Board of Directors
Aspen Tree Ministries Board of Directors
Founder & Executive Director - Rev. Dr. Diana M. DeWitt has served a number of churches throughout Middle Tennessee as a pastor in the UMC since 1996, also serving on various district and conference committees which include being the chairperson of both Spiritual Formation and Worship for the conference. Her term as an alternate on the Judicial Council of the UMC concluded at the end of the 2024 General Conference. She is currently an ordained elder in the newly formed Global Methodist Church.
Diana is the Founder and Executive Director of Aspen Tree Ministries, a 501(c)(3) which seeks to be God’s agent of grace and love in bringing people from every walk of life into healing and wholeness through the transformational power of Jesus Christ. In this capacity she is currently engaged as a regular Bible and Discipleship teacher at an area church, and offers spiritual encouragement and hope to numerous clients, including those who are incarcerated.
Dr. DeWitt received her Doctor of Ministry in the area of Transformational Leadership from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. She received her Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School. She is also a licensed teacher in the State of Tennessee, having received her Master of Education from Vanderbilt University. Dr. DeWitt holds certification in Freedom Encounter Deliverance & Inner Healing Ministries. She is the author of “The Authority of Love: Reclaiming Spiritual Authority in the Church Today,”and also “My Grandma is a Preacher.”
Diana blessings include her two children and their spouses, and her ten beautiful grandchildren. Her son and wife, Steven and Kelly, are parents to Henry, Annie, and Ruby. Her daughter and husband, Heather and Jimmy, are parents to Camden, Kaia, Layna, Mavis, Turner, Evie, and Crosley.
The following link will give a glimpse into Diana’s early faith background:
Diana Dewitt: Personal Reflections on Bishop Rueben Job and the E.U.B. Church - Juicy Ecumenism
President - Janice Denton is the Retired Manager of Supply Chain Computer Systems for the Image Collation within VF Corporation, an international corporation. She has traveled around the world, as well as managing international operations from her local base in Nashville, thus developing expertise in communications with various people groups. On one business trip to India, Janice made contact with an Indian pastor and his family, being instrumental in providing the necessary support for him to complete his PhD in evangelism at Asbury Seminary in Kentucky. She, as well as other ATM Board members, has actively supported this pastor’s ministry here in the US, as well as in Rudrapur, India,
Janice grew up in Henderson, Kentucky, and received her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems Management from Murray State University. She has been a member of Hermitage United Methodist Church where she served as Lay Leader for over 15 years. In her many leadership capacities, she has served in roles related to church administration as well as hands on ministry with the homeless and the marginalized. Janice has been involved with praise bands and has led a ukulele worship band. Janice has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Nashville Emmaus Community, serving the Emmaus community in several active rolls. Janice has also authored a book about God's love for us called "He Loves Us, I Can't Explain It: But I Am Sure Glad He Does,” which is available on Amazon.
Janice brings to the Board of Directors of Aspen Tree Ministries a heart of compassion and sensitivity, and a spirit of generosity. Her wisdom and discernment offer invaluable insights, while her ability to tackle difficult challenges with determination leads her to successfully complete complex tasks.
Vice President - Bill Pridemore is a former Metro Councilman for Davidson County, Tennessee, and also served Nashville as a Metro Police Officer for 33 years, working Homicide, Murder Squad, and Cold Case Units from 1984, until he retired in 2008. Bill served his community well as both a Metro Police Officer and as a Metro Councilman.
Bill and his wife, Denise, are active members of Hermitage UMC, where Bill serves as a Stephen Minister, has led small group studies, has served on the projection team for worship, and has been involved in several local mission projects. He currently provides transportation for senior adults as a ministry outreach in his community. Bill has also served on the Nashville Emmaus Board of Directors, filling many leadership roles. His children are Jonathan and Christine, and son-in-law, Johnny.
Bill brings to the Board of Directors of Aspen Tree Ministries his integrity and strength of character, his wisdom and spiritual sensitivity, as well as his compassionate and faith-filled responses to life.
Treasurer - Robert (Corky) Jennings is a Certified Public Accountant who is the Managing Partner of Jennings and Clouse, PLC, in Gallatin, Tennessee. Corky oversees the firm’s operations and handles a wide variety of financial and tax planning and compliance work. He brings more than three decades of experience and expertise to the financial business. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Corky was born in Nashville and raised in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He and his wife, Diane, are members of Greenville GMC, in Joelton, where he has served as an adult Sunday school teacher, and in many areas of leadership within the church including Lay Leader and Delegate to Annual Conference, Administrative Board, Pastor Parish Relations, Finance, and Witness. Corky and Diane have been married for 51 years with two children, Richard (deceased) and Daniel and two grandchildren, Lilly Kate and Piper Elizabeth.
Corky received a Bachelor’s degree (cum laude) from Austin Peay State University. He is also active and held leadership roles in a number of community organizations, including Gideons International, Rotary Club of Hendersonville, Volunteer State Community College Foundation, COMPASS (Outreach Making Partnerships At Sumner Schools), and the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Corky brings to the Board of Directors of Aspen Tree Ministries his gift of administration and organization, particularly related to financial and tax expertise. He is sought out for his spiritual wisdom and insights, and respected for his integrity and leadership abilities. His love for the Lord seasons all that he does.
Board Member - Heather Bush wears the many hats of an “on the go” Mom. She and husband, Jimmy, who were valedictorian classmates in their high school class of over 400 students in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, are busy parenting seven children. Their children include a high schooler (Layna), and two college students (Camden & Kaia), as well as their four newly adopted elementary-aged children from Taiwan (Mavis, Turner, Evie, & Crosley). In addition to her parenting responsibilities, Heather is a pre-school teacher at Little Elkes Preschool. She is a graduate of Asbury College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Heather and her family live in Lexington, Kentucky, where they have been long time members of Christ Church (formerly UMC). At Christ Church she leads a Women’s Bible Study group, is the Children and Family Coordinator, and is on the Council of Ministries. Her personal witness and outreach ministry has brought many new families to the church throughout the years.
Heather brings to the Aspen Tree Ministries Board of Directors a strong commitment to faith and family, incredible gifts of organization and implementation, and spiritual wisdom and discernment as it relates to decision-making and direction.