Danielle M. Clarke 

Spouse’s Name: Donald Clarke 
Grade Level of Children: grade 7 at AACS and grade 11 at another school
Profession: I currently serve as the associate general counsel/ethics officer for the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons. In addition, I serve as the church administrator and associate minister for Maple Springs Baptist Church, principal of Clarke & Co. Consulting, and president of The Sister Network. 

Kevin Rimando
Spouse’s Name: Lauren Rimando, dean of students at the AACS Middle School
Grade Level of Children: not applicable
Profession: I am the campus worship director at Bay Area Community Church.

Why have you chosen to serve on the AACS Board of Directors?
I did not choose to serve on the board, I was chosen! Truly, when I was asked to consider serving, I spent time in prayer and in discussion with my husband. With peace, I have moved forward with my nomination, willing to serve should I be voted in. My hope is that I will be an asset to the AACS leadership community as we seek to provide an excellent education built on a biblical worldview.

What do you do when you're not at AACS?
My professional calling is working in the medical field. My heart calling is nurturing the hearts and minds of my family and those He has put in my path.

Tell us about your family.
I met and married my husband, Jim, while in Michigan; I was in undergrad and he was a recent hire at Ford Motor Company. We met while volunteering together with Young Life (evangelical parachurch organization). Fast forward a few decades: we are married, still volunteering with Young Life periodically, and have two children who enrolled at AACS in kindergarten. Our son graduated in 2021, and is a student at Messiah College. Our daughter will graduate from AACS in 2024.

Where did you grow up?
I was born into a family that values faith, family, and a strong work ethic in western Michigan. At the time, I did not realize how my church and home educations formed my worldview and the foundation of a lifetime of faith in the Gospel. As I looked toward starting college, my dad said, “get out of town and see how the rest of the world lives.” I did! He has regretted those words ever since, especially with his grandchildren living in Maryland.

Describe a perfect Saturday morning.
My perfect Saturday morning would be an unhurried one: awakening refreshed, coffee, quiet time, and family waffles for breakfast. Getting in a walk or bike ride before noon would be an added delight!

What's one of your favorite Bible passages and why?
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

Every time I have to make a decision, including moving forward with this board nomination, I have clung to the promise of these verses. God has opened and shut doors over my lifetime, straightening paths that I would have made crooked should I have made them on my own. Leaning into God removes the pressure off of me and lets me rest in God’s peace. I pray this will continue to serve me and the AACS community well.

Mark Bothmer

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 recently 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 9-year-old daughter attending the Annapolis Lower 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 several grandchildren, 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.

What do you do when you're not at AACS?
I’m a Sr. Digital Advisor at Microsoft Federal. In that role, I advise CIOs and CTOs in the public sector to re-imagine how they execute their mission by creating a vivid depiction of where they want to be in the future, and then helping them to bring that vision to life. I also serve on the Leadership Team at Chesapeake Christian Fellowship in Davidsonville, MD. But my true passion is my family, which is where I spend most of my time engaged in all kinds of gatherings, events, birthdays, vacations, and any other reason we can come together in fellowship.    

Tell us about your family.
My wife, Carrie and I have been married since 1997 and are celebrating our 25th anniversary this year. We have been blessed with 5 daughters, Cassandra, Caillie, Carleigh-Ann, Caraline, and McKenna. As you can imagine, there were lots of smiles, laughter, and dancing in our household, all mixed in with a dose of drama and tears, and 2 spectacular golden retrievers. Even amid our family chaos, God’s grace and divine providence over our lives has brought us closer together.

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, while others are finishing up degrees at Liberty University, and our youngest is attending the AACS Lower 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?
AACS is an intentional investment that my wife and I are making in our children. We believe wholeheartedly that God has lead us to put our kids in a Christian school and AACS has been awesome. I would love the opportunity to have an influence on the direction of our school and be able to provide the gifts that God has given me to further the kingdom of God. I have children in the lower and upper school and I believe that I should do everything possible to have a positive influence on their life. School and the school environment/culture has a major impact on who children become. As a board member, I’ll have an opportunity to influence the future of the school that my children and their friends will grow up in.

What do you do when you're not at AACS?While I am not at AACS I am primarily doing 3 things. (1) The majority of time I am with my family in some capacity: taking kids to practice or games, working with kids on their homework, hanging out with the family, or spending one on one time with my wife. (2 & 3) When I'm not with my family I am usually either by myself trying to squeak in a workout or work on the business that I own and run, Next Rev Technologies.

Tell us about your family.
I have truly been blessed with a wonderful family. I am happily married to my wife of 18 years, Kimberly Griffin. Kim is my friend, lover, encourager, prayer warrior, superwoman mother, and proof that I clearly heard from God 18 years ago when I asked her to marry me. I have three children, Tiana (16), CJ (15), and Ryan(10).  We are outnumbered and are spread across two AACS campuses which has allowed us to make great connections with families throughout the AACS community and gain appreciation for all that AACS has to offer from K - 12.   We are definitely a sports family and I’ve had the privilege of coaching all of my kids at one point in time which has been a blessing that I can never thank God enough for.    Kim and I are in the phase of parenthood with our children where we are really focused on preparing them for college and the world that awaits in a couple of years (with our oldest two), trying our best to impart wisdom and walk alongside them as they win in life and experience challenges all the while pointing them back to the cross.  Through the great days and even the challenging days, I often find myself looking at one of the family pictures we have in our house and I just say, “thank you Lord!”

