Staff
Pastoral Staff
![Joe Burkhardt](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Portraits-Staff-1.jpg)
Joe Burkhardt
Lead Pastor
Joe has been the pastor at Wedgewood United Methodist Church since July 2014. He is married to his wife, Jeanette, and has seven children. Joe has also earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Ashland University.
![Ja'Alycia Richmond](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Portraits-Staff-7.jpg)
Ja'Alycia Richmond
Associate Pastor
Ja’Alycia joined Wedgewood UMC and First UMC of Akron as the associate pastor in July 2023. She is joined by her husband Randale and their three children.
Support Staff (Wedgewood)
![Cathy Tisch](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Portraits-Staff-2.jpg)
Cathy Tisch
Administrative Assistant
Cathy became our Administrative Assistant in June 2017.
Support Staff (First Church)
![Terri Emmendorfer](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Portraits-Staff-8.jpg)
Terri Emmendorfer
Business Administrator
![Danielle Witwer](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Portraits-Staff-5.jpg)
Danielle Witwer
Adult Choir Director
Danielle is the Director of Music for Wedgewood UMC, as well as the Adult Choir Director. She and her two daughters are long time members of Wedgewood.
![Carolyn Curtis](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2d2be6_d2cd357691c04b809652c5e859447f61mv2.webp)
Carolyn Curtis
Director of Music Ministry & Organist
![Sidney Raabe](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/person-placeholder.jpg)
Sidney Raabe
Organist
![James Malone](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2d2be6_7f2670c7d39d455592929e04b456dba7mv2.webp)
James Malone
Custodial Staff
![Steve Varga](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Portraits-Staff-4.jpg)
Steve Varga
Praise Band Leader
![Richard Seeger](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/person-placeholder.jpg)
Richard Seeger
Free Lunch Coordinator
![Zach Burkhardt](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Portraits-Staff-9-1.jpg)
Zach Burkhardt
Technical Support Director
Support Staff (Wedgewood)
![Cathy Tisch](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Portraits-Staff-2.jpg)
Cathy Tisch
Administrative Assistant
Cathy became our Administrative Assistant in June 2017.
![Danielle Witwer](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Portraits-Staff-5.jpg)
Danielle Witwer
Adult Choir Director
Danielle is the Director of Music for Wedgewood UMC, as well as the Adult Choir Director. She and her two daughters are long time members of Wedgewood.
![Sidney Raabe](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/person-placeholder.jpg)
Sidney Raabe
Organist
![Steve Varga](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Portraits-Staff-4.jpg)
Steve Varga
Praise Band Leader
![Zach Burkhardt](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Portraits-Staff-9-1.jpg)
Zach Burkhardt
Technical Support Director
Support Staff (First Church)
![Terri Emmendorfer](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Portraits-Staff-8.jpg)
Terri Emmendorfer
Business Administrator
![Carolyn Curtis](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2d2be6_d2cd357691c04b809652c5e859447f61mv2.webp)
Carolyn Curtis
Director of Music Ministry & Organist
![James Malone](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2d2be6_7f2670c7d39d455592929e04b456dba7mv2.webp)
James Malone
Custodial Staff
![Richard Seeger](https://wedgewoodumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/person-placeholder.jpg)
Richard Seeger
Free Lunch Coordinator