THE BOARD
Jason Sims
Evangel Presbyterian Church, PCA
Chairman
Mr. Jason Sims was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama where he obtained his bachelor's degree in Business/Finance from Auburn University at Montgomery. He is a partner/owner of TrueWealth Advisors, LLC, an investment and retirement planning advisory firm. Jason also serves as a Deacon for Evangel Presbyterian Church, PCA where he and his family have been members since 2005.
Jason is married to Randee, and they have two children, Wesley (11th) and Cooper (7th).
Sheri Garrett
Evangel Presbyterian Church, PCA
Mrs. Sheri Garrett currently serves graduate and undergraduate populations as a Financial Aid Advisor at Samford University. She and her husband, James, have four grown children, Ross, Brooks, Lance, and Allyn.
She graduated from Mississippi State University with her bachelors degree in Business Administration, has earned certifications in Equipping Minds, the National Institute of Learning Development, and Trust Based Relational Intervention, and is currently pursuing her master's degree in Higher Education Law. Her background includes experience in retail management and banking business administration, with the last twenty-five years investing in Christian education, thirteen of which were served at Evangel Classical Christian School in various administrative capacities.
She began her service on the ECCS board in 2021.
Courtney Higdon
Westwood Baptist Church
Mrs. Courtney Higdon graduated from the University of Montevallo with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences and a minor in Business. Since 2004, she has been working as a real estate professional and currently is employed at Re/Max First Choice in Pelham. For over 18 years, she has been living out her passion, walking clients through the home buying and selling process. Throughout her career, she has also worked for multiple new construction home builders and has received many real estate designations, such as Certified Sales Professional, Accredited Buyer Representative, and multiple top sales agent awards. Additionally, Courtney enjoys traveling the country with her family in their RV.
Courtney and her husband, Jamie, have 3 children: Levi (7th), Sawyer (3rd) and Thomas (4K).
Valerie Leonard
Westwood Baptist Church
Mrs. Valerie Leonard is the CEO of Everthrive Financial Group, an investment and financial advisory firm. In her nearly 20 years of experience in the financial industry and retirement community, Valerie has earned numerous recognitions throughout the United States. She holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) designation and is a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPF). Currently, Valerie is actively involved in various church ministries at Westwood Baptist Church. She joined the ECCS board in 2021.
Valerie and her husband Rob have 3 children: Jake (7th), Addie Claire (5th), and Kaitlyn (3rd).
Dabney Sliwowski
The Church at Shelby Crossings
Mrs. Dabney Sliwowski was born and raised in Mississippi. After attending the University of Mississippi, she worked in banking/finance. In 2005, she moved to Alabama where she continued to work in banking. In 2008, she felt led to change her career and graduated from the University of Montevallo with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences. Prior to becoming a full-time homemaker, she worked at The Arc of Shelby County where she assisted children with developmental delays and disabilities. Dabney attends The Church at Shelby Crossings in Calera. Additionally, she enjoys volunteering, reading, traveling, and Ole Miss football.
Dabney and her husband, Thomas, have a son, Benton (future class of 2028).
Jeffrey Love, MD
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Dr. Jeffrey Love is a Birmingham physician, Desert Storm veteran, and ECCS parent. After completing undergraduate studies at the University of Mississippi, he enlisted in the Air Force as a Security Police/Airbase Ground Defense Officer. He graduated from flight school and went on to fly B-52s in multiple missions in Desert Storm. Following his service, he graduated from Wright State University School of Medicine with an MD degree. During his residency in Emergency Medicine, he enrolled at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he completed two degrees, an MDiv and a ThM.
He and his wife, Heidi have three children and six grandchildren. Their youngest, Luke, is a freshman at ECCS. They attend Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Eric Skocelas, DVM
Vice Chairman
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Dr. Eric Skocelas was born in Biloxi, Mississippi and attended Mississippi State University for both his bachelor’s degree in Biology and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. His is currently practicing veterinary medicine at Bluff Park Animal Clinic, where he is the owner. Eric also serves as an Elder for Trinity Presbyterian Church. He began serving on the ECCS board in 2020.
Eric is married to Sarah, and they have 4 children, Emory (11th), Ethan (8th), Ella Margaret (7th), and Seth (4th).
Mr. Michael Luna
Hunter Street Baptist Church
Michael Luna is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board of ECCS, a school his family loves dearly. Michael and his wife, Sandi, are blessed that their children, Alexander and Bailey, both students in the upper school, have been able to attend Evangel since they were in 4K. Michael is a co-owner and operator of Blue Rain Express Car Wash. He holds a BGS in Theatre and Film from the University of Kansas and a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School. The Lunas attend Hunter Street Baptist church and are active in choir and student ministries.