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts in a close knit family with my mother, father, older sister, and older brother.

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. After which, I’d go for a 2 – 3 mile run. 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 one when none of the games overlap, we can go to every game together as a family, and the first game starting 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?
Cherry and I believe deeply in the mission of AACS and our family has benefited from having Biblically-grounded partners in raising our kids for the sixe years since we moved to Maryland. It seems more important than ever to carefully teach the next generation how to walk in grace and truth (John 1:14), and to follow our example as we follow the example of Christ (1 Cor 11:1). 

What do you do when you're not at AACS?
I teach at the National War College in DC, which is my final Air Force assignment. Our family participated in the launch of Bay Area Community Church’s Odenton campus and I serve on the setup and teardown team there. I enjoy exercise and theology in my “free time.” 

Tell us about your family.
Cherry is amazing! She recently finished her trauma/critical care fellowship after doing five years of general surgery residency at GWU Hospital. She started back to school, nearly from scratch, all the way back in 2002 when our boys were little, and she did the first eleven years of school and training while remaining more stay-at-home-mom than student! Eric '17 is a year into his Masters in Jazz Composition in Boston and will be married in December. Zach '18 graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University (“AACS-south”) with a bachelor's degree in business. Leah '23 recently revived the Upper School’s pre-med club, and Kayleigh '26 is quite ready to be done with her middle school career. 

Where did you grow up?
I am fifth-generation Southern Californian, born and raised in Oxnard (an hour West of LA). We are contented Maryland transplants and I really only miss the weather out West. 

Describe a perfect Saturday morning.
Quiet time, Saturday morning pancakes for the fam, and no need to grocery shop...but that last part never happens!

What's one of your favorite Bible passages and why?
Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

If I could keep this one promise fully in mind at all times it would be the end to sinning and striving. I get to be with Jesus forever, to know him, enjoy him, praise him, and walk with him for ages of ages unending. I need nothing, and I have everything. What a King we serve! What a Father to adopt us! What a Shepherd to lead us! 

Why have you chosen to serve on the AACS Board of Directors?
The reasons I have chosen to serve on the AACS Board of Directors are to be a servant in God’s Kingdom and to be a steward of the institution. I asked God to use me in some capacity and the opportunity to serve on the Board presented itself, I thought that this is something that suits my interests and skills, as an educator and Developmental Psychologist. I also think as a parent and a steward of AACS that I should be invested in helping to maintain and grow the type of educational environment that I want for my child and other children. My wife, Lauren and I intentionally wanted to make an investment in our son’s future. A place that he could develop and strive in as a person and a Christian, we both have strong faiths and wanted him to be in a such a nurturing place.

What do you do when you're not at AACS?
In my spare time to relax, I enjoy reading and watching movies, particularly on historical people, events, and time periods. I also enjoy, gardening, traveling, and cooking. Spending time with my family and friends, as well as coaching my son in educational skill development and a variety of sports.  I currently serve as a professor at Prince George’s Community College, where I teach a variety of psychology courses. In addition, I serve as the Associate Executive Director of the Dr. William Montague Cobb Education Foundation.

Tell us about your family.
I am married to my best friend, Lauren Wilson Lee. We have similar stories as to how we came to be together, after praying for “our soul partner” the Lord blessed us with a chance meeting. We have been married for 16 years, we met at our Alma Mater Howard University. We have one child, Marc, Jr who is 10 years old and the joy of our hearts. He is in the fourth grade at AACS and is active in a variety of sports.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Miami, FL, the youngest of 6 children. We were a tight knit family, our parents had us in various Sunday School programs growing up. I attended primary through 12th grade and after graduation, I joined the US Marine Corps. 

Describe a perfect Saturday morning.
A perfect Saturday morning would have me beginning the day with my family and breakfast; we enjoy weekend mornings when we can slow down and enjoy time together. I would then spend time doing yard work for a couple of hours, as I find it a relaxing activity in which I can commune with my spirit in nature. Later after relaxing and reading a few passages to meditate on in the afternoon; I would take a drive with my family over to the narrows for dinner.

What's one of your favorite Bible passages and why?
Psalm 23
Psalm of David
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Psalm 23 is a family favorite passed down from my grandmother. I like it because it speaks to Jesus’ providence over our lives should we trust and believe in him. It details how he is our shepherd and provider who leads us on our path no matter the terrain; he stealthily guides, protects, and provides for all of our needs. The verse from Philippians 4:13 gives me courage to manage and endure anything no matter the circumstances, I know that Jesus and God are always with me to see it through.