Board of Directors

BJ Smith (chairman)

BJ and his wife, Christy, have deep roots at Providence Academy. They have five children, some PA graduates, some still at PA. BJ has served on the board for six years and is currently serving as chairman. BJ and his wife offer a unique and beautiful perspective of what life and community is like here at Providence Academy, and we are so grateful for their commitment to the mission of the school!

Josh Hicks

Josh and his wife, Jessica, have been part of the PA family since 2019. They have two children at PA. This is his second year serving on the Board. He is passionate about Christian education and excited to help cultivate an environment where students can find their identity in Christ.

Rex Garrison

Rex and his wife, Jennifer, have been part of the Providence family for several years. Rex has served on the board for the last four years. Their oldest daughter is a Class of 2019 Alumna, and their youngest daughter is a senior. We are grateful for their passion to support the school in impacting students' daily walk with Christ.

Wayne Turbyfield

Wayne and his wife, Sarah, have been journeying alongside Providence staff and families for 15 years and Wayne has served on the board for the last four years. They have three children—two graduates, and a sophomore—who have each attended Providence since kindergarten. What a special legacy the Turbyfields have to offer regarding the life and culture of Providence Academy after their faithful involvement and support of a classical and Christian education!

Matt Jones

Matt and his wife, Lydia, who both grew up in east Tennessee have sons in 1st grade and a daughter who graduated in 2022. Both he and his wife are passionate about providing an education grounded in Christian principles. Matt has served on the board for three year and is currently the board vice chairman. Lydia has served with P2 for many years. We are thankful to have the Joneses as a part of the family here at Providence Academy.

Mark Hecht

Mark and his wife, Bonnie, have five children. The couple began their journey at Providence Academy in 1998. Bonnie, who is forever family here at Providence, served in multiple administrative roles for 19 years. The Hechts' second oldest son graduated in the first graduating class of the school in 2003. Their oldest daughter graduated in 2005 and soon after stepped into a teaching role here at Providence. Their two youngest children graduated from the classes of 2011 and 2013. Mark & Bonnie now have grandchildren at PA! We are grateful to the Hechts for their faithful investment in the school for over twenty years!

Joshua Puhr

Joshua and his wife, Dianna, have five kids here at Providence. They have been part of the Providence family for 10 years, and Joshua has served two separate terms on the board, making this his eighth year on the board. We are grateful to Joshua for his heart to serve the community of families at PA.

Earle Chute

Earle and his wife, Cara, have three children who all graduated from Providence Academy. Earle is a founding board member here at the school, and he has been on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ since 1973 while serving in many roles here at the school. We are grateful to Earle and his family for their continual service to the school and its mission to partner with families to the glory of God.

Alisa Van Cott

Mrs. Van Cott is an attorney at Eastman who holds a J.D. Degree from New York University School of Law, a Certificate in Advanced International Studies from Johns Hopkins University SAIS, and an A.B. in Asian and African Languages and Literature (Concentration: Mandarin Chinese; Minor: Psychology) from Duke University. She is excited to use her experience and skills to serve the PA community because she feels the school has provided her children with an invaluable educational and spiritual formation. Mrs. Van Cott and her husband, Steve, have three children at PA in the elementary program.