Our Family

Arla Silva, Senior Product Consultant, has been with ChurchPlaza since 2002. She hails from
Philadelphia, PA and moved to Sarasota in the late 80s. Her passion for the church led her to work as the
Worship Leader and Music Director of her home church for 14 years and now serves as a Worship Leader
Emeritus. She and her husband have 6 adult children and enjoy long distance running and cycling in their
spare time.

Jeffrey Care or Jeff as we like to call him is a Senior Product Consultant for ChurchPlaza.
He has vast experience in customer service with over 15 years as a product buyer and manager at a Christian
bookstore. His church family has seen him lead as a worship team member, small group leader, and committee
chairman. Jeff has been married to his wife for over 22 years and the pair have two children, as well as two
grandsons.

Deborah Dennis joined the ChurchPlaza team in 2011 as a Senior Sales Consultant after being
in the retail construction industry for years. Deb and her husband have twin boys and they enjoy performing
on pipes and drums at Scottish Highland Games throughout the Southeast. Friday afternoons, you will find
Deb sharing the gospel to the incarcerated church, but more importantly training female inmates likewise to
share the gospel of Jesus. Deb enjoys performing with her band Blue Skye Pipes and Drums, gardening, and
smoking meats on the weekend.

Chad Woehnker joined ChurchPlaza in 2018 as a Product Consultant. He comes from “Up-North”
Wisconsin and moved to Florida with his family in 2001. Chad served for 7 years on staff as Worship Leader,
Associate Pastor and Youth Minister at a local Pentecostal Church. He is actively involved in his church
family and serves on the worship team as a musician and lay-person. Chad has a passion for music, outdoor
activities, building things and most importantly spending quality time with his Wife and 2 young children.

Donna Hoefer joined our team in 2022 as a Product Consultant. She has an associate degree
in Theology, has served as a missionary. She is a graduate from a 4-year Christian leadership training
program. She and her husband have three beautiful, ambitious & talented adult children. She has lived
coast to coast. Her passions are fitness, nutrition, swimming, strolling the coast, admiring God’s
creations, and growing in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Alicia Lotz joined our team in 2022 as a Product Consultant. She moved to Florida from
California, to be closer to her retired parents. She spent her career in the state working in hospitality
management, at a beautiful 110-year-old historic hotel, until she joined ChurchPlaza. Prior to settling in
Florida, she lived much of her life in Maryland, Hawaii, and California. She has traveled cross-county
working in Ministry. She is involved in and supports women ministries at her church and in her local
community. In her free time, she loves going on sunset beach walks, spending time with the many dogs in her
life, attempting yoga and a healthier lifestyle.

Nitza Dowdy joined our team in 1999 and is the Chief Operating Officer. She and her husband
have 4 grown children and two grandchildren. She enjoys fishing and spending time with family. Nitza is
committed to working with the ChurchPlaza team to bring the best Quality Products and Services to our
Customers.

Christina Slocum joined our team in 1999 and is the Operations Manager. She and her husband
love to travel and enjoy spending time outdoors relaxing and fishing. Christina enjoys daily interaction
with customers, assisting with any needs they may have. She always works to make their experience as easy
and enjoyable as possible.

Dr. Thomas McElheny founded ChurchPlaza over 35 years ago and currently serves as our CEO.
Tom grew up in Pennsylvania and has earned his MBA as well as a doctoral degree from Florida Atlantic
University where he later served as a faculty member and director of the Center for Management and
Professional Development. Tom served as a Marine infantry officer for 7 years where his positions included
Team Leader, Jumpmaster, and Airborne Officer. He has been married for over 40 years and the couple has four
children and five grandchildren. Tom and his wife greatly enjoy serving at their local church where he has
served as the director of Christian Education. Tom has served as CEO to several other companies as well as
being on the local school board and as a trustee for several colleges.