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Board of Directors

Board of Directors

River Mill Academy is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the parents of currently enrolled students. The Board is responsible for the legal and financial obligations of the school. The Board sets the general direction and policy of the school but does not manage it on a daily basis.

Board meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm and are open to the public.

Board Documents:
Procedure for Conduct of the Meeting
Fundamentals of Parliamentary Procedure
Bylaws (Revision 4, approved August 15, 2013)

 Board of Directors 2022-2023
Brent Smith

Chairman -
Community Member Seat



336.684.4642(cell)

[email protected]
Children at the school (current and graduates): Aydan and Kristen
Number of years at the school:  8 years
Previous commitments to RMA:  I served as an assistant varsity boys basketball coach for 8 years. I also served two terms on the Board of Directors.
Current occupation:  I am Parts Manager at Stearns Ford and a local Pastor.
What I specifically bring to the board:  I believe that as I've had the opportunity to work with parents and students in the local church, it helps me see how we as parents and educators play such a huge role in the growth of our kids today. Also, from the 18 years of working in the automotive industry, I have been able to hear people's problems and help come to a positive solution.
Comments:  I am so excited about the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors and coach here at River Mill Academy. It is so encouraging to see the hard work that our school is pursuing to achieve its goals. My family and I are thankful for the opportunity.
Morgan Whitney

Vice-Chairman - Parent Seat


 
James Penrod

Treasurer - Parent Seat


 
Jill Davis

Community Member Seat




[email protected]
Children at the school (current and graduates): Mattie (Class of 2021) and Sarah (7th)
Number of years at the school: 11 years
Previous commitments to RMA: I have been a volunteer at RMA since my oldest daughter started school here; I jumped right in to help however needed. I joined PTT that first year; my second year I was Vice President, the two years after that I was President. From 2016-2017 I served on the Board in a Parent Seat and was Board Secretary; from 2017-2019, I served on the Board in a Community Member Seat and was Board Secretary; from 2019 to present, I have served on the Board in a Community Seat and served on various committees. I enjoy being on the Board and serving the students, families, faculty, and staff of River Mill Academy.
Current occupation: Executive Assistant to Dean Martin Brinkley at UNC Chapel Hill School of Law.
What I specifically bring to the board: I have always had a heart for helping others. I have had the opportunity over the past several years to get to know other parents, students, faculty, and staff here and I will be able to make sound decisions that will benefit everyone involved. As a committed parent to wanting the best for my children, their peers, faculty and staff, I will strive to do what is best for everyone at the school.
Comments: I appreciate my children having the opportunity to attend River Mill Academy and all it offers. I have watched my children grow into responsible young women. My oldest daughter graduated in 2021; she is currently attending Alamance Community College and plans to transfer to Western Carolina in the Fall of 2023. I feel everything she learned here at RMA prepared her for college life. The parent involvement in this school is amazing and encouraging to me; I look forward to serving the parents, families, faculty, and staff of River Mill Academy for many years to come.
Mary Faucette
Parent Seat


[email protected]
Children at the school (current and graduates):  Berkley (8th), Linen (5th), and Jameson (1st)
Number of years at the school:  9 years
Previous commitments to RMA:  I have chaperoned class field trips, donated snacks and supplies annually, helped with class activities, and supported PTT.
Current occupation:  Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Director for the Town of Morrisville
What I specifically bring to the board:  I have sixteen years of experience as a Parks and Recreation professional. Serving in my various roles I have had the opportunity to lead community events, create a variety of activities and programs and I am a Past President of Alamance Arts, a current Board member for the Alamance Chamber, Alamance Arts, and former chair of S.A.F.E Kids of Alamance County. I value family time and strive to have an integrated work-life balance. I have an extensive background in sports. I have coaching experience with Graham Recreation & Parks and helped establish YBAC Hurricanes swim team. I lead with kindness and use a creative process. My children and all the children at RMA are our future, and I am excited to have the opportunity to support their learning process.
Comments:  My prayers were answered when Berkley's name was drawn in the lottery knowing she was accepted to attend RMA, and that her siblings would follow. The dedication the staff brings to the classroom is much appreciated. As a board member, I am excited to strengthen the support for the students, staff, and administration that they need to continue their pursuit of academic excellence.
Michelle Quinlivan-Smith
Community Member Seat



