Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., episcopal leader of the Central and North Texas Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church, along with the CTC and NTC cabinets and the Personnel Committee, has named three laypeople to positions in the new, unified conference.

In the Center for Multiplication, Camale Allen will serve as leadership coordinator, implementing training programs for clergy and laity, coordinating the Simplified Accountability Structure and supporting boards and committees, including the Board of Ordained Ministry, among other responsibilities. Allen previously served as a program coordinator at Collin College and began her work with the conference on July 29.

In the Communications department, Dustin Kaps has been named to serve as media production specialist, managing the Horizon Texas Conference’s audio/visual productions, including podcasts, videos and other emerging media. Kaps has previously served as videographer and digital media specialist for the Central Texas Conference and continues his work, effective August 1.

Trey West will also serve in the Communications department as a communications associate, leading social media efforts and supporting the work of storytelling across the Horizon Texas Conference. West currently serves as director of communications at University Park UMC and has previously served at Keller UMC. His work with the conference begins August 13.

"With these hires, our Horizon Texas Conference staffing is nearly complete, and I am impressed and encouraged at the gifts and expertise our new conference staff brings," said Saenz. "Each person on the team – including these new members of the Multiplication and Communications departments – brings the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to move us forward with efficiency and impact as we seek the loving, just and free world God imagines for all people."

More information about the unification process can be found at www.nwtxconf.org/unification.