VCS is blessed to be led by a Board committed to serving our school. They are:
Tom is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and has a B.S. Civil Engineering. He is a retired Sr. Project Manager, Boldt Construction, Appleton, WI. Tom and his wife Joy have two daughters, Mandi and Megan, both VCS alumni.
Joy and I have had the opportunity to serve at VCS, Joy previously as a part-time choir director, and I previously served on the Board. We have a great appreciation for Christian education and the opportunities VCS provides to Oshkosh and surrounding communities. Having been a part of VCS over several decades, I hope to bring a fair perspective of where we have been and where God may lead us. I’ve had a desire that there would always be a quality, Christ-centered K-12 education available in our community, and VCS has continually provided this. My past experiences have shown me that it is not easy to provide and maintain a quality Christian school but with God’s help, our obedience, and many good people working together, His opportunities are endless. I hope my past experiences of serving at VCS, appreciation of the education our daughters received, enjoyment of friendships we’ve made through the years and also being a part of constructing buildings throughout my career can provide a breadth of experience to support VCS’s Christ-centered mission and quality facilities to further God’s work.
I grew up in Zambia and Kenya, Africa as a member of a missionary family. I was homeschooled for most of my elementary education and spent my high school years at a Boarding School in Kenya. I returned to the US to begin college at UW-Oshkosh, met my wife, and have enjoyed making Oshkosh our home since then.
I earned a B.S. in Management Information Systems at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh; and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in 2015. I am currently a Business Analyst at Oshkosh Corporation.
My wonderful wife Alyssa and I, married since 2010, have two children, Levi (May 2015) and Evelyn (July 2017). Alyssa was the 4K teacher at VCS 2012-15, she now stays home to raise our children. We are members of River Valley Church where I have served as Treasurer, Life Group and Worship Team Leader.
As President of the Board of Directors at VCS, I bring a unique worldview along with experience in technology, finance, and business. I am dependable, hard-working, and a team player. I wish to model Christ as a servant-leader. I strongly believe all we have is His, and we are stewards of resources, time, and talent. As a new parent, providing Christ-centered education is an essential part of the legacy we wish to leave our children.
Born and raised right here in Oshkosh, WI. I am the oldest of two children, both of us having graduated from Valley Christian School, me in 1998. My Freshman year was the first year our current school building opened. I earned a B.A. in Finance at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh and own my own businesses, Jireh Sales and Jireh Properties.
Married my beautiful wife Jennelle (whose dad was a VCS Administrator for a number of years), in 2004 and we are blessed with 2 children: Maliha and Eliana (both are students at VCS). We are members at HIS Church in Oshkosh and I have been there for 35 years. We serve as Elders, my wife is on the worship team and I run the Sound Ministry. We are involved in the Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry and Saturday Sunday School. I also lead a group of men every Saturday morning for Discipleship.
I feel strongly God is calling me to be a Board Member. I desire to help our school hold Jesus Christ as the standard. The world is creeping into our churches and our children and now more than ever, we must keep the Word of God as our standard and allow it to permeate every part of our lives…especially the younger generations.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
I have had the unique privilege of attending Valley Christian School from Kindergarten through 12th Grade. After graduating, I attended the University of WI Eau Claire where I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.
Currently, I work as the Building Ambassador for Oshkosh Corporation’s Global Headquarters where I have the privilege of working with a number of different groups both internally and externally to coordinate their events and meetings in our conference center.
I enjoy being a part of the community and serve on the board for Propel Young Professionals, Oshkosh Area Community Pantry, West Side Association, Mercy Health Foundation, Oshkosh Police Foundation and Professional Women’s Connection. I have a passion for youth and have served as a girls’ small group leader at my church, Christ the Rock. When not working, I can be found enjoying time with my family and friends, reading, running, and traveling. I believe God designed each of us with specific gifts and talents to use and I am excited to be given the opportunity to use these gifts and talents to help further Valley Christian School.
I was born in Two Harbors, MN. Other than a three-year transfer to Arkansas (with Kimberly-Clark) from 1996-1999, I have lived in Wisconsin since the age of four. I graduated from Appleton High School-West in 1979. Over the years, I have completed several courses at Fox Valley Technical College, including a one-year program to obtain my diploma for Medical Transcription. I completed Dyslexia Tutor Training with Dyslexia Reading Connection, Appleton, WI. I am a homemaker and Independent Dyslexia Tutor, working with students at VCS.
I have been married to my husband Jeff for 37+ years, we have 6 sons, 1 daughter and soon to be nine grandchildren! My church home is Resurrection OPC in Oshkosh, WI.
Along with my involvement in mission trips with Christian Appalachia Project International, I have also served on the Personnel Committee, advised the VCS Key Club and led or been involved with the Moms in Prayer Ministry since 1999.
