I am honored to serve as a board member for Onward Christian Academy, a school that has been an integral part of my family's life. My wife, Amy, has been actively involved with OCA since our eldest child, Sydnor, began kindergarten. He is now in 4th grade, and we also have two daughters, Elizabeth (3rd grade) and McKinlay (1st grade), who are part of the OCA family.

Professionally, I have served with the Lynchburg Police Department for the past 25 years and currently hold the rank of Captain of Field Operations. Over the course of my career, I have held various positions, including Criminal Investigations Lieutenant, Crime Scene Detective, and, early on, a School Resource Officer at E.C. Glass High School.

My passion for serving on the OCA board stems from my deep investment in the school's success—not only as a parent but as someone who values the impact of a strong, faith-based education. Witnessing the joy, love, and nurturing environment my children experience daily at OCA inspired me to take on a more active role. I am committed to supporting the school's continued growth and ensuring that it remains a place where children thrive both academically and spiritually. I’d love to hear from you and can be reached at ocaboard@onwardchristian.org.

My name is Dan Geffken and our family joined the Onward community when our oldest (of three) started in 2017.  Since 2012, I have worked at LU as a Business Data Analyst, supporting the Enrollment and Advancement divisions by optimizing processes and developing accurate reporting tools.  Our family has loved partnering with OCA for our kids' education because of its unique blend of homeschool and private school benefits, and as a member of the board, I hope to help sustain OCA's innovative model so they can serve Lynchburg-area families for many years to come. I’d love to hear from you and can be reached at ocaboard@onwardchristian.org.

I have been part of the OCA community since its inception in 2016, supporting my wife, Lauren, in her role as Founder and Executive Director in any way I can. Our family has been richly blessed by this community—one of our children has graduated from Onward, and we currently have two sons in the high school program.

Professionally, I have served in a variety of higher education roles, including Chief Information Officer for ten years, as well as in academic and enrollment support, data analytics, and institutional strategy. I currently work to support the strategic direction of Liberty University as part of the Institutional Effectiveness team. My experience in leadership, operations, and data-driven decision-making allows me to contribute to OCA’s governance with a focus on sustainability and mission alignment.

I have loved watching Onward grow and thrive over the years and consider it a privilege to serve on the board to help ensure its long-term success. I’d love to hear from you and can be reached at ocaboard@onwardchristian.org.

I've been a part of the OCA community since its inception in 2016. After several years of teaching kindergarten and first grade, I transitioned into administrative roles, where I continue to serve today. In addition to my work at Onward, I have been an adjunct instructor at Liberty University since 2014. My husband and I have two children at OCA, Emma and Aaron.

I am deeply passionate about education in all its forms—from developing and selecting curriculum to training teachers, empowering parents, working with students, and finding innovative solutions to strengthen our school’s model. Having a front-row seat to the incredible things families and students accomplish is a constant source of inspiration and joy. I’d love to hear from you and can be reached at ocaboard@onwardchristian.org.

My family and I have been part of the Onward community since my oldest son started Kindergarten in 2017. I currently have three children enrolled and have loved watching them grow in this environment. I work as a director in Information Services at LU and have been there since 2005. Over the years, I have come to deeply appreciate the families and community at Onward, and I’m humbled to serve on its board in a way that I pray honors Christ as well as the wonderful families, teachers, and staff who make up this amazing school. I have seen God bless and grow Onward year after year, and I am confident that He who has begun a good work will be faithful to complete it. I’d love to hear from you and can be reached at ocaboard@onwardchristian.org.

I am honored to serve as a board member for Onward Christian Academy, which has been a meaningful part of our family’s educational journey. We began with Onward during its very first year, and it has been incredible to witness the school’s growth and the impact it continues to have on families. Onward provides an exceptional balance for families seeking a hybrid model while maintaining academic excellence. Our children have received a well-rounded education that continues to prepare them for each next step in life, and we are deeply thankful for the strong foundation Onward has provided. My wife has also been actively involved in the community, serving for several years as an aide in the younger grades and continuing to substitute as needed.

Although raised in the Midwest, I have called Virginia home since moving to Lynchburg to attend Liberty University in 1986. After graduation, I lived in several other areas of Virginia before returning to Lynchburg in 1995, where I have been employed by Industrial Products Company for the past 30 years.

It is truly a privilege to serve on the OCA Board of Directors. I am passionate about supporting the school’s mission and excited about what the future holds for Onward. I believe establishing a permanent home will strengthen the school’s stability and allow it to continue offering exceptional educational opportunities for families for years to come. I’d love to hear from you and can be reached at ocaboard@onwardchristian.org

I have been a part of the Onward community since 2019, when I joined as a staff member. I initially joined the team to support admissions and enrollment and then also moved into some roles that allowed me the opportunity to support our growth by developing and launching the Monday/Wednesday cohort and the high school program. I've worn a few hats while at Onward, and those include director of admissions and enrollment, assistant principal, program developer, and principal. My most recent role involves being an Onward homeschool parent to my oldest daughter, who started Kindergarten in fall 2026. Previous to my roles at Onward, I served for 12 years in leadership in higher education, mainly in the registrar capacity, departmental reorganization, as well as assisting with program and policy guidance and development. I still serve in a small capacity in higher education as an online adjunct dissertation chair for doctoral education students. When I am not involved in my chair role, family time, homeschooling activities or chasing my toddler, I enjoy serving in my church through volunteering in family and women's ministries. 

I have truly enjoyed each of my roles that the Lord has guided me to serve in and strongly believe in the role of family as we raise up the next generation(s). I believe that Onward is an incredible tool that the Lord is using to not only provide solid education for our children, but also beautiful opportunities to carry out the calling and mission of the household within our community and beyond. I look forward to continuing to serve Onward while on the board by using my past and current experiences, as well as supporting Onward's model to provide quality education and opportunities for family and local involvement. I'd love to hear from you and can be reached at ocaboard@onwardchristian.org.