The Salvation Army Announces New Leadership Team in Western Pennsylvania
PITTSBURGH (July 14, 2025) – The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania is welcoming Majors Marcus and Joy Jugenheimer as the Division’s new leadership team. The new Divisional Commanders will lead The Salvation Army’s many ministries and social services throughout The Salvation Army’s 28-county service area.
Majors Marcus and Joy bring extensive leadership experience to their new roles. Major Marcus most recently served as second in command, General Secretary, of The Salvation Army’s Greater New York Division. Major Joy served alongside him as Program Secretary. Prior to serving in New York City, the Majors held these same key positions for The Salvation Army’s Massachusetts Division, based in Boston. Their journey within The Salvation Army includes a tenure as Divisional Youth Secretaries for the New Jersey Division. Majors Jugenheimer have also served as local Commanding Officers at Corps Community Centers in Connecticut, Staten Island and Spring Valley, New York, as well as in Mansfield and Canton, Ohio.
“We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to share and show the love of God through service here in Western Pennsylvania,” Major Marcus Jugenheimer said. “Our ministry is not possible without the people behind the programs, our dedicated Officers, staff, volunteers and supporters. We look forward to meeting each one of you as we listen and learn of the great work already underway in our communities. Thank you for welcoming us, it is an honor to serve alongside such a passionate team.”
Major Marcus holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Nyack College and a master’s degree in leadership and evangelism from Wheaton College. He was ordained as an Officer in The Salvation Army in 1994. Major Joy’s family has been involved in The Salvation Army for six generations and her parents also served as Salvation Army Officers. Major Joy holds a bachelor’s degree in educational ministries from Houghton College and a master’s degree in children and family ministries from Bethel Seminary. She was ordained as an Officer in The Salvation Army in 1995. Majors Jugenheimer are the proud parents of two adult daughters, Caitlyn and Chaya, and they both enjoy time with family, as well as traveling, exploring nature and reading. Major Joy is an avid crafter, and Major Marcus is a sports enthusiast. Majors Jugenheimer follow Major Greg and Joyce Hartshorn, who have retired from The Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania is also welcoming new General Secretary/Allegheny County Coordinator Major Marika Safarova-Payton, and new Program Secretary, Major David Payton. The married team most recently served as local Commanding Officers in Schenectady, New York. Majors Payton met while serving overseas with The Salvation Army in Eastern Europe. Major Marika has been an active Salvation Army officer for 24 years and has had the privilege of serving in four different countries, including the past 19 years in the United States. She speaks three languages and holds a master’s degree in education from the State University in Tbilisi, Georgia, and recently, earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Asbury Theological Seminary.
Major David grew up in The Salvation Army and has fond memories of spending years of his childhood in Pittsburgh while his parents served locally as Salvation Army Officers. He has been an officer for 32 years and has served several appointments within the Eastern Territory of the United States, as well as the Eastern Europe Territory helping to start the work of The Salvation Army again in Russia. Major David’s first two appointments were in Western Pennsylvania, Erie and Bradford. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Asbury University and a master’s degree in telecommunications from Regent University. Recently, he earned his master's degree in spiritual formation from Spring Arbor University, and he is currently in the dissertation phase of earning a Doctorate in Theology from Kairos Seminary. Majors Payton have two teenage children, Daniel, 17, and Hannah, 15.
Majors Payton follow the work of Major Philip and Jodi Lloyd, who now serve as Area Commanders in Columbus, Ohio. These appointments are part of The Salvation Army’s annual national and divisional officer reassignments.
Celebrating 160 years of global service as both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 134 countries worldwide. The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services. To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, visit salvationarmywpa.org. The Salvation Army … doing the most good for the most people in the most need.