meet our school board
Mark Alexander
Mark has two Master's degrees: A master of Architecture from Tulane University and a Master of Science in Administration from West Connecticut State University. He has been employed by the University of TN for the last 29 years and is Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life. His wife Jeanne is from New Orleans and they have four children, three of whom have graduated from Berean Christian School and the fourth is currently in high school. Interacting with his wife and four active children is how he likes to spend his spare time.
Favorite Bible Verse:
Genesis 1:1
Ken Brady
Claude "Buddy" Cooper
Chairman
Kensey Zimmerman
Secretary
Ken was born into a Christian home in 1951 and saved by God’s grace at the age of 12; earned a Bachelors's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Tech in 1975. After graduation he joined the mission Operation Mobilization, spending two years overseas. He married Cindy Crowder in 1977 and the two rejoined OM and served in different countries and positions for 27 years. During these years the Lord blessed them with two sons and one daughter. All three are following the Lord, are married, and have given them a total of seven grandchildren.
In 2004 restructuring of OM moved their ministry to become a for-profit company distributing Bibles and other Christian materials to Christian bookshops. They moved to Knoxville in 2016 and joined Berean Bible Church shortly thereafter. Ken has been working on their house on a huge renovation project (home renovation having been his hobby over the years) and occasionally helping his son-in-law in his construction company.
Favorite Bible Verse:
Col. 1:21-22
Buddy is the owner of Cooper Drywall and Painting, which he founded in the early 1980s. His son attended Berean Christian School and two great-granddaughters have graduated from BCS. He likes to flip houses in his spare time. His desire is to serve Christ by supporting the teachers at BCS.
Favorite Bible Verses:
Psalm 103 and 139.
Kensey currently serves as the Academy Coach at Fulton High School. She and her husband, Cody, have been married since 2013 and serve their church each week leading the worship team. They have one son, Cole, who is a bundle of toddler joy. They lead their church small group and love the community that they have through that group. As a former student of Berean, Kensey values the impact of that experience and hopes to share that with others. B.A. in Communication Studies, University of Tennessee-Knoxville; M.S. in Communication and Information, University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Jimmy Cannington
Margie Whittaker
Rich Smith
Susanna Smith
Jimmy has B.S. in Psychology from Georgia Southwestern College and a M.S. in Guidance from UT-Knoxville. Jimmy is currently the 6th grade school counselor at Bearden Middle School. Previously, he has worked as a teacher/school counselor at Berean Christian School and at Faith Academy in the Philippines. Jimmy and wife Vicki have been married since 1980, have three children and eight grandchildren, and are blessed to be attending Berean Bible Church."things have changed tremendously at BCS since Vicki and I took the entire 7th and 8th grade classes to Washington D.C. in a 15 passenger van. I look forward to seeing how God will continue to bless BCS in the future."
Favorite Bible Verse:
II Cor. 5:21
I grew up in Knoxville and graduated from UT with a major in Business Education (which is no
longer available) in 1963 but never taught in school. My husband and I started a drafting service (Technical Drafting Service) that turned into an exhibit house (TDS Exhibits), and the fact that we came to know Jesus in our 30s enabled us to work together in the business throughout
our marriage of 50 years. I have three sons married to their first wives, 10 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. I am an active member of Berean Bible Church and have been a part of Berean Christian School since its beginning. I consider it an honor to serve on the Board. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, working in my yard, and reading. Bible verses that I love and that have guided me are.
Favorite Bible Verse:
Colossians 3:12-17.
Rich is a retired Firefighter EMT-B from the Chicago Fire Department. He served 21 years as a Firefighter and two years as a Fire Inspector. Rich is married to Susanna and has a stepson Tony. Rich got married to Susanna in 2010 and relocated to Knoxville in 2014. While on the fire department Rich served in various roles with the Chicago Fellowship of Christian Firefighters. Presently, he volunteers as a leader with the Sparks at Berean Bible Church. He also serves with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association ministry called PeaceWithGod.net as a volunteer E-Mail Coach. There have been many opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with on-line visitors and to minister the love and hope of Jesus Christ to them. His education includes the completion of several college courses. Meditation and memorization verses are Psalm 23:1-6 and Ephesians 6:10-18. Rich’s life verse is John 14:6
Favorite Bible Verse:
1 Corinthians 13:4-13
Susanna is a retired employee of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She served 24 ½ years in the College of Business Administration. Susanna has one son Tony. Susanna and her husband Rich have been married since 2010. In 2014 they moved to Knoxville, Tennessee and started attending Berean Bible Church. Susanna volunteers with the Billy Graham Evangelical Association since 2012 and continues to serve as an Online Chat Coach. The Current Moody Bible President, Mark Jobe was her first Pastor and baptized her at the Cedar Lake Conference Center in 1986. As a follower of Jesus Christ her life is to reflect Jesus and share him as her Lord and Savior. Susanna earned her BA in Liberal Arts & Sciences, at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Susanna’s meditation and memorization verses are Psalm 90-100. Susanna’s Life verse is Ephesian 2:8-10.
Favorite Bible Verse:
Psalm 139:1-6