Meet Our Board Members & Team
Meet Our Board Members & Team
CEO
Norton Rainey
Norton Rainey is the CEO of ACE Scholarships and a longtime champion of educational opportunity. He has led ACE’s expansion across multiple states, helping tens of thousands of lower income students access quality private education. Under his leadership, ACE has advanced major school choice policies, supported tax credit and ESA program development, and contributed to nationally significant educational freedom litigation. Norton brings deep expertise in organizational growth, strategy, and relationship development. He holds a business marketing degree from the University of Colorado and remains committed to ensuring families have the freedom to choose the education that best fits their children.
President
Jason DiFraia
As President of ACE Scholarships, Jason oversees national operations and leads key initiatives that support ACE’s growth and impact. He brings more than two decades of experience in marketing, operations, and innovation, with prior leadership roles at companies including Johnson & Johnson, Hewlett Packard, and Oracle. Jason holds a marketing degree from the University of Northern Colorado and is an Advanced Certified Project Manager through Stanford University.
Chief Marketing Officer
Kristy Badger
As Chief Marketing Officer, Kristy Badger brings her high-energy, mission-driven personality and more than 20 years of advertising agency and in-house marketing leadership to the table. She has led marketing for the likes of Fortune 500 clients, NBA/WNBA teams, and global brand portfolios for NBCUniversal, just to name a few. She co-founded Ready. Set. Pivot., a national women's career-rediscovery organization for senior leaders, and serves on the board for SHATTR, a women's executive leadership program for up-and-coming leaders.
Chief Development Officer
Erik Billinger
Erik Billinger is the Chief Development Officer at ACE Scholarships, leading a national fundraising team dedicated to expanding scholarship access for students across the country. He is passionate about advancing educational opportunity and building strong partnerships that fuel ACE’s mission. Before joining ACE, Erik served as Head Golf Coach at the University of Denver, where he developed deep leadership and team building expertise.
VP of Scholarship Programs
Kirsten Eastwood
As ACE's Vice President of Scholarship Programs, Kirsten Eastwood oversees the allocation and management of scholarships, supporting thousands of students across multiple states. For more than 15 years, she has dedicated her career to youth serving organizations, partnering with funders, foundations, and community leaders to expand opportunity. Kirsten is recognized for leading mission driven, scalable programs that deliver meaningful impact for students and families.
Chief Program Officer
Jeff Ehmann
Jeff Ehmann is ACE Scholarships’ Chief Program Officer, guiding program operations, customer support, and process optimization. He brings more than 25 years of experience leading large scale service and operational initiatives for organizations such as Sun Microsystems and Hewlett Packard. Jeff holds an MBA from Western Governors University, advanced project management certification from Stanford, PRINCE2 certification, and a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Science.
VP of ACE Services
Jackie Guglielmo
Jackie Guglielmo leads ACE Services, overseeing program design, implementation, and support for education choice initiatives nationwide. She brings nearly 15 years of experience in education, including serving as Executive Director of Indiana’s ESA program and leading the launch of the Utah's Fits All Scholarship. Jackie began her career as a special education teacher and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She holds a degree in Public Policy and Law from Trinity College and a master’s degree in Teaching from Fordham University.
Chief Technology Officer
Mark McLaughlin
Mark McLaughlin leads ACE Scholarships’ technology strategy, overseeing systems architecture, cybersecurity, data operations, and scalable platform development. With more than 25 years of experience across software engineering, enterprise systems, and AI innovation, Mark ensures ACE’s technology supports growth, efficiency, and security. A lifelong advocate for educational freedom, he remains engaged in school leadership as a coach and charter school board member.
Chief Financial Officer
Mike Pritchard
Mike Pritchard is the Chief Financial Officer at ACE Scholarships, bringing extensive experience in nonprofit finance, operations, and organizational leadership. Prior to joining ACE, he served as CFO at Volunteers of America Colorado and held financial leadership roles at the University of Colorado Foundation, Mile High United Way, and Habitat for Humanity. Mike is a CPA and holds a business degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and an MBA in Finance from the University of Phoenix.
