We aren’t just general professionals in what we do, we are former Christian school employees that understand the needs and how we can better meet those needs.
FORTIFY Team
Brandon Allen
Executive Director
Brandon Allen
Executive Director
Brandon has a background in accounting and consulting and has also worked alongside church and Christian school ministries over the last 12 years. He has served in the roles of assistant pastor, pastor, teacher, consultant, and team lead. In that timeframe, he also graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Christian Ministry. Brandon loves working with and educating people with long-term growth in mind. He is married to his wonderful wife Bonnie and God has blessed them with 3 wonderful kids.
Lara Gopp
Marketing Manager
Lara Gopp
Marketing Manager
With over 25 years of experience in strategic marketing and communications, Lara brings a wealth of expertise to Fortify Foundation. Her career spans both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, equipping her with a unique perspective on how to craft compelling narratives that inspire action and drive impact.
A native of North Carolina, Lara discovered her passion for ministry and nonprofit work as a teenager, when a summer camp experience ignited a deep commitment to serving others. This calling led her to pursue a BA in Communications from Gardner-Webb University, followed by an MA from the University of South Carolina.
Her experience spans local, national, and international initiatives, from leading communications for one of the nation’s largest Christian denominations to directing marketing for a premier K–12 Christian school in the Southeast. She has built and led teams, developed impactful campaigns, and produced content across multiple platforms—including digital media, print, and broadcast television.
At Fortify Foundation, Lara leads marketing and communications efforts to equip Christian schools with the resources they need for long-term financial sustainability. Her expertise in branding, messaging, and content strategy helps schools and donors connect with Fortify’s mission in meaningful ways.
Lara and her husband, Dan, have been married for 28 years and live in South Carolina with their daughter.
Ruston Pierce
Fundraising & Capital Campaign Manager
Ruston Pierce
Fundraising and Capital Campaign Manager
Ruston has over 20 years of experience in Christian education administration including 12 years as a Head of School in Knoxville and Atlanta. Ruston also worked in higher education administration at Bryan College. He possesses a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Ruston specializes in fundraising training, strategic planning, and capital campaign execution. He enjoys assisting schools in creating revenue streams to further their Kingdom reach. He resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee with his wife and four children.
FORTIFY Board of Directors
Edward Earwood
President
Edward Earwood
President
Executive Director, South Carolina Association of Christian Schools
Edward Earwood serves as the Executive Director of South Carolina Association of Christian Schools and has served in Christian education ministry for nearly 42 years. His ministry has included teaching, coaching, administrating, as well as pastoring. He served for nine years as Director of Student Services for Alabama Christian Education Association prior to moving to South Carolina in 2005. Edward earned his B.A. in Bible and Secondary Education from Bob Jones University in 1979, an M.S. in Educational Administration from Pensacola Christian College, and has earned a Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) degree from Bob Jones University.
He and a cohort authored a book released in 2012 entitled A Scent of Water, a book designed to help re-ignite and re-direct Christian education in the 21st century. His work also includes both national and international accrediting in addition to speaking regularly at staff training, conferences and conventions.His wife, Debra, serves at SCACS with him; they have three daughters, all Christian educators.
Edward and Debra attend Grace Baptist Church, West Columbia, South Carolina.
Dan Handford
Vice Chair & Secretary
Dan Handford
Vice Chair & Secretary
Managing Partner, PassiveInvesting.com
Dan is a serial entrepreneur with an extensive track record of successful, “from scratch” start-ups. As the Managing Partner of Passiveinvesting.com, a national private equity real estate investing firm, Dan provides day-to-day guidance and strategy for the firm’s acquisition and management activities in quality multifamily assets throughout the Southeast. Dan is the Founder of Multifamily Investor Nation where he educates a nationwide group (9,000+ members) of multifamily investors on how to properly invest in multifamily assets.
Dan and his family attend Grace Baptist Church, West Columbia, South Carolina.
