The eight-member Nashville staff is a team on a mission. Members are listed in alphabetical order.
 Rev. David C. Adams--(615) 340-7145 dadams@gcumm.org
David C. Adams, former president of Tennessee Conference United Methodist Men, vice-president of the Nashville District UMM, president of the Bellevue UMM, and pastor of First United Methodist Church in Lynchburg, Tenn., was elected as general secretary of the General Commission on United Methodist Men. Elected by the 23-member commission, Adams assumed leadership of an eight-member Nashville staff on June 19th, 2006.
While serving as a conference president, Adams was elected treasurer of the National Association of Conference Presidents. He was elected to the General Board of Discipleship in 1992 and served as secretary of the men’s division during the 1993-96 quadrennium. He also served as a delegate to the 1992 General Conference and Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference.
Working as an insurance salesman after graduation from Belmont University in Nashville, Adams says he received a call to the ministry while attending a 1994 meeting of United Methodist Men.
Following his 1999 graduation from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky., he was appointed associate pastor of First United Methodist Church in Shelbyville, Tenn. In 2001, he was appointed to Monterey United Methodist Church, and he was appointed to the 240-member Lynchburg Church in 2003.
Rev. Adams is married to Joyce and they have two married children Carrie Winchester (Christian), Heather Riley (Austin), and Laura, who is in college.
 Larry Coppock--(615) 620-7261 lcoppock@gcumm.org
An 11-year employee of the commission, Larry has over 29 years experience with Alabama Special Olympics, Catholic Charities, and the Boy Scouts of America. “Working for non-profit organizations, including the UMC, continues to be most rewarding,” said Larry. “It’s always interesting and always challenging. God has placed me in a position to impact His people, including youth, with His word and gives me the tools to do my best. Nothing could be better.”
Larry is also the director and a contributing editor of the Strength for Service devotional book project. Over 320,000 books have been given to military men and women since the books were first given to soldiers in Afghanistan in 2002. “I have never been associated with a project with such impact,” said Larry. “It’s the best thing I‘ve ever been a part of.”
A graduate of Auburn University at Montgomery (B.S. in Urban Studies), Larry also has a master’s degree in public administration (cum laude). Larry earned the CFRE designation as a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Larry has been a “big brother” to “little brother” Calvin for over a year and has been a volunteer mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters for over three years.
Larry enjoys a variety of sports and outdoor activities, both as a participant and as an observer. He is the co-host of an Alabama football podcast with son, Ben. He enjoys working out at a local fitness center and taking care of his pet dogs, Jazz and Jack and Bonnie, and cats, Harry, Raleigh and J.T.
Larry is married to Diane, who is a local pastor at Palestine UMC. They have three grown children, Jennifer, Jeramy, and Benjamin, and six grandchildren.
 Martha Davis--(615) 620-7266 mdavis@gcumm.org
Want to know who keeps the office staff and computers running smoothly? Martha Davis fills that role nicely. She spends her time helping staff members struggling with computer problems, questions about programs, materials and is responsible for all human resource issues.
Martha designs and edits the agency's databases and serves as the web master for the commission's home page. She also helps prepare the commission's magazine, materials and catalog of resources.
In a behind-the-scenes role, Martha handles hundreds of administrative details related to meetings of the General Commission on United Methodist Men, the National Association of Conference Presidents and the United Methodist Men's Foundation.
She began working with the GBOD in the Upper Room Customer Service in December 1979 as a data entry clerk, accounts receivable clerk and supervisor of the Correspondence and Inquiry department. She transferred to the Division of United Methodist Men in 1991. When the agency was established in 1996, she transferred to the General Commission on United Methodist Men.
Martha is married to David Davis, a Free Will Baptist minister currently on disability leave. The couple has three adult children. Brian, 25 who is married to Sonya and the couple has 2 year old Madalynn, Kevin, 24, Charity, 27, is married to Scott and the couple has a 5 year old daughter, Jessica and 3 year old Jonathan.
