Steve Salvatore is the Church Council Chair at Floris United Methodist Church. Steve grew up on Long Island, N.Y. where he developed a love for the water and enjoyed spending time outdoors. He graduated from Furman University in South Carolina with a BA in political science, which he promptly put to good use in the hospitality industry. Having family in the restaurant and hotel business, hospitality was in Steve’s DNA and he ended up in California managing several hotel properties. Steve met his wife, Tamra, in San Francisco where they had their first daughter Kenna. They eventually moved to Virginia in 1995 where their second daughter, Nicole, was born. Once in Virginia, Steve changed careers, and he now works in the real estate and mortgage field.

Steve and his family joined Floris in 1998. He was involved in FACETs for a number of years and his children have participated in many of Floris’ wonderful youth programs. Steve has been on the Staff Parish Relations Committee, was the Lay Leader and advocate for the congregation, and is also currently on the Finance Committee. Steve has also been very involved in the annual CRC Golf tournament.

• Favorite Bible verse: Philippians 4:13.
• First job: Clam digging on Long Island during the summer.
• Steve’s idea of a perfect day: Golf, lunch, and relaxing on the water with his family.

Allan Ballenger joined the Church Council at Floris United Methodist Church in 2012. Allan, a native Virginian, received his first degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia, and then completed a 30-year career as an Air Force officer specializing in program management and acquisition. Upon retiring from the Air Force in 2010, Allan began his second career with TASC, Inc. based in Chantilly, Va. where he consults on defense and aerospace business.

Allan and his high school sweetheart, Judi, have three grown sons. They joined Floris in 2007 when they moved from Los Angeles to Herndon for Allan’s final Air Force job at the Pentagon. Allan has led multiple Disciple classes and previously served on the Finance and Staff Parish Relations Committees.

• Favorite Bible verse: Isaiah 40:31
• First job: Mowing yards in our neighborhood in Staunton, Va.
• Allan’s idea of a perfect day: Spending time at a beach house with my wife and family.

Emilie DiLeonardo serves as an At-Large Member on the Church Council at Floris United Methodist Church. Emilie grew up in northern Virginia (West Springfield) with a stint in Tokyo, Japan for five years during her middle school years and several years in Lisbon, Portugal, where she was born. Her father was in the Foreign Service for the Department of Agriculture so she and her sisters were all born overseas. Emilie is one of three sisters whose families also live in the area and are active Floris UMC members. She is married to Steve, a Pittsburgh native, and has two children ages 5 and 7 years old. Emilie earned her BS from Virginia Tech and worked in the software industry in sales and marketing for almost 20 years.

Emilie has been a member of Floris since 2004. She served as the Chairman of the Board for the Floris UMC Preschool from 2009-2011. Emilie has held the At-Large Member position on the Church Council since January 2011. In this position she attends monthly Church Council meetings and acts on behalf of church members at those meetings.

• Favorite Bible verse: Romans 8: 38-39 and Proverbs 22:6.
• First job: Taught aerobics in the early ‘80s and was a lifeguard.
• Emilie’s idea of a perfect day: No schedule, sun, beach, laughter, family!
• Emilie is into spending time with family, exercise and fitness and is an avid animal lover who has been involved in K9 (Doberman) rescue & fostering pups in need for the past 12 years.

Ed Federico is the Chairman of the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) for Floris United Methodist Church. Ed and his wife Sue are from the Western Pennsylvania area. They have two children and six grandchildren. Ed served in the federal government for 27 years as a special agent with the IRS. He retired as the Deputy Commissioner of the Criminal Investigation Division. He currently operates a forensic accounting and investigation business with a partner and friend. Ed has a BA from West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Ed and Sue became members of Floris UMC in October 2009. He is currently serving as the chairman of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, overseeing the pastors and staff from a United Methodist Discipline and personnel policy perspective. He is also a member of the Church Council.

• Favorite Bible verses: Jeremiah 31:31-34 and John 1:1-5.
• First job: Cutting grass.
• Ed's idea of a perfect day: Worship, time with family, reading, and workout/jogging.

Peggy Gardiner is an At-Large Member of the Church Council at Floris United Methodist Church. She is a native Washingtonian, having grown up on the Maryland side of the Beltway. Peggy has a BSW in Social Work and a BA in Psychology from University of Maryland and a Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis in Organization Development from American University. Peggy currently works as an Organization Development Consultant in the Federal Government and works with executives on strategic planning, change management, leadership, and team development.

She is married to Rick, and has two sons, Zach and Luke.
Peggy began attending Floris UMC in 2000 when her family moved to Herndon from Arlington, Va. She has worked with RISE, Evangelism, new members, and has been a greeter. She is currently an usher, leads a neighborhood small group with her husband, and is active with the Adult Ministry team and the Music Vision Team.

Peggy is particularly excited about working to shape the new Connections Ministry, in hopes of bringing more people closer to God through Floris.

• Favorite Bible verse: Isaiah 40:31.
• First job: Coding a year’s worth of death certificates to determine drug-related deaths as a summer project at the National Institute of Mental Health.
• Peggy’s idea of a perfect day: On a travel adventure with loved ones.

Jim is the Chairman of the Finance Committee for Floris United Methodist Church. Jim grew up in South Dakota and settled in Richmond, Va. in 1985. While there, Trinity UMC offered many opportunities for involvement and blessed Jim and his family with abundant friendships and activities.

He is married to Lynne and they have three children. Their oldest is married and lives with her family in Sterling, Va. Jim’s middle child attends James Madison University and the youngest attends George Mason University. Jim earned his undergraduate and MBA degrees at Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to attending VCU, he completed a program in Electronic Communications. Jim currently works as a member of management at AboveNet Communications.

After moving to northern Virginia, Jim and his family began attending Floris UMC. As the Chairman of the Finance Committee, his goal is to ensure financial reporting integrity, provide guidance on financial decisions and strategic direction, facilitate discussions and promote relevant forecasting and responsible processes and procedures. As the Chairman, Jim provides reports to the Council on the status of the church’s financial health.

Favorite Bible verse: Psalm 23. What a faith journey!
First job: Farmer and rancher.
Jim’s idea of a perfect day: God has provided many perfect days and they vary widely in activity, location, and the people sharing them.