Speaker’s Bureau
Pastoral Institute employees serve as ambassadors to the community as part of the company’s Speakers’ Bureau.  Providing education and support for our community is a major part of the Pastoral Institute’s mission.  Each year, we reach out to hundreds of people throughout the region with educational activities and informative presentations.  It is our goal to help people better understand themselves and more effectively meet the challenges of contemporary life.Staff members are available to speak at your organization or engagement, on a number of different topics that are motivational, inspirational or educational.

Contact Us for more information about our speakers.

John B. Adams, M.Div.
John Adams is the Co-Director of the Turner Ministry Resource Center at the Pastoral Institute. He has worked as a Professional Counselor, Family Life Educator, Employee Assistance Professional and Professional Coach during his 20-plus tenure with the Pastoral Institute.

John holds a B.A. degree in speech from Mercer University and a Master of Divinity degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is working on the International Coaching Federation (ICF) certification.

John’s presentation topics include:
  • Contemplation: Listening to the Silence
  • Introduction to Spiritual Disciplines
  • What is Appreciative Inquiry?
  • Grief Work for Laypersons
  • Avoiding Burnout in Parish Ministry
  • Henri Nouwen: Then and Now
  • Christian Faith and Beliefs
  • Depression and Suicide Ideation
  • Faith and Family
  • Faith in the Workplace
  • Coaching Principles: Overview
  • Family Systems and the Church: Overview
  • Other topics as requested
Martha Dodson, LCSW
Martha Dodson is a licensed clinical social worker employed by the Pastoral Institute where she has worked for over 20 years.  She has also served as an executive coach with community organizations and companies and is working on a coaching certification.

She received her MSW at Washington University in St. Louis and her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Florida State University.

Martha’s presentation topics include:
  • Keys to Understanding your Mate:  The impact of gender differences on relationships
  • How to Parent your Adolescent
  • Other topics as requested
Ronald E. King, Ph.D.
Ronald E. King, Ph.D. is the Executive Director/CEO at the Pastoral Institute.  He received an A. B. degree at Mercer University and completed his masters and doctorate in counseling and psychology. He completed post doctoral studies at both the University of Georgia and Georgia State and received a certificate in gerontology.

He has provided leadership for numerous community organizations for over 20 years and serves as an executive and clergy coach.

Ron’s presentation topics include:
  • A Laugh a day is better than an apple a day- Humor and Stress
  • Thriving as a Parent, Survival Skills for Healthy Families
  • Making the most of your marriage
  • Coaching-a new resource for business and congregation
  • It’s All about Relationships.
  • Humor- A new Perspective on Life
  • Servant Leadership
  • Forgiveness
  • Stress and Holidays
  • The Collaboration Continuum-Key for Not for profits.
  • Other topics as requested
Fran Magoni, M.A.
Fran M. Magoni is the director of Right from the Start, a community-based marriage and family initiative in Columbus, GA.  Through Right from the Start, Fran teaches courses to help singles, couples and families build strong and healthy relationships – right from the start.

Fran is a graduate of Mississippi State University and has her M.A. in Christian Education from Asbury Theological Seminary.

Fran’s presentation topics include:
  • How to Avoid Falling for a Jerk or a Jerkette
  • Playing Nice in the Sandbox – getting along and getting things done
  • Putting the Spice Back in Your Marriage
  • Survival Skills for Healthy Families
  • Discovering Your Personality Type with the MBTI
  • Effective Teaching in the Church
  • Other topics as requested

Kenneth O’Shields
Ken O’Shields is a Corporate Trainer with the Business Resource Center at the Pastoral Institute. He is a former school teacher and administrator and a former corporate executive with 27 years experience in the manufacturing industry.

Ken holds a Bachelors degree in secondary education from Columbus State University and a Masters degree in Educational Supervision and Administration from Georgia State University.

