Jeff is a native of Blowing Rock, NC and is grateful to God to serve as pastor at FPC. He is a graduate of Montreat College (B.A. Bible and Religion), a graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary (M. Div.) and a Doctor of Ministry at Union Presbyterian Seminary. He served three different congregations during 14 years of ministry in South Carolina (Bennettsville, Spartanburg, and Columbia) and has been the pastor at FPC since 2014. He is passionate about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and empowering the church in Christ’s mission to the ends of the earth. His wife, Angela, works for Water Mission, a non-profit ministry that provides safe and clean water to impoverished areas around the world. They have two sons, Brennan and Lawson. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys trout fishing, UNC Basketball, and spending time camping with his family. 

Larke Alexandria Blanton is the Pastoral Associate for FPC Boone. She is a graduate of Appalachian State University (B.A. Psychology, 2013 and Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, 2023) and Wake Forest University (Master of Divinity, 2015). She bleeds black and gold and has a reference to App State football in every sermon preached during football season. With a heart for faith development, passion for Christian education, and a love for serving the community; Larke is thrilled for the opportunity to serve with Pastor Jeff at First Presbyterian Boone. In addition to serving in full time ministry at FPC, she also serves as a part-time couples therapist with Inside Passage Counseling. In her free time, Larke can be found training her sweet, husky mix puppy, Po, attending App State and Wake Forest football, basketball, and baseball games as well as grilling good food, and listening to live music with her husband, Jamie. 

Erin has her BA and NC teaching license. She has been a preschool teacher most of her adult life, most recently at First Morning Out. Erin enjoys children and her role as Children’s Director and is embracing her new job as the church’s Office Administrative Assistant.  In her time away from church, Erin enjoys being a mom to a brood and a grandma. Most importantly, she enjoys sharing God’s love with His people. 

Shawn Huntley is excited to return as Youth Director and invest in the lives of our middle and high school students. Having previously served in this role, she has a passion for helping students grow in their faith and build meaningful relationships. During her previous time in youth ministry, she had the privilege of leading high school students on a mission trip to Guatemala, an experience that remains close to her heart.
Shawn is married to Chuck, and have three children: Emma, Haden, and Ava. Their family has called Boone home for more than 20 years, with a brief season living in Charlotte. They enjoy camping, hiking, traveling and cheering on Appalachian State football.
A proud Appalachian State University graduate, Shawn holds both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from App State. After a successful career in Human Resources and as an HRIS software implementation consultant, she felt called to embrace a slower pace of life that would allow her to invest more deeply in family, community, and youth ministry.
As the parent of a teenager herself, Shawn understands the unique challenges and opportunities facing today's students. She cares deeply for young people and is excited to walk alongside them as they grow in their faith, discover their gifts, and build a strong foundation for the future.

Beth's bio coming soon...

Tyler joined our staff as our new pianist in August, 2022. Tyler has a B.A. in Music from Cedarville University and is a recent graduate of ASU with a M.M. in Piano Performance with an added Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy. He has been playing the piano since he was in middle school and has grown up the son of a Baptist pastor. He brings the comfortability of playing both contemporary and traditional music. Tyler has worked with Brandon Winbush at Watauga High School and through music camps at ASU.

Cindy has a wide background of musical experience. She has been a church musician for 30 years in various positions as Choir Director, Church pianist, attempted organist (but her legs were too short), Children’s Choir Director, Hand bell Director and just about whatever has come up in music. She has also worked as a public school music teacher. Wherever her family moved she found some available position in a school from grades K-12. Her favorite public school forum was directing high school chorus. As life brought new challenges and different circumstances Cindy took on a job at Boone Drug, Inc. This is where she gets to work with a great group of people every day. Cindy has 3 children.