About Us
Mailing Address:
AMEC Department of Retirement Services
P.O. Box 1857
Memphis, TN 38101-1857
Our Team
Dr. James F. Miller
Executive Director/Plan Administrator
Prior to his election in July 2021, Dr. Miller faithfully served as a pastor for over 35 years in
the Chicago Conference of the Fourth Episcopal District. His last pastorate was DuPage AME Church
in Lisle, Illinois where he served for 32 years. Since October 1989 he led that congregation in
increasing membership from 150 to nearly 2000 and in building a $7 million worship facility.
Several capital and stewardship campaigns undergirded the financial challenge. Dr. Miller is the
proud author of, Go Build A Church: Spiritual Administration for Growth, the accompanying
workbook, 40 Days to Spiritual & Statistical Growth, Go Grow Your Church: Spiritual Leadership
for African American Congregations, and his latest book, INCREASE: A Path To Abundance for the
Local Church. Under the umbrella of JFM Ministries, Dr. Miller shares his knowledge of
stewardship and church growth with other congregations across Christendom.
Dr. Miller is an alum of Morris Brown College and McCormick Theological Seminary. He attended
John Marshall Law School in Chicago for one year. Realizing that the law was not his calling, he
accepted a position at National Bank of Detroit and was trained in managing a financial office and
customer service. His subsequent position at Continental Bank, Chicago trained Dr. Miller in budget
balancing, loan approvals, investments and high balance customer service.
Dr. Miller is the eighth (8th) elected Executive Director of the AMEC Department of Retirement
Services. He looks forward to continuing the excellent work his predecessors as well as helping to
provide additional opportunities for growth to the local churches.
Ms. Gloria J. Peterson
Executive Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
Gloria joined the team in January, 2008, after relocating to Memphis, Tennessee in December of the previous year. A native of Montgomery, Alabama; Gloria has worked in several positions related to finance. She has served as an executive secretary in a major banking environment for several years, and was most recently employed as an accountant assistant after receiving her undergraduate degree in Business Administration. In her present position, she serves as Executive Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director. In this capacity, she is responsible for executive scheduling and correspondence, compiling of required reports, and the day to day oversight of department operations.
Mr. Irven Wright
Staff Accountant/Administrative Assistant
Mr. Wright has been a member of the staff since January 2003 and serves as Internal Accountant for the department. He is responsible for all billing, accounts receivable and payable, tax filings and bank reconciliation. In addition, he assists in the verification and manual posting of all annuity and insurance payments.