Mike Arrington - Vice Chairman

Mike Arrington is Past President of The Operation Andrew Group and previously had a 15-year career with LifeWay Christian Resources, retiring in 2007 as Vice President of Corporate Affairs. Since relocating to Nashville in 1991, he has been active in local civic affairs, including serving as Chairman of the Board for the Nashville/Middle Tennessee Fellowship of Christian Athletes, membership in the Nashville Rotary Club, and serving as Chairman of the Tennessee Prayer Breakfast Citizens Committee. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University. Mike and his wife, Paula, reside in Tyler, Texas.  They have two grown children and seven grandchildren.  Mike and Paula attend Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler.

Callie Beukinga-Member

Callie Beukinga holds a Master’s in Theology from Williamson College and is passionate about helping others dig into God's Word and live out their faith. She serves on the teaching team for Bible Study Fellowship in Nashville. She also enjoys serving her church and the women at Oak Cottage for Women. Callie is the author of Identity: Discovering the Truth of Who You Are and co-author of Made for More: Life Beyond the Wreckage of Hurt, Loss, & Heartbreak, and occasionally blogs at CallieBB.com. She and her husband co-own Restore Hyperwellness in Nashville and Murfreesboro and live in Franklin with their three young children.

 

 

Steve Bruner -Member

A writer, influential thought leader, and the visionary behind "The Beatitude Chronicle” and Beatitude Code Ministries, J. Steve Bruner’s career has been a fascinating journey, encompassing roles such as director of social work for the Masonic Children's Home, a senior executive in the computer industry for over two decades, entrepreneur, mentor, Stephens Minister, and Enneagram coach.  Steve was the original co-host of Computer Talk, the first-ever TV talk show on PBS. He founded PC Idea Publications, an ad agency, and Natural Biology, a company he still runs.   He is married to Sherry; they have two children and seven grandchildren.  Steve enjoys golf, backpacking, and fly rod fishing.  His new book Beatitude Code is scheduled for release in the summer of 2024.

 

 

Chip Cheek Jr. - Treasurer

Chip Cheek has served as the COO and CFO at Symspire for the past 10 years. Symspire is a full-service integrator specializing in residential and commercial security, home automation, and custom audio-video solutions. Chip previously spent a decade as a consultant in the financial services industry, and has over 25 years of experience in financial management. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Auburn University. A resident of Franklin since 2012, he is an active member of The Church at West Franklin. He has been happily married to Susan for 43 years, and together they have raised five children and are enjoying their 5 grandchildren.

 

Larry Crain - Member

 

Ron Gambill – Member

Ron Gambill is Executive Vice President for Student Lending and Legislative Affairs of Education Loan Finance. Formerly, he served for 16 years as Chairman and CEO of Educational Funding of the South, the Tennessee designated secondary market for student loans. He was Executive Director of the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) for over 17 years and served as an Associate Professor and Department Head of Financial Aid for Nashville State Technical Institute for over 1 years before his appointment to TSAC. He has served on the Executive Board of the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators in various positions and si a member of the Legislative Relations Committee. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Tennessee Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators where he serves as Chair of the Governmental Relations Committee. He is a member and Past President of the National Association of State Student Grant and Adi Programs. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lipscomb University and holds a Master of Science ni Teaching degree from Middle Tennessee
State University.

 

Dr. Claude Pressnell-Member

Dr. Claude Pressnell, Jr., a native of Kansas, has spent nearly 40 years in higher education administration. He began his career at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri as an admission recruiter, and within a year advanced to the position of Senior Director of Admissions and Student Development.

He holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration/Educational Leadership from Vanderbilt University. While attending Vanderbilt, he served as the Director of Student Financial Assistance and Assistant Professor of Religion at Belmont University. In 1995, he served as the founding Executive Director of the Institute for Family Studies in Colorado. In 1996, Pressnell returned to Tennessee to become the Executive Director of the Tennessee Foundation for Independent Colleges and has served as President of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association since 2000. During his tenure, Pressnell worked to secure over $1.5 billion in student aid from the state of Tennessee.

In 2003, the United States Senate appointed Pressnell to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, where he served as Vice Chair from 2007 until his second and final term expired in 2008. In 2007, he testified before Congress on higher education policy issues. The committee serves as an independent source of advice and counsel to the United States Congress and the Secretary of Education on student aid issues and higher education policy.