JD Rye
Treasurer
JD Rye
Treasurer
Accountant, Cornerstone Management Group and Vitality Medical Centers
J.D. has more than 12 years of experience with all things finance and accounting in the medical field as well as Christian education. J.D.’s depth of experience includes preparing financial statements, posting journal entries and inter-company transactions, creating budgets, reconciling bank accounts, analyzing financial data for trends and projections, working with auditors, and reporting to management.
He earned his B.A. in accounting at Pensacola Christian College and his Masters in accounting from Liberty University.
J.D. and his family attend Grace Baptist Church, West Columbia, South Carolina.
Jason Boehm
Director at Large
Jason Boehm
Director at Large
CEO & Founder, Aileron Management, LLC
Jason has over 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry and is a seasoned veteran in hotel operations and real estate. Prior to forming Aileron Management, Jason served as Vice President Business Development for a hospitality development and management company with over 70 hotels and 2,500 employees. During his time in the position, Jason cultivated relationships with large PE firms, REIT’s and other institutional hotel owners and rapidly grew the company’s third-party management portfolio. Jason’s other hospitality industry roles included periods as Corporate Controller and VP Finance, where he oversaw accounting, finance, investor and lender relations, financial analysis, reporting, and risk management for the company. Prior to diving into real estate and property management, Jason served as Corporate Controller for a subsidiary of Michelin, N.A., and several years as a public accountant. Jason is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (South Carolina) and serves on various committees and boards.
Jason and his wife attend Calvary Baptist in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
Wyman Shull
Director at Large
Wyman Shull
Director at Large
Shull Media Partners
Wyman and his wife, Janice, of 31 years reside in Irmo, SC where they own and operate Shull Media Partners. Wyman oversees the financial operations of their successful advertising agency. Wyman was a home educator of their 5 children for 10 years where he was an active member in the support group numbering upwards of 30 families. Wyman sits on the board of his church where he serves as treasurer. He oversees budgets for the church, discipleship school, and missions department. Wyman gives all glory to God for his family and his successes. He wholly acknowledges faith and trust for his salvation in Jesus Christ his Lord.
Maurice McCaney
Director at Large
Maurice McCaney
Director at Large
Maurice McCaney, a lifelong resident of Florence, Alabama, is a dedicated advocate for Christian education and a multifaceted professional. He was raised in a family deeply committed to Christian ministry, with his parents founding Victory Ministries, Inc. in 1991. Maurice’s academic journey led him to graduate as Valedictorian from Florence Christian Academy, followed by degrees in Political Science, Sociology, and Law from Samford University. His diverse career includes roles as a Head Administrator, and now Chancellor, of Victory Christian Academy, Senior Project Manager at TVA Bellefonte Nuclear Plant, law clerk, and now currently serves as an Attorney through his own law practice. Maurice is also actively involved in various Christian organizations. His personal testimony underscores the transformative power of Christian education and his unwavering commitment to its promotion and growth.
FORTIFY Investment Committee Members
JEFF GREENWAY
Investment Committee Member
Jason Weckel
Investment Committee Member
Jason is currently serving as one of Fortify Foundation’s current investment committee members. He is a partner in Ironwood Financial Group, a financial advisory firm in Greenville, SC. As an advisor at Ironwood, Jason brings 16 years of comprehensive financial planning and investment management to his clients. He particularly enjoys communicating and helping clients understand the complex and dynamic changes that affect our economy, markets, and investments daily. In addition to personal finance, Jason has consulted with several firms on best practices for financial advisors and has contributed to Fortune magazine on that topic. After having spent 15 years in Colorado where he enjoyed skiing, biking, and serving as treasurer at their local church, Jason, his wife Jacqui, and their 2 children moved back home to South Carolina. He and his family enjoy serving in their local church body, snow skiing, biking on Paris Mountain, and good BBQ.fonte Nuclear Plant, law clerk, and now currently serves as an Attorney through his own law practice. Maurice is also actively involved in various Christian organizations. His personal testimony underscores the transformative power of Christian education and his unwavering commitment to its promotion and growth.
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