Meet our team.

UMF Chief Executive Officer

The Foundation exists not only to manage funds for churches and ministries but also to help foster a culture of generosity in the hearts of individuals and congregations. We stand on a foundation built by the generosity of those who came before us. That’s why I believe so strongly in UMF’s mission to provide for the future of the church.

Rich Bowlin, CEO
Biography

Rich joined UMF in 2014 after a nearly 30-year career as an attorney. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Eastern Kentucky University in 1980 and his Juris Doctorate in 1984 from Cooley Law School.  Rich has served on nearly every committee at his home church, Millbrook UMC. He has served on the District Committee on Ordained Ministry and the full Board of Ordained Ministry as well.

Rich has been married to his wife Rhonda for 31 years. Rich and Rhonda reside in Raleigh and have one daughter, Lindsey, who is a Special Education teacher.

Our team

Rev. Lynn Benson

Director of Legacy Giving

Biography

Rev. Lynn B. Benson is currently appointed as Director of Legacy Giving with the United Methodist Foundation. Lynn is a Deacon in Full Connection with the NC Annual Conference. As a 2013 graduate of Duke Divinity School, Lynn received a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Christian Education. Lynn’s undergraduate degree is in Business Finance from East Carolina University. Lynn served as the Christian Education Director at Rosemary UMC in Roanoke Rapids before joining UMF in 2016. The opportunity to serve with the Foundation is allowing Rev. Benson to connect her passion for finance, particularly stewardship, with her education and experience in Christian Education. Rev. Benson has been married to her high school sweetheart, Marty for 39 years. Together they have a son, Gray, daughter Lillie, son-in-law Lee and grandchildren Luke and Lainie. In her spare time, Lynn leads small-group classes in personal finance, spends time gardening, and enjoys Praying in Color

Ivanna Cole

Chief Financial Officer

Biography

As the CFO Ivanna L. Cole, CPA, CGMA, oversees the accounting, finance, and administration activities of the Foundation. Ivanna has been with UMF since 2014. Prior to UMF, she served as the Controller for the NC Conference of The UMC for over 6 years. She has also held positions as the Chief Audit Officer at NC Central University and as an Experienced Assurance Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Ivanna attended the University of Maryland, College Park, earning a degree in Accounting and General Business. She is a CPA and, in addition to that, has a Not-for-Profit Certification II from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Ivanna is married with two children and enjoys spending time with them, doing fun things like road trips, playing badminton, and attending University of Maryland football and basketball games.

Nick Keller

Controller

Biography

Nick Keller, CPA, is the Controller at UMF. He is responsible for reviewing the day-to-day accounting operations and assisting the CFO with reporting and special projects. Prior to his tenure at the Foundation, Nick worked as an Assurance Associate at DHG and primarily served healthcare and nonprofit clients. Nick obtained his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Accounting from Appalachian State University, where he was a cheerleader for three years.
Away from the office, Nick enjoys spending time with family, weight training, serving the I/DD community as a member of the Board of Directors for The Arc of the Triangle, and is a fan of Japanese cuisine and culture.

Kim Smith

Office Manager

Biography

Kim Smith is the Office Manager and has worked for the Foundation for over 20 years.  She enjoys working with churches and individuals with their investment needs and loves the friendships she has made over the years with unit holders.  Kim is married to Scott with two beautiful daughters and they love all things Disney.

Amy Stiltner

Staff Accountant

Biography

Amy joined UMF in 2016 and currently serves as Staff Accountant. She enjoys combining her love of numbers with assisting others to further their ministry and missions. Amy is a graduate of UNCC and lives in Clayton with her husband, Jeff, and their three sons. In her spare time, Amy enjoys walking her dogs, traveling and gardening.

Lynita Williams

Director of Marketing

Biography

Lynita recently joined UMF as the Director of Marketing. She is a graduate of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, with a Bachelor of Arts and brings over 20 years of marketing experience in creating successful marketing solutions for corporations, not-for-profit organizations, and small businesses.

Lynita, her husband, Daryle, and their three children have lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina for the past 13 years. She is an active participant in her local church and in international missions’ work – especially orphanages. Outside of work she loves spending time with her family, traveling, camping, and snow skiing.

UMF Board of Directors


Serving on UMF’s Board

UMF Board of Directors

Board of Committees

Bert Armstrong,
Board Chair
James Henderson,
Board Vice Chair
Christine Dodson,
Board Treasurer
Jennifer Casey,
Board Secretary
Sheila Ahler
Kevin Anderson
Reverend Gene Cobb
Roxie Lee-Floyd
Linda Johnson
Todd Mayberry
Bishop Connie Shelton

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