Our Leadership
Tom Hawkins, Elder
Spouse’s name: Darlene
Children: Rick, Pam, and Andy
Residential Community: Highland Heights
Educational Credentials: B.A. Harding University – 1963; A.A. Mason City Junior College – 1991
Professional Work Experience: 36 years at Jones Day, a multi-office international law firm with over 2,400 lawyers worldwide, in various administrative roles including Director of Partner Services and Director of Internal Audit. Worked 13 years at Ernst & Young, an international accounting and auditing firm, as a CPA; worked as a manager while employed at Ernst & Young.
Member of Forest Hill since 1963
Current Church responsibilities: Elder since May 1982; Treasurer since January 1995; and a member of the Finance Committee.
Commitment Statement to Forest Hill Members: As an Elder, I am committed to following the teaching of the scriptures; provide leadership to the Church of Christ at Forest Hill, serving members, visitors, and total strangers whenever I can, while setting an example to all with whom I come in contact.
John Moore, Elder
Spouse’s name: Terri
Children: Johnny, Kimberlyn, Garrick, Candace, Zoe
Residential Community: Solon
Educational Credentials: Master of Educational Supervision and Administration John/Carroll University; Bachelor Science, University Arkansas Pine Bluff.
Professional Work Experience: Principal of Cleveland Schools for 37 years; Principal for Juvenile Corrections for six years.
Member of Forest Hill since 2001
Current church responsibilities: Elder working with fellow elders to serve the congregation wherever needed and as necessary with an emphasis on love and fellowship.
Commitment statement to Forest Hill Members: To continually stand in the gap to bless those that we love and who are in need. To bring those who are lost back to the Great Shepherd.
Clifford Thornton, Elder
Spouse’s name: Pam
Children: Anna and Matthew
Residential Community: Cleveland Heights
Educational Credentials: B.A. Abilene Christian University, Juris Doctorate, The Ohio State University
Professional Work Experience: Attorney-at-law for over 50 years
Member since: 1964
Current church responsibilities: Elder
Commitment statement to Forest Hill Members: Total
John Kessler, Deacon
Spouse’s name: Terra
Residential Community: Lakewood
Educational Credentials: High School Graduate with some college
Professional Work Experience: Marketing Management for over 20 years
Member of Forest Hill since 2014 (attended for two years prior)
Current Church responsibilities: Currently serving as a member of the Financial Committee, assisting in confirming “Men to Serve” in worship services on Sunday, provide technical assistance with audio/visual needs, and working in any other capacity as needed.
Commitment Statement to Forest Hill Members: Committed to doing the work of God, His church, and supporting Forest Hill and its members in any way He would have me.
Derwood Smith, Minister Emeritus
Derwood Smith, Ph.D., was the Pulpit Minister for the Church of Christ at Forest Hill for 36 years. Derwood retired as the minister in the summer of 2017. He has also retired from his full-time position as a Professor and former Chair of the Department of Religion at Cleveland State University. Derwood earned his Masters and Doctorate degrees from Yale and Harvard Divinity Schools. Derwood and his spouse, Jeannene remain faithful members of our congregation.