General Presbyter. The Presbytery extended a call to her as General Presbyter September 1, 2025, and she has also been elected as an officer of the Presbytery for the duration of her service as General Presbyter.
Lissa provides compassionate pastoral support and visionary leadership to the Presbytery. She sets a tone of care for ministers, educators, chaplains, commissioned pastors, sessions, and PEVA staff, and maintains relationships with congregations throughout the Presbytery. She serves as the primary staff person and resource to the Presbytery Council, Board of Trustees, Commission on Ministry, and other commissions, committees, and ministry teams as needed.
In addition, Lissa oversees the administrative functions of the Presbytery, including financial management, and supports the mission and governance of PEVA.
Lissa works a flexible, full-time schedule, including remote work and after office hours availability.
Roxie is an elected officer of the Presbytery as of May 1, 2026, and serves as the chief ecclesiastical and constitutional officer of the Presbytery. She ensures compliance with the Book of Order, interprets polity, and manages official records and ministerial rolls.
A trusted resource for constitutional interpretation, she provides guidance on polity, parliamentary procedure, and constitutional interpretation, and helps coordinate meetings of the Presbytery in collaboration with the Presbytery Council and the Worship Task Force. Roxie serves as corporate secretary of the Presbytery, is a resource to Presbytery commissions and committees, and supports clerks of session through training and assistance with records and annual reporting. She also serves as an ex officio member of the Presbytery Council, Commission on Ministry and the Board of Trustees and fulfills responsibilities related to the Rules of Discipline.
Roxie works a flexible, part-time schedule, 25 hours a week including remote and after-hours availability.
Raymond Rodrigues
Office Administrator/Journal Clerk
PEVA Office - 757-397-7063
Raymond's office - 757-966-1842
Raymond works with the General Presbyter and Stated Clerk. He can answer your questions about Commission on Ministry, Commission on Preparation for Ministry, Presbytery Council , Congregational Vitality, Nominations and other ministries as needed. Raymond also oversees the daily operation of the PEVA office. He makes sure that everyone throughout our presbytery knows about workshops, concerts and other events to which all are welcome. He provides a variety of clerical support services and computer technical support. He is also the webmaster for the PEVA website. He is a friendly voice that answers the phone at the Presbytery Office.
Raymond works a full-time schedule, he is usually in the office Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. He occasionally works remotely on Wednesday and may work flexible hours when support is needed outside of regular office hours. Raymond has served on the presbytery staff for more than 9 years.
Elder Jessica Fitzgerald
Administrative Assistant/Hunger Action Advocate
PEVA Office - 757-397-7063
Jessica's office - 757-966-1914
Jessica Fitzgerald is a Certified Church Administrator who works closely with the Office Administrator, Business Administrator, Stated Clerk, and General Presbyter. She provides administrative support for Compassion, Peace, and Justice ministries, including the Congo International Partnership Ministries, Hunger Committee, Peacemaking Committee, and Racial Justice Team. Jessica also supports the Board of Trustees and the Business Administrator and assists with other ministries as needed.
Her responsibilities include a wide range of clerical services and computer technical support. Jessica can assist with questions related to mission giving contributions, ecumenical partnerships, project codes, church giving, and other administrative concerns. She is one of the friendly voices answering the phone at the Presbytery Office and helps maintain the PEVA website alongside the Office Administrator.
As Hunger Action Advocate, Jessica works with ministries focused on hunger, peacemaking, racial justice, and hunger-related causes. She provides ongoing support to PEVA staff as needed and serves as a trusted resource to colleagues.
Jessica works a full-time schedule and is typically in the office Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. She occasionally works remotely on Friday and may work flexible hours when support is required outside of regular office hours. Jessica has served on the presbytery staff in various roles for more than 27 years.
Regan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Management and oversees the Presbytery’s accounting and financial operations, including accounts payable, revenue tracking, payroll, tax filings, and budget coordination, as directed by the General Presbyter and the Board of Trustees. She works with the Board of Trustees and the CPA on financial reporting and reviews.
Regan works remotely most of the time, is in the PEVA office usually on Thursday afternoon, and is a valued resource to PEVA churches and treasurers. Regan has served in this role for over 11 years.
