Board of Directors

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.

Mr. Jeff Ward

Chairman

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

Dr. Corbin VanDeWege

Vice-Chairman

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.

Mr. Joel Block

Joel Block is an associate attorney with Aaron Sachs & Associates, PC. He is a parent of an NCA high school student. He is married and attends Life Church in Springfield, MO

Zach Grell

Zach Pastor Grell holds a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He served a local church in IL from 2006-19 and now serves as Lead Pastor at a church in Springfield. He is married and has three children studying at NCA.

Mr. Gary Kirk

Gary Kirk: Mr. Kirk holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Missouri State University. He is employed as the Senior Executive Vice-President at a local Credit Union and is Co-Owner of a communication technology company. He is married with two children who attend NCA, and as a family, they attend River Stone Fellowship church

Mr. David Messner

Mr. David Messner is the Owner and General Manager of Rain Pro Pixel (Beyond Creative), a creative agency specializing in brand development and architectural visualization. He is a proud parent of two students at NCA: Makenna, a senior, and Michael, a freshman. The Messner family resides on a 53-acre hobby farm in a home personally designed and built by David. In his free time, he enjoys woodworking, farm life, and cooking with his wife Kara.

Mr. Richard Miller

Mr.Richard Miller holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the College of the Ozarks and serves on the Executive Board of the CofO Alumni Association. After a long banking career, he is employed as Investment Manager for a local company. He has served on the Investment Committee for NCA since 2010. Richard is married to Carolyn, who served as an elementary teacher at NCA for over 18 years. They attend a local Baptist church and have three NCA alumni children.

Dr. Sarah Murray

Dr. Sarah Murray holds a Ph.D. in Adult Learning and Leadership, with an M.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences, and a B.S. in Dietetics. She has been a Registered Dietitian for over 20 years and currently is an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Nutrition and Dietetics Program at a local university. Sarah and her husband are from the Springfield area and serve at a local Baptist church. They have two high school children at NCA, and both have attended since kindergarten.

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.

Mr. Denny Seiber

Mr. Seiber holds a Masters of Education in Sports Administration and a Bachelors of Administration in Accounting from Wichita State University. He works as The Director of Global Payments for a global travel company. Mr. Seiber is married and attends Story Church. He has children in the Elementary, Middle School, Jr High and High School divisions of NCA

Mrs. Krystal Simon

Mrs. Krystal Simon is currently pursuing a Masters Degree from Drury University. Kystal is the CEO of Care to Learn which partners with schools to tackle the issues of heath, hunger and hygiene among students. She attends Life Church and has three children at NCA.

Mr. Lance Wiley

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.

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.