skip to main content
Institutional Investor? Visit Wespath.com

Wespath Announces 2025 Calkins and Lee Award Recipients

March 17, 2026

Wespath honored two distinguished leaders for their extraordinary service to The United Methodist Church (UMC), during its recent board of directors meeting in Fort Worth, Texas.

  • Feliza “Liz” Mariano, chairperson of the Philippines Regional Conference Board of Pensions, was named the 2025 recipient of the Charles L. Calkins Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership in benefits administration within the UMC.
  • Rev. Dr. Ed Tomlinson of the North Georgia Annual Conference was named the recipient of the Clay F. Lee Award, which honors former Wespath board members who have demonstrated exemplary service and visionary leadership in caring for the UMC’s retirement and health benefit needs.

The Charles L Calkins Award

Ms. Mariano was honored for her steadfast and visionary leadership during a pivotal period for clergy retirement security in the Philippines. She was nominated by Dale Jones, Wespath’s managing director, Church Relations, who highlighted her perseverance and courage in guiding a financially vulnerable pension plan toward sustainability. “Primarily because of Liz’s persistence and faithfulness, that situation has turned around,” Jones said. “While liabilities increased modestly, assets increased more than 900 percent—largely due to Liz Mariano’s work and the people she engaged to support her.”

Accepting the award, Ms. Mariano emphasized partnership and purpose. “All this is because of God and because of Wespath,” she said. “Wespath didn’t just give us funds—they taught us how to build a sustainable retirement fund so pastors could be cared for.”

Charles L Calkins Award recipient Liz Mariano

(Left to right) Rev. Tom Parkinson, Wespath Nominating and Governance Committee Chairperson; Andy Hendren, Wespath General Secretary; Charles L. Calkins Award recipient Liz Mariano; Dale Jones, Wespath Managing Director, Church Relations; and Bishop Robert Schnase, Wespath Board Chair.

The Charles L. Calkins Award was established in 1988 and is named for Charles L. Calkins, who served Wespath as associate secretary from 1938 to 1952 and as executive/general secretary from 1952 to 1964.

The Clay F. Lee Award— Rev. Dr. Ed Tomlinson

Rev. Tomlinson was honored for his 17-year service on Wespath’s board of directors and his steady leadership which spanned periods of financial market volatility, denominational uncertainty and major retirement plan innovation. Wespath board member Necia Dexter, who was one of several Board members who nominated Rev. Tomlinson, praised his lasting impact on Wespath and the Church. “Ed’s leadership has been centered on caring for all those who serve within The United Methodist Church,” she said. “He understands both the heart of the Church and the mechanics required to sustain it.”

Clay F Lee Award recipient Rev. Dr. Ed Timlinson

(Left to right) Rev. Tom Parkinson, Wespath Nominating and Governance Committee Chairperson; Andy Hendren, Wespath General Secretary; Necia Dexter, Wespath Audit Committee Chairperson; Clay F. Lee Award recipient Rev. Dr. Ed Tomlinson; and Bishop Robert Schnase, Wespath Board Chair.

Receiving the award, Rev. Tomlinson expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve. “Working alongside the leadership of Wespath has been one of the great privileges of my lifetime,” he said. “The passion, resilience and unwavering focus of this board and staff continue to enable Wespath to excel in serving those who serve.”

The Clay F. Lee Award was established in 1999 and is named for Bishop Clay F. Lee who served Wespath as a Board member from 1980 to 1988 and the Board president from 1992 to 1996.

The awards celebration and opportunity to honor these faithful leaders reflect Wespath’s deep gratitude for faithful leadership and its commitment to recognizing individuals whose service strengthens the Church and advances Wespath’s mission of caring for those who serve.

Categories