A request from twelve women attending a Business Administration Course at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (PSCE) in Richmond, VA laid the groundwork for a professional organization to be created. There was a need and desire for an association for lay employees in the offices of the churches/boards/agencies of the PC(USA) denomination. Thus, the Administrative Personnel Association, PC(USA) was founded in 1976 by Joyce Bauer as the Presbyterian Secretarial Association of the Southern Church (PCUS). Within two years, the UPCUSA church staff was invited to join as they had no similar association.
This Association continues to grow and currently has members across the country in five regions (Atlantic, Heartland, Pacific, Southeast, and Southwest). Annual regional conference are held in various locations.