Governance

List of 15 items.

• Jette Campbell, ’65, Chairman

  Jette Campbell is a 1965 graduate of Riverside Military Academy. Although Mr. Campbell attended Riverside only his senior year, he attributes much of his success in college and later in life to the discipline and confidence instilled in him then. He went on to graduate from Auburn University in 1969, where he pursued graduate studies until Uncle Sam called. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1969 through 1975 and remembers fondly the treatment he received in basic training because he attended Riverside Military Academy.

  
  

  Mr. Campbell is a CPA and began his career in Houston, Texas with Arthur Andersen & Co. in 1970. He was admitted to the partnership in 1979 and transferred to Austin, TX, where he headed the audit practice until 1983. He left Andersen to pursue opportunities in real estate and venture capital before returning to public accounting in 1988 as a direct entry partner in KPMG Peat Marwick’s Dallas office. In 1991, he joined his client PepsiCo as CFO of its Northern European Snack Foods Division based in London and returned to Dallas in 1993 as controller of Frito Lay. In 1994, Mr. Campbell was recruited by Rusty Griffin to join Griffin Corporation as CFO and a shareholder. When Griffin was sold to DuPont at the end of 2003, Mr. Campbell joined Carl Marks Advisors where he is a partner in its corporate restructuring group based in Charlotte, N.C.

  
  

  Mr. Campbell has an extensive track record in community service and education. He has served as a Trustee of St. Edwards University, Stetson University’s School of Music, and Paul Quinn College from which he received an Honorary Doctorate for his leadership as Chairman of the Executive Committee. He has served as an Arts Commissioner for the City of Austin, Chaired Leadership Austin, and is a life time Boy Scout having achieved Eagle Scout as a youth, served as a Scoutmaster and Council President as an adult, and is a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award.

  
  
  

• Anthony M. Herdener, Treasurer and Vice Chairman

  Anthony Herdener earned his CPA Certificate and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. He began his career at the CPA firm Ernst & Ernst (Ernst & Young), followed by Saint Joseph Hospital in Tacoma, Washington.

   

  Mr. Herdener retired in 2018 from his role as the Chief Financial Officer of Northeast Georgia Health Systems (NGHS) since 1995. NGHS is the leading healthcare system in northeast Georgia with three hospital campuses, nursing homes, physicians group, and numerous urgent care clinics. Mr. Herdener was responsible for all financial operation strategies and the capital formation of NGHS’ $1+ billion organizations. 

   

  Prior to his time at NGHS, he served as CFO of Saint Joseph Health System of Atlanta and as Vice President of Finance and Treasurer of Catholic Health East in Pennsylvania.

   

  Mr. Herdener is an active member of the Georgia CFO Networking Group and the Gainesville Rotary Club, where he served as President in 2013. His past service includes the United Way Budget & Allocation Committee, Leadership Hall Program, Lakeview Academy Finance Committee Chair, and Chairman of Elachee Nature Center Board.

   

  Mr. Herdener and his wife, Cathy have two children and two granddaughters, which they enjoy seeing as much as possible.

• Ruben A. Barahona, Esq. ’89

  Mr. Barahona is a 1989 graduate of Riverside and attended law school at Universidad Anahuac Mayab in Merida, Mexico. He was named a Riverside Military Academy Trustee of the Board’s 2014 Homecoming meeting. He is also a past member of Riverside Academy’s Board of Visitors.

  
  

  Mr. Barahona is a founding member of Camara & Asociados, a law firm in Cancun, Mexico, specialized in Notary, Corporate and Real State Law for the past 24 years. From June 2005 to the present he is Public Notary Number 13th for the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico, base in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

  
  

  A native of Cozumel, Mexico, Mr. Barahona resides in Cancun, Mexico with his wife Magda. They have one child, Ruben, who is currently in his fourth year at Riverside Preparatory Academy.

• Felix Gonzalez Canto '86

• Zakaria S. “Zak” Haque, '01

  As the Chief Technology Officer of Bulldog Insurance and the CEO of Bond Insurance Group, Zak Haque brings over 20 years of extensive experience in the insurance industry to his role at Riverside Military Academy. His expertise encompasses leadership, strategic decision-making, and driving technological innovation to enhance business performance and customer satisfaction.

  
  At Bulldog Insurance, Zak has demonstrated exceptional capabilities in scaling the company from a small family office, to a substantial enterprise with writing capability in 40+ states. His leadership facilitated two full technology refreshes, significantly improving software platform proficiency and compliance rates from 41% to 98%. His tenure saw remarkable advancements in performance management, client service standards, and sales performance management, which contributed to a dramatic increase in revenue volume and diversification of client portfolios.

  
  As CEO of Bond Insurance Group, Zak successfully pivoted the company to focus on corporate insurance, expanding services to include employee benefits and capturing high-end premium accounts. His strategic relationships with key decision-makers have enabled the company to secure major contracts, including Toll Brothers Properties NE and Fire Fighter Union Benefits.