Raising a large family brings many joys and challenges. Often times over the years, my husband and I have been asked the question, “How did you/do you do it?” The truth is that we didn’t do it alone. God has been faithful to us every step along the way. One of His greatest gifts has been allowing us to educate our children at VCS. The teachers, staff, and families of our school have all helped to mold and shape our children into the people that others see today. My heart’s desire is for God to use VCS to mold and shape many generations of children to come. As our world turns more and more away from Christ, their need for the Savior will become increasingly evident. I want to continue to serve on the VCS Board to help our school fulfill its mission. Now, more than ever, the world desperately needs students who are raised and educated to be Christ-centered, people of excellence, and servant-leaders. Together we can share the hope of the gospel.
I was born in Oshkosh in 1955 and have lived here almost all of my life. I graduated from Oshkosh North High School in 1973. I went to vocational school after high school and then took some college classes at various colleges while my husband earned his degrees.
I am a member and am also employed as the Business Administrator at Community Church in Oshkosh. I have worked in the office there for the past 28 years in various capacities. My primary duty is managing the finances; however, I have numerous other areas of ministry that I oversee. I have organized or helped with many fundraisers over the years. I have the heart to serve wherever God calls me such as children’s ministry, leading women’s studies or our “Bless a Family” Christmas assistance program. I served as the director of our women’s ministry for eight years. I’m also found volunteering here at the school or in the community as well.
My husband, Rick, and I have just celebrated our 40th anniversary. We have two grown, married children and so far three grandchildren. Two of those grandchildren, Andrew and Elizabeth, attend VCS as did our children, Michelle and Joshua, in the mid-1980s. I am a very business-minded, task-oriented, and organized person. I have served as a board member at a not-for-profit for nine years. That coupled with working at the church has afforded me great insight into the inner workings of not-for-profit organizations. I hope to use these skills and experiences to help strengthen the values and vision of this wonderful school.
I was born in Fond du Lac but was raised in Oshkosh virtually all of my life. I graduated from Oshkosh West in 1989. I went to UW-Oshkosh after high school, where I graduated with a double major in Accounting and Finance. I was actively involved in Campus Crusade for Christ when I was in college and also volunteered as a youth leader in Young Life.
After I graduated from college, I worked for 17 years at Thrivent Financial. In my last position at Thrivent, I was the Vice President of the Thrivent Trust Company. In that capacity, I worked with 600 Thrivent Representatives in the central and southern United States promoting the Trust Company and working with people in that region on trust and estate planning. In 2014, God blessed me with the opportunity to run the Edward Jones office on Bowen Street. I really enjoy my job because I love to listen to people and find out what is important to them and then help them reach the financial goals they set for themselves.
I have been married to my amazing wife Becca, a teacher at VCS, since 2003, we have two children Christopher (b. 2007)-a current middle school student at VCS and Josie (b. 2012)-a current elementary student at VCS. Becca and I are both members at Plymouth Church where I just “retired” from volunteer youth ministry after 26 years, helping in the high school and junior high ministries. I currently serve on the Elder Board at Plymouth Church.
I am excited to be on the Board of Directors because the school is such a huge part of my wife and kids life, now I get to be a part of that on a deeper level. I get the opportunity to use my God-given business acumen and vision to help the school. But even more awesome to me, I get to be part of the school’s mission to see students come to Christ and grow in that relationship with Him so that they can go and impact their world for God’s Kingdom.
Ben was raised in Madison, Wisconsin. Ben is a graduate of Liberty University (BA accounting ’88) and Chicago-Kent College of Law (JD ’96). Ben practices law and is a shareholder with the law firm of von Briesen & Roper, s.c.
Ben is married to Catherine, they have four children. The eldest, Elise, attends Biola University in La Mirada, CA. The second child, Claire, attends American University in Washington, D.C. The third and fourth, Zoe and Luke are home educated.
Ben and Catherine are long-time members of Apple Valley Presbyterian Church and make their home in Greenville, Wisconsin. Ben supports the community by serving as a member of the board of directors for the Building for Kids Children’s Museum and the Community Blood Center.
I grew up on a dairy farm outside of Berlin, WI. I am the youngest of seven children and hard work was a trait ingrained in me at an early age. My wife and I have lived in Omro, for over 14 yrs.
I earned a B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh and work as a Sales/Design Specialist at Drexel Building Supply for 16 years. I have served as Vice President, and then President for the Culture Club (Internal Board of Directors) at Drexel.
I married my beautiful wife Rebekah (Alumnus class of 2000), 15 years ago and we are blessed with 4 children: Josiah, Aubryn, Jonathan, and Adalyn (all students at VCS). We are members at River Valley Church. We attended New Life Community Church, prior to River Valley, where I served on the church board for 7 years. Our family taught Sunday school, Children’s Church, multiple building projects, led a small group and performed in many plays/musicals.
As a father of four children, I strongly value their education but more importantly, I desire my children to have a strong Christian foundation. Valley Christian School has blessed my life in such a personal way, not only did it mold the person that I married, but I have seen it shape my children into loving the Lord and having a servant’s heart. I desire to support the Administrator and staff in their call to teach and to train children that they may develop a personal relationship with the Lord and to build confidence as they grow. I am grateful to the staff for their sacrificial service and desire to support them with prayer and service.
