Stephen J. Hustedt
- Director of Communications
Steve has been the Director of Communications for the DSC since June of 2006. Prior to coming to this conference, Steve served as writer/editor for 6 years in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. Before that he was a student. Upon graduating from SIU with a BA in English/Creative Writing and a minor in religious philosophy, Steve found a home in Springfield, Illinois working for IGRC. While at IGRC, Steve worked with and was mentored by Rev. Paul Widicus, who had over ten years of Experience as Director of Communications, and Bettie Wilson Story, who was the United Methodist Association of Communicators’ Communicator of the Year in 1993 and was inducted into the UMAC Hall of Fame in 2002. Widicus would be nominated by Steve and inducted into the UMAC Hall of Fame in 2007.
In 2003 Steve realized the direction God was leading him in when he served as Interim Director of Communications while IGRC interviewed for the vacated position. This time was very rewarding to Steve and lead to him returning to school fulltime while continuing to work at IGRC. Steve would also be married to his wife, Tricia, in this time, and in the summer of 2005 Steve graduated from The University of Illinois with an MBA focused on Marketing and Communications. In 2006 Steve applied to be the Director of Communications at three different United Methodist Conferences, but the Desert Southwest Conference was his first choice.
Since becoming Director of Communications Steve has helped lead the way in some impressive Communications advances including the revitalization of the Conference Commission on Communications, the relaunching of the Conference website, the introduction of the Conference electronic newsletter, the expansion and growth of Conference Notes, the growth of video ministry, and much more. In the short time that Steve has been director of communications he and the Communications Commission/Department have also received awards from UMAC for writing and The Desert Connection. They have also received an award for the new Conference website from the Religious Communicators Council. In that time Steve and his wife, Tricia, have also had the first Child, Page Elisabeth.
Christina Dillabough
- Designer/Editor
Christina has been married for 15 years and has three children, Zachary-14, Nicholas-12, and Haley-8. She is active in her community volunteering through the church, neighborhood schools, and scouting organizations. She is also a professional artist and is commissioned for Oil Paintings, Murals and Faux Finishes. She participates in art shows throughout the valley.
Throughout her work experience she has been editor of various newsletters for non-profit organizations. She has redesigned and created websites and logos for small businesses and non-profit organizations. Christina has also created various promotional materials used in the Arizona Republic, Tribune and mailing pieces.
In June 2011 she became the newest member of the Desert Southwest Conference Communications Department. She serves as the Communications Designer/Editor and writes articles for the various communications channels as well. She is fluent in Spanish and plans to be a major contributor in expanding a Spanish presence for our Conference Communications.
David Topping
- Computer Systems Manager
David has served as the Computer Systems Manager of the DSC since March of 2007.
Topping holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from CSU Fullerton and a Master's degree in Choral Conducting from Arizona State University. He also studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Musikhochschule in Frankfurt, Germany. Topping has taught music in public schools and community colleges. He has two adult children, Ryan and Erika, and resides in Tempe with his wife, Jody, who is attending seminary and involved in the candidacy process to become a clergy member of the UMC.
In addition to working for the Desert Southwest Conference, David is also the Director of Music at Los Arcos United Methodist Church in Scottsdale. He sings professionally as a freelance baritone soloist and in the Phoenix Chorale. He is on the board of the Arizona Bach Festival, and also designs and hosts websites for a number of non-profit organizations and small businesses.