BILL RAILEY
Chairman

Bill Railey has been singing with The NCC as a Tenor II since 1998. Since joining The NCC, Bill has held positions as an Assistant Shepherd, Shepherd, and Vice President. In addition, as Bill states it, “I had the pleasure and distinct honor of leading The Choir Council and serving as The NCC’s president during the 2004-2005 concert season. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.” Bill has also had the honor of being interviewed by Harry Causey for an internationally broadcast episode of The NCC’s global broadcast ministry, Psalm 95.

Music has always been a major force in Bill’s life, having sung in choruses from grade school to college and beyond. Today, the major force in Bill’s life is Jesus Christ, in conjunction with singing with The NCC, and its mission and ministry -- the perfect combination.

Bill is a native Washingtonian and is proud to be in the Federal service, working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bill and his wife, Elaine, reside in Smithsburg, Maryland. Bill and Elaine attend The Otterbein Church in nearby Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.

DR. JOANN HARRIS-BOWLSBEY
Vice Chair

Specializing in career counseling and development, Dr. Bowlsbey has worked as a high school counselor and director of guidance, a college counselor, a college professor, executive director of ACT’s Educational Technology Center, and as a consultant to Japan and other countries introducing the concept of career guidance.  Her current position is Executive Vice President of Kuder, Inc., a for-profit company based in DesMoines, IA.  She has written numerous journal articles, conducted hundreds of training workshops, and authored several books and comprehensive curricula to support the career development of students, career-changing adults, and ex-offenders.

JoAnn joined The National Christian Choir as an alto in 2000.  In 2002, she was selected to lead a task force to develop an updated strategic plan for the organization.  She was invited to serve on the Board of Directors in 2003 and was later elected as Vice-Chair and then Chair of the Board.

SHARON WARFIELD
Secretary

Sharon Warfield joined The NCC in 2000. She has served as secretary for The Choir in 2004-2005.  She served on the Robe Committee and on The Choir’s Concert Care Committee for four years, two of which she held the position of Committee Chair. 

Sharon studied music education at Montgomery College and Frostburg State College, majoring in organ performance.  She currently attends Damascus United Methodist Church, where she sings in the adult choir, serves as church assistant organist and substitute handbell ringer. 

Since retiring after 30 years as a school secretary for Montgomery County Public Schools, Sharon has returned to teaching private piano lessons. Sharon and her husband, Wayne, live in Montgomery County, and have two grown children.

Joe Pursel
Treasurer

Joe Pursel is currently a Business Unit Director with Dynamics Research Corporation where he has worked for over 15 years. Joe brings over 30 years of professional experience in computer and information science, program management, account management and quality assurance. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer and Information Science from The Ohio State University.   

Joe is married to Paula Pursel, an Alto singer in The NCC. They have two daughters who reside with them and who are currently in high school. They reside in Derwood, MD, and they attend Redland Baptist Church where they are both involved in the children’s ministry. Specifically, Joe and Paula teach the one-year-old Sunday school class and Joe is a counselor for the 4-6th grade boys in the Royal Ambassador missions education program. Joe and Paula have been long-time NCC supporters.

ALLAN BOWERS
Board of Directors

Allan B. Bowers is a senior engineering manager with Lockheed Martin Corporation. He has thirty-five years of professional experience in software engineering, systems engineering, and program management. Other qualifications include adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University where he has developed and teaches graduate level courses in the Computer Science department.

On a more personal note, Allan is married to Debbie Bowers, and together they have one son, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. They reside in Ellicott City, MD, and they attend Liberty Church PCA where Allan sings in the church choir. Both Allan and Debbie are long-time NCC and Psalm 95 supporters.

ED BISHOP
Board of Directors

Ed Bishop brings greater than 20 years of professional experience in team leadership, business development, and strategic planning.  He attends Chapelgate Presbyterian Church where he actively serves as a Deacon and a table leader for the middle school age Sunday school class.   For many years he sang with the choir and men's ensemble, managed the audio-visual team, and has served on numerous committees.

He holds a Master of Engineering Management degree from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

Ed is married to Renee, and they have two daughters and a son.  They reside in Ellicott City and have been long-time supporters of the NCC. 

SANDY DAY
Board of Directors

Sandra has been a singer in The National Christian Choir since June 1999.  A committed singer in The Choir, Sandy has sung in every concert and tour, with one exception due to travel plans with a tour group, which changed the dates.  She has been active within The NCC, working on publicizing events locally, fund-raising for the Golf Tournament, and researching alternative concert wear.

A member of Montgomery United Methodist Church in Damascus, MD, Sandy has sung in the Chancel Choir since first attending approximately 15 years ago.  She has participated in Strategic Planning and has chaired the Staff Parish Relations and the Worship and Music Committees.  She has also been co-chair of the church food booth at the Montgomery County Fair for the last four years, a major fund-raising event for nine days in August every year.  In 2004, Sandy co-led a home Bible study group during the time in which Montgomery United Methodist participated in “40 Day of Purpose.”  She also helps with office work and special events.

Sandy lives in Mount Airy, MD, with her fluffy white cat and has many relatives scattered throughout the state of MD.  Living closer by are her mother, sister, and two nieces and their families. 

TERRY TIERNEY
Board of Directors

Terry has been a proud member of The NCC since June 2007 singing in the Baritone section.  Terry returned to singing in 1992 when he was a member of the Portland (Maine) Symphony Choral Group, sang in the Little Rock (Arkansas) Catholic Cathedral Choir and since 1997 with the Hagerstown (Maryland) Choral Arts.

He and his wife, Kathy, of 38 years are proud parents of 5 children and 4 grandchildren.  They are active members for the St. Ann Catholic Church in Hagerstown.

Terry is President of a 41-store footwear chain know as Super Shoes.  He started out in the shoe business in Cincinnati, OH, selling shoes part time as a college student.  Terry served in Wiesbaden, Germany, as an officer in the U.S. Army.  Terry holds a Business Management degree from the University of Cincinnati.

I have received so much by being a member of this wonderful organization.  Serving on the Board of Directors is one way I can give back!”

JOEL WILLIAMS
Board of Directors

Joel Williams began singing Tenor with the NCC in 1994, and has just celebrated his fifteenth year with the NCC. Joel has been involved in music as long as he can remember. 

He became his church pianist at the age of 13.  At the age of 15, he became the youngest member of the Alabama Church of God Music Committee. Joel plays the piano and organ in his local church and has played for Camp Meetings and Conventions.

Originally from Sylacauga, Alabama, Joel now resides in Springfield, Virginia. He is currently serving in the United States Navy.  Joel loves to travel and has visited all 50 states and 11 foreign countries. Through the years he has taken care of elderly members of his family, raised three children and is currently working on several projects that include adult health care.

LARRY EVANS
Board of Directors

Larry Evans has been the Undersecretary for the world Seventh-day Adventist Church since 2002, giving assistance to the calling and placement of missionaries, providing information and counsel for international leaders.  He serves as the administrative liaison for the South Pacific region.

Larry was a pastor for twelve years before serving as an administrator, and has on occasion been an adjunct professor. He currently teaches a Bible class on Saturday mornings at his home church, The Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from the Theological Seminary at Andrews University.

Larry and Carolyn have been married for 39 years and live in Laurel, MD. Carolyn sings with the National Christian Choir.  Larry and Carol have two sons, a daughter-in-law and three grandsons.