When Martha is not running after Jessica, Jonathan or Madalynn, she enjoys sewing, reading, and card and board games with family. "Life has slowed down a lot since we've become empty nesters," says Martha. "No more rushing to baseball games and school activities."
 Bari Eason--(615) 620-7268 beason@gcumm.org
The former director of athletic marketing for Belmont University in Nashville, Bari is a 2000 University of Alabama graduate in communications studies, and she completed a graduate degree in advertising and public relations at the same school. She was named Miss University of Alabama in 1999.
As director of athletic marketing and external affairs for Belmont, Eason worked with a team of professionals, graduate assistants and interns to secure sponsors, increase attendance at athletic events and increase revenue streams.
“Bari Eason is the right person at the right time and brings a wealth of talent for fund raising,” said the Rev. David Adams, top staff executive for the men’s agency. “She has a beautiful spirit, and genuine enthusiasm and passion for our ministry, and will be a great addition to our team.”
Adams views the appointment of Eason as a major step in the commission’s effort to become self-sufficient. At present, the agency is one of 11 general agencies that annually receive funds from the local churches through the World Service Fund. As a veteran fund-raiser, Eason’s first goal will be to raise the amount now coming from the denomination.
Prior to her work at Belmont, Eason served as director of development and marketing for the University of West Alabama from 2002 to 2005. During her three-year service at that Livingston, Ala.-based school, enrollment increased by 52 percent, and she doubled annual contributions by cultivating personal relationships with donors.
 Joshua Eidson--(615) 620-7263 jeidson@gcumm.org
Joshua was born in Nashville, Tennessee and has lived in Greenbrier, Tennessee all of his life. He graduated from Free Will Baptist Bible College in May of 2007, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration He aspires to earn his Master’s degree in Accounting and become a certified CPA.
Joshua has experience in landscaping, working for his father’s construction business as his first job. He then worked for Gordon and Associates where he learned the trade of tile-setting. At the same time, he worked part-time as a sales associate for Family Christian Stores. He has been with the Commission, as their financial clerk, since February of 2004.
Joshua was married to Rachel in May 2006. In May of 2008 their first child, Olivia Lynette, was born.
 Larry Malone--(615) 620-7265 lmalone@gcumm.org
A former pilot during the Vietnam War, Larry keeps a sword in his Nashville office as a reminder of that chapter in his past. He says he is now engaged in the battle for men’s souls.
Larry is deeply committed to building balanced, spiritual men. Larry’s personal passion and career have merged since he was called to men’s ministry in 1997 and joined the staff of the general commission.
Larry considers men’s hearts to be the “last frontier” to be explored. He declares that the heart of a man is “what’s left, and what’s next!” Larry imagines and works for a church that is heavily populated with men who resemble Jesus in thought, word and deed. He believes the church can be a place where persons truly “come alive” in Christ, becoming reflectors and radiators of the goodness, love, power, truth, and justice of God.
Larry believes truth and love to be the two edges of the sword of the Spirit. “Love-less truth has no power, and truth-less love has no purpose.” When God’s truth gets delivered with God’s love - God’s power is fully in it.
He is the president of the World Methodist Council’s men’s affiliate, and serves as an officer of the Council. He is active in leadership within the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries, and the Denominational Men’s Ministry Network of North America.
His broad business career experience includes 17 years in management, marketing and human resource assignments, both as an employee and consultant. He flew as a pilot of the A-6 Intruder in the Vietnam War, and had assignments on the USS Enterprise and USS America during the 1970’s. Larry continued as a naval reservist until 1995, retiring at the rank of Captain [0-6].
Larry and Diane joined in marriage in 1967, and the couple has three adult children; Nathan, Daniel and Kelly. Six grandchildren and five Godchildren also bless their lives.
 Rich Peck--(615) 620-7264 rpeck@gcumm.org
Rich is a clergy member of New York Annual Conference. A graduate of the University of Colorado (A.B.), Iliff School of Theology (Th.M.), and Boston University School of Public Communications (M.S.). He serves as the communications coordinator and editor of UM Men magazine.
