The Team

Chris Knowles, Lower School Principal
B.A. Classics, Davidson College
M. Div. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
First year at Westminster: 2009

Megean Carter, Chief Advancement Officer
B.S. Animal Sciences Pre-Vet Med, Auburn University 
First Year at Westminster: 2015

Corey McEachran, Dean of Student Culture
B.A. Theology/Theological Studies, Whitworth University
First year at Westminster: 2023

Barbara A. Griffith, Director of Finance
B.S.B.A. Management, Mississippi College
First Year at Westminster: 2006

Bridges Herring, Director of Operations
B.A. Religion, Samford University
M. Div. Duke University
First year at Westminster: 2004

Cody Baxter, Athletic Director
B.S. History, Covenant College
M.S. Sports Management & Policy, University of Georgia
First year at Westminster: 2020

Michele Mann, Assistant Athletic Director
B.S. Mathematics, Birmingham-Southern College
First year at Westminster: 2011

Kristen Williams, Director of Admissions and Registrar
B.S. Elementary Education/Special Education, Samford University
First year at Westminster: 2006

Teresa Eyrich, Lower School Coordinator
B.A. Journalism/ Mass Communications, Samford University
First Year at Westminster: 2011

Paige Hughes, Lower School Receptionist
B.A. Journalism, University of Mississippi
First Year at Westminster: 2022

Joy White, Upper School Coordinator 
B.S. Elementary Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham
First Year at Westminster: 2012

Anne Lipperd, Upper School Receptionist
B.S. Special Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham
First Year at Westminster: 2020

Allison Williams, Upper School Receptionist
First year at Westminster: 2023

Jodi Lunsford, Director of Lower School Co-Curricular Activities 
B.S. Psychology, University of Alabama 
First Year at Westminster: 2017

Deana Hodge, Director of Marketing and Communication 
B.S. Journalism, Troy University
First Year at Westminster: 2022

Kindergarten

Jessica Beatty
B.S. Early Childhood Education, The University of Georgia
M.Ed. Early Childhood Education, Kennesaw State University 
First year at Westminster:  2022

Anna Byers
B.S. Elementary Education, Auburn University
First year at Westminster: 2023

JerriAnne McPherson
B.S. Early Childhood Education, Samford University
First year at Westminster: 2001

Mendy Wright, Instructional Support
B.A. Journalism, Auburn University
First year at Westminster: 2014

First Grade

Melissa Carrell
B.S. Elementary Education, Auburn University
First year at Westminster: 2003

Foy Hale
B.A. Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Samford University
M.Ed. Elementary Education University of West Alabama
First year at Westminster: 2005

Tamara Smith 
B.S. Elementary Education, Auburn University
First year at Westminster: 2019

Lisa Anderson, Instructional Support
B.S. Marketing, University of Mississippi
First year at Westminster: 2013

Second Grade

Lori Bailey
B.S. Elementary Education, Auburn University
M.A. Elementary Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham
First year at Westminster: 2017

Michele Crawford 
B.S. Elementary Education, University of Montevallo
First year at Westminster: 2022

Liza Kinsley
B.S. Elementary Education, Mississippi College
First Year at Westminster: 2014

Sarah Armstrong, Instructional Support
B.S. Elementary Education, University of South Alabama
First year at Westminster: 2023

Third Grade

Laura McGuire
B.A. History, University of South Alabama
M.Ed. Integrated Curriculum and Instruction, Covenant College
First year at Westminster: 1999

Fourth Grade

Sarah Brannan
B.S. Secondary English Education, Auburn University
First year at Westminster: 2010

Mary Catherine Godfrey
B.S. Early Childhood Education, Berry College
First year at Westminster: 2010

Lynda Moore
B.S. Elementary Education, Belhaven University
First year at Westminster: 2013

Katherine Stewart, Instructional Support
B.A. American Studies, College of William of Mary
M.P.H/M.B.A University of Alabama, Birmingham
First year at Westminster: 2022

Fifth Grade

Anna McCain
B.S. English, The University of Alabama at Birmingham
M.Ed. Secondary Education, The University of Alabama at Birmingham
First year at Westminster: 2024

Kathryn Roach
B.S. Elementary/Early Childhood Education, Samford University
First year at Westminster: 1999

Emily Self
B.S. Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Samford University
M.Ed. Elementary Education, University of West Alabama
Ed.S. Teacher Leadership, University of West Alabama
First year at Westminster:  2022

Jen Sellers, Instructional Support
B.S. P.H. Biostatistics, The University of North Carolina
M.D. The University of Alabama at Birmingham
First year at Westminster: 2024

