Rev. Sharon Ragland is in her fourth year of service as the Central East District Superintendent, Desert Southwest Conference, and will serve as the Dean of the Cabinet beginning July 1, 2008.  In this appointment, she supervises 42 churches and fellowships, and over 60 pastors. 

Sharon previously served as the senior pastor of Dove of the Desert UMC, Glendale, and First UMC, Tucson.  She also served as an associate pastor, and then as co-pastor of St. Paul’s UMC, Tucson.  She is a graduate of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois, and was ordained an elder in the Wisconsin Annual Conference, before transferring to the Desert Southwest in 1994. 

Sharon is married to Art.  They have two grown children, Julie and David.  Julie is married to Christian Gonzalez; they have a son, Isaiah, born September 5, 2005, and live in Tucson.  David is married to Michelle, and also lives in Tucson.  Sharon enjoys movies, reading, swimming, traveling and spending time with family and friends.