K-12 Tuition-Free Public Charter School: Creating community-minded leaders
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairperson - Dennis Ingold
Dennis Ingold is a lifelong Rowan County resident who attended the Salisbury city schools. He graduated from RCCC with a Machining Technology degree and has worked in the manufacturing sector since. He currently manages Carolina Stamping Company and is part owner of the multi-location corporation that Carolina Stamping is a part of. He moved to Rockwell with his wife Kathy in 1982 and together they have 3 children who were educated in the Rowan County schools and 5 grandchildren, 2 of those being current students at Faith Academy. He has been a past vice president of the Erwin Middle school booster's club and past president of East Rowan High school's booster club. He loves to watch his grandchildren participate in school and club sports and loves to spend time on the lake or at the beach.
Vice Chairperson - Allen Cress
Allen Cress is a retired Chief of Emergency Services for Rowan County, proudly serving for over 30 years for Rowan County. He was born and raised in Rowan County, living in his childhood home, he grew up just outside of Faith, NC where he started riding his bike to Faith Elementary School in the third grade. He graduated from East Rowan High School in 1983. He started his Emergency Services career while in high school as a volunteer with Rockwell Rural Fire Department, eventually serving as its Chief for 20 years. He is an adjunct instructor with Rowan Cabarrus Community College, teaching CPR, EMT, 9-1-1, and firefighting classes since 1994. Allen currently serves as Council President for Organ Lutheran Church, past president of the Rowan Shrine Club, a member of Oasis Shrine, Salisbury York Rite Bodies, and is a member and Past Master of Keller Memorial Masonic Lodge # 657 and Treasurer of the Rockwell Rural Fire Department Board of Directors. Allen is married to Bonnie and together they have 3 adult children, 7 grandchildren and 2 cats.
Treasurer - Robert Leslie
Robert graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.T. Degree in Business and an M.A.Degree in Higher Education/Adult Education. He retired as Dean of Business, Manufacturing, and Information Technologies from Mitchell Community College in 2022. Robert spent twenty- four years in community college leadership working for four North Carolina Community Colleges and one South Carolina Community College. He also served as Executive Director of Smart Start Rowan in 2013. Robert currently serves on the One Church, One Child Advisory Board through Rowan County Department of Social Services. He is heavily involved in Rockwell Methodist Church where he serves as Chair of the Administrative Council and as a Lay Speaker. Robert is married to the former Robin Seaford, and they have two grown children: Dr. Brett Leslie (a Dentist), and Kyle Leslie (an Elementary Physical Education Teacher in Cabarrus County). Robert is the proud “Pop Pop” of four grandchildren: Owen, Kailee, Corbyn,and Caroline. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, walking, and spending time with his family.
Secretary - Bonnie Holder
Bonnie Ashley Holder has lived in Rowan County and the Faith area her entire life. A graduate of East Rowan High School, she retired from Rowan-Salisbury Schools in 2021.
Ms. Holder began her career at Erwin Middle School as a financial secretary. She served as an administrative assistant in several departments throughout the system, as well as serving as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Clerk to the Board for 10 years, and the in-house attorney for six years.
Bonnie currently works as Housing Specialist with the Salisbury Community Development Corporation. She serves as president of the Youth Services Bureau Board, member and past president of the Civitan Club of Salisbury, and attends St. James's Lutheran Church.
Ms. Holder has two grown children and four grandchildren. She enjoys spending her time with her family and
friends.
Sheri Halpin
Sheri Halpin attended Faith Elementary School and is a 1990 East Rowan graduate. She is currently employed by LMHT Associates, an architectural, engineering and design firm, where she works as a project manager. Sheri has over 25 years of experience in various phases of construction project management and continues to enjoy overseeing projects from start to finish. Sheri is married to David Halpin and has two children, Connor and Carson. Sheri is a member of Faith Academy Charter PTO, committee member of our local Boy Scout Troop 351, assistant club leader for Rowan County 4-H Hot Shots and volunteers with 4-H Rowan Rolling Pins. She is also a new member of Faith Community Endowment. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her family and friends, cooking and gardening.
John Hudson
John Hudson is a lawyer and has practiced in his hometown of Salisbury since 1985. He was born and raised in Rowan County, grew up in the Fulton Heights neighborhood, and graduated from the Salisbury City Schools. He received his BA degree from North Carolina State University, his Juris Doctor Degree from Campbell University School of Law, and his Master of Laws (LL.M) in Taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law. He is a partner with the Salisbury law firm Shelby, Pethel, & Hudson, PA., and a member of the Salisbury Kiwanis Club, Rowan Shrine Club, Oasis Shrine, Salisbury York Rite Bodies, and is Past Master of Andrew Jackson Masonic Lodge # 576. A lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, Salisbury, he is married to Sharon Miller, the father of two adult daughters and has three grandchildren.
Stephen Cowan
Stephen Cowan was raised in Rowan County, where he graduated from East Rowan High School and earned his degree from Catawba College. He is married to his wife, Brittany, and together they are raising four sons—Chance, Devan, Kade, and Ace.
A dedicated community leader, Stephen’s passion for helping others has been a consistent theme throughout his life. From childhood experiences to professional milestones, his connection to the community remains deeply rooted. He is a volunteer with Second Harvest Food Bank and serves as a volunteer Track and Field coach in Rowan County, investing time and mentorship in local youth.
Stephen is a Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors. He proudly serves individuals and families in Rowan County, Stanly County, and Davidson County.
As an alumnus of Catawba College, Stephen is a member of the Tri‑Alpha Honors Society, which promotes academic excellence and supports leadership development and community service among first‑generation college graduates. Outside of his professional and volunteer commitments, Stephen is an avid sports enthusiast who enjoys cooking, traveling, and playing golf with friends and family.
Michael Efird
Mike Efird was raised in Rockwell, where he was an Eagle Scout with Troop 376. A graduate from East Rowan High School, he attended RCCC Studying Electrical Engineering Technology. Mike also attended Davidson County Community, Stanly County Community College while working toward certifications as a Code Enforcement Official. Mike is a NC Licensed Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC and General Contractor. Mike was employed as a Quality Assurance Auditor with PFS Corp, an engineering, listing, labeling agency, working in the industrialized building industry. He retired from Mecklenburg County Codes Enforcement. Mike and his wife Rita have a grown son and daughter who both attended Faith Elementary. He has been a lifelong member of Mills Chapel Baptist Church in Kannapolis. He and his family have lived in Salisbury since 1987. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, Izzy and John. He also enjoys making cross country trips on his motorcycle.
Allyson Summitt
Allyson Summitt is a Rowan County resident and serves as the Deputy Chief of Emergency Services and Fire
Marshal of Rowan County. She holds a Master of Public Administration in Emergency Services Management and a Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration. With more than 20 years of experience in public safety, Allyson has built a career focused on leadership, emergency management, and community preparedness.
Throughout her career, she has worked across fire service, emergency management, and public information,
coordinating large-scale emergency response efforts and deploying across North Carolina as a member of a State Incident Management Team during major disasters and critical incidents.
Allyson is committed to supporting Faith Academy Charter School’s mission by promoting a safe, structured
environment and helping guide continued growth focused on student success, character development, and strong community values. She and her husband moved to Granite Quarry in 2022 to preserve family land and history and are actively involved in numerous community organizations and their home church - St. John's Lutheran. Their five-year-old child will be attending Faith Academy Charter School beginning in Fall 2026
FACS FOUNDING BOARD MEMBERS
George Wilhelm, Jana Griggs, Gene Miller, Elizabeth Morrow, Chris Sease, Howard Torrence, Tim Williams