Session Leadership
Heath Cobb
Heath Cobb was born and raised in Clover, SC. He grew up in Oakdale Presbyterian Church (a small congregation that his Great-Grandparents and Grandparents helped charter). Heath is a graduate of Clemson University where he met his wife, Maureen. He later went on to pursue a career in nursing, eventually graduating with a master’s degree from MUSC in Anesthesia. The Cobbs moved to Greenville following graduation and eventually joined Eastminster in 2012. They enjoyed EPC’ s open and inviting nature and were looking for a healthy church home to raise their daughters (Audrey and Madeline). Heath previously served on Session at EPC from 2015-2018. When not working, Heath enjoys outdoor activities (hunting, trail running, camping, and riding dirt bikes). Heath is honored to be called for another term on Session and believes this is a pivotal point for the life and growth of EPC. We may not always know our path, but if we ask and listen the Lord will show the way .
Barb Yutrzenka
Barb Yutrzenka was born at Larson Air Force Base, Moses Lake WA, where my father was stationed as an Air Force pilot and my mother was a part time realtor and ) full time at-home mom. For the next 20 years my family lived in and traveled across several states and foreign countries. When my father retired, my parents returned to their home state of Minnesota while I finished my undergraduate studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. After graduation, I attended graduate school in clinical psychology at the University of North Dakota. This is where I met my husband, Jerry, who was a graduate student in Physiology. After completing our doctoral degrees, getting married, and pursuing additional training and work in Houston TX and Richmond VA, we moved to Vermillion SD where for 38 years we lived, raised our two sons, Christopher and David, and worked as faculty/administrators at the University of South Dakota. In June 2022, we decided to make a post-retirement move to South Carolina to be closer to our sons, daughter-in law and two granddaughters (and, as an added benefit, to avoid the SD winters!). When not spending time with family, I enjoy road trips with Jerry, as well as reading, roller skating (quads, not inline), beading ornaments, and playing mahjong, dominoes, and cards. As a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, I have enjoyed my involvement in the choir, GOAL, and women’s circle, as well as participation in adult education classes and BUILD. Through this involvement, my faith has deepened as has my interest in, and commitment to, an expanded involvement in church leadership and activities. I feel blessed to have found such a welcoming and faith-filled community and I am honored and humbled to be nominated to serve on the Eastminster Session.
Mark Sucher
Mark Sucher and his wife, Linda, live in the River Walk subdivision in Simpsonville. They moved to South Carolina and joined Eastminster in 2006. Mark was born in Columbia, South Carolina. His family moved to Atlanta and then to Alton, NY (a small town between Rochester and Syracuse) when he was 5. He grew up in the house where his father had grown up. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Mark attended Harvard Law School. Shortly after law school graduation, Mark and Linda married and began their Air Force career together at Hanscom AFB outside Boston. Subsequent Air Force assignments included Andrews AFB, George Washington University Law School (LLM degree in Government Contract Law), the Air Force Academy (CO) (law instructor), Ankara (Turkey), Vandenberg AFB (CA), the Pentagon (VA), Wright Patterson AFB (OH), and the Justice Department (DC). After 25 years in the Air Force, Mark retired and began working for Fluor Corporation in a Department of Energy job involving the clean-up of a former uranium processing plant near Cincinnati, OH. Following completion of that project, Mark moved to Greenville to continue work with Fluor at its Government Group office here. He retired from Fluor in 2015. Mark and Linda have three grown children and 5 grandchildren. Their daughters, Courtney and Jennie, live in North Carolina. Their son, Matt, lives in Texas. Mark and Linda enjoy visiting with their children and grandchildren whenever possible. Both have been active at Eastminster. Mark seed as a Deacon and Elder at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Ohio. He has served multiple previous times as a member of EPC’s Session. He has also been a long-time member of the Finance Team and serves as EPC’s Treasurer.
Susan Carlson
Susan Carlson grew up mostly in Mt. Pleasant, SC after an early childhood spent in South Africa and a few small towns throughout the Southeast. She was a lot Baptist and a little Presbyterian when she found the Presbyterian Student Association during her freshman year at Clemson (Go Tigers!). At PSA, she discovered what it really means to learn, serve and grow as part of a community of faith. She also met a cute guy named Scott and they were married shortly after graduation. They settled in Greenville in late 1999 when Susan got her first “grown up” job at a non-profit called Communities In Schools, where she still works as the Director of Data Analytics (she’s very nerdy). Susan and Scott joined Eastminster in Spring 2000 and have been both immeasurably blessed and faithfully challenged by nearly 25 years of worship, education, service and fellowship alongside an incredible church family. Their two awesome kids were baptized at EPC and continue to be nurtured by the congregation now that they’re both in college; Sawyer is a junior at Western Carolina and Kathryn is a freshman at USC (Go Tigers!). Micah 6:8 is one of Susan’s favorites and she looks forward to seeing where God’s call to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly will lead EPC on the next leg of its journey.
