Conference Executive Staff
Doug Anderson
Interim Director of Church Development
Phone: 317-924-1321In addition to his appointment as Associate Director of Church Development for the Indiana Conference, Dr. Doug Anderson is executive director of the Bishop Rueben Job Center for Leadership Development based at Dakota Wesleyan University. He was a district superintendent and pastor of several growing churches of different sizes in the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church. He has led a variety of practical church seminars and consultations for more than 20 years and is a member of the Academy for Spiritual Formation of the Upper Room. He is the co-author of The Race to Reach Out, published by Abingdon Press in 2004.
James Bushfield
Director of Connectional Ministries
Phone: 317-924-1321Jim Bushfield was ordained an Elder in the South Indiana Conference in 1980. He was first appointed to Indianapolis’ Good Shepherd in 1975. He has since served Rockdale/New Trenton, Veedersburg, Methodist Temple in Evansville, Milroy, Fairview in Bloomington, Meridian Street in Indianapolis where he served as associate pastor, superintendent of the Columbus District, and Director of Connectional Ministries for the former South Indiana Conference before his current appointment. Bushfield holds M. Div. and D.D. degrees from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. In addition to his pastoral duties, Bushfield co-authored in 1994 with Deborah Bushfield, his wife, the book, Things They Never Taught You in Seminary. Bushfield and his wife Deborah are natives of Indianapolis; the two met as youth during a Methodist Youth Fellowship event at Woodside UMC.
Jennifer Gallagher
Director of Financial Services and Conference Treasurer
Phone: 317-924-1321Jennifer Gallagher is a Certified Public Accountant with experience in auditing, tax preparation and financial statement compilations. From 1999 to 2004, she served as the controller of the South Indiana Conference and since 2004 has served as treasurer of the South Indiana Conference before taking her current position. A native of Somerset, Pa., she holds a B.A. in Business Administration with a double major in accounting and finance from the University of Pittsburgh. She is married to Ryan Gallagher. They are parents of five children: Carter, Sam, Jack, Riley, Olivia. The Gallaghers enjoy family time at home and watching children’s sports events.
Dan Gangler
Director of Communication
Phone: 317-924-1321Dan Gangler was ordained an Elder in the Nebraska Conference in 1978 and has served as a pastor of United Methodist churches in Illinois and Nebraska before becoming the Director of Communication in 1983 of the Nebraska Conference. Since leaving Nebraska in 1994, he has served as associate editor of The United Methodist Reporter, a national newspaper based in Dallas; managing editor of The Disciples, the former national magazine of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), director of communication for the Christian Church Finance Council and director of communication for the Indiana Area before his current appointment. In 2006, he transferred his membership to the South Indiana Conference. Gangler, a native of Peoria, Ill., is a graduate of Illinois State University, B.S. in Education; Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., M.Div. and Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo., D.Min. He is married to Enid Gangler and is the father of three adult children who live in Texas.
Kent Millard
Director of Generosity and Gratitude
Phone: 317-924-1321
David Owen
Executive Assistant to the Bishop
Phone: (317) 924-1321David V. W. Owen was born in San Jose, Calif. and moved with his family to southwest Indiana at the age of four. He considers Lyons, Ind. his hometown. He is a graduate of Indiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. (M.Div.). He was ordained an Elder in the South Indiana Conference in 1976 and has served United Methodist churches at Lewis and Shady Grove, the Little York-Zion-Vienna parish, Jacobs Chapel, Acton and Christ UMC in Westfield. He also has served as chaplain at the University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis East District Superintendent and Director of Congregational Development for the South Indiana Conference. Owen is an avid sailor and bicyclist. With his wife June, they have participated in a number of Volunteer In Mission programs and enjoy participating on a regular basis. His favorite snack food is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which he claims he could eat daily.
Brent Williams
Director of Administrative Services
Phone: 317-924-1321Brent Williams is a native of Memphis, Tenn. Before coming to his present position, he served 23 years as assistant treasurer and treasurer of the former North Indiana Conference, eight years in local church Christian education and 15 years in retail, credit and banking. He holds a B.A. in Christian Education from the University of Oklahoma, Calvary Bible College, a M.A. in Christian Education from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a M.B.A. from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is married to Kathy Williams. They have three children, Tim, Cari, Ryan, one deceased child, Brady and one grandchild, Brady. Brent’s interests beyond the conference include: gardening, golfing, movie going, and reading autobiographies.