Four Distinguished Leaders Join Texas Methodist Foundation Board to Advance a Flourishing Church for Generations to Come

New directors bring together financial expertise, executive leadership, and faithful ministry

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Texas Methodist Foundation (TMF) is pleased to announce the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors: Rev. Derrick A. Cyprian, Necia Dexter, Rev. Drew Essen, and Rev. Ross Whiteaker. Together, these leaders bring deep experience in financial governance, executive leadership, and pastoral ministry. They embody TMF’s long-standing commitment to faithful stewardship and strengthening the church’s financial future across Texas and New Mexico.

Rev. Derrick A. Cyprian is a CPA, attorney, bi-vocational corporate executive, and ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church with extensive expertise in finance, tax strategy, and governance. He serves as vice president of tax for Westlake Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, and as lead pastor of Clear Lake AME Church. He brings a valuable integration of executive financial leadership and faithful pastoral stewardship.

Necia Dexter is a CPA and nationally respected audit and financial governance leader with more than four decades of experience. Formerly an audit partner with Ernst & Young and Perkins, Dexter, Sinopoli & Hamm, she has led complex practices across regulated industries. As audit committee chair for Wespath Benefits and Investments, she brings disciplined oversight and significant fiduciary expertise.

Rev. Drew Essen serves as executive pastor of The Woodlands Methodist Church. He provides executive leadership for strategy, staff culture, and financial stewardship in a multi-campus setting. Active in denominational and national advisory roles, he brings systems-oriented leadership focused on sustainable growth and mission alignment.

Rev. Ross Whiteaker is an ordained elder and connectional leader serving as Albuquerque district superintendent and co-provost of the New Mexico Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. With experience in church planting, congregational leadership, and conference administration, he provides strategic oversight and alignment across ministries. He brings collaborative leadership and deep commitment to congregational vitality and clergy effectiveness.

“We are grateful to welcome leaders whose experience reflects deep wisdom and deep care for the church,” said Rev. Lisa Greenwood, President & CEO of Texas Methodist Foundation. “Each brings gifts shaped by faithful service, and together they will help us steward resources to support leaders and congregations as they grow and flourish — now and for generations to come.”

About Texas Methodist Foundation

Texas Methodist Foundation is a ministry partner to the church, the body of Christ, helping bring about the loving world God imagines through cultures of purpose, generosity, and courage. Founded in 1938, Texas Methodist Foundation helps strengthen churches and nonprofit ministries through Impact Certificate and market-based investments, loans, gift planning, endowment services, and grants. Texas Methodist Foundation's leadership ministry, which began in 2002, is known nationally as a convener and conversation partner on the future of the church, courageous leadership, and innovation across the spiritual landscape. Texas Methodist Foundation serves organizations throughout Texas and New Mexico. Based in Austin, Texas, the organization is led by President & CEO Rev. Lisa Greenwood, who is also President & CEO of Wesleyan Impact Partners. To learn more, visit texasmethodistfoundation.org