Assistant Pastor, First Baptist Church of Riverhead
Reverend Liggon is the Assistant Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Riverhead. Rev. Liggon is a graduate of St. Joseph’s College and New Brunswick Theological Seminary. Rev. Liggon has served as the chief church administrator for many years. Prior to entering a ministerial vocation, Rev. Liggon had a successful career in the Building and Trades Industry. Rev. Liggon serves on Finance Committee of the American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York and is a Chaplain with the Suffolk County Department of Corrections.
Retired Political Director 1199 SEIU, United Health Care Workers East
1199 SEIU UHE represents 400,000 union members in FL, MA, NJ, MD & NY. Michele covered the LI region, which has over 20,000 members, who work in hospitals, nursing homes, home care, health clinics, pharmacies & many other health fields. Michele was responsible for getting union members and staff civically engaged in politics and issues that impact members, their families & communities. Her issue advocacy included: the need for quality education, affordable housing, affordable healthcare, environmental justice, good jobs & economic justice, immigration reform, racial justice, and women’s rights. Michele is a member of: Riverhead Anti Bias Task Force-Vice Chair, Suffolk County Anti Bias Task Force, Ladies Auxiliary of the Riverhead Fire Department, NAACP Eastern LI, Riverhead Moose, Former board member: LI Progressive Coalition, LI Jobs with Justice, LI Immigrant Alliance, WFP, the LI Labor-Religion Coalition. Her work within these organizations has been crucial in bringing a strong voice to the fight for workers’ rights, social justice, civil rights, and the importance of immigrants’ rights.
Retired Consultant & Associate Professor of Accounting
James Ratliff, Ph.D. has spent his professional life of nearly six decades as a CPA, a college professor, a consultant, and a board member of a faith based nonprofit, all with a particular focus on issues of finance and accounting. His fields of expertise include accounting principles, theory, auditing, pensions, governmental and not-for-profit accounting. Jim served as an alternate on the AICPA Committee that wrote Statement of Position 78-10, “Accounting Principles and Related Practices for Certain Nonprofit Organizations.” Mr. Ratliff’s clients have included many Fortune 500 and multinational corporations including Deutsche Bank, Pfizer, IBM, and Singapore National Production Board. In 2013, Mr. Ratliff retired from his long service with the American Baptist Churches, most recently having served as the ABCUSA Budget Control Officer, director on the Board of General Ministry, and director on the board of ABC Metro NY.
Consultant, En-Consultants
Kim Stephens has been employed by En-Consultants, an environmental consulting firm, specializing in environmental planning, land use regulations, and permit acquisition throughout Long Island for a total of over 20 years. Prior to returning to En-Consultants in 1997, she was employed at Elmendorf Environmental, Inc. of Elmsford, NY, an environmental consulting firm which specialized in indoor air quality, asbestos inspection and abatement monitoring programs, Phase I and Phase II studies for commercial properties for 5 years. With over 25 years’ experience in the consulting field, she is familiar with the planning and permitting process for development, construction, demolition, renovation, and subdivision of property.
Manager, Brock Awnings in Hampton Bays, NY
Deacon James O. Branch, Jr. has worked as a Supervisor at Brock Awnings for over thirty years. He has built custom awnings all over Long Island. Deacon Branch has served as President of the First Baptist Church of Riverhead’s Men’s Ministry. Since 2019, Deacon Branch has served as Chairman of the church’s Deacon Ministry. In that capacity, he works as a Ministry Partner with the church Pastors to coordinate the activities of the Diaconate Ministry. Deacon Branch is charged with assuring that members are assisted and supported, including visitation of the sick and shut-in, serving communion, assisting with Baptisms, and ministering to widowed members. Additionally, Deacon Branch diligently works with his ministry members to maintain the upkeep of the church and its property.
Certified Co-Leader, Chair Metro NY Tri-State, ManKind Project USA/ Int’l.
Mr. Brown is a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Riverhead and enjoys active membership in various ministries including the Choir. And on December 2nd , 2023 was Ordained into the Deacon Ministry.
He attended Howard University and in 1980 accepted a management position with the International Harvester Corp. During his career Mr. Brown has held. various managerial positions with Mack Truck, New Holland Corp and more recently John Deere.
Rick has been affiliated with the International Order of Lions since August, 2020. Additionally, he has been actively involved in the field of addiction and recovery, serving as the District Committee Member for Suffolk County General Service representing the 24 active Recovery groups between Wading River and Orient Point, Long Island.
In 2008 Rick was introduced to The ManKind Project International, an organization dedicated to men’s emotional literacy training. He is presently recognized as a Certified Leader within MKP and currently serves as Leader Council Chair for the MetroNY Tri-State Area serving Metropolitan NY, Northern NJ and Southern Ct.
Building stronger families and a thriving community.
