BOARD MEMBERS

SCHOOL GOVERNANCE

BOARD MEMBERS

SBCA is governed by a board of directors consisting of business leaders and pastors.

Joanna Mayes

Board Member

Joanna Mayes is a Christian writer and blogger with a passion for helping ministries reach the lost and hurting. She is the founder of the www.ChristianFreedom.Life, a resource offering Christian resources and encouragement to help believers grow deeper in their faith. Additionally, Joanna and her husband founded The Table, a missional community in Foley, Alabama. She resides on the Gulf Coast of Alabama with her husband and three children. Her oldest two children graduated from South Baldwin Christian Academy (SBCA) in 2016 and 2020 respectively and her youngest child is a current student. She enjoys volunteering with the school and serving in an advisory capacity to help SBCA fulfill it's mission to help students discover the plans God has for their lives.

Minnie Mayes

Board Member

Mrs. Mayes is a co-founder of Columbia Southern University (CSU) and serves in an executive advisory capacity at Columbia Southern Education Group. Mrs. Mayes has also been with CSU since its founding, is on the Board of Directors, and follows strict ethical standards. Before CSU, Minnie co-founded a safety consulting company that provided training and services to small businesses nationwide. Mrs. Mayes has much knowledge about CSU through her long tenure as a board member and numerous work and advisory experiences in all aspects of distance study for more than 20 years.

Solomon Ofori-Ansah

Board Member

Solomon Ofori-Ansah is a minister and an entrepreneur with a vision to impact the church and the world of business through innovative solutions and concepts. He is Head Pastor at Wisdom House, a thriving church based in Orange Beach, AL. Solomon is also Founder and President of Isosports International, Inc., a sports, media, and entertainment company, and inventor of IsoSoccer—a brand new extreme sport. IsoSoccer has been featured in ESPN magazine and on Today in America with Terry Bradshaw, seen on ESPN2, Fox Sports Net and NBC Sports Network. Pastor Solomon holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and a M.S. in Organization and Management from Capella University. He has a passion for education and the youth and serves on the board of SBCA. A family man, Pastor Solomon’s ministry of over 25 years has touched many around the globe.

Fred Franks

Board Member

Fred Franks has served in ministry for almost forty years. Ten years as a youth pastor in Illinois and Florida in addition to District Youth Director in Illinois. For over twenty years Fred has served as lead pastor in churches in Illinois and California; as well as Vice President of Saul’s Consulting Services in Atlanta, Georgia, a leadership and stewardship firm. Fred currently serves as the Preaching and Vision Pastor of Christian Life…the Island Church – a position he assumed in May of 2011. Fred has served on numerous ministry and district boards including the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Board at his alma mater: Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. He is known as the ‘leader of leaders.’ Fred has a great passion for life and ministry, having spoken in churches all across America and around the world. He is a family man and has been married to his college sweetheart Liz for 38 years. They feel privileged to have their son Luke, his wife Michele, as well as their daughter Paige and her husband Matt serve in ministry with them.

Philip Anthony

Board Member

Phillip L. Anthony, CPA is a graduate of the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting (Beta Alpha Psi) in July, 1994 and became a Certified Public Accountant in May 1997. Mr. Anthony became a partner with Anthony Financial Group, CPAs – Mobile / Gulf Shores in 1998. Mr. Anthony served as CFO and member of Executive Board of Management at A.B. Dick Southeastern, Inc. until 2003. Mr. Anthony now serves as Administrative Pastor at Christian Life Church in Orange Beach, AL, while continuing in a consulting role with Anthony Financial Group, CPAs. Mr. Anthony previously served on the Executive Board of Directors of the YMCA of Metro Mobile and on the Board of Directors of Calvary Christian Learning Center. Mr. Anthony married Jenny in April 2004 and they have two sons, Ben and Will as well as a daughter Claire.

Charlie Baxter

Board Member

Originally from Chatom Alabama, Charlie Baxter is a retired educator with 37 years of experience in education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in agency family counseling with an education certification in school counseling from the University of South Alabama. His educational background also includes a fellowship at the University of Mississippi with advanced studies in school counseling. He served in various teaching and counseling positions in Washington County for 25 years before relocating to the Alabama Gulf Coast where he worked as a guidance counselor for Foley Middle School and Foley High School before retiring. An active advocate for education, Mr. Baxter continues to offer his services as a substitute teacher at Gulf Shores Elementary School and Gulf Shores Middle School and occasionally drives school buses. He is a member of First Baptist Church of Gulf Shores, a participant on their Child Development Center committee, and a choir member. He and his wife of 41 years, Bonnie, have two sons and one granddaughter.

JP Wilson

Board Member

Pastor JP Wilson was born and raised mostly in a small farming community in northeast Missouri. He attended bible college in New Orleans and has been in full-time ministry for over 30 years. While serving as a youth pastor in Mississippi, JP met his wife, Melissa, which he’s been married to for over twenty-five years now. They have three children and live in Gulf Shores, Alabama. JP pastors the Summit Church in Foley, AL.

