Tony Payne, Publishing Director

Tony Payne began work as Matthias Media’s first editor in 1988. Since then, Tony has been a busy guy: with his wife, Alison, he has grown a family of five children; he has completed a degree in theology at Moore Theological College; and he has written or co-written numerous ministry resources, and edited many others. Tony’s main responsibilities are to oversee everything we publish (including The Briefing), and to get as much writing done as possible.

Ian Carmichael, Business Growth Director

Ian has also been with Matthias Media from the very beginning (1988). For most of the last 20 years, he has taken responsibility for the business, logistics and financial aspects of the organization. His role now focuses particularly on growing Matthias Media as a business, through overseeing sales and marketing, and expansion into new areas. Ian and his wife, Stephanie, have two children.

Liza Tan, Operations Manager

Liza joined Matthias Media in 2008 to relieve Ian of a range of direct operational responsibilities. She manages the operations and finance side of the business: stock management, logistics, customer service, administration and finance.

Marty Sweeney, Director of Ministry, Matthias Media USA

Marty started Matthias Media USA in September 2006. Prior to that, he worked as a youth pastor and pastor at various churches. Marty studied finance at college and theology at seminary. Marty and his wife, Abby, live in a rural town in western Pennsylvania along with their children Claire, Malachi and Corinne, and two dogs, Kiko and Nellie.

Sam Freney, Briefing and Resources Editor

Sam joined the Matthias Media team part-time in 2011 to become the Briefing Editor, and to oversee its transition into an online magazine. Sam is a graduate of Moore Theological College, and brings a very helpful blend of ministry experience, theological depth, strong communication and design skills, and technical programming nous. In 2012 he joined us full-time, and has the extra responsibility of overseeing the development of ministry resources that take advantage of new publishing technologies and platforms.

John Sammut, Sales Representative

John is enthusiastic and excited about helping any Christian to grow and share the gospel, which is another way of saying that he looks for and takes any opportunity he can find to persuade people to use Matthias Media resources. John spends a good deal of time visiting pastors to talk about how Matthias Media can help in their ministries. He is married to Kathy and they have three sons.

Emma Thornett, Production Coordinator

Emma is the organizational hub of the Publishing Department. She manages all aspects of the production schedule, does some editing, and assists Tony in his day-to-day administration. Emma loves cats and is, according to her work mates, ‘frighteningly efficient’.

Rachel Macdonald, Staff Editor (The Briefing)

Rachel keeps The Briefing running, from editing to updating the website to reminding authors and staff of its deadlines. She particularly enjoys making long articles shorter, which comes in handy. She and her husband Seumas are looking forward to moving to Mongolia to help train Christians there.

Jessica Green, Graphic Designer

Jessica joined the Matthias Media team in early 2007 with a mission to (in her words) “make things pretty”. She actually has proper qualifications in ‘making things pretty’ (B. Design) and she enjoys doing it for a living. Jessica thrives on plenty of snacks, constant iTunes, and regular doses of AustenBlog.

Jeff Ickes, Customer Service (USA)

Jeff came to Matthias Media in 2009. He oversees operations and customer service in the North American office. Previously, Jeff served as account and sales manager for an aviation parts company as well as serving four years in the United States Air Force. Jeff and his wife, Tina, live with their two children—Joseph and Mary—in beautiful rural Ohio.

Lottie Medvit, Customer Service (USA)

Lottie is happy to give up a few days a week to help out at Matthias Media. Her full-time job is being wife to James and mother to Nathaniel, Carmen and Molly. They reside in beautiful Western Pennsylvania. She studied psychology at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania.

Guy Betbeder-Matibet, Customer Service (Australia)

Order a resource, and there’s every chance it will be packed and dispatched by Guy. He’s been sending out your orders since November 2002. He is married to Samantha, and enjoys fishing, playing board games and watching all sorts of sports on TV.

Anna Cole, Customer Service (Australia)

Anna joined the Matthias Media team in June 2002, and her cheery voice is the one you’re most likely to hear when you call us. Her role includes answering customer enquiries, advising about which resources are best for which needs, and processing orders. She also ensures that Briefing subscriptions are kept up to date.

Wendy Stepkovitch, Bookkeeper/Financial Administrative Assistant

After 26 years working in a physiotherapy practice, Wendy was looking for a change! Wendy joined the team at Matthias Media in June 2008, and is revelling in finding her way around Apple Macs, providing assistance to the Operations Manager, and making sure that everyone (staff and suppliers) receive their just reward for the work they do (i.e. get paid). Wendy and her husband, Nick, have three children.

Joy Lankshear, Graphic Designer

Whilst not strictly an employee of Matthias Media, Joy does so much of our design work she might as well be. (In fact she once was.) She is one of Australia’s top designers, and spends much of her time on Christian projects. For more evidence of her skill, visit her web site.

The Board of Directors

Matthias Media is a not-for-profit company (incorporated in Australia and limited by guarantee), with a board of directors that oversees all that we do, and keeps us on the straight and narrow as an organization. Currently the directors of the Australian company are: Rev Sandy Grant (Chair), Mrs Claire Smith, Mr Robert Tong, Mr Jonathan Marquet, and Mr Andy Simpkin. Tony Payne and Ian Carmichael are executive directors. The directors of Matthias Media (USA) are: Andrew Smith (Chair), Colleen Gallagher, Grady Summers, Michael L Johnson, William Daugherty and Ian Carmichael. Marty Sweeney is an executive director.