Jim Kirchner

Interim head of school

Prior to his appointment at Valor in its inaugural year, Mr. Kirchner served as an ordained Pastor for 22 years. He has served Valor in a number of roles including Bible Teacher, Senior Seminar Teacher, Spiritual Life Director, Campus Chaplain, and Campus Pastor.

Mr. Kirchner and his wife have eight children, including four Valor alumni (Classes of '11, '13, '15, and '17)

In 2023, Mr. Kirchner was appointed as Interim Head of School by Valor's Board of Education. His wisdom, faith, and deep understanding of Valor's values make him an exceptional leader during this transition period. His leadership and spiritual guidance inspires Valor's community, ensuring that our mission of academic excellence rooted in Christian values continues to flourish.

Education

M.Div., Denver Seminary

B.S., Physical Education, Wheaton College

Rebecca Thomas

Director of Academics

Mrs. Thomas began her career in education at a private Christian high school in California. During her time there, she taught various math classes and served in leadership roles including professional learning community facilitator and 9th grade mentorship program director. During that time, she was named Outstanding Christian Educator from Orange Lutheran High School.

In 2007, she moved to Denver to serve in Valor’s inaugural year. Her first years at Valor were spent teaching all different levels of math and leading the department. During her tenure at Valor, she has been awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award, Department of the Year (as Department Chair), and the Christian Character Award. In 2013, she transitioned out of the classroom to serve as a part of the academic leadership team. She considers it an honor to oversee the faculty and work closely with the Department Chairs.

Education

M.S. Mathematics, University of Northern Colorado

B.S. Secondary Education, Mathematics and Physics – Concordia University, Seward

Zach Gautier

Director of Student Development & Director of Admissions

Dr. Gautier is a dedicated member of Valor's leadership team. Prior to Valor, Dr. Gautier taught for three years in Plano, Texas at Jasper High School and was given the Time Warner Cable National Teaching Award in 2007. He currently serves as the Director of Student Development and Director of Admissions. In this role, he oversees Admissions, Academic & College Counseling, and Spiritual Formation.

His love for being an educator and supporting students and families in this unique chapter of life drives his work. He and his wife have three children, including two Valor students ('24 and '26).

Education

Ed.D Organizational Leadership – University of Southern California

ThM. Systematic Theology – Dallas Theological Seminary

MEd. Curriculum and Instruction – Texas A&M University-Commerce

B.S. Communications – Liberty University

Terry Adams

Director of Discovery and Outreach

Prior to his appointment at Valor, Mr. Adams worked in corporate finance and administration in both the oil and gas industry and cable communications. He most recently served as CFO and VP Finance before he made his “half-time” shift into vocation ministry. Missions’ outreach and service to the poor have been long-time volunteer roles through his local church. In fact, he has traveled to over 90 countries through travel and missions in his lifetime.

Mr. Adams has previously been involved on the board of Mile High Ministries and currently serves on the boards of Momentum Global India, and the advisory board of the National Christian Foundation – Colorado. In his starting role at Valor, with nearly 30 years of missions and outreach experience under his belt, he launched the Discovery program, leading to his current position as Director of Discovery and Outreach.

Mr. Adams has three adult children, including two Valor alumni ('11 and '15)

Education

M. Div. – Denver Seminary

B.S. Accounting – Indiana University

Arie Ringnalda

Director of Arts & Media, Conservatory Director and Valor MARKETING LEAD

Prior to his appointment at Valor, Mr. Ringnalda served as a founding teacher and Fine Arts Department Chair at Oaks Christian High School in California. He was honored with the Atsinger Award for Teaching Excellence in 2004-2005.

Coming to Valor in its inaugural year, Mr. Ringnalda founded and directed the Arts+Media program as well as taught photography, ceramics, and applied media in the early years.

From 2012-2015, Mr. Ringnalda served on the design and construction team of  The Valor Center for Culture and Influence, where the Arts+Media and Arts Conservatory programs now reside. He launched a robust Visual Arts and Performing Arts Conservatory with his team in 2015, making Valor a national destination high school for the Arts. In 2021 he was appointed as Director of Marketing and Communications.

He and his wife have two Valor students (Classes of '24 and '25).

Education

B.A., Fine Arts, Calvin College
B.S., Education, K-12 Arts

Brian Bonn

Athletic Director

Mr. Bonn joined Valor as a baseball coach in its inaugural year. Prior to joining Valor, Mr. Bonn worked as the Vice President of Marketing at HitStreak Baseball Academy, a baseball training program focused on building individual skills, both mental and physical. He is also actively involved with youth baseball and mentors young athletes towards Christ.