He is a retired staff member of the UM Publishing House; during the 25 years he was with that agency, he served as editor of Circuit Rider, Newscope, the Daily Christian Advocate, the International Christian Digest, the UM Book of Resolutions and Abingdon books. He is the author of two books related to the Social Principles of the denomination. Rich also served as communications director for Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, the New York Area (New York and Troy Annual Conferences), and the Rhode Island State Council of Churches. He served as a college chaplain and instructor at Brown University and Rhode Island College, and he served as a pastor in Laramie, Wyo., and Providence, R.I.
Rich has served as press secretary for the Council of Bishops and is a past president of United Methodist Association of Communicators. The association named him the communicator of the year and a 2007 member of the Communicators’ Hall of Fame. Iliff School of Theology named him as alumnus of the year.
He has finished first in his age group in triathlons and marathons. In 2005, he was ranked first in his age group in Tennessee 5K runs and finished first in the Tennessee Senior Games in the 800 meter, the 5K and the 10K runs. He also played on the Tennessee state senior games softball team that finished 7th in the nation.
He is married to Joyce, an activities director at an assisted living center in Nashville, and he is the father of two adult children and four grandchildren.
 Marc Stowe--(615) 620-7262 mstowe@gcumm.org
Marc fields all calls and questions about the scouting ministry. He provides churches with scouting resources and keeps the database of all awards. Marc, who is called the "fitness guru" by other staffers, is also responsible for managing a $300,000 budget for the UMM Foundation.
Marc has been on staff as Scouting Ministries and UMM Foundation assistant since 1998. Originally from Atlanta, Ga., he attended school at Middle Tennessee State University studying recording industry management. While touring and recording with his own group, Marc received a degree in commercial music from Georgia State University in 1986.
He is a professional musician who has written over 200 songs and produces new artists in his spare time.
He enjoys dealing on a one-on-one basis with persons from local churches who want scouting resources and working in an office which seems "more like a family."
"Marc is an outstanding person," reports Larry Coppock, director of scouting ministries. "He talks to everyone as if they are his best friends. He’s an efficient worker and an outstanding employee."
Marc resides in Nashville with Daisy and Speckles, his Labrador retrievers.
 LaNisha Sayles--(615) 620-7260 lsayles@gcumm.org
A life-long United Methodist, LaNisha, spends a lot of time on the phone recruiting and training scouting ministry specialists.
Employed in April, 2009, she said, “I am excited about getting the word out about the new scouting ministry specialist program as well as the wonderful services offered within the scouting ministry.”
LaNisha was raised in Indianapolis where she attended University United Methodist Church, and later attended Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta.
After receiving a bachelor-of-arts degree in business administration from Clark Atlanta, she moved to Nashville in 2004 to pursue a master’s degree in business administration at Tennessee State University.
Prior to coming to the commission, she served for over nine years with the Boys and Girls Club, and she held a brief marketing internship in Tunisia (Africa).
She now serves as a volunteer with her church’s youth program and teaches in the Vacation Bible School. “I enjoy spending time with my family, and traveling,” says LaNisha. “My dog, Scrappy, and I enjoy living in our southeast Nashville community.”
 Ann Waller--(615) 620-7269 awaller@gcumm.org
When you need information about chartering a United Methodist Men’s group, you’ll probably speak with Ann. She posts all charters, keeps track of re-certifications, and membership in Every Man Shares in Evangelism, Mission and Spiritual Life (EMS).
Ann says she enjoys keeping records and talking to men who are involved in God’s work.
After attending Auburn University, Eastern Michigan University and Tennessee State University, Ann worked in the music industry in Nashville for 15 years. She was involved in administration for a recording studio, publishing company and she served as assistant to the president of an independent record company. Growing up in the Tuskegee Methodist Church gave her some background in the UMC. She has also worked in Chaplains and Ordained Ministry Divisions of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the UMM Scouting office under Byron White, and she has served as charter administrator for several years.
Ann has a daughter who is in college, a dog, Homer, and three cats, Sox, James and Persephony.
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