February 2024 - Stake Conference Speaker Bios

When asked where he grew up, President Clay Kelley said “not really sure I ever grew up, but until I got married, I lived on a small farm in West Point.” President Kelley hunted and trapped a lot growing up. One time, he and his friends caught a skunk in a foot trap. His friend was told that if you hold a skunk off the ground it won’t spray. NOT true! President Kelley’s friend grabbed the chain of the trap and held it high. That skunk spun round and round like a stink sprinkler and let them all have it!

President Kelley served a mission in the Czech Republic. It was a wonderful experience for him. He loved the people and culture. He met the most kind and beautiful girl his senior year in seminary. He and a friend were some of the first to class on the first day. President Kelley wanted to sit in the back but his friend’s plan was better. They waited for the prettiest girl to come in. President Kelley’s friend sat next to her, and President Kelley sat behind her. President Kelley was fortunate enough to be the one that married her! President Kelley and his wife Noelle have five children: Cache, Koy, Claycie, Keenan, and Quincie. Their children are the joy of their lives.
President Kelley is a plumber currently employed at Robert Speirs Plumbing. He has served many times teaching the youth in Sunday School, as Young Men’s President, a counselor in the Young Men’s Presidency, Scout Master, Ward Mission Leader, Elders Quorum Presidency counselor, High Councilor, and now as second counselor in the Stake Presidency. He said what he loves most about his current calling is meeting all of the wonderful and faithful members of our stake. He said “They are so amazing!”

Steve Hamblin

Steve Hamblin is a native-born Utahn, who was raised right here in Syracuse. He has been blessed to be married for 38 years to his wonderful wife, Alison. Together they have three wonderful daughters and six beautiful grandchildren. Rising through the ranks, Steve has been employed by the same company for over 40 years. He has served in myriad church callings including service among the Young Single Adults. Steve currently serves as the Syracuse Fremont Park Stake Executive Secretary. When Steve is not spending time with family, working, or serving in the church, you will find him spending his time admiring the outdoors while in the mountains.

Ryan McKeehan was born in San Jose, California, and raised in Portland, Oregon

where he lived until age 18. He attended BYU-Hawaii for his freshman year of college before serving as a full-time missionary in Sydney, Australia. Upon his return, he attended Ricks College where he met Heidi, his beautiful wife of 30 years. Ryan completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at BYU. Ryan and Heidi have five children (3 girls and 2 boys) and 3 granddaughters. Ryan’s church service has allowed him to spend much of his time with the youth and serving among the Young Single Adults. Ryan teaches at WSU and currently serves as the Syracuse Fremont Park Stake Clerk. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his grandkids, hiking in the mountains, and watching BYU sports.

Charles Hamilton was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 13. From his earliest years, he has always had a love for and a desire to serve the Lord. At age 19, Charles was called to serve as a full-time missionary in the Louisiana, Baton Rouge Mission. Upon his return home, Charles met and married his wonderful wife, Shea Gibson of Kaysville, Utah. Together they have three amazing children (Cameron, Ella, and Griffen) who have brought immeasurable joy to their lives. Charles has an undergraduate degree from BYU in Psychology, a master’s in Family Studies, and a doctorate in Education, both from USU. Charles currently works for the Church as a Product Manager and serves as our Syracuse Fremont Park Stake President. In his free time, Charles loves to be outdoors running, hiking, or camping.

 More affectionately known as Liesa Tobler’s husband, Brian and Liesa have lived in Syracuse since 1998 and have been blessed with four wonderful children.  As the son of a college professor, Brian grew up in Utah County and was fortunate to live in Austria on two different occasions as a boy.  Those experiences abroad inspired a lifelong love for language, literature and learning.  Brian attended Ricks College for a year prior to his mission to Munich, Germany, and later graduated from BYU.  Brian has been a serial entrepreneur for most of his professional career and currently owns a lighting consulting company.  Brian has enjoyed a wide variety of callings and opportunities for service in the church, most recently called as the newest member of the stake high council.  Traveling with Liesa, working in the yard, any and all BYU sports, and engaging conversation are a few of Brian’s favorite pursuits.   

 Joy Ence is the lucky wife of Matthew Ence and mother of 3 wonderful children, 2 amazing daughters-in-law, and 3 grandchildren: The Amazing Margo, Arlin the Great, and Rune the Magnificent, with a fourth grandchild due in June.

Joy stays busy working as a Dental Hygienist and owns a teeth whitening business. She loves learning and sharing all there is to know about dental health. 

You'll find Joy running through the neighborhoods and trails of Syracuse a few days a week. She also loves to travel, read, organize, hike, camp, work in the yard, and spend as much time with the family as possible.