Chairman
Joe Smith
Partner, Bartlit Beck LLP
Vice Chair
Lisa Walsh
Denver, CO
Treasurer
Scott McLean
Denver, CO
Secretary
Natasha Harris
Principal, Biegert Group, Inc.
Matt Turner
Managing Partner,
Ovation Group
Deborah Flora
Partner/Co-Founder, Lamplight Entertainment and Whetstone Media Group
Eric Koeplin
CEO, Alpha Principle
Rick Schmitz
Partner, SKS Ventures, LLC
Mike Ward
Owner, Mike Ward Automotive
Bert Williams
JFG Family Offices
Liz Wright
Denver, CO
Co-Chairman
Joy and Donald “Boysie” Bollinger
Louisiana
Co-Chairman
Lynn Friess
Wyoming
Honorary Board Member
Governor Jeb Bush
Florida
Adrienne & Snehal Amin
Partner & Head of Marketing, The WindAcre Project, Texas
Nina and H.W. McKay Belk
Colorado
Norm & Sunny Brownstein
Founder & Chairman, Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Schreck, LLP, Colorado
David Chao
Owner, Tanglewood Property Group, Texas
Fran and Terry Combs
CEO, Integrated Airline Services, Colorado
Marilyn and Pete Coors
Colorado
Cathy and Alex Cranberg
Chairman, Aspect Energy, LLC, Florida
Heidi Cruz
Managing Director, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Texas
Cynthia Fisher
Entrepreneur
Bobbi and Lane Grigsby
Founder and Chairman, Cajun Industries, LLC, Louisiana
Pat Hamill
Chairman and CEO, Oakwood Homes Corporation, Colorado
Tami & Tom Jorden
Chairman, CEO & President, Coterra Energy Operating Co, Texas
Diane and Jeff Riggs
Principal, Essex Financial Group, Colorado
Linda and Eddie Rispone
Louisiana
Mary and Jeff Ross
Senior Strategic Advisor, Atlantic Aviation, Colorado
Carol and John Saeman
Colorado
Susan and Rick Schmitz
Colorado
Keely and Scot Sellers
Colorado
Hanna Skandera
President & CEO, The Daniels Fund, Colorado
CeCe and Matt Stuller
Founder, CEO, and Chairman, Stuller, Inc., Louisiana
Lisa and Tim Walsh
CEO, Confluence Builders, LLB, Colorado
Liz Wright
Colorado
Nancy and Mike Zoellner
Managing Partner, ZF Capital, Colorado
State Boards
Colorado Board of Trustees
Austin Akers
CEO, Bison Oil & Gas
Rob Alvarado
CEO, Palo Alto Inc.
Don Bailey
Chairman & CEO, Triton Investment Company
Bill Bergner
President, Berco Resources, LLC
Ed Bernau
Denver, CO
Graydon Bevis
Denver, CO
Jim Boots
President & CEO, Boots Construction Company
Mark Brinkerhoff
Managing Partner, Brinkerhoff Restaurants
Dick Brown
Denver, CO
Matt Call
Principal & CEO, NavPoint Real Estate Group
Patrick Callahan
Broker, Confluence Land Company
Blake Carlson
Partner, Carlson Land Development, LLC
George Caulkins
Principal, Greendeck Capital
Max Caulkins
Thrumcap Capital
Scott Clark
Chairman & CEO, The True Life Companies
John Dietzler
Executive Vice President, Dietzler Companies
Stanton Dodge
Chief Legal Officer, DraftKings
Meg Duke
Denver, CO
Lori Durham
Denver, CO
Rick Eldridge
President & CEO, The Intuitive Companies
Gregg Engles
Partner, Capitol Peak Partners
James Evans
Founder, Lobo Logistics
Nate Ford
Partner, Perkins Coie, LLP
John Fox
Chairman, Augusta Jane Oil & Gas, LLC
Jim Francescon
President, Century Communities, Inc.