Frances Holk-Jones

Board Member

Frances Holk-Jones is the President of Frances Holk Insurance Inc. in Foley, Alabama and is consistently recognized as a leading producer ranking in the top 2-3% out of more than 19,000 fellow State Farm agents across the country. A native of Baldwin County, Frances learned the importance of public service, economic development, and community involvement at an early age watching both her grandfather and father serve as Mayors of her hometown. Throughout her lifetime she has worked diligently to ensure that programs are available to enhance the quality of life for all Alabamians and loves giving back to the community that has given her so much. She is an avid public servant having served on numerous federal, state, and local nonprofit and civic organizations - many of which she continues to serve today as a board of directors member or in a leadership role. Mrs. Holk-Jones has received numerous awards and accolades for her volunteer work as a civic leader including Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fellow Award, Association of Fundraising Professionals Philanthropist of the Year, “Face of Heart''as well as Art for Heart Community Honoree for the American Heart Association, Walton M. Vines Free Enterprise Person of the Year, the inaugural recipient of the United Way of Baldwin County Lifetime Service Award in 2019 for outstanding dedication, commitment, and service to her local community, Foley Fire Department’s Outstanding Community Service Award, National Champion of Peer Helping, ...and the list goes on. Frances graduated from Foley High School and Auburn University where she is an Emeritus member for the Dean’s Council for the College of Business. She is married to Carl Jones and they have four children, Grayson Moore, Carl Jones II, Lee Jones, and the late Jennifer Moore. She is an avid horse enthusiast, national champion for barrel racing, and is currently running for the Alabama House of Representatives District 95 seat where she will continue working hard for Baldwin County residents. She is ready to head to Montgomery to make sure Baldwin County gets its fair share of funding and pass legislation to promote economic prosperity and continue to improve the quality of life for all Alabamians.

Craig Stephenson

Board Member

Originally from Ferguson, Missouri, Craig Stephenson recently retired as Fire Marshall of the Orange Beach Fire Department (OBFD). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Auburn University at Montgomery with concentrations in Health Physical Education and Recreation, Biology and Social Sciences. His professional background also includes teaching and coaching at several schools until transitioning his career to the fire service industry in 1999. He currently works as an Orange Beach, Ala. substitute teacher and continues serving at the OBFD part-time. He and his wife, Patty, have three sons and four grandchildren.

Board Officers

Meet the officers who lead our Board of Directors.

Robert Mayes

Chairman & President

As the Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Southern Education Group, the parent company of Columbia Southern University (CSU) and Waldorf University, Robert Mayes provides strategy and leadership support to the institutions and is responsible for governmental affairs. Mr. Mayes has more than 25 years of experience in distance education. Mayes co-founded Columbia Southern University, an online university headquartered in Orange Beach, Alabama, along with his parents and sister, Chantell Mayes Cooley, in 1993. He transitioned to the role of president of CSU in 2005 and served until May 2018. In his role as president of CSU, Mayes worked closely with leadership to accomplish the goals, objectives and strategies of the university. During this time, the University grew from 7,000 students to 30,000. He was awarded the title president emeritus on May 1, 2018 for his contributions and impact on the University. Mayes also led the acquisition of Waldorf University (previously Waldorf College) in Forest City, Iowa in 2010, a task that included achieving approvals from the U.S. Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission. During his time at CSU, Mayes had direct experience in many areas of online university operations including key roles in accounting, finance, information technology, online course design, outcomes assessment, the development of policies and procedures, accreditation and more. Mayes serves as a Member of the National Advisory Committee for Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), which reviews and advises the U.S. Secretary of Education on the recognition of accrediting agencies. He is chairman of the board of directors for South Baldwin Christian Academy. He serves as a board member of the Board of Certified Safety Professionals Foundation and a board member of the Business Council of Alabama. He served eight years on the board of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission board of directors and served on its executive, finance and nominating committees. In 2017, Mayes was awarded the Distance Education Accrediting Commission’s Distinguished Service Award and was a Boy Scouts of America Golden Eagle Honoree. In 2019, he was named the Distance Education Accrediting Commission’s Person of the Year.

William “Buzz” Lance

Head of School & Vice President

Buzz grew up hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, and camping in Eagle River, Alaska. His parents were pastors of a church and were the hub of their community. Early on he knew he wanted to be active in ministry but did not want to be a pastor. He moved to Fullerton, California to attend Pacific Christian College where he played soccer and graduated with a double major in Secondary Education Social Science and the Bible.

After graduating from college he spent a year in Oregon working with a church as a youth pastor and skiing Mount Hood. He moved to Johnson City, Tennessee where he attended Milligan College and taught at Liberty Bell Middle School. Graduating with a Masters Degree in Secondary Education Social Science, he moved back.

Tara Collins

Secretary

A member of the Columbia Southern University (CSU) team since 1994, Tara Collins serves as the manager of the Office of the Chief Executive Officer for Columbia Southern Education Group, the parent company for both CSU and Waldorf University. Collins assists the CEO who provides strategy and leadership support for both institutions. Before moving into this position in May 2018, she supported Robert Mayes in his role as president of CSU. Prior to 2008, she was the director of student services and retention for CSU and was instrumental in the development of student services processes. Her various roles have provided her experience in institutional governance, policy development, organizational structure and decision-making, accreditation, strategic planning, and events. She is presently the secretary for the following boards of directors: Columbia Southern Education Group, Mayes Education and South Baldwin Christian Academy. She serves in a variety of ministries at Liberty Church in Pensacola, FL and was the nursery director for nine years. Tara lives in Pensacola, FL with her husband and two sons.

Pat Troup

Treasurer

A Mobile, AL., native, Mr. Troup joined CSU in February 2008 bringing more than 15 years of experience in the areas of accounting, information technology and supply chain management. He currently oversees the Departments of Accounting & Finance, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Bookstore operations. Before joining CSU, Mr. Troup was the Senior Manager of Accounting for Southern Progress Corporation, a publisher of lifestyle magazines and books, where his focus was the financial operations of the book publishing and home sales business units. Prior to that, he spent 10 years at Standard Furniture Mfg., Co., where he held a variety of management roles. Mr. Troup began his career as an auditor with Deloitte & Touché LLP. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of South Alabama, a Masters of Business Administration from Louisiana State University – Shreveport, and is a certified public accountant. He is a past president and chairman of the board of the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo and a member of the Mobile Jaycees. Mr. Troup is also a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Alabama Society of CPAs.

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