Our Team

The GNJ Foundation exists to serve congregations from “the Shore”, to the meadowlands, from the Delaware Water Gap to the Cape May Light House.

  • Brian Roberts served GNJ as District Superintendent for 8 years, working with the Cape Atlantic District. He was Senior Pastor of St. Peter’s UMC in Ocean City, the UMC at Absecon, and St. Paul’s UMC in Trenton (now part of Turning Point UMC). Brian earned his M. Div from Princeton Theological Seminary, an MBA from Rutgers Graduate School of Management, and a BA from Colgate University. He has passion for growing stewardship, working with congregations on models for vital ministry, and coaching. He is married to Sandra, who is his ministry partner. They have two adult children, Alyson and Nathan. He enjoys pickleball, kayaking, and exercise.

    Broberts@epagnj.org
    O: 732-359-1057
    C: 609-351-9307

Staff

With a focus on caring for each congregation and ministry partner our staff is here to serve you

  • Stuart Goodwin has been with Greater New Jersey and the Foundation since 2021. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Stockton University. Stuart worked most of his career in for-profit settings but has always had a passion for non-profit work. This is shown in his service as the Treasurer for the Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry for 10 years as he enjoys making a difference. When the opportunity to work for GNJ and the Foundation came his way, he was very excited to take his career fully into the non-profit sector and completed the CNP (certified non-profit professional) credential and is currently pursuing an MBA with a concentration in finance. He enjoys weight training, music composition, and playing guitar.

    sgoodwin@epagnj.org
    732-359-1058

  • After thirty years in retail finance, Rob was searching for a role with more purpose. In 2020, he went from “selling stuff” to “selling hope” as the CFO/Treasurer for the Greater NJ Conference of the UMC. He was then voted in as the Treasurer of the United Methodist Stewardship Foundation of Greater NJ. In both roles, Rob supports the conference and local churches to implement strategies which promote the long-term financial stability to achieve our mission to transform the world by recruiting and developing transformational leaders who make passionate disciples of Jesus Christ and grow vital congregations.

    Rob is a proud Villanova alumnus and he and his wife are members of the Freehold United Methodist Church.

    rzuckerman@epagnj.org
    732-359-1030

Board of Trustees

Our Foundation Board of Trustees represents the best of Greater New Jersey. These servant leaders give of their time to the Foundation so that congregations and ministries might thrive

  • CLU, ChFC, CFP
    Simpson UMC, Old Bridge

    Larry Springer has been in the Financial Services Industry for 49 years. He is a Certified Financial Planner and taught the CFP classes for Fairleigh Dickenson University. He also holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations. Larry provides public workshops on Social Security, Medicare, and Retirement Planning for Middlesex County College as part of the adjunct staff. His passion is helping people make good decisions and smart choices about money. Both Larry and his daughter Tanya graduated from Monmouth College/University. His wife Diana and he have one child, Tanya with husband Jonathan and my grandson Victor. In his home church, Simpson United Methodist Church Old Bridge, he serves as Administrative Board Chair. Men’s Group Leader, and Lay Speaker.

  • Greater New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conferences

  • CFP, AIF, CRES, Past President

    Medford United Methodist Church

    Ginger, as she is known by many, is a Certified Financial Planner with over 38 years of experience. She is a graduate of Rutgers University with a dual major in Business Administration and Philosophy. She is a FINRA registered representative with Series 6,7, 63 and 65 licenses, a member of Money Quotient-a Financial Life Planning organization and Lincoln Investment’s Hall of fame. She is a board member of the local chapter of the Society of Financial Planners. She is a key leader at the Medford United Methodist Church. Ginger brings this wealth of experience, financial background and leadership skills as she served the Board as Chair of the Stewardship Foundation and now continues on as Past President & Board Member.

  • Franklin St. John UMC, Newark

    Brenda Caldwell joined the Foundation in 2023. Bre’ has spent her entire life as an active member in the United Methodist church. She has served as a civil servant in various leadership positions in transportation and education, serving for both New Jersey and New York City well over 20 years. Bre’ holds a Master of Business Administration from New York University. She is also certified in Labor Public Relations from Rutgers University and Human Resources from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

    She will be serving the work of the Stewardship Foundation of Greater New Jersey as the Administrative Secretary. Her mission is to encourage service, support and giving; that will yield sustainable ministry and a legacy paying it forward.

  • Dave Montanye served as the Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Avalon and Morrow Memorial UMC, and as a Circuit Elder in the Cape Atlantic District. He earned a B.A. in Political Science from American University and an M.Div. and D. Min. from Drew University. He pastored churches in Garnerville, NY and Branchville, NJ. He also served as Program Coordinator of the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Executive Secretary for Gift Cultivation at the General Board of Global Ministries. Dave has sought to encourage in others faith in the possibilities that God offers us for an abundant life, and the chance to change the world for the better.

  • New Board Trustee

  • Marlin is retired after 40 years in the Technology Sector. He has two degrees from Rutgers-Newark University. One in Theatre and another in accounting. He is a veteran of the Air Force. He is also Mayor Emeritus of Hackensack, New Jersey. He has worked in both the public and private sectors. Retiring from the County of Bergen. He has served as the Trustees Treasurer for the United Methodist Church of Hackensack for many years. He is also a certified Lay Leader. He is married to Ojetta for over 40 years and has a son, Marlin G Townes III, Esq and a daughter, Dr. Chelsea M Townes-Francis.

  • Rev. Dr. Chris Heckert, He/Him, serves as the senior pastor of Haddonfield United Methodist Church in Haddonfield, NJ. A native of Western Pennsylvania, he is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Drew University Theological School, holds an MA in Corporate Communication from Duquesne University, and is currently completing his Doctorate of Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary and Wesley House, Cambridge. Heckert has served as pastor in rural, suburban, and urban settings, as well as having served as director of communications with the General Board of Global Ministries of the UMC. A musician, composer, photographer, and communicator, he has sought to engage the arts in ministry with the church in 5 continents through trainings, conferences, and publications.