Staff

Tom Watkins
Senior Pastor

After serving churches in Raleigh and Wendell, North Carolina, Tom followed God’s call to Wilson. Here, you will find him in the pulpit almost every Sunday and around the church office during the week with an open door. Tom loves teaching the Bible and helping the church discover how God’s word leads us to new venues of mission and ministry. First and foremost, though, Tom seeks to lead as a pastor. He enjoys being with people in and around the church and has the ability to be himself in such a way that allows others to be themselves. A native of Alabama, Tom is a graduate of Auburn University, Columbia Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity), and Union Presbyterian Seminary (Doctor of Ministry). He and his wife Julie have two children, Mary Thomas and Jack.

Claire Colcord
Associate Pastor

At age 50, after working in the church for several years, Claire was surprised (gobsmacked really!) to be called to seminary and the pastorate. Trusting that God surely knows best, Claire followed God’s call to FPC where her role in the church is repeatedly affirmed. This return south, after serving in churches as far away as NJ and Tokyo, is a joy. “I love Wilson and feel the amazing warmth and openness of this faith community!” says Claire. She has four grown daughters (and 4 terrific sons-in-law, almost 7 adorable grandchildren, and several granddogs) sprinkled across the US. Claire is a staunch believer that God never asks us to “check our brains at the door”; she enjoys tough theological questions and biblical tensions, lively debate, deep discussion, and not having all the answers.

Dawn Breedlove
Financial Administrator

Dawn joined the staff in 2009 after moving back to Wilson from Bath, NC. She brings a wealth of experience in financial matters and accounting, as well as a deep love of anything North Carolina – from BBQ to basketball. Husband Kevin and their blended family of three teens Emily, Lauren, and Nicholas keep her busy. One might think a financial administrator would choose green as a favorite color, but Dawn bleeds Tarheel blue!

KJ Askew
Director of Communications

KJ joined the staff in 2021. He grew up in Colerain, N.C. part of an eight sibling, mixed family, then moved to Wilson after being hired at First Presbyterian Church (FPC). KJ graduated from Barton College at 18 years old and will start his graduate program at the Queen’s University of Charlotte this year. He loves spending time with family and friends over anything but is always down for a Philadelphia Eagles game. KJ brings a youth addition of graphics and social media presence to the FPC family.

Kathy Maurice
Director of Weekday School

Kathy was born in Texas, but grew up in Wilson where she attended Covenant Presbyterian Church. After meeting her husband, Jim, they joined First Presbyterian Church and were later married here. They have two beautiful girls, Victoria and Anna Claire, who were baptized at First Presbyterian Church and also attended the Weekday School. Kathy is happy to be a part of the Weekday School ministry. She loves yoga, the Dallas Cowboys, watching her girls dance, and tending to her rescue pets - four dogs and one cat!

Leigh Anne Orr
Director of Youth & Children Ministry

A native of Wilson, Leigh Anne grew up as an active member, then leader, in West Nash United Methodist Church. As a teen, her involvement in youth ministry carried her to district events throughout the Methodist church. After graduating from Fike High School, she attended Barton College where she graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education and a minor in mathematics. As an educator, she currently teaches math at Elm City Middle School. Leigh Anne enjoys being involved in our community. Over the years, she has volunteered with the Wilson Recreation Department, Relay for Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Robbie Page Memorial Wing of UNC Hospital. In her free time, she loves traveling to the beach, trying her hand at painting, reading new novels and taking early morning trips to fish. Leigh Anne is very excited to begin a new chapter in her life of faith and to honor Christ by working with the youth at First Presbyterian Church.

Alan Martin
Maintenance

Alan is somewhat like Santa Claus for us. For thirty years, Alan has tended to our church property, often while balancing a full-time load at Firestone. For twenty-five years Alan’s second job caring for our property and our buildings have co-existed with his first career for Firestone. He and his wife Janet, who teaches in our Weekday School, have five grown daughters and a slew of amazing grandchildren – just ask him!

Staff

Tom Watkins Senior Pastor

Claire Colcord Associate Pastor

Dawn Breedlove Financial Administrator

KJ Askew Director of Communications

Kathy Maurice Director of Weekday School

Leigh Anne Orr Director of Youth & Children Ministry