Our Team
Meet the dedicated clergy, staff, and lay leaders of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Salinas, California. Our Rector provides spiritual guidance, while our Vestry—nine elected members who meet monthly—partners with them to steward the parish’s mission, property, and resources. Together with our staff and other lay leaders, they serve our congregation, support Good Shepherd Preschool, and strengthen our wider community with faith, compassion, and vision. Learn more about the passionate individuals who help shape the spiritual life and ministry of our welcoming Episcopal church.
Rev. Brian Cleary, Rector
Brian is passionate about connecting the Body of Christ within the church to the wider community. He believes a thriving church is built on dynamic family ministry, engaging Christian formation, transformative worship, and lively fellowship. Brian received his Master of Divinity degree from The Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 2021.
Raised in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Brian grew up in the Episcopal Church. He earned a Bachelor of Science in International Business from Northeastern University in Boston, studying abroad in Madrid and working for Mercedes-Benz. He later built a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry before founding his own company focused on renewable energy and green construction in 2007.
In 2011, Brian heard a clear call to ministry. He spent seven years deeply involved in family ministry, outreach, fundraising, mission work, and diocesan programs in Southwest Florida. In 2017, he entered discernment for the priesthood, and after seminary, served with the San Francisco Night Ministry before becoming Rector of All Souls Episcopal Church in late 2022.
Brian is an avid golfer and former PGA teaching professional. He enjoys carpentry, landscaping, reading, photography, music, and art. At the heart of his ministry is love—the love of God that calls us all into deeper relationship. He is excited to walk with you on your faith journey and is always available for pastoral care.
Sandy French, Preschool Director
Sandy French is an experienced early childhood educator and leader who is returning as Director of the preschool after serving as its director for 20 years. Her long-standing connection to the school reflects a deep commitment to its mission as well as the families and communities it serves.
Sandy believes that play is the foundation of early learning. Grounded in the principles of Early Childhood Education, she values a play-based approach that supports children’s cognitive, social, emotional, spiritual and physical development. She is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to explore.
Raised in a military family, Sandy developed adaptability and a strong sense of community from an early age—qualities that have shaped her approach to leadership and relationships. She is a proud parent of grown children and a grandparent to three grandchildren, and she brings both professional experience and personal understanding to her work with families.
In her personal time, Sandy is an avid gardener who enjoys nurturing plants and creating beautiful outdoor spaces. She loves hiking and reading, and is an active member of Church of the Good Shepherd, where she finds community and spiritual connection.
Juneau Rowe, Music Minister (she/her)
Juneau offers her art and gifts so that people will gather and tune into the internal and God-given frequencies of love and compassion, forwarding positive change into the world. She sees her role as a musical guide and usher into a kinder and tuned-in state of being; through her music, actions, and her spirit. She believes in the healing power of singing, and of music as a whole, especially when shared in community: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)
With a multi-instrumentalist background from a young age, Juneau received her Associate with Emphasis in Music from Monterey Peninsula College at age 18, and has worked professionally in nightclubs and in wedding bands since. She has been the accompanist at the Community Church of the Monterey Peninsula, the Carmel Mission, as well as the Carmelite Monastery of Our Lady and Saint Thérèse. She spent her mid-20s writing music and touring the United States with her original Synth-Pop duo, playing 45 US states over many extensive tours.
Juneau became acquainted Good Shepherd by her friend and previous music minister Clay Whittington, and was hired as the music minister in 2017. At any given Sunday service she has been known to play Piano, Organ, Harmonium, Mandolin, Octave Mandolin, Electric Bass, as well as sing and lead the Choir and Folk Ensembles. Always astounded by the love and community present at Good Shepherd, Juneau came out publicly as Transgender in 2023. She was led through the Episcopal liturgical rite of the Service of Renaming, and embraced with loving acceptance and support from the parish of Good Shepherd. She is honored to be continually chosen by the Diocesan Bishop to lead and organize music at Diocesan events.
Juneau is an avid dancer, performance artist, circus performer, roller skater, and multi-disciplinarian teacher. Using radical kindness as her barometer, she has spent her entire adult life as a vegan, and enjoys casually educating on the subject. Outside of church, she spends most of her creative energy as a singer-songwriter-producer, and enjoys playing many private events and concerts with various local musicians. She lives in downtown Monterey, and you can often find her socializing at coffee shops and in the LGBTQ+ community. She delights in bringing the unconditional love of Christ, inspired by Good Shepherd’s kindness, into the outside world; and conversely bringing her own unique youthful spark and uplifting energy, cultivated by her vibrant life, into church every Sunday.
Traci Bafford, Youth Minister & Preschool Chaplain
Traci serves as the School Chaplain and Director of Youth Services at Church of the Good Shepherd, where she brings her love of children, faith, and storytelling together to nurture the spiritual growth of young hearts.
Traci holds two Associate Degrees and has completed both Core and Advanced Training in Godly Play storytelling. Godly Play is a Montessori-inspired approach to Christian formation that invites children to explore Scripture through storytelling, wondering, and play.
In her ministry, Traci thoughtfully follows the Episcopal liturgical calendar, connecting the stories she shares with the seasons and traditions of the Church. Through her work with preschool children, Sunday School, and family ministries, she strives to create a welcoming environment where children feel loved, valued, and encouraged to grow in their relationship with God.
Outside of church, Traci enjoys baking, playing golf, and spending time with her beloved dog, Poppy.
Above all, Traci considers it a blessing to walk alongside children and their families as they discover the wonder of God's love.
Our Vestry
In the Episcopal Church, the Vestry serves as the elected governing board of the parish. Working in partnership with the Rector, Vestry members help discern and support the congregation’s mission, oversee the care of church property and finances, and provide thoughtful leadership for the life and ministry of the parish. They act as stewards of both the spiritual vision and the practical resources that enable our community to thrive.
At Church of the Good Shepherd, our Vestry currently consists of nine members who bring a range of gifts and perspectives to this shared work. The Vestry meets monthly, typically on the fourth Sunday of each month. Supporting them is a dedicated Clerk who carefully records minutes and maintains all official documentation. In addition, a volunteer Treasurer—drawn from our parish membership—oversees the financial records and reporting of the church under the direction of the Vestry.
Together, these leaders help guide Good Shepherd with faithfulness, transparency, and care for the whole community.