Ismael Ruiz-Millan, District Superintendent
Ismael is originally from San Luis Rio Colorado Sonora, México. Ismael received a B.S. in Accounting from Sonora State University, Sonora, Mexico (2002), and a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC (2010). He was ordained an elder in 2012.
Ismael moved to North Carolina from his hometown in Mexico in 2003, planning to be in the United States only for one year – however, God had a different plan. In 2004, he was appointed interim supply pastor at Unidos por Cristo in Grimesland, N.C. In 2010, he was appointed to serve the Brookland-Brooksdale charge in Roxboro, N.C. (now New Brook UMC). In 2011, Ismael was appointed to extension ministries as the Hispanic House of Studies Director at Duke Divinity School. He was also the director of global education and intercultural formation for the last two years.
During his tenure at Duke Divinity School, Ismael developed and taught courses on pastoral care to pastors and laypersons from Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Peru. He has also taught mission and World Christianity courses in the Course of Study at Duke. He has developed seminars, workshops, and learning opportunities on Cultural Humility and Leadership. In addition, he directed different programs within Duke Divinity School that targeted students and non-Hispanic clergy and laity who wanted to be in ministry with the Hispanic and Latino population in the U.S.
Additionally, Ismael serves on different boards, including the North Carolina Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, the Board of Directors of the General Board of Global Ministries, and the Executive Committee of the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministries. Ismael regularly leads educational, cultural, and language immersions to the Mexico-U.S. border and Guatemala. However, he most enjoys spending time with his wife of 16+ years, Alma, his son Alec, and his daughter Sheccid.
Heidi Seifert, Corridor/ Heritage Administrative Assistant to the DS
My name is Heidi Seifert, and I am excited to be working with the Corridor and Heritage Districts as the AADS. I have been working for the Conference for a little over eight years. I am also currently a part-time local pastor at Christ the King Church in Clayton. I am married to Paul. He is a CPA. We have two children, Kayley and Eliza. I enjoy hiking, kayaking, and anything outdoors and adventurous.
David Johnson, Co-Lay Leader
David was born and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area. He was a member of a non-denominational Christ-centered church along with his parents, brother, and sister.
After graduating from high school, he entered the business world as a paint specialist and credit manager of a Sherman Williams Paint retail paint store. His exposure to accounting/finance and sales led him into the automotive supplier industry where he held various positions in manufacturing and corporate-level management. His passion was to be in production environments where he could see the product being manufactured. His focus in manufacturing was helping to identify and reduce excess costs out of automotive products being produced. At a corporate level, David was focused on improving the liquidity of the corporation. Before retiring, he had the opportunity to travel around the world helping to make financial improvements at company manufacturing facilities.
After his retirement in 2009, David and his wife, Susan, moved back to Rocky Mount and joined First UMC – Rocky Mount, which led to becoming very active in outreach ministries. David is involved in volunteer efforts within the community, one being Jobs for Life which teaches job readiness skills. He is a board member of a non-profit organization that provides shelter and food for the homeless community. He attends the Bible Study Fellowship program on Monday nights. He and his wife travel to Costa Rica on church mission trips most every year.
David and Susan have been married for 20+ years, have 5 children, 7 grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. He enjoys traveling, music and visiting with family and friends while staying busy around his home.