During his coaching tenure, Mr. Bonn's accomplishments included a State Championship, three Final Three appearances, four league titles, and a record of 127-61. He also coached numerous athletes that have gone on to compete at the collegiate and professional level.

While at Valor, Mr. Bonn has twice received the Valor Exemplar Award as well as the Excellence in Coaching award. In 2019, he was named Valor's Athletic Director, where he strives to use his Christ-given gifts and talents to ensure that no person goes unloved under his guidance.

Mr. Bonn is a board member for the Colorado Athletics Directors Association and for the CHSAA Board for mens and womens Tennis. He serves as the Lead Athletic Director of Baseball and the Lead Athletic Director of Girls Lacrosse and in Transfer Waiver committee all for the Jeffco League.

Education

B.A. New Media Design/Broadcast Journalism, Hastings College

Tige Watson

Director of Student Life/Director of Safety and Security

Prior to his appointment at Valor, Mr. Watson served as a deputy Fire Chief with the Albuquerque Fire Department for over 21 years, where he was responsible for delivery of front line emergency services/response, all hazards response, firefighter training, paramedic training, dispatch center, human resources, worked with the Office of Emergency Management as a representative of the fire department, and assisted in disaster response and operation. He also has FEMA training in multiple fields and was a paramedic for 19 years. While at the AFD, Mr. Watson was named Top Cadet and won the Excellence in Leadership Award. He was instrumental in creating a number of innovative programs and initiatives to help ensure the safety and well being of firefighters and the citizens of Albuquerque.

During his time as Dean of Students at Valor, Mr. Watson has received many recognitions, including Valor Exemplar, Department of Excellence, Valor Excellence in Character, "I am Third" awards. He and his wife have two sons, both Valor alumni (Classes of ‘15 and ‘18).

Education

B.S. Biology, Mesa State College

Jody Goff

Director of Finance and Operations

Mrs. Goff and her husband, Jim, are part of the founding group of parents of Valor Christian High School. Her heart's desire was simply to be obedient to God and follow where He was leading. She feels blessed that God has done more with Valor than anything they could have ever imagined. Her three children all graduated from Valor (Classes of '11, '13 and '15)

Mrs. Goff's prior professional work experience included serving as an Equity Trader and Junior Research Analyst at Janus Capital. After founding Valor, Mrs. Goff came on as Director of Finance & Operations in 2012, bringing with her a deep knowledge of and passion for Valor. 

Education

B.A. Business Administration, University of Denver

Bryan Ritz

Chair

Bryan graduated from the University of Denver with a BSBA in Finance and Marketing and then earned a MBA from the Daniels School of Business and a MBTS from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst. Bryan is currently the Chief Investment Officer for Alder Ventures. Prior to joining Alder Bryan was a Managing Director for the Anschutz Investment Company. Bryan also serves on the Chinese Children Adoption International Board of Directors, the Daniels School of Business Executive Board and Colorado Christian University Endowment Foundation Board of Directors. He and his wife, Sarah, have seven children, three Valor alumna, and one current Valor student.

Scott Pomeroy

Vice ChaiR

Scott graduated from the University of New Mexico with a BBA in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. Scott is currently the co-founder of Gen3 Equity Advisors, LLC serving multiple clients with their capital raising efforts, interim management needs, and merger and acquisition activities. Prior to that, Scott co-founded Pinnacle Medical Partners, a network of primary care medical practices throughout the Denver area, and served as its CEO for almost five years. Pinnacle was sold to a private equity firm in 2017. Previous to Pinnacle, Scott served as the CEO of Yellow Pages Group in New Zealand, CEO of Local Insight Media, and CFO of Dex Media for multi-national private equity firms and/or banks. Scott also serves on the board of AVX Aircraft Company. Scott and his wife Janis have three daughters, two of whom are Valor alumni. 

Vali Jerome

Director

Vali is a Colorado native who became a Christian early in life while listening to her grandfather’s preaching. After graduating with dual degrees from the University of Denver she married Nathan, and together they have 4 children – 2 of whom attend Valor. Vali began her career at a privately owned specialty chemicals company. As the company grew into a billion dollar enterprise (NASDAQ:IOSP), she grew with it. In early 2022 she was appointed President of the company’s largest global business unit. Vali has previously served as an Elder at Cherry Hills Community Church and on the Leadership Council for Worldwide Orphans.

