LAKELAND — Florida Conference Bishop J. Lloyd Knox announced the appointment of two new district superintendents at the Feb. 21 meeting of the cabinet. The Rev. Wayne Curry will serve as DeLand’s district superintendent, and the Rev. Albert Blomquist will lead the Tampa District.

The appointments will be effective at the Dare to Share Jesus 2001 Florida Annual Conference Event in June.

The Rev. Mont Duncan, superintendent of the DeLand District, was elected executive director of the Florida Conference’s Office of New Church Development and Church Redevelopment. The Rev. David Brazelton, superintendent of the Tampa District, is also taking a new assignment, which will be announced at a later date.

Although appointed to a particular district, superintendents serve the entire conference as an extension and representative of the bishop’s office, according to The United Methodist Book of Discipline.

Knox said both superintendents have a variety of experience, especially leading churches to periods of growth. "Both are good leaders," he said. "They are well-qualified, capable clergy who know the conference well."

DeLand District: Wayne Curry is currently serving as senior pastor of First United Methodist Church, Orlando. In his 27 years of service to the United Methodist Church, Curry has served churches in St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor and Largo and on both the district Committee on Ordained Ministry and conference Board of Ordained Ministry. He has held various positions on the district council on ministries and received the Denman Evangelism Award in 1984.

"Creativity and imagination are words that describe Wayne," Knox said. "He knows about diversity…and taking a church from being a small church to a booming church."

Tampa District: Albert Blomquist is currently serving as pastor of First United Methodist Church, Coral Gables. His 28 years of service to the United Methodist Church includes pastoral appointments in Dunedin and St. Petersburg. Blomquist was the organizing pastor of Clearwater’s Heritage United Methodist Church and chaplain to the Pinellas County Department of Corrections for nearly five years. He was a member and chairman of the Pinellas County School Board and a member of the Florida Education Practices Commission and the All Florida School Board. He serves on the board of directors for the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, Miami’s Community Partnership for the Homeless and Alfalit.