For Pastor Hugh Hamilton, serving on the Lakeview Center board for over 20 years has been a way to support work that reaches people at some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives.
As Chair of our Board of Directors, he has been an advocate for individuals and families in need, as well as the compassionate staff who support them.
Pastor Hugh’s leadership at Lakeview Center builds on 46 years of church ministry, making sure people in need are met with care, dignity and hope.
While working toward his God and Country Award as a Boy Scout, he felt called to ministry and service to others – a calling that ran deep in his family. His grandfather, great-grandfather and 12 family members were Presbyterian ministers.
After pastorates in Mississippi and Tennessee, Pastor Hugh was called to Trinity Presbyterian Church in Pensacola, where he served for 26 years before retiring in January 2025.
Ministry beyond the church walls
When a longtime Lakeview Center team member and Trinity Presbyterian parishioner encouraged him to join the board, Pastor Hugh made it a priority to visit facilities, meet with counselors and case managers, hear their stories and ask what staff needed from board leadership.
That perspective gave him a deep appreciation for the daily realities of Lakeview Center’s behavioral health work. He listened as staff described the needs of clients, the struggles faced by counselors and case managers, and the importance of programs that respond to people with compassion and practical support.