Mike Fries
President & CEO, Liberty Global, Inc.
Caleb Gates
Denver, CO
John Grier
President, Crimson Midstream, LLC
Tom Hamilton
President, HF Corp
Natasha Harris
Principal/Manager, Biegert Group, Inc.
Dave Hunter
Chairman, Financial Designs, Ltd.
Brandon Johnson
CEO, Johnson Financial Group, LLC
Mike Johnson
President, Johnson GEO
Mike Kennedy
President, Point Rider Real Estate LLC
Armen Khadiwala
Founder & Private Wealth Advisor, Apogee Wealth Advisors
Andy Klein
Founder & Managing Principal, Westside Investment Partners
Eric Koeplin
CEO & Chief Investment Officer, Alpha Principle
Dave Kornder
Denver, CO
Don Law
President, Prima Exploration, Inc.
Paul Libner
CFO & Treasurer, Royal Gold, Inc.
Steve Lockton
EVP & Owner, Lockton Companies of Colorado, Inc.
Sharon Maffei
Principal, SAM Lifestyles
Brook Mahoney
Founder & Chairman, CCIG
Jonathan Marsico
Owner, Ship Sticks
John Martin
Denver, CO
Mark McCammon
Managing Partner, Strength Capital
Dirk McDermott
Managing Partner, Altira Group LLC
Scott McLean
Denver, CO
Kelly Millen
Denver, CO
Kevin Mize
Founder, KM Investments
René Morin
Vice President/Owner, RIM Operating, Inc.
Nick Morris
CEO, Western Paper Distributors
Jimmy Mulvihill
Co-Founder & Principal, Academy Partners Group, LLC
Dan Murray
President, Suburban Toppers, Inc.
Ralph Nagel
President, Top Rock Investments, LLC
Joe Niebur
President/Owner, Niebur Development, Inc.
Mike O’Shaughnessy
President, Lario Oil & Gas Co.
Bill Owens
Senior Director, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Walt Rakowich
Retired CEO, ProLogis Foundation
Scott Reiman
President, Hexagon, Inc.
Perry Rickel
Founder & CEO, Marrick Medical Finance LLC
Kristine Robertson
Denver, CO
Jeff Ross
Senior Strategic Advisor, Atlantic Aviation
Jamie Sabatier
CEO, J Sabatier and Company
Craig Saeman
VP of Philanthropy, FOCUS Mission Foundation
Adam Sayers
President, Axia Energy II, LLC
Rick Schmitz
Partner, SKS Ventures, LLC
Mark Sexton
Chairman & CEO, Evergreen National Resources
Matt Turner
Managing Partner,
Ovation Group
Terry Shadwick
President, Barn Light Capital LLC
Joe Smith
Partner, Bartlit Beck LLP
George Solich
President, FourPoint Energy, LLC
Mike Starzer
Managing Partner, Sixth Creek Energy
Betsey Unger
Denver, CO
Wouter van Kempen
Interim CEO, Civitas Resources
Greg Vigil
President, Castle Rock Resources II, LLC
Tim Walsh
CEO & Founder, Confluence Companies, LLC
Mike Ward
Owner, Mike Ward Automotive
Dick Weil
Denver, CO
Charlie Wesley
CEO, Thoroughbred Resources
Don Wolf
Chairman, Enduring Resources, LLC
John Woodward
Partner, Spierer, Woodward, Corbalis & Goldberg, P.C
Julie Wright
Philanthropist and Former Biotech Professional
Colorado Board of Advisors
Andy Aye
Colorado Market President, US Bank
Garry Beaulieu
Principal, Innovest Portfolio Solutions, LLC
Christopher Bodnar
Partner, Prescriptive Capital
Lindsay Brown
Executive Managing Director, Stream Realty Partners
Steve Buretz
Senior Vice President, CAZ Investments, LP
Tony Burke
President, Pinkard Construction Co.
