Now Hiring: Executive Assistant to the Vice Rector

The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata

The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata was called to be the eighth Rector of Saint Michael and All Angels in 2016. Previously, Chris served as Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, as Associate Rector at St. Luke’s in Birmingham, as a seminarian at The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and St. John’s in Chevy Chase, MD.

Bi-monthly, Chris writes a column for Katy Trail Weekly. These articles cover timely topics from gratitude and love to success and the future. In these columns, he uses a real-life personal example and turns it into something to ponder. On Wednesdays, Chris leads a Bible study titled Rector’s Bible Study that is also developed into a podcast. He has been leading these weekly classes since its inception in 2017.

Chris holds degrees from Stetson University, Emory University, the Virginia Theological Seminary, and his doctorate from Duke University. He is recognized as a leader in the Episcopal Church, presenting regularly at church-wide conferences, seminars and retreats, and the Episcopal Parish Network.

Chris is a native of Florida, a classically trained musician, and an amateur cook. He and his wife, Nicole, have three children: Brayden, Layna, and Annemarie.

The Rev. Kenneth H. Brannon

The Rev. Ken Brannon became Saint Michael's Vice Rector in July 2019. Ken was born in Fort Collins, Colorado, but moved to Mandeville, Louisiana at the age of one. His life changed radically at the age of twelve when his father took a job at a teaching hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He found himself attending Kodaikanal International School, an international boarding school in South India, where he graduated in 1986.

Following in the footsteps of his older brother, he attended Wheaton College in Illinois. Although his major was psychology, he spent many hours active in the theater. Ken discovered the Episcopal Church while at Wheaton and was grateful for the elegant liturgy, the appreciation for mystery, and the emphasis on ancient spiritual practices.

Following college, Ken spent two years living in intentional Christian community and working with the homeless in Washington, DC. He coordinated administrative activities at Christ House, a mission of Church of the Saviour, and was active in medical and social outreach to those living in the shadows of our nation’s monuments.

In 1993, Ken began drama therapy studies at New York University and graduated cum laude in 1997. His passion for psychology and theater came together in group work with children and adults at sites throughout the city, ranging from therapeutic schools, psychiatric hospitals, homeless shelters, and prisons.

Ken met Rachel at Wheaton, but they did not begin dating until six years later when they reconnected in New York City. They were married in 1995 and welcomed Lucy in 1997 and Isaac in 2001.

After they were married, Rachel and Ken worked together at Church of the Holy Trinity in New York City, co-coordinating children’s programming, and it was at Holy Trinity that Ken answered the call to ordained ministry. He attended Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, graduating in 2003. Ken first served as Associate Rector at The Church of St. Barnabas in Irvington, New York, just outside legendary Sleepy Hollow.

From 2007-2019, Ken served as Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sun Valley, Idaho. He provided strong leadership for over a decade and became a leader in the larger community. In the Diocese of Idaho, Ken was active in all aspects of church life, serving as Chair of the Commission on Ministry, President of the Standing Committee, and Chair of the Idaho Deputation to General Convention.

As Vice Rector at Saint Michael, Ken oversees the staff and operations of the church, while also taking a full share of the usual priestly functions. Rachel is a psychotherapist in private practice, Lucy works for Ernst and Young (EY) in Denver, and Isaac attends Western Washington University in Bellingham.

Rob Baber

The Rev. Greg Pickens

The Reverend Greg Pickens grew up in Oklahoma and came to Texas for college. Following his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas, Greg worked in the professional/executive search industry and in the computer services industry. In 1999, he began working toward the ordained ministry through the Diocese of Dallas. During his theological studies at Nashotah House in Wisconsin, Greg chose to work in at a downtown Milwaukee parish because of its diverse, urban setting. It was there he met his wife, Noralyn, and her daughter, Annie. After graduation and ordination to the Deaconate, he returned to Dallas. Following a short season as a Deacon, Greg was ordained to the priesthood in 2006 and served as Rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Irving, before being called to Saint Michael and All Angels in 2011.

Steven Haal

With 15+ years in communications, marketing and management, I've been blessed to be a part of many different types of work, from communication and art direction to photography and web/app development. I enjoy bringing a high level of energy, initiative, and creativity to the task at hand. Part of this is problem-solving in fast-paced environments where collaboration is key. As a leader, I'm all about teamwork. Efficiency. Working "smart, not hard". And above all, great communication and delivery.

I've been fortunate to travel and live abroad, first as a missionary kid, and later on my own. Having to assimilate into so many different cultures has shown me the value of teamwork and collaboration. A few additional facts about me: I've climbed part of Mt. Everest, summited Kilimanjaro and a number of the Cascades Volcanos, have sung nearly 70 operas with The Dallas Opera, and almost died during the Yugoslavian Revolution. Good times.

You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram.

Colleen O'Hara

After 6 months of contract work, Colleen O’Hara, was hired as the full-time Director of Operations in September 2019.

Colleen has over thirty years of professional experience in the areas of residential real estate valuations and appraisals, business operations, financial analysis, and process improvement. Most recently, Colleen worked as Director of Valuation for Fannie Mae, leading a department responsible for loan quality. She is a strategic and tactical leader with extensive experience in improving workplace processes and efficiencies. She possesses strong interpersonal and communication skills and enjoys forming and leading high-functioning teams. She has been a member of Saint Michael for several years and volunteers regularly with the contemporary worship service on Sunday morning. She loves hosting dinners and engaging in meaningful conversations with family and friends.

The Rev. Dr. Andrew Grosso

The Reverend Dr. Andrew Grosso joined the Saint Michael and All Angels clergy team in March of 2021. Before coming to Dallas, Andrew was the Canon to the Dean at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Columbia, SC), where he also served as the Acting Dean during the time the cathedral sought a new Dean. Andrew has also served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Nashotah House Theological Seminary (Nashotah, WI), Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church (Atchison, KS), Dean of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry (Topeka, KS), and Canon Residentiary at Grace Episcopal Cathedral (Topeka, KS). Andrew was raised in Michigan, and completed his undergraduate studies in Psychology at Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI). He began his graduate studies at Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL), where he completed an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies. His doctoral studies were in the areas of systematic and philosophical theology, and he received his PhD from Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI). In preparation for ordination, Andrew completed an MDiv at the School of Theology of the University of the South (Sewanee, TN). He maintains an active interest in theological and philosophical scholarship, and especially appreciates the work of Michael Polanyi, Thomas F. Torrance, John Neville Figgis, and Martin Thornton.