Linda Rhodes, Communications Director

Linda S. Rhodes

Linda S. Rhodes became the conference's new director of communications on April 16, 2007. Rhodes filled the position vacated by Carole H. Vaughn, who retired in December 2006.

“We are delighted that after a nationwide search we have been able to secure Linda Rhodes as our new communications director,” said Dr. Susan Garrett, director of Connectional Ministries. “She is a communicator of proven experience and creativity. In this and every century, the most important task of the church is to find ways to share the gospel in a fresh and contemporary way. We are very fortunate to have Linda Rhodes heading our conference’s Office of Communications.”

Rhodes served as communications director in the Northern Illinois Conference since 1992. In that capacity, she edited the weekly conference newspaper, handled media relations, oversaw the conference Web site, managed the electronic e-news distribution, produced videos, and developed brochures and promotional material.

She conducts workshops on preparation of newsletters, marketing, media relations and other related topics for conference and district events as well as for local churches. She also serves as one of 12 national Igniting Ministry trainers and has been conducting Igniting Ministry training sessions throughout the United States since 2001.

She was born and raised in Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in journalism. She has worked as a newspaper reporter in Oklahoma, Texas, Connecticut and Massachusetts and for 10 years as director of marketing for a commercial bank in Chicago. She formed her own marketing consulting firm in Naperville, Ill., in 1991.

A lifelong Methodist, Rhodes is currently a member of Community UMC in Naperville, where she and her husband, Wayne, have served as lay leaders.

Virginia Conference Board of Communications President the Rev. Doug Paysour comments, “We are thrilled to fill the director of communications’ position and, especially, with someone as capable as Linda. She has a wealth of experience both inside and outside of the church. She seems to be genuinely excited about the resources offered by our conference communications staff and board, and wants to help us keep growing as a communications team to suit 21st-century technologies and lifestyles. We look forward to her arrival.”

[Linda Rhodes may be contacted at LindaRhodes@vaumc.org or phone 1-800-768-6040, ext. 111 or in the Richmond area, (804) 521-1111.]