Meet The Staff
get to know the CUMC staff, what brought them here and what makes our community special.
Rev. Dr. Kelly Jackson Brooks, LPCC holds a Doctorate of Ministry from Claremont School of Theology, a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of New Mexico, a Master’s degree in Divinity from United Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of New Mexico. She currently serves as the Executive Pastor with Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque and has served as the Pastor with Grace UMC ABQ, Associate Pastor with First UMC ABQ, and various other youth and Christian education positions throughout the ABQ UMC community. Kelly is a Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPCC) and has served as the Chair of the New Mexico Counseling Association and the Chair of the New Mexico Association for the Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling, along with other community and United Methodist Church faith-based boards. Involvement in the spiritual, religious, and mental health fields as they relate to community and connection are the foundations and passions of Kelly’s work.
Jesus Valdez is the Media Coordinator at Central United Methodist Church. He has been serving the community through Central since June 2015. Jesus is a graduate of University of New Mexico and completed his dual masters, MBA and MA in IT Management.
Jesus spends his free time playing sports such as Basketball, Volleyball, and Billiards; to name a few. Additionally, Jesus enjoys traveling the world and experiencing different cultures in their purity.
Karen Marrolli is the Director of Music Ministries at Central UMC and has served in this role since January 2018. She holds the DMA degree in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University (2010). Prior to those studies, she earned her BM in Music Theory and Composition (1997) and her MM in Choral Conducting and Sacred Music (2000) from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. She has previously served as Music Director of Choir Director at Trussville First UMC (outside of Birmingham, AL), the United Church of Santa Fe, and Ingleside UMC in Baton Rouge, LA.
Karen is a prolific composer with many published compositions, and these new works are often first sung by the Chancel Choir at Central. In addition to composing and songwriting, she enjoys running, hiking, photography, coffee, and artful shoes.