Cindy Erb
Cindy Erb joined EPC in 2023 with her husband Frank. We are originally from WI (Go Pack Go!), have 4 grown children & live on Lake Rabon. I enjoy traveling with Frank, listening to audiobooks, doing projects with my daughter, and being outdoors. I have enjoyed an amazing clinical, administrative, and academic career in occupational therapy. I received my doctoral degree in 2018, and am currently an Associate Professor in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at Presbyterian College in Clinton. I try to live in faith, experience joy, and serve as I can. I believe in servant leadership, I think it grounds us and reminds us who we serve, but I think it is also defined by how each individual lives it. I would be honored to be an Elder and work with the wonderful people at EPC. Thank you for your kind consideration of me!
Mark Osteen
Alan Calloway
Alan Calloway was born and raised in Greenville, SC and has been a member of Eastminister for 12 years. Alan has two sons: Alan Jr. (AJ) who is 8 years old and George Anthony (Georgie) who is 5. Alan has worked with his older brother, Edward, and his father, Jerry, as a Project Manager for CEC Construction. Alan is also the 2023-2024 president of The Reedy River Rotary Club. Alan enjoys hiking and live music events with his friends and family. Alan’s favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:28 — “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Anitha Samuel
Anitha Samuel was born in the southern part of India in a city called Chennai. She graduated from Madras University with a Bachelors of Science and Masters of Computer Applications. She enjoys painting, sketching and gardening in her free time. She grew up in a Lutheran Church where her parents and grandparents were active members and taught her the importance of faith and trusting in God. She and her husband Sudhir have been married for 24 years. They moved to the US and Sudhir’s job eventually brought them to Greenville which they are blessed to call home now. They have been members of Eastminster for the last 20 years and their daughters Roshni (Junior at USC) and Sanjana (Junior at Riverside High) grew up at Eastminster from baptism to confirmation and have loved being part of the youth ministry. We felt so welcome and at home at Eastminster and are thankful to God for They are grateful for God’s faithfulness in leading them to Eastminster where they have found a home and a place to learn, grow and struggle with their faith amongst fellow believers. In spite of her fears and inadequacies, she trusts and prays that God will use her as He sees fit. She finds it a privilege to serve on the session at Eastminster as we strive to serve the church family that God has blessed her family with.
Martha Shaleuly
Martha Shaleuly was born in Greenville and raised at Westminster Presbyterian formerly serving as an elder. She attended Coker College and the University of SC. She taught early childhood, elementary, special education, helped found and taught at the 1st school in Greenville for children with specific learning disabilities, and before retirement worked at Furman University as an instructor/Director of SC Teaching Fellows. She has been married to her husband Jerry for 30 years and together raised five sons who are all now adults. Joining EPC, only one year ago, it was quickly obvious to her that being here was not about size or money but about the vision that this small congregation has. It is about the faith we hold here, the faith that, with the help of God, no task is too great. She has found her family of faith at EPC who have accepted and included her, and trusted and encouraged her to use her gifts in so many ways. She is honored and humbled to serve on the Session, but also excited for another challenge, more opportunities to give back the blessings that God has given her.
Mark Smith
Mark Smith grew up in northern Virginia and attended Purdue University in Indiana, obtaining a BS and MS in chemical engineering. He served six years in the Army Reserve and spent the majority of his career in the process chemical pilot plant field which brought him to the Upstate with his wife, Brenda, daughter, McKenzie, and son, Hunter. He finished out his chemical engineering career as plant manager retiring in 2005. In retirement, Mark enjoys narrating audiobooks and has over a hundred available online – most available for free on Librivox.org; he is an avid board gamer and has been actively designing them himself; and having grown up in Civil War country, he maintains an abiding interest in military history. Mark joined EPC in 2019 after a lifetime as a Methodist. He has sung in choir wherever he has been, so joining EPC’s was a natural fit. When askedout about serving on the Pastor Nominating Committee, he felt a definite urge to be part of it. He ended up helming the committee, which brought our Stephanie to us (!!), and is finally “getting” the idea that God has some intentions in our lives, and we should discern and support them. He is looking forward to finding a path to serving as an Elder.