mquinlivan-smith@rivermill-academy.org
Children at the school (current and graduates):   Haddon (5th grade), Grayson (2nd grade), Warren (kindergarten)
Number of years at the school: one year
Previous commitments to RMA:   Last school year was our start with RMA. I supported the PTT with fundraisers and sending supplies/donations as needed. We are looking forward to becoming more involved with the school community.
Current occupation:   I work for Pension Planning Solutions, Inc.; a boutique investment advisory firm in Greensboro. As a small business I know the importance of personal touch, relationships and attention to detail.
What I specifically bring to the board:  As a working mother with 4 children, I understand the demands on parents, schools and students. In my line of work I am familiar reading and following specific legal documents dictating how we can conduct business. Effective communication is vital in all aspects of life and to do so well one must be organized and detailed. I have past experience on a board of directors for a home owners association; I served three two-year terms, the first term as treasurer and then as president for the next two terms. Additionally, I am in my 4th year as a Girl Scout leader (my 18th year as a girl scout), so I am accustomed to team work with young people as the focus.
Comments: I believe in leading by example in showing my children the importance of community involvement and actively participating. While I recognize we are still new to RMA, I think it is an opportunity to bring a new perspective and view to the board.
Kenny Risen
Community Member Seat


krisen@rivermill-academy.org
Children at the school (current and graduates:  Kaleb and Colton Risen
Number of years at the school:  8 years
Previous commitments to RMA: 
I have served as the physical education and health education teacher at RMA from 2011-2019. In addition to my role as a classroom teacher, I have served in several other roles for the school including:  middle school softball coach, varsity cross country coach, varsity men’s soccer coach, varsity women’s soccer coach, substitute bus driver, substitute athletic director for basketball season, MORP and high school prom chaperone, and general jack of all trades and volunteer for our school community.  
Current occupation:   As of June 1, 2019, I am now employed as the lead Project Manager with Oakwood Homes. I have been able to continue with my role as the RMA varsity men’s soccer coach as well.
What I specifically bring to the board:   I received my undergraduate degree in K-12 health and physical education with a minor in psychology from Appalachian State University in 1999. I have devoted the past 8 years of my teaching career to RMA. As a previous employee of RMA, I bring a dual understanding and point of view as both an employee and parent of children who attend RMA. I can provide insight into the culture of both our student population and our school staff. I have built relationships with our students and staff that I feel I can bridge with my role on the Board of Directors to achieve our school’s goals and visions.
Comments:   Sometimes opportunity arrives when you are least expecting it. My new job was certainly unexpected and making the decision to leave my RMA family was extremely difficult. I am dedicated to the success of RMA and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to support and be a part of an organization that I believe in.
Mike Wilson

Board Member-Parent Seat


 





[email protected]
Children at the school (current and graduates): Gracie and Emma
Number of years at the school:  6
Current occupation:  Store Manager, Food Lion, LLC
Previous commitments to RMA:  I serve on the Board of Directors in a Parent Seat and as the committee chair for the Lunch and Extra-Curricular/After School committees. I am a very active volunteer at River Mill Academy every week helping in the cafeteria. You may have heard your children refer to me as "Mr. Food Lion." Not only do my wife Tracy and I volunteer with our children's classroom teachers, but we also support all areas of River Mill Academy whether it is the library, athletics, band, or the PTT.
What I specifically bring to the board:  I am a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. I serve on the disabled Veterans Business Resource Group. I have been a store manager with Food Lion for 11 years and have been awarded the Manager of the Year twice by my peers. I am personally vested in the development of young adults at River Mill Academy. Many of our high school students and graduates receive their first taste of work experience with us at Food Lion. My wife and I are active in the local community as well - working with the children's ministry at Trinity Worship Center where we do children check-ins for TWC Kids and I am also the Small Group Leader for Third Grade Boys. We are also involved in local charitable events as well. As the store manager, I have established working relationships with regulatory inspectors and vendors.
Comments:  There is a value that I personally can bring to the Board from a business aspect but more importantly from a people standpoint, I truly believe in the power of conversation. Past experiences in a team setting and being involved in complex decisions is where I operate on a daily basis. Our community has been great to my family, and I want to invest more of my time into the future service of our school and its children.
Jesse Wood
Parent Seat



[email protected]
Children at the school (current and graduates):  Jesse (6th) and Jase (2nd)
Number of years at the school: 6 years
Current occupation:  I received my Bachelors Degree in Textile and Mechanical Engineering and Master's Degree in Engineering and Applied Statistics from NC State University. After beginning my career at NC State as an adjunct lecturer, I choose to go into the public sector. I have been in the financial industry for the past 14 years. I currently work for Truist Financial as the Process Engineering and Optimization Director for Enterprise Technology and Operations.
What I specifically bring to the board:  I feel that my experience facilitating large scale programs and projects will help me serve on the Board of Directors to bring fact-based approaches targeted at measurable benefits to support the improvement of student, teacher/faculty, and parent experiences and improvement in school performance. I look forward to this opportunity to further invest in my boys and your children's educational experience.
Comments:  As a native of Alamance County and graduate of Southern Alamance High School, my wife (Vicki) and i have proudly chosen to invest in our community and raise our children in Snow Camp in the same faith-based way that we were raised. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to raise my two boys Jesse and Jase and see them thrive at River Mill Academy, inclusive of the pandemic.