Travel & Events

Where do independent and faith-based schools turn when seeking someone to conduct their board retreat? What kind of facilitator will best meet their needs? Someone with a proven record of leadership as a head of school, board member, someone who has dedicated their career to schools and written extensively on the issues of governance and leadership. Someone who listens, who understands, who cares about their unique circumstances. Someone who offers proven solutions to the issues that matter most.

That’s why I am always honored to be contacted by leaders like Trent Williamson of Harding Academy of Memphis to work with him and the board to strengthen their resolve to be a best-practice board. This is what Trent shared with me following the retreat: Thank you so much for taking the time and extra effort to be with us last week. It was a VERY valuable experience for our board, and I am grateful for your willingness to come and share. I am confident that your book will continue to be a resource for us in the future – and I hope we can have you back. Again, thank you for your leadership and visit!

It is incredibly rewarding to work with a school over many years, with the same amazing head of school, and a consistent best-practices board that keeps getting better. Recently, I once again had the honor to conduct the board retreat with St. James School in Montgomery, AL. Head of School Dr. Larry McLemore represents the best of what continuity in leadership is all about. For ten years, he has led his alma mater with passion and dedication, and the board embraces the distinction between their leadership and his. A new board chair is stepping into that role and following in the footsteps of consistent, outstanding board chairs. A day of discussion of the strategic role of the board, the board’s role in building the endowment, and ways to support the admissions process. My thanks to Dr. McLemore and board chair, Michael Jenkins, for a special time of learning and sharing. 

What a thrill it was to return to Providence Christian Academy (PCA) to conduct a board retreat. For many years, I served as head of school, and during that time, we were blessed with unprecedented growth and I was blessed with an incredible group of leaders and board members, where we had a shared vision about what was possible. Many thanks to head of school Dr. Andy Sheets, chair Ben Bobo, and the members of the board who continue to be a best practices, strategic board.

The Cross Schools recently added several board members and wanted them to start their tenure by learning about the strategic role of the board as well as other important issues, including board culture, board self-evaluation, the committee on trustees, and board chair leadership. My thanks to head of school Joe Almeida and board chair Frank Byrd for a great day of learning and fellowship. A bright future ahead for this amazing school.

I had a great time presenting at the Society for Classical Learning Conference in Dallas. I’m pictured with school leaders from around the country who wanted to learn more and share experiences about navigating issues and challenges unique to schools with a direct connection with a church or denomination.

Great to spend time with these amazing school leaders this week at the GISA (Georgia Independent School Association) Heads’ Retreat at St. Simons Island, GA.

I had an opportunity to meet with their Emerging Leaders Cohort and give a presentation to the heads, addressing the topic of board evaluation and goal setting. Many thanks to Dr. Jeff Jackson, Dr. Stan Whitlock, Ed.D, and Paula Gillispie for their leadership of GISA. And what a special treat to be on the program with Arch McIntosh and Darren Pascavage.

“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” – Sir Isaac Newton.

Recently, there was an opportunity to celebrate two giants in the world of Christian school leadership. Curt Masters, head of school at Brentwood Academy, and Hugh Harris, founding head of school of Franklin Christian Academy, are stepping down following long and very distinguished careers. We honored them at a special luncheon hosted by Nate Morrow at Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville. Everyone in this photo are amazing leaders who I have learned much from in my career. From left to right are Hugh Harris, me, Curt Masters, Nate Morrow, and Richard Anderson, founding head at CPA and now at Grace Christian Academy.

Society for Classical Learning does it again! The West Coast Symposium outside Portland, OR was a special opportunity for heads and boards to hear messages of encouragement and support for best practices regarding the board’s strategic role in advancement. With Advancement being one of SCL’s accreditation standards, this workshop was a special opportunity to learn from experienced leaders on these issues. I’m pictured with colleagues Jeffrey Yoder, Grant Wiley, Jason Smith, Starrla Fowler, and Sarah Spencer.

It’s always a privilege to work with the great team at the Society for Classical Learning. Recently, I had the honor of being the keynote presenter at SCL’s East Coast Symposium in Atlanta, hosted by Heritage Preparatory School. Our focus was on advancement and how the board can be most effective in its strategic advancement role. Many thanks to the wonderful leaders from SCL, including Angie Copetillo, Lauren Key, and Starrla Fowler. Also pictured is event host Matt Skinner, president of Heritage Preparatory School. It was a great two days of information, fellowship, and fun.

As always, a big thank you to The Budd Group for their special support in providing every attendee with a copy of my book. Note The Budd Group Sign in the background!