Board of Directors
Matt Jones (Chair)
Matt and his wife, Lydia, both grew up in East Tennessee and have been active members of the Providence Academy community. They have two sons currently attending PA and a daughter who is a graduate. Matt serves on the Board as Chair, and Lydia is actively involved with P2. Both are passionate about providing an education rooted in Christian principles, and their family continues to play an important role in the life of Providence Academy.
Wayne Turbyfield
Wayne and his wife, Sarah, have been part of the Providence Academy community for more than 15 years. They have three children—two graduates and a current student—who have each attended PA since kindergarten. Wayne has served on the Board for six years and is the Chair of the Finance Committee. The Turbyfield family’s long-standing commitment reflects their deep support for classical, Christian education and their investment in the life and culture of Providence Academy.
Mark Hecht
Mark and his wife, Bonnie, have been part of the Providence Academy community since 1998. They are parents of four PA graduates, spanning from the first class in 2003 thr ough 2013. Bonnie served in multiple administrative roles for 19 years and continues to stay active through volunteer work. The Hecht family’s decades-long investment has shaped the life of Providence Academy and reflects their lasting commitment to classical, Christian education.
BJ Smith
BJ and his wife, Christy, have deep roots at Providence Academy. They are parents of five children, including PA graduates and current students. BJ has served on the Board since 2018. Together he and Christy bring a valuable perspective on the life and community of Providence. Their family’s ongoing commitment reflects a strong dedication to the mission of the school.
Josh Hicks, Vice Chair
Josh and his wife, Jessica, have been part of the PA family since 2019. They have two children at PA. This is his fourth year serving on the Board and the Finance Committee. An ophthalmologist (eye surgeon), he has been practicing in our region since 2012. Josh and Jessica are 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 Academy family for many years. Rex has faithfully served on the Board, including time as Board Chair. Their daughters are Providence graduates, and through their experiences at the school, Rex and Jennifer have seen firsthand the lasting impact of a Christ-centered education.
They are deeply grateful for the teachers and administration whose love, support, and dedication have shaped not only their daughters’ lives but also the lives of so many students at Providence Academy.
Joshua Puhr
Joshua and Dianna have five children at Providence. They have been a part of the Providence community since 2012. Josh has served multiple (four-year) terms on the board and previously served as secretary and vice president of the board. Josh has served in various physician leadership roles regionally within emergency services and remains active in the US Army Reserves IMA component. Over the years, Dianna has been involved with elementary reading groups, Moms in Prayer, and various volunteer activities. The Puhr family is grateful for the PA community - "it is a very exciting time to be a part of the PA family."
Earle Chute
Earle and his wife, Cara, have three children who all graduated from Providence Academy. Their oldest daughter, Brook, was in the first graduating class. Now they have three grand children who attend Providence. Earle is a founding board member here at the school. Earle and Cara served on the original steering committee that planned and launched Providence Academy in 1994. Earle has been on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) since 1973 while serving in many roles here at the school. Earle is very grateful to be able to continue to serve Providence Academy and to continue to promote its mission to partner with families to the glory of God.
Alisa Van Cott
Mrs. Von Cott is an attorney at AESC 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 one in elementary school and two in middle school.
Walt Tittle
Walt and his wife, Brooke, have two children in elementary school at Providence Academy. They have been part of the Providence family since 2022. He is serving his first term on the Board and is passionate about supporting the school’s mission and providing students with a strong classical and Christian education.