CEO ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Martin Named CEO Elect

Simeon May, long-time CEO of The Church Network, recently announced his plans to retire in July 2019, just after the association’s sixty-third annual conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. The TCN Board of Directors is grateful for Simeon’s many years of service to The Church Network and the field of church administration and leadership.

May said, "It has been my absolute joy to serve this association for the past 20 years on staff, as well as the many years before that as a volunteer leader. I have met so many wonderful people along this journey and have made lifelong friends. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve and my prayer is that the best years for the association are ahead."
 
Simeon took office on May 1, 1998 as the association’s Executive Director, and once he had achieved the designation of CAE (Certified Association Executive), his title was officially changed to Chief Executive Officer in March of 2004.
 
Prior to his selection, Simeon served as minister of business administration for the First Baptist Church of Richardson, TX, where he has been a member since 1976 and was ordained in 1994. During his time on staff at First Baptist, Simeon served on the TCN Board for seven years from 1989 to 1996 including the last two of those years as President. His other service to TCN includes that of president of the Dallas Chapter and instructor in Church Accounting for the association's certification program. He is a Certified Church Administrator (CCA) and also a past president of the Baptist Leader Network.
 
In 2004, Simeon earned the designation Certified Association Executive (CAE) from the American Society for Association Executives (ASAE). This achievement is an indication of leadership and expertise in association management. Simeon has also served on the board of directors for the Dallas-Fort Worth Association Executives (DFWAE) including two years as president. While serving on that board, Simeon received the Award of Excellence from DFWAE in 2010 and the Association Executive Leadership Award from Multiview, Inc. in 2011.
 
Simeon is a graduate of Baylor University, where he earned the Bachelor of Business Administration degree as an accounting major and later became a Certified Public Accountant. Simeon is a Life Member of the Baylor Line Foundation (formerly the Baylor Alumni Association).
 
In addition to his memberships in ASAE and DFWAE, Simeon is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Texas Society of CPAs. Simeon serves on the Religious Practices Advisory Committee for the Richardson Independent School District. He has also served on the Business and Audit Committee of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
 
Family is extremely important to Simeon. His wife Denise May is an elementary school principal in the Richardson Independent School District and recently celebrated 40 years as the pianist for the First Baptist Church of Richardson. Their children and spouses are Emily and Ryan Hopkins, Joel and Kristin May, and Julie and Darrin Hicks. Simeon and Denise have two granddaughters, a grandson, and are expecting a second grandson soon.
 
The TCN Board of Directors is thankful for the investment Simeon has made to The Church Network. In 2019, Deputy CEO Phill Martin will be working alongside Simeon and with the Board of Directors to ensure a smooth transition for the future of TCN.
- TCN Board of Directors
 
Click here to read letter from TCN Board President Denise Craig.

Simeon May, CAE, CPA, CCA

Chief Executive Officer
Email: simeon@thechurchnetwork.com
972.699.7555
www.twitter.com/SimeonMay




Simeon May took office as the association's fourth Executive Director on May 1, 1998. He was the unanimous choice of the seven-member Executive Director Search Committee and the Board of Directors. In recognition of Simeon’s earning the designation of CAE (see below) the Board of Directors officially changed his title to Chief Executive Officer in March of 2004.

Prior to his selection, Simeon served as Minister of Business Administration for the First Baptist Church of Richardson, Texas, for almost fifteen years. Simeon joined the FBCR staff in September of 1983 after having been a layman in the church the previous seven years. As a layman he held several leadership positions in the church including Deacon. In 1994 Simeon was Ordained to the Gospel Ministry by the church. He has been a member of FBCR since 1976.

Simeon served on the TCN (formerly NACBA) Board for seven years from 1989 to 1996 including the last two of those years as President. His other service to TCN includes that of President of the Dallas Chapter and instructor in Church Accounting for the association's certification program. He is a Certified Church Administrator (CCA) from TCN. Simeon is also a past president of the Baptist Leader Network.

In January 2004 Simeon earned the designation Certified Association Executive (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Among association professionals “CAE” is an indication of demonstrated skill in leadership and expertise in association management. Simeon has also served on the board of directors for the Dallas-Fort Worth Association Executives (DFWAE) including two years as president.

Simeon was humbled and honored to receive the Award of Excellence from DFWAE in 2010 and the Association Executive Leadership Award from Multiview, Inc. in 2011. He was inducted into the Baptist Leader Network's Hall of Honor in 2019.

Although a native of Louisville, Mississippi, Simeon declared himself a Texan while attending Baylor University. At Baylor, he earned the Bachelor of Business Administration degree as an Accounting major and later became a Certified Public Accountant. Simeon is a Life Member of the Baylor Line Foundation (formerly the Baylor Alumni Association).

In addition to his memberships in ASAE and DFWAE, Simeon is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Texas Society of CPAs. Simeon serves on the Religious Practices Advisory Committee for the Richardson Independent School District. He has also served on the Business and Audit Committee of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

In September 2011, Simeon was appointed to a Panel of Religious Sector Representatives, which advised The Commission on Accountability and Policy for Religious Organizations. The commission was formed following a staff report issued by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) that focused on the financial practices of six high-profile media-based Christian ministries. After releasing the findings of his three-year inquiry, the senator asked the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability to spearhead an independent national effort to review and provide input on major accountability and policy issues affecting religious and other nonprofit organizations. The Commission issued Part I of its report late in 2012 and issued Part II of its report late in 2013. Though Simeon does not agree with all of the recommendations of the Commission, he was honored to be a part of the discussion and process.

Simeon is married to Denise May, the Principal at Big Springs Elementary School in the Richardson Independent School District and the Pianist for the First Baptist Church of Richardson. Their children and "bonus" children are Emily and Ryan Hopkins, Joel and Kristin May, and Julie and Darrin Hicks. Emily, Joel, and Julie are Baylor graduates and are teachers in public education in the Dallas area. Simeon and Denise have a grandson and a granddaughter. -->