Governance & Board

Why have you chosen to serve on the AACS Board of Directors?
I’ve been investing in AACS since our kids started. I’ve witnessed and experienced the blessing to our family and so many other students and families.  I’m humbled by the privilege to further serve the students, alumni, families, faculty, and administration as an appointed member of the board.  I desire to bring my business, perspectives, and experiences to sustain and enhance the partnership with the AACS community in discipleship and education of our students.

What do you do when you're not at AACS?

I own a boutique consulting firm focused on solutions for private companies and their families, which combines my career experiences in finance, risk, wealth management, and creative solution development to align with clients’ personal and business goals. Outside of business, I enjoy time with the family and friends. Much of my time I am thrilled to be involved with our kids and their friends and just be available. 

Tell us about your family.
My wife Christy and I have been married since 1996 and in 1998 moved to Annapolis from Northern Virginia. We have two children, Garrett and Kelley.  Garrett is a 2017 AACS graduate and a 2021 graduate of Full Sail University with a Bachelor's Degree in Audio Engineering. He and his wife Brooke Wadsworth Atkinson (2016 AACS graduate) live in the area. Brooke is on staff with Youth for Christ and Garrett continues to pursue his passion in music, evolving his recording, mixing and mastering business GDA Productions. Kelley is a 2022 AACS graduate and is enrolled at Liberty University pursuing her passions in journalism and photography.  We enjoy watching TV shows and playing corn hole together and love when our kids’ friends are routinely over. 

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Describe a perfect Saturday morning.
An early morning mocha coffee sitting outside on our screen porch.  Then heading back to make breakfast for the family with bacon, eggs, and french toast.

What's one of your favorite Bible passages and why?
Acts 2:42-47
"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

I’d say this is one my core passages. I’ve always been fascinated with the apparent simplicity of the early church and the picture of the believers being together in such tangible and practical ways.  I so much enjoy just being with folks and hanging out, mentoring, and encouraging young people and their families.

Why have you chosen to serve on the AACS Board of Directors?

Passion and purpose. If I can find passion for something because of its compelling purpose, I am all in. Having two sets of kids go through AACS with a decade age gap between them, I have the unique perspective of witnessing the positive influence of AACS for a second time.

What do you do when you're not at AACS?

Since 2013, I have served as the Director of Registration and Enrollment at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. In this role, I am responsible for the curriculum and schedule of classes, final exams, grading, record retention, FERPA enforcement, certifying records and graduates, and leading the office. I have also served two terms as an elected member of the Staff Senate for the University of Maryland. I am a licensed attorney in the State of Maryland (inactive as of 2026) and Texas (inactive since 2000). Finally, I sang in an opera (The Elixir of Love) as a member of the opera chorus for the Victorian Lyric Opera Company in Rockville, MD. 

Tell us about your family.

My wife, Sharon, and I have been married since 1993. We met at the University of Maryland College Park, as undergraduates. Regarding our kids, Sarah, a 2014 AACS graduate, does content development/instructional design for Lego Corp.  Andy, a 2018 AACS graduate, is at Indiana University at the Jacobs School of Music completing his Master of Music in Voice Performance.  Sam,  a 2025 AACS graduate, is currently finishing his first year at Belmont University in Audio Engineering.  Abby is finishing  10th grade at AACS and is active in color guard/marching band, AACS musicals and the Spanish Honor Society.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the Southgate Community of Anne Arundel County since 1976. I attended Southgate Elementary, Old Mill North, and Old Mill Senior High School having graduated in 1985.

Describe a perfect Saturday morning.

A perfect Saturday morning would be spent with my family at the National Gallery of Art in DC, surrounded by Thomas Cole's The Voyage of Life paintings, followed by a meal at the Cascade Café, watching the waterfall and cascading lights in the pedestrian tunnel.

What's one of your favorite Bible passages and why?

Jeremiah 29:11 - " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' ” 

I remember hearing this read by Dr. Tony Evans at a Promise Keepers Conference, and it was a powerful reminder that God is in control and knows His plans on my behalf, so it is unnecessary to worry or set my own agenda.

Why have you chosen to serve on the AACS Board of Directors?

For my wife Carrie and I, AACS holds a special place in our hearts. My wife graduated from AACS in 1989, and two of our daughters graduated in 2018 and 2019. The impact we have seen in their lives alone throughout their time at AACS and after graduation has inspired me to be more intentional and impactful toward the mission of AACS. Serving on the Board affords me the opportunity to do just that.

We also have a 12-year-old daughter attending the AACS Middle School, and we can see the impact the teachers and staff have had on her young mind as she grows in her own personal relationship with Christ and in understanding her faith. My wife and I have entered the stage of our lives where we have been blessed with eight grandchildren (and growing), and I want to play a role in ensuring they will have the opportunity to attend AACS, a school that continues to honor Christ in how it executes its mission.

My wife and I are now at a point where some of our daughters have started their own careers, and families, and blessed us with grandchildren, and our youngest is attending the AACS Middle school.
 

Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Sussex County, New Jersey with 3 other siblings, but by the age of 11, our family migrated to the beautiful mountainous area of Flagstaff Arizona, where we lived until I graduated from High School. The move to Arizona was spurred on by my father in pursuit of a better life for our family. His faithfulness to that dream paid off.