  
  In addition to his professional accomplishments, Zak is a dedicated educator and mentor. He has served as an Emergency Medical Services Instructor and Coordinator, showcasing his passion for teaching and developing others. His certifications and professional development credentials from prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, Yale School of Management, and Quantic School of Business and Technology, further solidify his expertise and commitment to continuous learning and leadership excellence.

  
  Zak’s multifaceted skills extend beyond the corporate realm, as evidenced by his community involvement as a 32^nd Degree Mason, volunteer firefighter and EMT-B in Connecticut. Fluent in multiple languages, he embodies a global perspective and cultural sensitivity that enhance his leadership approach.

  
  At Riverside Military Academy, Zak is committed to leveraging his extensive background in technology, finance, and strategy to support the institution's mission and drive forward its goals. His leadership on the Board of Trustees and as Chairman of the Alumni Council underscores his dedication to fostering growth, innovation, and excellence within the Riverside Military Academy community.

• Drew W. Horner, ’78

  Mr. Horner is the Founder, Chief Financial Officer, and Vice President of Progressive Improvements, Inc., a hotel renovation company based in Kennesaw, Georgia. Since its establishment in 1987, he and his business partner have developed the company into a multi-million dollar international success. Progressive Improvement’s portfolio includes full-scale renovation projects at some of the world’s most luxurious hotels. He is also the managing partner of Swanhorn LLC, a real estate holding company located in Kennesaw. Prior to Progressive Improvements, he worked as the operations manager of a national transportation company. He is a 1978 graduate of Riverside Military Academy and attended the University of West Georgia. He previously served on the Academy’s Board of Visitors, and he is committed and passionate about the welfare and future of Riverside. Mr. Horner lives in Marietta, Georgia, with his wife, Jane, and he has two adult children, Andrew and Allison.

• Ernest T. Lopez III, ’84

  Ernest T. Lopez III is the Founder and President of Atlanta Paving and Concrete Construction, Inc., and the Ernest T. Lopez Company, LLC, both of which are located in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Lopez has more than 34 years of experience in the paving and concrete construction field, Ernie has grown Atlanta Paving and Concrete Construction, Inc. to be one of the premier providers of asphalt and concrete services in the state of Georgia and in the southeastern United States. In 2018, Mr. Lopez completed the acquisition of Dykes Paving to become a vertically integrated asphalt and material supplier in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Mr. Lopez is currently doing business in 26 states and more than 275 cities across the United States. He has even conducted operations in Canada and Ecuador, making Atlanta Paving and Concrete Construction, Inc. one of the few American asphalt companies that works internationally.

   

  A graduate of the Riverside Military Academy class of 1984, Mr. Lopez credits much of his business success to the RMA’s coaches and teachers who played a vital role in his development as a leader. Mr. Lopez serves on the Riverside Military Academy Board of Trustees as the Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee. 

   

  Mr. Lopez is married to Donna Lopez, and, together, they have six children and six grandchildren. Mr. Lopez is also the proud uncle to a nephew who attends Riverside Military Academy.

• Whitney H. Owens, '79

  Mr. Whitney “Whit” Owens is a defense contractor with Calhoun International, LLC since 2016. He is currently the Program Manager for a contract providing support to the Army G2 in the Pentagon.

  
  Owens is a 1979 graduate of Riverside and a 1983 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and holds a Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University. He was commissioned in the United States Army in 1983 and served as an Armor Officer in West Germany. He transferred to Military Intelligence in 1987 and was posted to Fort Meade, Maryland. Owens deployed with Headquarters, US Central Command for Operation Desert Shield/Storm, and served on the J2 staff.
  
  Following the conflict, Owens served for two years in 2^nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea. He completed his military career with assignments in the Defense Intelligence Agency after transitioning to the Army Reserve retiring in 2003. Following his military career, Owens was a Data Architect with Computer Associates where he rose to Director level in the North American Education division.
  
  

  In 2009, Owens returned to the defense industry as a contractor with SAIC and subsequently Leidos, Inc, supporting US Central Command in the role of Subject Matter Expert and Deputy Program Manager for large contract consisting of Prime and 17 subcontractors providing ~350 personnel to the Intelligence Directorate of the premier Warfighting Command in the Defense Department.

  
  In 2016 Owens became a Program Manager for Calhoun International and served in that capacity for a contract supporting the Army Intelligence and Security Command on Fort Meade, Maryland before taking over the contract supporting the G2.

  He served as Vice Chairman of the Riverside Board of Visitors since it’s inception in 2009 and now serves as the Chairman. He is proud to serve the Academy he credits with giving him the fundamental leadership skills that have made him successful.

• Jeffrey L. Payne

• Jonathan A. Pope, Esq.

  Jonathan A. Pope, Esq., is a partner of Hasty Pope LLP in Gainesville, Georgia. Mr. Pope’s areas of practice include civil trial practice in all state and federal courts specializing in personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, and automobile and semi-truck collisions. He says he was inspired to become a lawyer in part because his father, Judge Marion T. Pope, had Mr. Pope and his brother in courtrooms from an early age.
  
