Just a few weeks ahead of the 2023-2024 school year, Father Ryan High School announced two new directors for the 2023-2024 staff.
Erin Riggs, class of 2000, will be the new director of enrollment, following nine years as the associate director of admissions, a position she held since 2014. Riggs received her bachelor of arts in history and her masters of science in teacher education with a concentration in secondary education from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
John Michael Simpson will take on the role as director of campus ministry and student life. Simpson previously served as the vice principal of student life, mission outreach, and faculty at St. Cecilia Academy, and campus minister, athletics event coordinator, and religion teacher at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis. Simpson got his bachelor of arts in humanities at Pontifical College Josephinum, his master of arts in theological studies at Christendom College Graduate School, and his masters of education in independent school leadership at Vanderbilt University.
“Erin and John Michael are committed and effective voices for Catholic education who bring experience and energy to these positions,” said Paul Davis, president of Father Ryan. “We are pleased to welcome them to the leadership team in these new roles.”
Father Ryan also announced the members of the Executive Committee and two new members of the Board of Trustees.
The Executive Committee includes:
• John Bumpus, class of 1978, president and chair. Bumpus has more than 35 years of progressive experience serving Fortune 500 healthcare and retail organizations. Most recently, he served as executive vice president and chief administrative officer for LifePoint Health, a national provider of community-based hospital and healthcare services in growing regions and non-urban communities.
Currently, he serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board at the University of Tennessee College of Arts and Sciences and has served as a board member of Father Ryan since 2016.
• David Glascoe, vice president and vice chair. Glascoe is the former president and chair of the Father Ryan board. He retired from the Diocese of Nashville in 2021 after serving in a variety of administrative positions, most notably Villa Maria Manor and its sister facility, Mary, Queen of Angels, which he founded. Currently, he handles special projects for the diocese.
• Brian Callahan, treasurer and finance and budget chair. Callahan is the owner of Copperweld Bi-Metallics, a manufacturer of copper-clad steel and copper-clad aluminum for applications like power, rail, and automotive.
• Brittney (Testerman) Griffith, class of 2003, secretary. Griffith has served as owner and managing broker of Avenue Real Estate since 2015.
She is a former member of the 2015-2017 Greater Nashville Realtors Board of Directors, and former chair of Habitat for Humanity. She received her marketing degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
• William Stejskal III, class of 1979, governance and nominating chair. Stejskal is currently the vice president of Human Resources for SMS Holdings Corps, and is a member of the board of directors for Mary, Queen of Angels Assisted Living Facility. He is also a member of the executive advisory board for the University of South Alabama Mitchell College of Business, from which he received his bachelor of science in transportation and logistics.
In the past, he has served as chairman of the Christ the King School Board, president of the Father Ryan Alumni Association, and is the immediate past president and chair of the Father Ryan Board of Trustees.
• Father Rhodes Bolster, class of 2011, priest/chaplain. Father Bolster attended the Catholic University of America before entering seminary for the Diocese of Nashville. He was ordained a priest in 2019, and currently serves as chaplain of University Catholic – Nashville, and episcopal master of ceremonies.
Additionally, the Committee Chairs are:
• Brett Wesnofske, class of 1988, facilities. Wesnofske is principal of Sunrise Contracting and holds more than 30 years of construction experience, including a significant presence in various diocesan building projects at Father Ryan, Christ the King, St. Michael Academy, and more.
• Philip Mattingly Sr., class of 1969, advancement. Mattingly is principal of Mattingly and Company, and was a founding member of the St. Bernard Academy board and is currently a life member.
Father Bolster and Matthew Wright, founder and president of Disciplina Group, will be the two newest members of the Board of Trustees.
Wright is the former vice chancellor for investments and chief investment officer at Vanderbilt University as well as the former director of investments at Emory University.
They will join the following members:
• Tom Bauer, principal of Bauer/Askew Architects.
• Warner Hassell, retired administrator of Metro Nashville General Sessions Court.
• William Krueger, president of The Greenbrier Companies.
• Patrick Nolan III, class of 1969, retired public relations executive.
• Judy (Kominksy) Orr, class of 1975, executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville.
• Tom Turner, president of Nashville Downtown Partnership.
• Bishop J. Mark Spalding.
• Father Austin Gilstrap, Episcopal Vicar for Education for the Diocese of Nashville.
• Paul Davis, Father Ryan president.
“I am pleased to have these outstanding individuals heading our Board of Trustees, and I look forward to their leadership, the new ideas from Matthew and Father Bolster, and the dedication of the entire board as we continue to advance the mission of Father Ryan High School,” said Davis. “Each of these individuals brings a strong commitment to the school, a deep belief in our mission, and broad experience that make Father Ryan even stronger. I look forward to working with all of them.”
All positions are effective as of Saturday, July 1.
