K-12 Tuition-Free Public Charter School: Creating community-minded leaders
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairperson - George Wilhelm
George Wilhelm is a lifelong Faith resident who attended Faith Elementary School. He holds a B.A. from Pheiffer University where he took a number of teacher preparation courses and is a retired sheriff of Rowan County. During his tenure as Sheriff, George made significant accomplishments relating to drug enforcement and highway safety. As a member of the National Sheriff’s Association, Sheriff Wilhelm received the J. Stannard Baker Award for accomplishments with highway safety and served on the N.S.A. Committee for highway safety. As Sheriff, George had varied experience as a volunteer member of multiple boards of non-profit organizations in Rowan County. He is no stranger to the “nuts and bolts” of organizational operation, including handling a large budget and personnel management as well as supervision. Those who know him well recognize that volunteerism, especially that in the service of education, is undertaken with great commitment by George.
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Vice 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.
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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.
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Secretary - Nick Lefko
Nick Lefko attended Faith Elementary school as a child and graduated from Catawba College where he was a 4 year starter for the Catawba Baseball team. He has been an Aflac Independent Insurance Agent since 2008. Nick attends Shiloh Reformed Church of Faith and resides in Faith with his wife, Kara, his daughter, Brinley, his stepdaughter, Braelyn, and his son, Briggs.
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Director - Mark Brinkley
Mark Brinkley received a BA in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, an Associates of Applied Science in Gunsmithing from Montgomery Community College, and an Associates of Applied Science in Computer Engineering Technology from Central Piedmont Community College. Mark holds Secondary Education Licenses in Math and Technology Education. After 13 years teaching high school mathematics, technology and engineering, he has now transitioned to owning a business in Granite Quarry. He also serves as an Advisory Board Member for Montgomery Community College Gunsmithing Program. Mark lives just outside of Faith with his wife and daughter.
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Stephen Cowan
​Stephen Cowan was raised in Rowan County, where he graduated from East Rowan High School and Catawba College. He is married to Brittany Cowan and has four sons; Chance, Devan, Kade and Ace. Stephen holds a market leadership role at Merrill Lynch as a Market Supervision Manager, where he manages Merrill offices across North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Stephen is a dedicated community leader with a heart for helping others.
From childhood experiences to professional milestones, his dedication to helping his community is deeply rooted in his journey. Outside of the boardroom, he is an active volunteer with Second Harvest Food Bank and is a volunteer Track and Field coach in Rowan County. As alumni of Catawba College, he is a member of the Tri-Alpha Honors Society. Members promote academic excellence and provide opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and community service for first-generation college students. Stephen is an avid sports enthusiast who enjoys cooking, traveling, and playing golf with friends and family.
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​​Director - 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.
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Attorney - 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 at Raleigh, his Juris Doctor Degree from Campbell University School of Law in Buies Creek, NC, and his Master of Laws (LL.M) in Taxation with a concentration in estate planning from the University of Alabama School of Law in Tuscaloosa, AL. He was sworn in as a member of the NC State Bar in Superior Court, Rowan County, August 1985. He is a partner with the Salisbury firm of Shelby, Pethel, & Hudson, PA. He serves as town attorney for the Towns of Faith, Rockwell, and Cleveland. John serves as Chairman of the Rowan County Board of Elections and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Nazareth Child and Family Connection, Rockwell, NC. He is a member of the Salisbury Kiwanis Club, Rowan Shrine Club, Oasis Shrine, Salisbury York Rite Bodies, and is a member and Past Master of Andrew Jackson Masonic Lodge # 576. A lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, Salisbury, he is the father of two adult daughters and two grandchildren.
FACS FOUNDING BOARD MEMBERS
George Wilhelm Jana Griggs Gene Miller Elizabeth Morrow Chris Sease Howard Torrence Tim Williams​​​​​​