Scott Lowery

Director

Scott graduated from the University of Denver Daniels College of Business with a B.S. in Business Administration and then went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Scott currently serves as Chairman of Collect America Encore, which owns the Galaxy companies and the Capps Group of Companies. Scott is also a partner in the law firm of Rausch Sturm, LLP. All entities are involved in creditors' rights. The law firm practices in 36 states. Scott also currently serves on the University of Denver Daniels College Business Executive Advisory Board. Scott and his wife, Texie, have three daughters, two of whom are Valor alumni.

Kevin McVaney

Director

Kevin graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder with a B.S. in Molecular Biology, then went to Georgetown University School of Medicine for his MD. He completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis and then served as an Emergency Physician in the U.S. Air Force. From 2010 to 2023 Kevin served as the Medical Director of the Denver Paramedic Division and is on the faculty at Denver Health Residency in Emergency Medicine. Kevin also serves on the National Board of Directors for Young Life. He and his wife, Colleen, have four children, all Valor alumni.

Leigh Ann Nicas

Director

Leigh Ann graduated from Texas A&M with a B.A. in English and a minor in Business. Before retiring, Leigh Ann oversaw public relations and marketing in various positions with international law and accounting firms for almost 25 years. She served as an Elder of Cherry Hills Community Church and was on the Coors Western Art Show Advisory Committee, part of the National Western Stock Show. She is a former Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care. She and her husband Bill have two children, both are Valor alumni, and their family hosted a Valor International student for three years.

Kelly Kennedy

DIRECTOR

Kelly’s background includes not only her work as a pediatric nurse for 10 years at the Children’s Hospital in Chicago, but also extensive philanthropy experience. She has served for 20 years in various philanthropic efforts as a volunteer, serving on boards and chairing events. She married her husband Michael in 1994 and they have four children, all Valor alumni. Kelly is passionate about Valor’s mission, as she has seen her children benefit immensely from attending Valor. Kelly is an active member of Valor’s Board of Education. 

James Jamison

Director

James has a zeal for Jesus, learning and education. He is a native of Colorado where he lives with his wife Lisa, a native of Oregon and graduate of CU-Denver.  All five of their children were born in Colorado and have participated in academic, arts, STEM and athletic programs at Valor.  James holds undergraduate degrees in Mathematics/Education (Adams State), Electrical Engineering (CU-Denver) and a graduate degree in Computer Science (University of Denver).  Currently he works for Microsoft as a Director of Business Strategy for Customer Success. He has held technical, training, and business roles for AWS, SAP, Cisco, IBM and Hughes Aircraft. He attends Calvary Castle Rock and participates in the men’s leadership and discipleship programs. He volunteers his time with the Advisory Board for Electrical Engineering at CU-Denver and the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo. 

Perry Kamel

Director

Perry graduated from Cornell University with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Electrical Engineering, and as a Palmer Scholar from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School with a Masters of Business Administration. A former leader of McKinsey & Company’s telecommunications practice, Board Member of the National Telecommunications Association, and co-founder of the world’s largest digital services company Accenture Digital, Perry has spent three decades serving Christ in the corporate mission field.  A combat decorated Navy Veteran, Perry is an active leader in multiple Veteran support organizations.  In love with and active in the Valor community, Perry and his wife Lindsay (president of the Valor Arts Guild) are the proud parents of three Valor alumni.

Daniel Ramirez

Director

Daniel is a proud Valor alumnus, and was part of the first graduating class at Valor (2010). He went on to complete his degree from Azusa Pacific University and in 2016 he joined the family business, Los Dos Potrillos Mexican Restaurant. Since opening in 2002, Los Dos Potrillos has grown immensely and is currently operating with four restaurant locations, one brewery, and two food truck concepts. Daniel’s goal and vision is to continue growing and expanding his family’s restaurant not only in Colorado, but in other states as well. Daniel currently sits as the youngest Chairman for The Colorado Restaurant Association and is a member of YPO (Young Presidents Organization). In April of 2021, Daniel was diagnosed with stage 2 Testicular Cancer at the age of 28. Following surgery, Daniel endured three rounds of Chemotherapy which he completed on August 23, 2021. Through his faith and trust in God, he was able to stay strong and fight through his battle with cancer. Daniel is now cancer free and is using his multiple platforms to promote awareness and frequent checkups for men.