Board of Trustees

Presenting the members of the Greenville University board of trustees

The Board of Trustees serves as the governing body for the university and determines the mission and fulfillment of that mission; selects, nurtures, and evaluates the President; ensures financial solvency and integrity of the university; and helps represent the university externally.

The Board is made up of trustees who are widely known in their community as people of God in word and deed and who serve the board in various aspects including enrollment, advancement, business affairs, and integrated curriculum.

Officers

Chair

Steven Ellsworth '80 - Divide, CO
Business Management

Prior to retirement, Steve served as regional vice president for a Fortune 500 corporation that generated more than $7.7 billion in revenue (2017) through approximately 45,000 employees.

Vice Chair & Trusteeship Committee Chair

Dennis Spencer ’75 – Vienna, VA
Business Management/Marketing

Dennis heads all media in the Americas for a multi-national sports and entertainment corporation. His board service has included the New York Chapter of the March of Dimes, Heart of a Champion and Greenville University’s Briner School of Business.

Secretary

Melissa A. Westover '84 - Estes Park, CO
Mediation/Restorative Justice/Non-Profit Leadership

A licensed professional counsel, Melissa consults and assists with implementation of restorative justice initiatives.  Her expertise is in conflict management and community engagement. She has managed and served on numerous non-profit boards.

Treasurer

Valerie J. Gin '82 - Magnolia, MA
Professor of Kinesiology

Professor at a private Christian college serving 1,600 students, Val is a two-time recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award, an international consultant, author and founding co-chair of the Sports and Christianity Group which authored the “Declaration of Sport and the Christian Life.” 

Douglas M. Newton (At-Large)  Doug Newton – Greenville, IL
Church Leadership, Communications

An ordained elder in the Free Methodist Church, Doug has authored 12 books. In addition to pastoring local congregations, he served 15 years as senior editor of the award-winning Light & Life Magazine and co-founded a national prayer ministry.  

Members

Robert W. Bastian '74 – Downers Grove, IL
Medical Doctor, Laryngologist

Bob heads a voice institute devoted to patient care, teaching and clinical research in the areas of voice, swallowing and airway disorders. A pioneer of modern office-based surgical procedures, he has performed more than 4,000 vocal fold microsurgeries. 

Venessa Brown '83- St. Louis, MO
Associate Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer, Professor, Social Work

Venessa is nationally and internationally known for her commitment to public child welfare. She has overseen grant-funded programs totaling approximately $15 million.  Her board service includes the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, Greater East St. Louis Community Fund, the Illinois Board of Higher Education Diversifying Faculty in Ilinois and the Federal Bureau of Prison Community Relations Board.

Tyler Campo '06 - Town and Country, MO
Finance

Director of operations and compliance with an independent wealth management and investment advisory firm, Tyler helps people achieve their goals. His areas of expertise include organizational leadership, compliance and strategic planning. 

Howard Costley, Jr. '74 -Winfield, IL
Finance/Business Management, Church Leadership

Before retiring, Howard served as a managing director at a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.6 trillion. He has lent his expertise to boards of not-for-profit Christian organizations serving constituents in the United States and internationally. 

Keith Cowart - Columbus, GA
Church Leadership

Keith serves the Eastern Seaboard and South Central U.S. as bishop of the Free Methodist Church. He also oversees Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. His 28 years of experience in pastoral ministry have equipped him with a strong background in biblical preaching, leadership development, congregational health, stewardship, and missions.

Dan Denbo '76 – Indianapolis, IN
School Administration, Christian Ministry

Dan served more than 30 years as a teacher and school administrator before retiring in 2013. His service has included music ministry in his local church; service on church, church conference and ministry boards; and support – including personal visits – of mission work on several continents.

Kathleen J. Turpin '91  - Fort Wayne, IN
Law/Human Resources 

Kathleen is a licensed attorney and vice president of human resources for an insurance provider that serves more than 60,000 clients nationwide. Her expertise and experience include employment law, new business development and strategic relationship management. 

Jerry A. Hood '82 - Great Falls, MT
Financial Advisor

Before retiring, Jerry built a 35-year career in financial services helping hundreds of families achieve their financial goals. He has served on the boards of five nonprofit organizations.

Karen A. Longman – Azusa, CA
Professor Emerita, Higher Education and LeadershipProfessor, Higher Education and Leadership

Karen recently completed a 17-year role as professor and director of a PhD program in higher education at a private Christian university that has equipped more than 150 doctoral students for faculty and administrative leadership roles across North America and around the world. In 2023 she was named a U.S. Fulbright Scholar to conduct research and teach at LCC International University in Lithuania. She is a prolific researcher, author, and contributor to leadership development initiatives.

Holley Maher – St. Louis, MO
Senior Benefits Consultant

Holley entered the employee benefits industry in 2002. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of roles including sales, consultant, Managing Principal and agency owner.

Steve Olson ’03 – Austin, TX
Engineer

Steve Olson, a longtime member of the networking community, serves as distinguished engineer for The Home Depot. His responsibilities include unified communications strategies as he works with stores, remote sites, cloud, data center, and campus connectivity.

Hugo Perez - Chicago, IL
Marketing/Business Management

For more than 20 years, Hugo has translated his seasoned storytelling skills into compelling brand and marketing messages for clients like Turtle Wax, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Cricket Wireless and more. He has provided leadership at various public relations, advertising and marketing agencies. 

Mark D. Whitlock '75 - Springfield, IL
Civil Engineer/Business Management

Mark builds bridges, both structural and figurative. President of a business that supplies structural steel for highway and bridge construction, he also has served nationally and internationally on church, professional and education boards. 

Donald D. Wolf '65 – Dillon, CO
Business Management

Don has filled various leadership roles throughout his diversified 35-year career in the oil and natural gas industry. In addition to serving on multiple commercial boards, he is involved with ministries related to cross-cultural and inner-city missions.