Leadership Team
Our board of directors is a group of individuals who not only share a commitment to the Mission of Valor but also have experience and skills that enable them to effectively guide the school.
Luke Patterson
Luke has worked in the technology industry for over 22 years, both as a business owner and as an engineer specializing in cloud computing. With long-term experience in tech startups, he is very familiar with the process of bootstrapping an organization from scratch and taking it to maturity. Luke has a passion for leading teams and managing complex processes that aim to achieve meaningful goals.
Besides serving on the board of directors at Valor Christian High School he also develops tech-centric curriculum and drives the internal learning and development process for a financial technology company.
Luke lives in Sandpoint with his wife Kiersten and their two children and when not working he enjoys family time and building things with his hands.
Eric Thompson
Eric has a diverse background, combining military service, business expertise, and a passion for spiritual growth and family. With a distinguished 10-year career in the military, Eric developed the values of discipline, leadership, and teamwork.
Following his military service, Eric transitioned into the finance industry, leveraging his skills and experience to excel as a professional. Through his work in the finance industry, he gained valuable insights into managing finances, investments, and strategic planning. Additionally, Eric's entrepreneurial spirit led him to become a small business owner and operator, providing him with hands-on experience in managing and growing a successful venture.
Driven by a desire to continuously learn and develop Christlikeness, Eric pursued higher education and obtained a Master's degree in Christian Leadership. This educational journey not only enhanced his leadership abilities but also instilled in him a strong sense of integrity, compassion, and moral values through a Biblical worldview.
Combining his military background, business acumen, and spiritual foundation, Eric embodies a well-rounded individual dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of our youth and families. He seeks opportunities to empower others, inspire personal spiritual growth, and contribute to the betterment of his community.
While Eric's professional endeavors have been fulfilling, he treasures his off-time spent outdoors with his loved ones.
Kiersten Patterson
Kiersten has always had a heart to serve God through missions and has been on short term trips to the Philippines, Viet Nam, Uganda, Haiti, Morocco, and Spain. There she learned the importance of having a Biblical worldview, a good education, American freedoms, an understanding of God’s word, and a strong relationship with Christ.
She enjoys photography and in 2018 launched Kiersten Patterson Photography. She enjoys photographing families, businesses, and lifestyle photography. She has met incredible people through this venture and in 2020 she earned “Sandpoint’s Finest Photographer”.
For over a year, Kiersten has run and managed “The Store” at 7B Clinic (also known as Life Choices Pregnancy Center). This store provides clothing & for ages 0-2T and expecting mothers, formula & nursing pumps, books, blankets, toys, and so much more for the community.
She has been married to Luke for over 18 years and mom to Bria & Ben, now teens. She is so excited to see Valor Christian High School as an option for her Freshmen and the community.
Rick Howarth
Rick had 38 years of Operations experience, serving most recently at Intel Corporation in the role of VP of the Non-Volatile Memory Solutions Group. His responsibilities included development and start-up of technologically advanced manufacturing facilities.
Rick has a strong background in complex operational needs and solutions. Rick spent a large portion of his career overseas. During his time in Vietnam, he initiated an education consortium called HEEAP to transform engineering education taught in developing countries. Rick and team were honored with the Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) by then Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. The HEEAP program continues to expand today. Rick’s community leadership included President of the American Chamber of Commerce in both, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Dalian, China.
Rick is currently the Chairman of the Board for Litehouse Foods. Rick is a very active member in the communities he has lived in through various service projects, including work with his church and non-profit education initiatives. Rick prioritizes time with his family traveling, skiing, cycling, golfing and boating.
Doug Pierce
Doug Pierce has been a Christian school teacher for twenty-one years. He has taught every grade from fourth to twelfth at three different schools. He is passionate about sharing Christ with students and teaching them how to learn. He is currently teaching a combined fifth-sixth grade class at Sandpoint Christian School.
He attended Pensacola Christian College, where he earned a B.A. in Youth Ministries and an M.A. in Bible Exposition. He attended Dallas Theological Seminary for a short while as well.
Doug has been married to his wife Jenny for twenty-eight years this August. They met at PCC and they have taught together at SCS for thirteen years. He and Jenny have four kids, and a new grandson named Samson.
He has been on church staff at two different churches in Texas. He believes in the power God has given the church to propagate the gospel both at home and abroad. He believes Valor will raise up godly young men and women who will impact the church and the world for God’s glory.
Doug enjoys reading, writing, and cheering for the Oklahoma Sooners in his spare time.