Board of Directors

Craig Anderson (Vice-Chair)

Craig is currently a Sales Manager for Holsum Bread. He has over 35 years in sales and sales management for Holsum, Kraft Foods, and Nestlé USA.

Margaret Fippinger

Margret holds an M.Ed. in Leadership and a B.S. in Education with a minor in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University. She has worked with curriculum and state standards, conducted staff development, and taught grade four through college. 

Brent D. Garrison, Ph.D.

Brent is currently Founder and President of By The Book Consultive Group and a Senior Mentor/Discipler with CEO Forum. Brent also serves as the
Board Chair for Music Serving the Word and is on the Board of Phoenix Seminary. Prior to these assignments, Brent's career involved serving as Vice President of External Studies at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, a three-year term as president of the Association of Christian Continuing Education Schools and Seminaries and 15 years as president of Arizona Christian University. Brent is the author of 'Leadership by The Book,' a book that speaks to
the importance of character first, vision, wisdom, service and judgement for effective leadership. 

Paula Hess

After retiring in 1998 with 30 years of service as the Payroll Supervisor for the Coshocton Stainless Steel Division, Paula and her husband, Cam, moved from Ohio to Anthem in 2001. Both are charter members of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church where Paula was the church Business Manager. In 2006, she transferred as the Business Manager to Cross of Christ Christian School, which later became North Valley Christian Academy. Paula retired from NVCA in 2016 after 10 years as the Business Manager. Married since 1987, Cam and Paula have four adult children, ten grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Amy Piette

Amy is a retired registered nurse specializing in neurology. She holds a B.A. in psychology from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, and a B.S.N. from Carroll/Columbia in Milwaukee, WI. Amy is a member of Shepherd of the Desert LCMS and served for six years on the Board of Directors at Cross of Christ Christian School in Anthem, AZ.

Stephen Rituper

After serving 20 years as a fighter pilot in the USAF, Steve flew as a captain at Southwest Airlines until retiring with 22 years of service. He holds a BS from Lehigh University and an MBA from Embry-Riddle. Being married to a retired teacher from a family full of teachers, and having six grandchildren, has prompted Steve's keen interest to help enhance our community’s student success. 
 

Chris Schoenleb (Ex officio)

Presently Head of School at North Valley Christian Academy, Chris has served in Lutheran education for over 15 years.  He is a former advertising executive and Army veteran who has served on YMCA and church boards.  His education includes a B.A. in History, Kenyon College; M.B.A., University of Tennessee; M.I.M. Thunderbird; M.Ed. National Louis University;  and Colloquy certification from Concordia University, Chicago.
 

Scott Seidler

Scott serves as Senior Pastor of Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, having served small and large congregations in Michigan, Illinois, and Missouri through 26 years of pastoral ministry. After undergraduate work at Northeast Missouri State University, Scott received his MDiv from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and his DMin from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. As an adjunct instructor, Scott has taught extensively in several disciplines: preaching, church administration, worship theory and practice, philosophy, and Greek while at Concordia College, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri.

Mark Sorensen

Mark is the Senior Development Director at Hope 4 Kids International. Mark grew up on a farm in Southwest Iowa, prior to serving several roles:  Executive Director of Ingham Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp in Iowa; Development Director for Community Church of Joy in Phoenix; and Development Director in Phoenix for the Southwest Division of The Salvation Army, leading several successful campaigns totaling over 40 million dollars. Mark previously served as Chairman of the Board of Faith Lutheran School in Las Vegas, along with several church boards and committees. Happily married since 1978 to Tonya, he has   three children and five grandchildren—"Loving God, loving my family, and loving God's people!"

Gary Yiatchos (Chair)

Gary received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Seattle Pacific University and his M.B.A. from the University of Washington.  Gary held senior leadership positions in both marketing and merchandising for marquee retailers Macy’s, Inc., and Saks Department Store Group.  Gary also served as the Client Services Advocate for several national retailers in the area of CRM, customer loyalty, database management, and credit card programs.  Gary previously served as NVCA Board Chairman from 2013-2018.

Stephen Zehnder

Steve Zehnder is the Director of Educational Ministries at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, Arizona. He previously served as headmaster of Immanuel Lutheran Christian Academy in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (2016–21). Prior to that, he was the athletic director and assistant principal at Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha (2001-2016). He holds a BS in Physical Education (K–12) and a certification in Adapted Physical Education. Steve also holds an MA in Physical Education (K–12) and an MA in Educational Leadership (6–12).