Wilshire staffer Holly Irvin says her favorite pastime is organizing. “I get a lot of joy figuring out all the details and watching something come to fruition — in my personal life and at work.”
That attention to detail has served Holly and Wilshire well for 20 years. Holly’s milestone anniversary as a Wilshire staff member will be celebrated near the end of worship today.
As director of hospitality, Holly supervises Wilshire’s facilities, food service and maintenance areas. She manages the master church calendar and coordinates with staff to make sure events in the building come off without a hitch.
“A big part of my job,” Holly said, “is ensuring that each person is fulfilling their job responsibilities and working as a team — and making sure they have what they need to get their job done. Our kitchen, facilities and maintenance folks do a great job with being teammates and allowing each to use their own skills that they bring to their position.”
Holly also serves as Wilshire’s wedding administrator and is the main point of contact for outside groups who use the building.
Her tenure at Wilshire began in the copy and mail room. She then served as education ministry assistant for eight years before becoming hospitality manager and then director of hospitality.
“I’ve grown a lot as I’ve transitioned through the different roles, and I’m very proud of that,” Holly said. “I’m grateful for the opportunities Mark Wingfield, Doug Haney and others afforded me along the way, and the support and mentorship I received from Geri McKenzie has made a huge impact on me in the last five years.
“While it’s been challenging and difficult at times,” Holly said, “I still believe I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”
Geri, who recently left her role as executive director of administration, said, “It has been an honor to walk alongside Holly over the past 20 years and such a joy to witness her professional growth and confidence. She has such a willing spirit to learn and to help others.”
Holly lives in Duncanville and is married to Jonathan. The couple has two sons, Nathan and Jakobe, and two grandchildren, Parklynn and Miller. Along with organizing, Holly enjoys RV travel and camping with friends and family. “There’s something I love about being in the vehicle, stuck with the other person — the uncomfortable silences and also the conversations you never planned to have.”
Associate Pastor Heather Mustain said, “It has been remarkable to watch Holly grow into whatever new role is thrown at her. Her willingness to continually say yes shows that she has a servant’s heart and a growth mindset. So much of Holly’s time is spent making sure we can do what we do throughout the week and on Sundays. We are blessed beyond measure to have had her for two decades. Here’s to two more!”