guiding teacher
and board
Zen Master Jeong Ji (Anita Feng) has practiced Zen in the Korean lineage of Zen Master Seung Sahn since 1976. She studied with Zen Master Ji Bong from the 1990s, receiving Inka in 2008 and final transmission in 2015. She is married with three children and two grandchildren. For information about her Buddha sculptures, books and teachings, visit her blog at www.anitafeng.com.
AZC Board of Directors |
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Brad Tingley is a native of Albuquerque. The Tibetan nun, Pema Chodren, first introduced him
to Buddhism and meditation. He was a resident at Bodhi Manda Zen Center and studied
with Joshu Sasaki Roshi in the Rinzai tradition. He has been practicing meditation at
AZC since 1989. Brad is now a student of Jeong Ji Roshi. Recently retired from Critical
Care nursing at the University of New Mexico, Brad spends time going for walks with his
adorable senior dog named Winkie. Currently, Brad is the President of the AZC Board
of Directors.
John A. Craig joined the Albuquerque Zen Center in 2019. Since retiring from the
University of New Mexico, John has devoted himself to service-oriented work in
nonprofit and community settings, including extensive behind-the-scenes leadership in
Albuquerque’s community theatre and crisis intervention counseling with The Trevor
Project. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Albuquerque Theatre Guild
and Chairs its Youth Programs Committee, advocating for access, mentorship, and
ethical care for young people across the region. As a member of the AZC Board of
Directors, John brings a steady commitment to listening, and the quiet, ongoing work of
supporting sangha life grounded in practice, service, and shared responsibility.
Grayson Starner was born in Vermont but raised in Albuquerque since he was five years old.
With the exception of a couple of years in the Army, he has lived in Albuquerque all his
life. He lives with his wife Mikaela, young son Ronan, and a cluster of dogs and cats. He
works as a weightlifting coach and gym owner. Grayson established a meditation
practice in 2018 via app based instruction, and began attending sittings at AZC in 2021
after the Covid pandemic. He has found that the Sangha truly is a refuge and is deeply
indebted to the AZC community.
Kevin M Sheetz was born and raised in the Chicago area before moving to Albuquerque
in 2011 to study religion at the University of New Mexico. He lived down the street and
periodically attended AZC before dropping out of college and relocating to Bodhi Manda
Zen Center in Jemez Springs. After traveling the US and internationally, he returned to
Albuquerque where he is currently pursuing a degree in healthcare at CNM. He is a
self-published author of poetry and experimental fiction. In addition to being on the AZC
board, he is also the grounds manager.
Josh Carothers is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and relocated to beautiful New Mexico in 2008.
Josh has been married for 26 years and is the father of two wonderful sons. He is an
orthopedic surgeon who practices in Santa Fe. Josh began his life-changing meditation
practice in 2022 and found his way to AZC in 2024. Josh has found the AZC sangha to
be a beautiful and vibrant community. He is particularly excited to be part of AZC’s
community outreach team.
to Buddhism and meditation. He was a resident at Bodhi Manda Zen Center and studied
with Joshu Sasaki Roshi in the Rinzai tradition. He has been practicing meditation at
AZC since 1989. Brad is now a student of Jeong Ji Roshi. Recently retired from Critical
Care nursing at the University of New Mexico, Brad spends time going for walks with his
adorable senior dog named Winkie. Currently, Brad is the President of the AZC Board
of Directors.
John A. Craig joined the Albuquerque Zen Center in 2019. Since retiring from the
University of New Mexico, John has devoted himself to service-oriented work in
nonprofit and community settings, including extensive behind-the-scenes leadership in
Albuquerque’s community theatre and crisis intervention counseling with The Trevor
Project. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Albuquerque Theatre Guild
and Chairs its Youth Programs Committee, advocating for access, mentorship, and
ethical care for young people across the region. As a member of the AZC Board of
Directors, John brings a steady commitment to listening, and the quiet, ongoing work of
supporting sangha life grounded in practice, service, and shared responsibility.
Grayson Starner was born in Vermont but raised in Albuquerque since he was five years old.
With the exception of a couple of years in the Army, he has lived in Albuquerque all his
life. He lives with his wife Mikaela, young son Ronan, and a cluster of dogs and cats. He
works as a weightlifting coach and gym owner. Grayson established a meditation
practice in 2018 via app based instruction, and began attending sittings at AZC in 2021
after the Covid pandemic. He has found that the Sangha truly is a refuge and is deeply
indebted to the AZC community.
Kevin M Sheetz was born and raised in the Chicago area before moving to Albuquerque
in 2011 to study religion at the University of New Mexico. He lived down the street and
periodically attended AZC before dropping out of college and relocating to Bodhi Manda
Zen Center in Jemez Springs. After traveling the US and internationally, he returned to
Albuquerque where he is currently pursuing a degree in healthcare at CNM. He is a
self-published author of poetry and experimental fiction. In addition to being on the AZC
board, he is also the grounds manager.
Josh Carothers is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and relocated to beautiful New Mexico in 2008.
Josh has been married for 26 years and is the father of two wonderful sons. He is an
orthopedic surgeon who practices in Santa Fe. Josh began his life-changing meditation
practice in 2022 and found his way to AZC in 2024. Josh has found the AZC sangha to
be a beautiful and vibrant community. He is particularly excited to be part of AZC’s
community outreach team.
