Staff

Pastor Karl K. Schmidt

Dr. Rev. Karl K. Schmidt is currently the interim pastor here at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Child Development Center. (An interim pastor serves temporarily, until a new pastor is called.)

A native of Nebraska he is a graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (BA, M. Div. and S.T.M. degrees). He received an honorary doctorate from Concordia University of New York. He has served parishes in Wartburg, Illinois, Waynesboro and Alexandria, and most recently, Macon, Georgia. For 18 years he was on the staff of the Southeastern District The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

Pastor Schmidt and his wife, Shirley, have one son, Timothy, who is a middle/high school teacher and assistant principal at St. John Lutheran School in Ocala, Florida.

Michele McTague

Michele McTague is the director of Good Shepherd Child Development Center. She has been in the early childhood field for over a decade. She has a reputation for her passion and dedication to quality education for young children. She currently serves on the board of the Richmond Early Childhood Education Association and is often a presenter at professional workshops and seminars. Michele lives in Midlothian with her husband Matt and is the proud mother of two boys, Scottie and Ryan.

Bob Martin

Bob is the Administrator for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Child Development Center. He served in the USAF for 4 years active duty and finished his last tour in Thailand in support of the Viet Nam War. He graduated with a B.S. Degree in Management from the University of Baltimore and has been married to his wife Violet for over 31 years. He has 3 sons and 6 grandchildren. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran church and served as the Sunday School Superintendent for 15 years. He has been very active with US Soccer for the last 24 years and is also involved with Young Life and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Bob retired in April 2009 when he felt the Lord was calling him to use his experiences and talents as a means to support the growth and development of Good Shepherd.

George DeCola

I’m George DeCola, from Utica, NY. My wife of 7 years and I moved to Virginia in 2001. She’s definitely the better half – one of the nicest people on the planet. We have two beautiful children Brianna (6) and Ernie (2). I’ve been singing since elementary school when my father, sister and I would sing “Going To The Chapel” in 3 part harmony while cleaning up the dishes. I taught myself to play guitar and keyboards around 19 to play pop, rock & roll and The Beatles. While playing with Abbey Road, a Beatle Tribute band, I played great places like The Beatle Feast in New York City, New York State Fair and Hershey Park, PA. Five years ago, God tapped me on the shoulder and my passion erupted for the Lord. Turning to music I joined the praise band at church. I feel God has put me at Good Shepherd and I am honored to serve you and God. God is life, George A. DeCola II, Worship Coordinator.

Christie Markfeld

Christie is one of the Administrative Assistants for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She has been married to her college sweetheart for 17 years. Together they have two wonderful children, Jennifer and Timothy. Before having children she worked as a marketing and admissions director for a local nursing home and enjoys aging related issues. When her children were born she decided to stay home to raise them and has enjoyed working in many different volunteer capacities over the last 10 years. She is excited to be working where God and family are at the center of everything. When she is not working she enjoys Bible study, exercise, the occasional triathlon, scrapbooking, reading and spending time with her family.

Karen Umbach

Karen is the other half of the Administrative Assistant team for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She has been married to her husband, Mark, for 30 years. Born and raised in Michigan, she, Mark and family moved to Fairfax, Virginia 20 years ago. There she worked for Fairfax County Schools. Seventeen years later with their family of four children raised, Mark and Karen decided to leave the Northern Virginia traffic behind for the quieter streets of Richmond. Each summer she gets her six grandchildren for several weeks, gathering them from Michigan and North Carolina. Karen loves to travel, especially visiting the National parks with her hiking partner, Mark. In her spare time you will find her relaxing at her home which she fondly refers to as her wildlife sanctuary, having a pair of bald eagles who come regularly to the lake behind her house.

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