I graduated from Coconino High School in Flagstaff and shortly thereafter was accepted to California State Fullerton, as a Music Performance major. After I completed a full year in the music program, I made the decision to return home to Flagstaff, and enrolled in Northern Arizona University, where I changed my major to Computer Science. I joined the Air Force ROTC program, and upon graduation, I was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force and started my career. Should we run into each other, feel free to ask me why I made such a drastic change.

Describe a perfect Saturday morning.
A perfect Saturday morning is still an early-to-rise morning (5:00am) as I enjoy being the first up to have some quiet time, a cup of coffee, and an opportunity to watch the sunrise, and behold the glory of the day’s beginning.

What's one of your favorite Bible passages and why?
Romans 5: 1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

This verse reminds me that throughout our lives, God is with us all the time, intertwined in every tiny aspect, through the joyful moments that lift us upward, and the tragic moments that take our breath away. If we sincerely seek Jesus, we can find peace and hope no matter the circumstances.

Why have you chosen to serve on the AACS Board of Directors?

Serving the AACS community has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. Our family has been part of AACS since 2008, and as our youngest daughter nears the end of her time here, this season feels especially meaningful and bittersweet.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to give back to a community that has strengthened and shaped our family in so many ways. It is truly an honor to serve alongside others who are dedicated to supporting students and advancing the mission of the school.

What do you do when you're not at AACS?

I am the Executive Director of Historic London Town and Gardens in Edgewater, where I oversee development, private events, educational programming, and the stewardship of our public gardens. In this role, I am passionate about preserving history, caring for the natural landscape, and creating meaningful experiences that connect people to both the past and the environment.

I am also actively involved at Bay Area Community Church, serving in Student Ministry and on the Connections Team. In addition, I serve on the Council of the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area, where I advocate for the preservation and appreciation of Maryland’s history.

Tell us about your family.

My husband Joe and I have been married for 25 years! We moved to Annapolis in 2004, knowing it was a place where we wanted to put down roots and raise our family.

We have been blessed with three children. Our son, Alexander, is a 2021 AACS graduate who attended from kindergarten through 12th grade and is now studying History at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Our daughter Julia attended AACS through her sophomore year and is now pursuing her passion for ballet as a trainee with the St. Louis Ballet. Our youngest, Anna, is a rising senior at AACS and has been part of the community since pre-K.

Our children were involved in the AACS drama program, and as a family, we have a deep appreciation for the arts. We love spending time together attending live theater and ballet performances. We also have a family dog and may be adding another one soon, something everyone is very excited about!

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the oldest of three siblings. I attended Penn State University, where I earned a degree in Advertising with an emphasis in Public Relations. After college, I moved to the DC area, and Joe and I were married shortly after in 2001.

Describe a perfect Saturday morning. 

These days, a perfect Saturday morning starts with sleeping in just a little, waking around 7:30 or 8:00, followed by getting outside. In the warmer months, I love being out on the water with my paddleboard, and in the colder seasons, I enjoy going for a hike. I also love taking a yoga class or exploring a local farmers' market. Ending the day cooking dinner for my family just feels like the perfect ending.

What is one of your favorite Bible passages and why?

Proverbs 15:1 - “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

This verse has been a steady guide for me over the years. I’m still growing in it, but it reminds me to lead with patience, listen well, and respond with grace, especially in challenging moments.

Describe a perfect Saturday morning.
A perfect Saturday morning for me would be one on which I wake up without an alarm clock. I’d go downstairs and have my prayer and reading time uninterrupted. I’d look at the calendar and realize that there is no sports practice or games for the kids until the afternoon. After which, I’d work out with my wife at the gym. After returning, I’d have breakfast with the family to catch up on things and discuss the plans for the day.  The perfect plan would be doing one of my favorite activities which is to watch my kids play games in their respective sports.   None of the games would overlap, and we could go to every game together as a family and the first game would start at noon, so we don’t have to rush. 

What's one of your favorite Bible passages and why?
Mathew 6:33
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

This is one of my favorite passages because it keeps me grounded and directs my focus. It reminds me that God is in control and that none of the other things that I work at and do should ever supersede or take me away from building my relationship with God. The scripture also reminds me that God will provide and make a way even though I can’t see it so that things that seem big and would normally be stressful aren’t worth stressing about, and my faith should be placed in Him. I’ve literally lived this scripture and seen it in my walk with the Lord in so many ways.

Why have you chosen to serve on the AACS Board of Directors?

I want to use my spiritual gifts and talents to help the school carry out its academic and spiritual missions. We are a new family to AACS, and I wanted a way to jump in and serve right away. 

What do you do when you're not at AACS? 

I work full-time as a government contractor. I love to exercise, read, and spend time with family and friends.

Tell us about your family.  

I am married to Dale, and we have three children. Hannah, 20, attends the University of Maryland. Sophia, 18, is a senior at Archbishop Spalding, and our son Seth, 15, is a tenth grader at AACS.  

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Describe a perfect Saturday morning.  

A perfect Saturday morning consists of an early morning workout with little else scheduled.  We don't have much time together as a family because of our kids' ages, so having spontaneous time together is a gift. 

What's one of your favorite Bible passages, and why?  

Philippians 4:6-8:  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.           

I love this passage because it reminds us that the Lord is sovereign. I am reminded not to waste mental energy worrying about things that are out of our control. Instead, we are to focus on things related to the Almighty.

View the file: AACS Articles of Incorporation.pdf

View the file: Constitution and ByLaws Updated April 9, 2024