In 2014, Pressnell was appointed by four U.S. Senators to serve on a committee to recommend a pathway to reduce the federal regulatory burden on higher education in the United States.

In 2016, Pressnell was appointed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for a six-year term to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. NACIQI provides recommendations regarding accrediting agencies that monitor the academic quality of post-secondary institutions and educational programs for federal purposes. Pressnell was reappointed for a second term in 2022 and served as the chairperson of the committee until he retired in 2025.

Pressnell retired from TICUA in September of 2024 and was given the title President Emeritus by the Board of Directors

 

Amy Rankin - Secretary

Amy has over fifteen years’ experience in the field of education as an elementary teacher and school counselor.  She now enjoys her role as a homeschool educator infusing faith with learning what is good, true, and beautiful.  She received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Richmond and holds a Masters of Education in School Counseling from Middle Tennessee State University.  Amy is passionate about giving back and making a difference in her community.  She was the co-founder of the Hoover Hope Foundation for twelve years, raising over $750k to help families whose lives were impacted by pediatric cancer.  Amy served on the board for Nashville Speaks, advocating for children and families who are impacted by cleft lip and palate. She and her husband Michael have three children and are blessed by the miracle of adoption. Amy enjoys learning alongside her girls, reading, being outdoors, spending time on the lake with family and creating through art and photography.  Amy is passionate about education and honored to be part of the Williamson College community.  She and her husband serve and attend Fellowship Nashville.   

 

Mary Smith - Member

Mary’s professional experience spans small business, corporate strategy, information technology and public service. She holds a B.S in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and an MBA in Leadership & Ethics from John Brown University. Most recently, she has taken her corporate and business skills to the public sector where she proudly represents District 5 (the Arrington and Nolensville area) as a Williamson County Commissioner. She has been married to her husband, Wade, since 2000. They have three children, a son-in-law, and a precious grandson that all live in the Williamson County area. She is an active member of LifePoint-College Grove Church and is incredibly excited about this opportunity to serve theWilliamson College Community.

 

 

  Henry Stovall, III - Member

Henry Stovall is a retired senior healthcare executive residing in Franklin, Tennessee.  His thirty-nine year career included serving as a partner with an international management consulting firm, a division president for a large IT services company and a variety of senior hospital and health system leadership positions.  Most recently Henry served as a system senior vice president, large hospital president, health system chief executive officer, as well as a regional market president in Florida.  Henry is an active member of Brentwood Baptist Church and volunteers with numerous charities and non-profits across the Nashville area.

 

 

Bob Upton - Chairman

Bob is a native of Cadiz, Kentucky and a 1977 graduate of Murray State University with a degree in Construction Technology.  Bob's 45 year career in the construction industry has included thirty-seven years in the Middle Tennessee area.  The last twenty three years were spent with T. W. Frierson Contractor, Inc. in various roles including Senior Project Manager, Contracts Manager and Vice President of Business Development.  While at Frierson Bob was a member of the Executive Management Committee.  Bob held active memberships and leadership roles in a number of industry associations and Chambers of Commerce in Tennessee and Alabama during his career. Bob has been married to Meg since 2009 and they are active members of The Church at West Franklin, a regional campus of Brentwood Baptist Church.

 

 

Derek Webster - Member

Dr. Derek Webster is President of Missions Door, a global missions organization with a vision for healthy local churches through local multipliers everywhere. He is the founder of Wenwyn LLC, an organization helping leaders navigate the crossroads of leadership and culture. With over three decades in leadership and cultural engagement, Derek serves as an advisor for the Global Strategy Forum, a Christian think tank initiative of the World Evangelical Alliance. His books have been endorsed by Dr. Craig Ott, Dr. Scot McKnight, Dave Ferguson, Dr. Eric Bryant, and other global leaders. He is featured on podcasts and radio programs, including Apollos Watered, Ancient Faith, The Post-Christian Podcast and Let’s Talk with Mark Elfstrand. Derek speaks globally to leaders of all contexts at various conferences and events. When he’s not spending time with his grandchildren, you can find Derek cycling or enjoying music.