About Us
Clergy & Staff
The Rev. Richard Maxwell
Interim Rector
The Reverend Richard Maxwell (known as Max), was born and raised in Michigan, and graduated from Stanford University. After college he moved to New York City where he began working in theater. His experience in theater paved the way to a career as a fundraiser at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum, and an officer at the Dana Foundation. As life would have it, he heeded his call to the priesthood and received a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, and Master of Sacred Theology from General Theological Seminary. Prior to becoming a parish priest, he was a postulant and novice at Holy Cross Monastery where he served as a spiritual director and retreat leader. Rev. Max served as the interim rector at Grace Church in Madison, NJ, and St. Timothy’s in Fairfield, CT. He also served as the rector of Grace, Hartford, and the assistant minister at Church of the Incarnation in New York City. Rev. Max arrives in Miami with Paul Kline, his spouse of almost nineteen years, their cat, Lyndon, and their dog Cosmo. Rmaxwell@stepsmia.org
Interim Rector
The Reverend Richard Maxwell (known as Max), was born and raised in Michigan, and graduated from Stanford University. After college he moved to New York City where he began working in theater. His experience in theater paved the way to a career as a fundraiser at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum, and an officer at the Dana Foundation. As life would have it, he heeded his call to the priesthood and received a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, and Master of Sacred Theology from General Theological Seminary. Prior to becoming a parish priest, he was a postulant and novice at Holy Cross Monastery where he served as a spiritual director and retreat leader. Rev. Max served as the interim rector at Grace Church in Madison, NJ, and St. Timothy’s in Fairfield, CT. He also served as the rector of Grace, Hartford, and the assistant minister at Church of the Incarnation in New York City. Rev. Max arrives in Miami with Paul Kline, his spouse of almost nineteen years, their cat, Lyndon, and their dog Cosmo. Rmaxwell@stepsmia.org
The Rev. Ed Hammatt
Deacon
The Rev. Ed Hammatt was ordained deacon at St Thomas in December 1993, after completing the Diocesan School of Ministry. He has served as a volunteer in that capacity at St. Thomas and at St. Luke the Physician since that time. He chaired the stewardship commission of the diocese during the first few years of his ministry and worked to establish the Heritage Society at St. Thomas. He has also served as a part-time chaplain at Sylvester Cancer Center. He received a B.S. in business with a major in accounting from Louisiana State University. He served 2 years as an artillery officer in Germany before returning to work at an international CPA firm. He has been a CPA since 1966 and is a partner in the accounting firm of Mullen Howard Hammatt & Co., P.A. in South Miami. ehammatt@mhhcpa.com
Jaisa Paz
Financial Secretary
Jaisa Paz has been the Financial Secretary with St. Thomas since 2008, She has a Degree in Accounting and Business from FIU. She is married to Alex Paz, CPA. and have 2 children, Kevin and Amanda which currently attend St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School. She does the financials and the bookkeeping for the Church, Capital Campaign and the Endowment funds. If you have any questions you can contact her at jpaz@stepsmia.org
Financial Secretary
Jaisa Paz has been the Financial Secretary with St. Thomas since 2008, She has a Degree in Accounting and Business from FIU. She is married to Alex Paz, CPA. and have 2 children, Kevin and Amanda which currently attend St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School. She does the financials and the bookkeeping for the Church, Capital Campaign and the Endowment funds. If you have any questions you can contact her at jpaz@stepsmia.org
Annie Puig
Director of Family Ministries
Annie Puig is the Director of Family Ministries. From Kick-Off Sunday in August through Vacation Bible Camp in June, the Director of Family Ministries is in charge of children’s programs for the church, the “paper pageant” at Christmas, and the flowering of the cross and egg hunt at Easter. During the school year, she also conducts the Little Chapel for junior preschool through 2nd grade for the school. Annie graduated from FSU with a bachelor’s degree in communications and minors in religion and Spanish. She has taught at St. Brendan’s elementary school and at public middle school. Annie and her husband Daniel have three children. apuig@stepsmia.org
Annie Puig is the Director of Family Ministries. From Kick-Off Sunday in August through Vacation Bible Camp in June, the Director of Family Ministries is in charge of children’s programs for the church, the “paper pageant” at Christmas, and the flowering of the cross and egg hunt at Easter. During the school year, she also conducts the Little Chapel for junior preschool through 2nd grade for the school. Annie graduated from FSU with a bachelor’s degree in communications and minors in religion and Spanish. She has taught at St. Brendan’s elementary school and at public middle school. Annie and her husband Daniel have three children. apuig@stepsmia.org
Ceil Fitts
Executive Assistant
Ms. Ceil Fitts , a church member since 2005, began working at St. Thomas in August 2017. She is the Executive Assistant in the church office . She will lead our Sunday School Godly Play® Program and will also lead the Confirmation classes in 2018 . Cfitts@stepsmia.org
Chris Gibson
Director of Operations
Chris Gibson, a native of South Carolina, graduated from the College of Charleston. Moving to Seattle, he spent 18 years in the cellular industry, initially becoming experienced in both analog and digital systems. He worked for Western Wireless for 10 years as a supervisor and for T-Mobile for 8 years as a manager. In the latter position, he managed people, operations, and project analysis, developing strong financial and computer skills for the business world. As Director of Operations for St. Thomas Church and School, Chris is the manager of the Maintenance Department and the manager/facilitator of all facilities-related projects. This includes maintenance, repair, and improvement of all buildings and grounds, set-ups for all events, availability of the maintenance staff during events to ensure that things run smoothly, and involvement with finances, design, bids, and sub-contracting for projects. cgibson@stepsmia.org
Director of Operations
Chris Gibson, a native of South Carolina, graduated from the College of Charleston. Moving to Seattle, he spent 18 years in the cellular industry, initially becoming experienced in both analog and digital systems. He worked for Western Wireless for 10 years as a supervisor and for T-Mobile for 8 years as a manager. In the latter position, he managed people, operations, and project analysis, developing strong financial and computer skills for the business world. As Director of Operations for St. Thomas Church and School, Chris is the manager of the Maintenance Department and the manager/facilitator of all facilities-related projects. This includes maintenance, repair, and improvement of all buildings and grounds, set-ups for all events, availability of the maintenance staff during events to ensure that things run smoothly, and involvement with finances, design, bids, and sub-contracting for projects. cgibson@stepsmia.org
Meet Our Facilities Team
Frank Benedict has a Journeyman license in carpentry and the comparable hours as an electrician. He also has extensive experience in surveying and construction.
Boni Pantjoa studied Consumer Electronics at Lindsey Hopkins and has worked in carpentry both in his native country of Peru and in Miami.
Odalys Molina keeps a tight daily schedule of when to clean each area – classrooms, restrooms, water fountains, halls, stairs, Rantz Hall, kitchen, etc.
Andrew Garcia
Andrew Garcia
