BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees set the vision of Rockbridge Seminary, actively seek the means to support that vision, and establish institutional policy. The duties of the Board of Trustees include the following.
• Appoint, support, and assess the performance of the President
• Clarify the institution’s Mission
• Approve long-range plans
• Approve the educational program and grant degrees
• Ensure the well-being of faculty, students, and staff
• Ensure sound financial management
• Ensure adequate financial resources and financially support the Seminary
• Preserve institutional autonomy
• Interpret and promote the Seminary to the public as opportunities arise
• Interpret the needs of the church to the Seminary
• Serve as a court of last appeal
• Assess the Board’s performance
The Bylaws of the Seminary may be requested from the Office of the President.
Mark Carver, Lake Forest, CA
Jeanetta Chrystie, Springfield, MO
Kevin Compton, Chairman, Palo Alto, CA
Steve Gladen, Lake Forest, CA
Tommy Hilliker, Coeur d’Alene, ID (ex-officio)
John Marshall, Springfield, MO
John Wilkinson, Bozeman, MT
Dennis Williams, Marietta, GA
Phillip Williams, Secretary, San Antonio, TX
LEGAL OFFICERS
The legal officers of Rockbridge Seminary are registered agents with the Missouri Secretary of State.
President – Tommy Hilliker
Vice President – Mark Simpson
Secretary/Treasurer – Phillip Williams
ADMINISTRATION
The administration of Rockbridge Seminary consists of the President, Vice President for Academic Services, Director of Alumni Relations and Ministry Partners, and the Theological Librarian.
Tommy Hilliker, M.Div.
President
Rev. Hilliker holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, Marriage, and Family from Liberty University, and the Master of Divinity degree from Gateway Seminary. Prior to joining Rockbridge, Tommy served as Director of Advancement of Vanguard University where he was also an adjunct professor, Executive Global Pastor of Ministry at Saddleback Church, and Creative Marketing Director of Pastors.com.
Mark Simpson, Ph.D.
VP for Academic Services and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program
Dr. Simpson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Spring Arbor College, a Master of Arts in Christian Education degree from Denver Seminary, a Master of Arts in Education degree from DePauw University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Dr. Simpson previously served at Oakland City University as Coordinator of Online Learning and Professor of Christian Education and Religious Studies. He also has served as Associate Dean of Doctoral Studies and Digital Learning at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Linda Graber, M.Div.
Director of Alumni Relations and Ministry Partners
Mrs. Graber holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Oklahoma Baptist University, and a Master of Divinity from Rockbridge Seminary. Linda is a certified Life Purpose Coach and instructor with Life Purpose Coaching Centers International.
Seth Allen, MLIS
Theological Librarian
Mr. Allen holds a B.A. in Sociology and Spanish from Wingate University, and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Seth also holds Graduate Certificates in Sociology and Educational Media.
ADVISORY COUNCILS
Rockbridge Seminary’s Advisory Councils consist of church and Christian education leaders who advise the seminary on the current level of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for ministry roles, and the adequacy of the seminary’s educational program objectives, curriculum, and course materials to reflect the state-of-the-art in ministry.
Diploma Program Advisory Council (DMS)
Bruce Coats, Educator (Ohio)
Ed Emmerling, Pastor (Michigan)
Chris Emmitt, Pastor (Georgia)
Cherryl Hewett, Educator (Montana)
Cassandra Jones, Educator (North Carolina)
Jay McFadden, Pastor (Texas)
Scott McNeal, Educator (Missouri)
Mike Navarro, Jr., Pastor (California)
Boyd Pelley, Ministry Services (Texas)
Master Programs Advisory Council (MML and MDIV)
Dave Alford, Pastor (California)
Kara Chan, Educator (Hong Kong)
Ben Davis, Educator (Maryland)
David Leister, Pastor (Texas)
Keith Lowry, Educator/Minister (Texas)
John McClendon, Pastor (Tennessee)
Jess Senasack, Educator/Minister (Maryland)
Kelly Walter, Pastor (Missouri)
Doctoral Program Advisory Council (DMIN)
Tom Bartlett, Pastor (North Carolina)
Paul Basden, Pastor (Texas)
Wes Black, Educator/Pastor (Texas)
Tom Holladay, Pastor (California)
Jeff Fuchs, Pastor (Tennessee)
Joe Ligon, Pastor (Oklahoma)
Morlee Maynard, Educator (Tennessee)
Reggie McNeal, Author/Speaker (South Carolina)
Brent Taylor, Pastor (Texas)