Ken’s presentation topics include:
  • He Said…She Said - Bridging the Communication gap between men and women
  • Survival Signals - Knowing when your intuition is trying to keep you safe from harm
  • Workplace Violence - What is it, who commits it and how to survive if it happens
  • Trust: The foundation for all relationships
  • How to build an Effective Team
  • How to cure a Dysfunctional Team
  • Harassment and Discrimination in the workplace:  It’s against the law
  • How to Raise a Criminal – A guide for parents who want to avoid the common pitfalls of parenthood.
  • Meth – The facts you need to know
  • A Drug Free Workplace – Keeping drugs out of your workplace
  • Death by Meeting – A way to make your meetings more productive
  • Time: You can’t save it but you can use it wisely
  • Other topics as requested
Donna Plummer
Donna is the Counseling Center Director at the Pastoral Institute.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia and Alabama, a National Certified Counselor, a Georgia Board Approved Clinical Supervisor, and a Nationally Certified Substance Abuse Provider.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Auburn University and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Florida State University.

Donna’s presentation topics include:
  • How to talk to your kids about drugs
  • How to cope w/ stress
  • Other topics as requested
Kelvin A. Redd
Kelvin Redd is the Director of the Center for Servant Leadership at the Pastoral Institute. He is a Certified Emergenetics Associate and a professional business coach.

Kelvin received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Auburn University; and holds a Master of Science in Management degree, with a concentration in Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness, from Troy University. He has completed post graduate studies at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. For 13 years, Kelvin worked in the corporate environment before joining the Pastoral Institute. 

Kelvin’s presentation topics include:
  • Servant Leadership for Organizations, Corporations and Non Profits.
  • Emergenetics
  • Other topics as requested
Frederick A. Remick, Jr.
Frederick A. Remick, Jr. is a senior therapist at the Pastoral Institute specializing in families.  He earned his undergraduate degree from Georgia College in Psychology in 1981.  He spent two years on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1982-1984 and stayed in as an Army Reservist.  He earned his first master’s degree in Counseling and Human Development from Troy State University in 1984 and then went on to earn his second master’s degree from Auburn University in 1986 graduating with a dual major in Marriage and Family Therapy and Family and Child Development. 

Fred’s presentation topics include:
  • Affects of alcohol on the family
  • Codependency
  • Children with ADHD
  • Grief, Signs and Healing
  • Premarital Assessment and Counseling
  • Effective Communication
  • Divorce Adjustment
  • Helping Children Cope with Divorce
  • Parenting - Children's Discipline Strategies
  • Other topics as requested
Angela M. Sims, Ph.D.
Angela Sims is a psychologist and director of the Sarah T. Butler Children’s Center at the Pastoral Institute. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in psychology from the University of Texas.

Angela’s presentation topics include:
  • Children’s emotional or behavioral issues
  • Parenting children or teens
  • Autism/Asperger’s
  • Early Childhood development
  • Other topics as requested
Mark N. Strunk
Mark is the director of the Business Resource Center at the Pastoral Institute.  He has been a consultant and mental health provider for more than 30 years.  Mark is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, National Certified Counselor, and Certified Employee Assistance Professional. As an Executive Coach, Mark has worked with over 85 business leaders (CEO’s, CFO’s, Executive VP’s, and Directors) representing a variety of industries.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts from the University of Alabama and has completed his doctoral course work in Counselor Education from Auburn University.

Mark’s presentation topics include: 
  • Stress management
  • If you don’t know where you’re going you’ll probably end up somewhere else
  • The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
  • Who Moved My Cheese?
  • Critical Incidents
  • Coaching
  • EAP
  • The Emotionally Intelligent Manager
  • Ethics
  • Keys to Having a Healthy Workplace
  • Coping with Holiday Pressures
  • Managing Change
  • Other topics as requested
Margie O. Watson, SPHR
Margie O. Watson is a Senior Professional in Human Resources and currently serves as an executive administrative assistant at the Pastoral Institute. She served as Human Resource Director for the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer for 22 years.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree in General Studies from Columbus State University, where she concentrated in communications and education.

Margie’s presentation topics include: 
  • QPR Suicide Prevention Training
  • HR Law Discrimination, Harassment, Hiring, Terminations, Discipline, Documentation,
  • Internal Investigations
  • Other topics as requested