  

  Mr. Pope is a 1992 graduate of The Citadel with a bachelor of arts in political science. He had his first direct experience in law at The Citadel as part of the honor court, the court system of the school. He earned his Juris doctorate in 1995 from the Georgia State University College of Law.

  Mr. Pope has been named repeatedly to the Top 100 Attorneys in Georgia by the Atlanta Magazine Super Lawyers, and Georgia Super Lawyers. He was named to the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers in 2013.  Georgia Trend Magazine named him one of Georgia’s 40 under 40 in 2004.
  
  

  He is president-elect of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, he was a two-term president of the State Bar of Georgia-Blue Ridge Circuit Bar Association, and is a member of the Southern Trial Lawyers Association among numerous other professional organizations.
  
  

  Mr. Pope and his wife, Amy Nix Pope, are the parents of two children, Andrew Pope, and Caroline Pope.

• Andrew G. Temple '89

  Andrew Temple is a 1989 graduate of Riverside Military Academy. An avid student-athlete during his five years at the Academy, he was a two-sport varsity athlete on both the football and tennis teams. He fully engaged in cadet life, serving on the Honor Court, Order of the Saber and Son’s of Alumni, and also competing on the national champion Fusilier Drill team. During his senior year, he served as president of the Horton Society, vice-president of his Senior Class, and as Battalion Executive Officer. Temple was recognized with the Leadership of Excellence Medal from The Son’s of the American Revolution and was the American Legion winner for military excellence.

   

  A combat veteran, Temple served in the United States Army with the 3rd Armored Division infantry in Iraq. He was awarded The Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, The Combat Infantry Badge, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and The Southwest Asia Service Medal with three Silver Stars.

   

  After his deployment, Temple was involved in the Public Affairs Office at Fort Benning, then joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at Western Carolina University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Communications.  

   

  Temple is Chief Operating Officer of Allen Media Group, a multi-media conglomerate whose ownership includes 27 broadcast television stations across the country, television and movie production studios, and 12 cable networks including The Weather Channel and multiple streaming platforms. Temple was hired by founder Byron Allen as the company’s third employee in 1997. Now with 2500 employees, Allen Media Group is the largest independently owned studio in Hollywood.

   

  He lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife Maggie and two sons, Ben and Jack.

• James R. Van Arsdale, ’79

  James R. Van Arsdale has been employed by UBS AG since 2003. He is an Executive Director in UBS’ Global Wealth Management Division. During his tenure at UBS, Mr. Van Arsdale has occupied several sales and product management positions within the UBS Group including UBS Financial Services, UBS AG Private Bank, and UBS Bank USA. His work has focused on the high and ultra high net worth segments for both domestic and international clients. Prior to joining UBS, Mr. Van Arsdale was a Senior Vice President in the Private Clients Division at Fleet Bank (now Bank of America). 
  
  

  Mr. Van Arsdale graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and is currently pursuing his Master of Public Administration from Kent State University. He is a graduate of Riverside Military Academy, rising through the ranks to Battalion Commander. Among other achievements during his time as a cadet, he was awarded Riverside Military Academy’s Sandy Beaver Medal of General Excellence. Mr. Van Arsdale served as a member of Riverside Military Academy’s Board of Visitors for three years prior to his election to the Board of Trustees.
  
  

  He serves as Mayor of Green Brook Township, NJ and was first elected to public office in 2018. Prior to that, he served for ten years on the Township’s Land Use Board. He has been appointed a Commander in the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. Mr. Van Arsdale has served on several non-profit boards and as a Junior Achievement volunteer where he worked alongside teachers helping children learn about the merits of the free enterprise system.
  
  

  Mr. Van Arsdale lives with his wife and two adult children in Green Brook, New Jersey.

• Andrew C. Zager, ’88

  Andrew serves as the Managing Director for Wealth Management and Financial Advisor at UBS. One of the first things he shares with new is that he attended Riverside Military Academy where he learned leadership and organizational skills that are the foundation of his business philosophy today. He is routinely listed as a Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor and has been named Barron’s Top 1,200 Wealth Advisor.  

  
  

  Prior to joining UBS, he held the position of financial advisor with Morgan Stanley. As a cadet at Riverside, he excelled in athletics, received numerous awards and medals, was named the battalion executive officer, and earned the rank of major his senior year. 

  
  

  Andrew is married to Rebecca Zager, and they have two adult children, Ethan and Rachel. The family resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

• Emeriti

  Lucile E. Beaver †
  
  Paul A. Gross, ’56
  
  O. Jon McRae
  
  Richard M. Nichols †
  
  LTC(R) Frederick J. Kennedy, ’64

• Honorary Members

  Jerry B. Blackstock, ’62, (Posthumous)
  
  

  P. Alexander Fraser
  
  

  Howard A. Kalmenson, ’49
  
  

  Ira J. Middleberg, Esq., ’66
  
  

  Abraham A. Mitchell, ’52