General: Raised in Brownsville, WI; moved to Oshkosh area in 2010
Education: BS in Mechanical Engineering from UW-Platteville (May 2009)
Occupation: Homemaker; Previously a Test Engineer at Pierce Manufacturing Inc.
Family: Married to Stephen Marrano in 2010; daughter Eliana (b. 2014), son Michael (b. 2017)
Church: Member of River Valley Church
I am interested in supporting Christian education because I know children need a strong educational foundation which will enable them to think critically, live integrated lives, and put on the whole armor of God. After working in the industry for five years, I currently stay at home with my daughter Eliana. During my time as an engineer, I developed my organizational and teamwork skills. I also had the opportunity to serve on the CRU Development Council for three years, which focused on raising funds for CRU in the Fox Valley.
I grew up in Oshkosh and graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1967. I have been married to a wonderful girl named Sandi since 1970.
I graduated from North Central University in Minneapolis with a BA in Bible and Pastoral Studies and from Evangel University in Springfield, MO with a BA in Education. Sandi and I taught together at Cincinnati Christian School for 17 years from 1976-1993. I taught history and social studies classes in high school.
We moved back to Oshkosh in 1994, Sandi to teach at Appleton Christian and Valley Christian from which she retired in 2013 after teaching middle school and high school math and English for 37 years. I took a position at Bemis Company as a Quality Assurance Technician. I took a position at Bemis Company as a Quality Assurance Technician. I retired in 2018 after 24 years there.
Our four children have attended and graduated from Christian schools and colleges, Anna ( now the school nurse) and Austin from Valley Christian. We currently have 2 grandchildren attending Mansfield Christian School (Ohio) and 4 who attend(ed) Valley Christian.
My life has been centered around Christian education and I am humbled to be considered to serve the school and the Christian school community as a member of the board.
Raised in Southeastern WI, I attended public schools for ten years, and a Christian school for two years. I accepted the Lord as my Saviour while in 3rd grade. I graduated from Muskego HS and went on to college at Grace College in Winona Lake, IN where I earned a B.S. in Mathematics. I then earned an M.S. in Information Systems from UW-Oshkosh.
I love data and analysis; I have been working in the information technology field for the last 20 years. Presently, I work for Society Insurance (Fond du Lac, WI) as a data developer.
My wife, Lisa and I were married in 1998. We have four children: Luke (class of 2019), Joel (class of 2020), Norah (class of 2024) and Jack (class of 2027), and they all attend(ed) school at VCS. I have attended Wyldewood Baptist in Oshkosh for the last 23 years, regularly serving with my wife, Lisa, in the infant nursery and as a greeter. Periodically, I play trumpet in the orchestra. I also enjoy swimming, biking, running, and hunting.
I currently serve as head coach for the VCS middle school track and field team. We have so much fun! I also coached MS football for two years. Valley Christian School has been a big part of our family’s life for the last 13 years. I am looking forward to serving on the board of directors to help our school prepare our students for the future. The world is changing quickly – at a pace never seen before. I hope to help our school and children be prepared to live as Christ-followers in a new age.
I was born and raised in Milwaukee WI. I graduated from Milwaukee Lutheran High School in 1994. I have a BA in Psychology from UW-Milwaukee and a Masters Degree in Counseling from Concordia College. I moved to Oshkosh 10 years ago during my employment at Rawhide Boys Ranch and am currently a College Counselor at Moraine Technical College.
I have one daughter, Beatrice, who is currently an elementary student at VCS. We attend Water City Church, Oshkosh, WI, and have since 2010. I enjoy serving as a Sunday school teacher, Ministry volunteer worker, Reach counseling fundraiser volunteer, and mentor.
I have been blessed to be a part of some wonderful Christian schools that have shaped and directed me. I look at my Christian education as a light post in my life, and I am so grateful for the opportunities that I have been afforded. This has created the strong interest I have in Christian education, and I have seen the positive effect it can have on students living in a very difficult world. I have asked the Lord for more opportunities to support His mission, and the impact that VCS has had on our family has made it a place where I am honored to serve. I hope to bring my background in counseling and education to this role and to support the school in helping them to be able to reach our community and our children.
I was born in Oshkosh, WI and have lived here my whole life. I attended Valley Christian School Kindergarten through 12th Grade and graduated in 2007. I went to UW-Oshkosh where I graduated with a B.B.A. in Human Resources Management.
I am currently employed at Equix, a construction and construction services company. I am a Human Resources Business Partner and currently supervise our recruiting team, play an active role in our employee relations, succession planning and a number of other fun projects.
I have been married to my loving wife Amanda since January 2011. We have three adventurous boys! Carson (Dec. 2014) who is a current student at VCS, Noah (Sept. 2016) and Ryan (May 2018). Amanda and I are both members at Plymouth Church where I serve on the Board of Deacons.
I am excited to serve on the Board of Directors at VCS because the school has been and continues to be such a huge part of my life. Since graduation, I have remained active with the school through, coaching opportunities and before and after school care, and I am now excited to have a student who attends. Christian education played a huge role in my life growing up and I am looking forward to doing my part to ensure it can play a huge role in not only my boy’s lives, but the lives of everyone who will be involved with the school in the future.
