Leadership Team
Valor is blessed with an incredible team of experienced leaders who are passionate about our mission to prepare tomorrow's leaders to transform the world for Christ!
Executive Leadership Team
Bryan Ritz
Head of School
Mr. Ritz 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. Professionally, Mr. Ritz has a long tenure overseeing investments, managing numerous foundations and endowments, and being part of governance of non-profit organizations. He previously was Chief Investment Officer for Alder Companies and a similar position with Anshutz Investment Company, where Mr. Ritz managed teams which substantially grew assets among private foundations, including during times of national and international financial crises.
Prior to being named Head of School in 2024, Mr. Ritz served as part of Valor’s governance with roles on both the Board of Education and Board of Trustees, and as the Board Chair for two years. Mr. Ritz has also served on the Executive Advisory Board of the Daniels College of Business, University of Denver. Mr. Ritz has been married to his wife Sarah for 25 years and has seven children, including three Valor alums and one current Valor student.
Education
M.B.T.S., Dallas Theological Seminary
M.B.A., Daniels School of Business
B.S.B.A., Finance and Marketing, University of Denver
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
Joe Bohling, Esq.
HUman resources and Internal Counsel
Mr. Bohling brings to Valor a wealth of experience in the field of Business Strategy and Human Resources. Prior to his appointment at Valor, he served as Managing Partner and Chief Investor Relations Officer at Pilatus Capital; as Managing Director and Member / Owner at Berkeley Research Group, LLC; Co-Founder of The Legacy Academy, a Division of BRG; Co-Founder and President of the Health Transformation Institute, a Subsidiary of BRG; and Chief Human Resources Officer for both Aflac, Inc. and GLP Capital Partners.
Throughout his professional life the Lord has placed Mr. Bohling in positions that have allowed him to share his testimony and witness to those in need of God's love, grace, and at times Spirit-led insights. For Mr. Bohling, serving at Valor is a calling that the Lord has placed on his heart as the next chapter in his professional and personal journey living out the Lord's will.
Mr. Bohling is the Former President and Board of Directors Member for Colorado State University Alumni Association.
Mr. Bohling and his wife have two daughters, including one Valor daughter (Class of '26)
Education
B.A. Speech Communications and History, Colorado State University
J.D., University of Colorado School of Law
Cabinet Team
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
Toby Coffman
humanities DEAN
Prior to his Valor appointment, Mr. Coffman taught collegiate level courses at Kansas State University. He taught introductory writing and literature while pursuing his Master’s degree in English, focusing on early modern British Literature. Mr. Coffman and his family returned to Colorado in 2014 to take a position teaching English at Valor, where he could combine his love for teaching, literature, theology, and history into a single career.
Since starting at Valor, Mr. Coffman has taught a variety of grade levels and courses. Along with being a member of the English faculty, he teaches and coordinates the Humanities endorsement program. His mission is to teach Valor's students to grow in love for God and obedience to him by showing them how the arts of reading, writing, and speaking are linked to our love for God and service to Him.
Education
B.S. Business Finance, Colorado State University
M.A. English, Kansas State University
Jim Kirchner
Campus Pastor
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 Interim Head of School.
Mr. Kirchner and his wife have eight children, including four Valor alumni (Classes of '11, '13, '15, and '17)
Mr. Kirchner's wisdom, faith, and deep understanding of Valor's values make him an exceptional leader as Campus Pastor. 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
Shandra Pankoski
Stem DEAN
Mrs. Pankoski has experience teaching mathematics in both the public and independent school systems, as well as teaching in a traditional and online school setting. She has taught every math class from Algebra I to AP Calculus and has served as department chair, instructional coach, and a variety of other leadership roles.
At Valor, Mrs. Pankoski has received the Excellence in Teaching and the Exemplar Awards for her service. She finds joy in sharing God's beautiful design with students through the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math at Valor. In her role, she loves seeing students learn through authentic experiences and apply their knowledge to real world scenarios.
Mrs. Pankoski and her husband have two Valor students (Classes of '23 and '25).
Education
B.A. Secondary Math Education, University of Northern Colorado
M.A. Education/Instructional Technology, National University
Keith Wahl
Athletic Director
After an original stint at Valor as head baseball coach and Assistant Athletic Director from 2007-2016, Coach Wahl served as the Athletic Director at Briarwood Christian before returning to Valor. Prior to his first appointment, he was the head baseball coach at Mountain Vista High School from 2001-2007. As a coach, he was named ABCA/Diamond Regional Coach of the Year (2011), Colorado State Coach of the Year (2016). His teams enjoyed success as well. At Valor, he coached State Champions (2016), Regional/District Champions (2011, 2013, 2014, 2016), League Champions (2009, 2010, 2011, 2016). At Mountain Vista, he coached State Runner-Up (2006) and League Champions (2006, 2007).
Coach Wahl's initial call to Valor was to be a part of creating an incredible educational institution with Jesus and His teachings as the cornerstone. His calling as Athletic Director now allows him to live out his purpose to serve others so they can fulfill God’s destiny and design for their lives. He hopes to create cultures focused on building relationships, atmosphere, and habits through the living ideas of Jesus Christ. He has also written and published the Well Coached series, novels about the lessons and hardships of coaching.
Coach Wahl and his wife have two children, both Valor students (Classes of '25 and '26).
Education
B.A. Communication, Hastings College
M.A. Teaching, Hastings College
Tige Watson
Director of Student AFFAIRS/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
Board of Education
Kevin McVaney
Chair
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.
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, including 1 Valor alum and 2 current students. 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 and his wife, Texie, have three daughters, two of whom are 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 worked as a pediatric nurse for 10 years at the Children’s Hospital in Chicago. She has served for over 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 and currently serving as Valor's Director of Advancement.
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 five restaurant locations, two breweries, 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 past 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.