New Covenant Academy is governed by an independent, volunteer board of directors, composed of parents, grandparents and professionals within the community. Board members can serve a maximum of two, three-year terms and must meet specific requirements per policy.
Role of the Board
The board convenes once a month and calls for sessions in between meetings as needed. The board hires, manages, and evaluates two employees; the Chief Academic Officer and the Chief Financial Officer (together known as the Chief Executive Team). The board approves the hiring and firing of employees at the recommendation of the Chief Executive Team. The board speaks with one voice, not many voices; therefore without a quorum and a majority vote, a formal decision cannot be passed. The board performs a fiduciary role and ensures financial solvency and integrity. The board does not handle the day-to-day operations of the school but functions as a policy maker. They ensure effective organizational planning, mission and basic values of the school's programs and services. They also serve as a "final court of appeals/judiciary board" for unresolved issues that may occasionally arise. The board approves the major goals/needs and the overall strategic plan of the school. The board is self-perpetuating, therefore they recruit new members with nominations from the New Covenant Academy constituency and take into consideration areas of expertise the board feels would benefit the Academy.
Rev. Matt Martin
Rev. Matt Martin
Board Chairman
Reverend Martin holds a master of Divinity and a bachelor's of Theology degree. He is the senior pastor of a local church here in Springfield, MO. He is married and has four children enrolled at NCA in elementary, middle school and highschool.
Term 1: 2016-2019 Term 2: 2021 to 2022
Mr. Lance Wiley
Mr. Lance Wiley
Vice-Chairman
Mr. Wiley holds a B.S. in Finance with certifications in investments and insurance. He works as an Investment Manager for a financial firm. Mr. Wiley is married and attends an Assembly of God Church. He has children in the Elementary and Jr high divisions enrolled at NCA.
Term 1: 2018 to 2021 Term 2: 2021 to 2024
Mr. Stephen Guidry
Mr. Stephen Guidry
Mr. Guidry holds a Bachelor of Science in General Business from the University of Louisiana and is employed as the owner of a chemical marketing company for the distribution of a nti-freeze, industrial coolants, and other industrial chemicals. He is married and has two children who attend NCA; as a family, they attend a non-denominational church in Springfield.
Term 1: 2021 to 2024 Term 2: 2024 to 2027
Mr. Dustin Hemsworth
Mr. Dustin Hemsworth
Mr. Dustin Hemsworth is a Project Manager for a construction company. He is a parent of a student at NCA in the elementary division. Mr. Hemsorth is married and attends a local Methodist church with his family.
Term 1: 2018 to 2021 Term 2: 2021 to 2024
Mr. Robert Hill
Mr. Robert Hill
Mr. Robert Hill holds an M.B.A. with certifications in security, audit and risk management, with a B.S. in Finance. He works as the Director of Information Security for a non-local medical system He is a parent of a student at NCA in the high school division. Mr. Hill is married and attends a local Baptist church with his family.
Term 1: 2019 to 2022 Term 2: 2022 to 2025
Mr. Richard Miller
Mr. Richard Miller
Mr.Richard Miller holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from College of the Ozarks with additional training in commercial lending from the American Bankers Association. He also has earned several college credits from Missouri State University & Drury non-degree seeking. Richard is employed as an Investment Manager for a food manufacturing company and holds a position at a local Baptist church as the Minister of Stewardship. Furthermore, he has volunteered for many years at New Covenant Academy on the Investment Committee. He is married to Carolyn, who served as an elementary teacher at NCA for over 13 years. Richard and Carolyn attend a local Baptist church and have three NCA alumni children.
Term 1: 2021 to 2024 Term 2: 2024 to 2027
Mr. Bay Mourer
Mr. Bay Mourer
Mr. Mourer holds a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Marketing and Accounting. He is a Business Development Officer for a local construction company. Bay has two children enrolled at New Covenant Academy. Together they attend an Assembly of God church in Springfield. Bay served as Board Vice-Chairman in the 2020-2021 school year.
Term 1: 2016-2019 Term 2: 2021 to 2022
Dr. Tayo Obafemi-Ajayi
Dr. Tayo Obafemi-Ajayi
Dr. Obafemi-Ajayi has earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology, a Master of Science, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. She is employed as an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at a local university. Dr. Obafemi-Ajayi is married to Dr. Emmanual Obafemi-Ajayi, a Pediatrician, who serves on NCA's medical subcommittee. Together they have two students enrolled at NCA and attend a local Assembly of God Church in Springfield.
Term 1: 2021 to 2024 Term 2: 2024 to 2027
Dr. Corbin VanDeWege
Dr. Corbin VanDeWege
Dr. VanDeWege holds an MD from the Indiana University School of Medicine and a
Bachelor's in Psychology, Chemistry & Biology from Anderson University
Dr. VanDeWege is employed as a Family Physician with a local health system, and also serves on NCA's medical subcommittee. He is married with three children who attend NCA, and as a family, they attend a non-denominational church in Springfield.
Term 1: 2021 to 2024 Term 2: 2024 to 2027
Mr. Jeff Ward
Mr. Jeff Ward
Mr. Ward has a B.A. in mechanical engineering and earned a Black Belt Six Sigma from the American Society of Quality. He is the Principal Owner of a Consulting Firm in the Food & Bev. Mfg. Industry & a Real Estate Agent. Mr. Ward is married and attends a non-denominational church and has Jr. High school students enrolled at NCA
Term 1: 2018 to 2021 Term 2: 2021 to 2024
Dr. Vickie Wisdom
Dr. Vickie Wisdom
Dr. Wisdom holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy, with an MBA in Management and Organizational Behavior and a BME in Music Education. She works at a local Christian University as Professor of Humanities in Theater Arts and formerly worked at New Covenant Academy for many years as Fine Arts Chair and Vocal Music Educator. Dr. Wisdom is married and attends an Assembly of God Church. Her two children are alumni of NCA.
