Dr. Claude I. Gooding appointed Director of Connectional Ministries (DCM)

Dr. Claude I. Gooding was appointed as the Director of Connectional Ministries (DCM) for the NYAC, effective July 1, 2014. Dr.  Gooding will fill the position held by Reverend Ann Pearson who is retiring after serving 13 years in that role.

He is a man of deep faith and is an active member of the Hempstead United Methodist Church. He serves as Finance and Stewardship Committee Chair and the Chair of the Committee on Religion and Race. Active in missions, he recently shared in an educational support initiative in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Gooding holds a Doctor of Management degree from the University of Maryland. He has served as a consultant in management and leadership training and spent eight years as Commissioner of Community Development for a municipal agency on Long Island. He earned his American Institute of Certified Planners certificate in 2010.

The DCM is the Chief Program Officer of the Conference and executes programs and ministries to strengthen the United Methodist connection with churches, clergy and laity of all ages. Dr. Gooding will bring his rich management and leadership development experience to the DCM position, which focuses on equipping leaders and churches for the transformation of communities and lives. He will have
supervisory responsibilities supporting Lynda Gomi, Assistant to the DCM and Dr. Derrick Lewis Noble, Coordinator of Congregational Development and Revitalization.

We will formally welcome Dr. Gooding at the New York Annual Conference, June 4-7 at Hofstra University.

All my prayers,
Bishiop Martin D. McLee