Sixth Grade

Keri Adams
B.A. Economics, University of Virginia
J.D.,  University of Virginia
First year at Westminster: 2018

Kathy Blythe
B.S. Political Science and Speech Communications, Hardin Simms University
First year at Westminster: 2012

Linda Dewberry
B.S. Elementary Education, Samford University
M.A. Elementary Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham
EdS. Teacher Leadership, University of Alabama at Birmingham
First year at Westminster: 2010

Lisa Richburg
B.S. Elementary Education, Troy State University
M.A. Elementary Education, Troy State University
First year at Westminster: 2007

Jen Sellers, Instructional Support
B.S. P.H. Biostatistics, The University of North Carolina
M.D. The University of Alabama at Birmingham
First year at Westminster: 2024

Specialty Teachers

Karla Bean, Latin
B.A. Mass Communications, University of Xalapa
M.T.S. Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
First year at Westminster: 2013

Liane Jackson, Latin
B.S. Elementary Education, Auburn University
First year at Westminster: 2024

Shonda Johnson, Music
B.A. Elementary Education, Dordt University
First year at Westminster 2021

Holly Mackle, Librarian
B.S. Biology and Spanish, Samford University
M.A. Spanish Literature, University of Georgia
M.Ed. Secondary Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham
First year at Westminster: 2020

Cole Harbert, Art
B.A. English with an Art minor, Wake Forest University
First year at Westminster: 2022

Lea Moore, Art
BFA Art and Art Education, University of Georgia
First year at Westminster, 2020

Avery Baxter, Math
B.S. Middle School Education, Univeristy of Georgia
First Year at Westminster: 2024

John Canavan, Bible
B.A. English Literature, Temple University
M.Div., Covenant Theological Seminary
First Year at Westminster: 2021

Dale Carrell, Science
B.S. Physics, Wheaton College
First year at Westminster: 2002

Jeff Chambless, Mathematics
B.A. Philosophy, Transylvania University
M.Div., Samford University
B.S. Mathematics, University of Alabama Birmingham
First year at Westminster: 2011

David Conrad, Bible
B.A. Religion, Samford University
M. Div. Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
First year at Westminster: 2021

Richard Cox, Humanities
B.A. History, University of Mississippi
First year at Westminster: 2015

David Grubbs, Rhetoric and Humanities
B.A. Biblical Studies and Humanities, Southeastern Bible College
M.A. English Literature, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Ph.D. English, University of Georgia
First year at Westminster: 2021

Nicholas Ireland, Humanities
B.A. English, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
First year at Westminster: 2017

Riley Kross, Rhetoric
B.A. English, Furman University
M.F.A. Creative Writing, North Carolina State University
First year at Westminster: 2023

Christian Leithart, Grammar and Composition, Humanities
B.A. Liberal Arts, New Saint Andrews College
M.A. Theology & Letters, New Saint Andrews College
M.A. English, Villanova University
First year at Westminster: 2020

Sally Martin, Mathematics
B.S. Mathematics, Samford University
M.S. Education, Samford University
First year at Westminster: 2017

Lourdes Mier, Spanish
B.S. Operations Management, University of Alabama at Birmingham
First year at Westminster: 2022

Charlie Ritch, Humanities 
B.S. Philosophy, Wheaton College
M.A. Biblical Exegesis, Wheaton College
First year at Westminster: 2007

Sophie Simmons, Science 
B.S. Exercise Science, Mississippi College
M.S. Secondary Education, Samford University
First year at Westminster: 2020

Jason Smith, Humanities 
B.A. English, Auburn University
M.A. Secondary English Education, Auburn University
First year at Westminster: 2018

Laura Smith, Humanities
B.A. Comparative Literature, University of Dallas
First Year at Westminster: 2024

Matthew Stokes, History
B.A. History and Political Science, University of Alabama
M.A. History, University of Alabama
First year at Westminster: 2021

James Tate, Music
B.M. Church Music, Belmont University
M.T.S. Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
First year at Westminster: 2023

Gregg Thompson, Science
A.S. Biology, Crown College
B.S. Biology, Stetson University
First year at Westminster: 2006

Allison Williams, Upper School Receptionist/Schole
First year at Westminster: 2023

The Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees at Westminster School at Oak Mountain provides strategic leadership and Christ-centered oversight to support the mission of the school. As a ministry of Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church (OMPC), Westminster is guided by a board committed to preserving its Christian identity and long-term vision.

While daily operations are managed by the Head of School and administrative team, the Board plays a key role in appointing and supporting the Head of School, approving the budget, setting policies, and ensuring the school’s financial and spiritual health.

