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. 

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 serving as the Head of School at North Valley Christian Academy since 2018, Chris has worked in Lutheran education for over 20 years. 
He is a former advertising executive and Army veteran who currently serves as a board member for the Arizona Christian Education Coalition (AZCEC),
an ambassador for the Phoenix Rescue Mission, a member of the State of Arizona 529 Advisory Committee, and a member of the finance committee
for the Sonoran Foothills Community Association. 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.