Leader Couples for Florida ACME
2004 Conference Workshops and Mini-Retreat
AnnaBelle and Jack Allyn. (A. Communication - "Sharing Magic!")
AnnaBelle is a former elementary schoolteacher, water safety instructor, and Girl Scout Leader. Jack recently retired from Lake Shore
Presbyterian Church where he ministered for ten years. Before that, he spent 25 years in the US Army, first as an artillery officer (6 years)
and then (after attending seminary) as a Chaplain (19 years). They have two grown daughters and one grandson. They have been involved
with ACME since 1975 and took their Basic Training with David and Vera Mace, the founders of ACME. AnnaBelle enjoys scrapbooking,
Jack enjoys carpentry, and together they are avid sailors. They live in Jacksonville, Florida.
Jessica and Wade Arnold. (F. Keeping the Magic - "Rekindling the Flame and Restoring Romance") Jessica and Wade Arnold have been married for nearly four years. She is a teacher (sixth grade for five years and third grade for three years). Wade has been involved in counseling and the ministry. He is currently in his third year in the Counseling Psychology doctoral program at the University of Florida. They took the Leadership Training Workshop led by Ken and Martha Cook in Tampa in 2003. They live in Gainesville, Florida.
Jena and Richard Congdon. (B. Blended Families - "Two Rabbits in One Hat")
Coming from previous marriages, Jena & Richard Congdon became aware of the need for better communication and conflict / resolution
skills early in their marriage. They participated in their first ACME retreat in either 1986 or 1987 and then stayed a part of that MEG
(Marriage Enrichment Group) for approximately five years. Their first Leadership Training was with Dave and Sarah Catron in April, 1995
and they led their first retreat in September, 1996. Jena & Richard are co-founders of the
"Mugs & Hugs Workshop Series",
a very
successful program for developing and nurturing new MEGs in southeast Florida. They live in Miami, Florida.
Ken and Martha Cook. (In-service Training - "I've got the skills. Why don't I use them all the time?")
Ken and Martha Cook were married in 1956 and have four grown children and eight grandkids. They became involved in Marriage
Enrichment by attending the Georgia State ACME Conference in 1979. They are an ACME certified leader couple and certified trainer
couple. They have led numerous retreats, workshops, and leadership training events. They served on the leadership team in Georgia for
several years and for the last seven years have been involved in Florida ACME, serving on the leadership team and also as President Couple.
Ken is a retired chaplain and Martha retired from Social Security after 30 years.
Bill and Jean Cooley. (D. Commitment - "You don't have to get cut in half to show it!")
Bill and Jean Cooley have been married 36 years and members of ACME for almost 30 years. They became certified ACME leaders 19
years ago and have enjoyed leading retreats, workshops, and MEGs. Their two sons are grown and have benefited from their parents'
marriage enrichment commitment. They live in Lakeland, Florida where they co-pastor Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Ken and Nellie Dean. (C. Turning Life Transitions into Growth Experiences - "Abracadabra - Surprise!")
Ken and Nellie Dean have been married 54 years and have been members of ACME since 1972. They consider themselves fortunate to
have had their basic training with David and Vera Mace. Their leadership in ACME includes: state President Couple for Iowa, Indiana, and
Florida; members and vice-presidents of the national board; retreat leaders and MEG facilitators. In 1990 they received ACME's
Distinguished Service Award. They live in Seminole, Florida.
Al and Carole Pugsley. (G. Conflict Resolution - "Tricks of the Tirade")
Al and Carole have been a trained ACME leader couple for nearly 25 years. Former members of the ACME Board and two-time winners
of ACME's Distinguished Service Award, they now serve as coordinators of Leader In-Service Training nationwide and as ACME's
traveling "Ambassadors", presenting educational programs around the country for improving relationships.
They have facilitated more than 60 Marriage Enrichment retreats and a variety of other events. They are editors of Marriage Matters, the
Heart of America ACME newsletter, as well as the Leaders' Forum, a newsletter for ACME leaders worldwide. They live in Prairie Village,
Kansas, have been married since 1962, and have two grown daughters and one granddaughter.
Bette and Bob Richter. (E. Creating the Magic of Sex - "Is levitating your partner easier than talking about
sexual matters?)
Bette and Bob Richter have been actively involved in ACME as Certified Leaders since 1979 from Michigan to South Florida. Educated
as teachers, they have led Sex Education Workshops with children, youth, and adults. They also conducted Preparation for Marriage groups
in their home. At this conference, these hair raising experiences and skills are combined in the workshop, "Creating the Magic of Sex". They
live in Orange City, Florida.
John and Maxine Roy. (Mini-Retreat - "A Bag of Tricks" for Newcomers)
John and Maxine Roy have been married 40 years and active in marriage enrichment for five years. They have two adult sons and two
grandchildren. They have led programs in their local MEG in Tampa, attended several state conferences, and took the Leadership Training
Workshop led by Ken and Martha Cook in Tampa in 2003. They live in Tampa, Florida.