Board members are prayerfully selected for their faith, professional experience, and dedication to Westminster’s mission. The Board includes ten appointed members, along with the Senior Pastor of OMPC (or a designee) and the Head of School, who serve in ex officio roles. At least six members must be members of OMPC, including three or more ruling or teaching elders. Members typically serve three-year terms, with the option to serve two consecutive terms.

Through faithful leadership and wise stewardship, the Board helps ensure that Westminster continues to nurture students in wisdom, virtue, and eloquence—for this generation and the next.

Current Board Members

Justin Hale is the Chairman of the Board and an elder at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church, where he and his family have attended for over a decade. He holds a B.A. in History from Samford University and a J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He is a partner at the law firm Wicker Smith. Justin and his wife, Jessica, have three children, all of whom attend Westminster.

Lance Black serves as an elder at Briarwood Presbyterian Church and is the head of acquisitions and corporate development for Protective Life Corporation.   He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in business administration and was a corporate and investment banker until moving to Birmingham to join Protective in 2003.  Lance and his wife, Shannon, have three children, all of whom have graduated from Westminster. 

Rob Bright graduated from Troy University with a Bachelor of Arts degree.  Rob and his wife, Kelly, are longtime members of Oak Mountain Presbyterian, where Rob serves as a ruling elder.  Rob has served in many ministries throughout his career, as well as founding and running a business with his wife.  All three of the Bright children attended Westminster, and two are Westminster graduates.

Brad Jones is in commercial real estate and a partner in his firm. He has a bachelor's degree in finance and real estate from Jacksonville State University and a Master of Business Administration from Samford University. He is a deacon at OMPC, where he and his family have attended since 2012. Prior to OMPC, his family attended Briarwood Presbyterian Church for 23 years. Brad and his wife, Kathy, have four girls: one graduated from Briarwood and three from Westminster.

Raymond Harbert Jr. graduated from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance as well as a Master of Business Administration, where he was also a letter winner on the track team. He joined Harbert Management Corporation in 2010 and currently serves as the CFO.  Raymond and his wife, Cole, are members of Faith Presbyterian Church and have four children, all of whom attend Westminster.

Walter Kearns is the Vice President of FireSeeds, an executive search firm that partners with purpose-driven organizations to build and multiply high-impact leadership teams. He brings over 14 years of experience in the nonprofit sector—seven years in direct ministry leadership and seven years in consulting, equipping mission-aligned organizations to thrive through strategic hiring and culture-focused growth. Walter is an elder member of Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church, where his family has found deep community and spiritual formation. He and his wife, Jane, have three children: twin daughters who are rising third graders in the Lower School and a son who is a rising kindergartner. 

Pamela Stanford graduated from Auburn University with a B.A. in International Business, minoring in French, and prior to starting a family, worked as a loan officer with Southtrust Bank and then in marketing at Protective Life.  She and her husband, Scotty, are members of Faith Presbyterian Church and are among the founding families of Westminster.  They are blessed with four boys, who all attended and graduated from Westminster.  As her youngest boys reached school age, Pamela began a new career, teaching fifth and sixth grades at the school for 12 years.  While taking a year off from teaching in 2010-11, she also served a one-year stint on the school board.  Since stepping away from teaching in 2018, she actively serves in several local ministries. 

Kendall Stephenson graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and subsequently earned a Master of Science in Taxation from the University of Alabama.  She worked for Ernst and Young for 5 years in both the Atlanta and Birmingham offices, practicing audit and tax.  Subsequently, she continued her career in public accounting with a local firm for another 12 years before leaving the workforce to stay home with her children.  She currently works part-time for a local firm during tax season and handles accounting for a few small businesses throughout the year.  She and her husband, Barry, are members of Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church and are blessed with four children.  Three have graduated from Westminster. 

Joanne Till graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.A. in Advertising and Marketing and has worked in the marketing industry since then. She has been employed by Lewis Communications, a regional branding and marketing agency, for over 25 years and currently serves as their Research Director, overseeing business intelligence and strategic planning for the firm's clients. Joanne accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior as a child and has been a member of the Church at Brook Hills since 2012. Joanne and her husband, Spencer, have three children: two currently attend Westminster, and one is a graduate.

Bobby Welch graduated from Auburn University with a Liberal Arts degree and then earned an MBA at UAB.   He is the owner of ACCi, a local IT and cyber-security consulting firm, where he has worked for 32 years.   Bobby is an elder at Briarwood Presbyterian Church and has been a member and served there since 1978.   He is married to Gini Beth Welch, and they have three children who each attended Westminster for 13 years, graduating in 2013, 2015, and 2020.