Judy Cain
Partner, Plante Moran
Melissa Corrado-Harrison
Managing Director – Wealth Management, Corrado Harrison & Associates
Blair Dickhoner
Shareholder/Partner, WBA, PC
Leigh Dunn
Manager/VP of Philanthropy, Engineered Demolition, Inc.
Ann Durham
LIV Sotheby’s Global Real Estate Advisor, Ann B. Durham Real Estate LLC
Jae Edwards
Principal & Co-Founder, Dublin Development
Henry England
Investment Banking Associate, Integris Partners
Tracy Forst
Managing Director, Aon Risk Solutions
Jennifer Gilliland
Denver, CO
Sergio Gutierrez
Managing Director, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
John Hill
CEO, Quince Associates
Mike Hommel
Denver, CO
Craig Kinard
Managing Director, The Kinard Group at UBS
David King
Managing Loan Officer at SWBC Mortgage
Jon Kinning
EVP/COO, RK Mechanical, Inc.
Arun Kottoor
Natural Gas Trader, Tenaska Marketing Ventures
Jeff Lang
VP Energy Practices, IMA Financial Group, Inc.
Bruce MacDonald
Owner & President, MacDonald Hardwoods Co. Inc.
Travis McAfoos
Principal, Kentro Real Estate
Mike McCubbin
SVP, Property & Casualty, Employee Benefits Consulting, IMA Financial Group, Inc.
Marvin McDaniel
Denver, CO
Walker Monfort
VP Corporate Sales, Colorado Rockies Baseball Club
Sara Montgomery
Partner, Plante Moran
Lindsay Morton Gaiser
Owner and Vice President, Andrisen Morton
Doug Neil
Senior Account Executive, Aon Risk Solutions
Frank Nessinger
Executive Vice President, FourPoint Energy, LLC
Adam Ostermiller
Head and Business Development & Strategic Partners, Integrated Compliance Advisors, Ltd.
Carl Piske
President, Alta Products LLC
JB Richardson
CEO, CCIG
Christy Schaack
Revenue Compliance, Agilent Technologies
Greg Schmidt
CEO & Chairman, Saunders Construction, Inc.
Melanie Schmieding
Director, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
Nate Schnabel
Owner, NAS Properties
Matt Smith
Partner, Holland & Hart LLP
Reed Smith
Employee Benefits Consultant, USI Insurance Services
Justin Soucie
CEO & CIO, G&S Capital, LLC
Brett Spitzer
Vice Chair, Cushman & Wakefield
Jenna Stapleton
Executive Director, Stapleton/Harmes C. Fishback Foundation Trust
Mark Stonehocker
Manager, Stonehocker Farms, LLC
Stephen Storey
Partner, BPT Performance Consulting
Adam Truitt
Principal, Financial Designs, Ltd.
Cashin White
SVP/Director of Growth and Innovation, BOK Financial
Bert Williams
Managing Director, Johnson Financial Group, LLC
Paul Williamson
President, Colorado Region, UMB Bank of Colorado, N.A.
Colorado Associate Board
Matt Alley
COO, Posterity Health
Bethany Aylor
Wealth Advisor & Financial Planner, Peak Asset Management
Craig Brede
Managing Partner, Lincoln Energy Partners
Brooke Carnie
Manager Premium Services, Denver Broncos Football Club
Cort Carpenter
Head of Production, Colorado Arts Productions
Sean Cuff
Associate Attorney, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP
Mike DeLeon
President, Bank of Colorado
Tom Fitzgerald
CEO, Fitzgerald Investment Management Company LLC
David Foley
Principal, Makers Commercial
Steven Fraley
Senior Vice President, Capital Solutions Group
John France
CEO, Bear Peak Power
Maggie Francescon
Community Leader
Lucas Giokas
Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Kelsey Goldberg
Enterprise Account Executive, Slack
Brian Hartley
Vice President/Broker, Live Water Properties, LLC
Charlie Hogan
CEO, Cornerstone Apartment Services
Marlon Hewitt
Director, Riveron Consulting LLC
Andrew Horsman
Managing Director at Ironhorse Exploration Partners, LLC
John Huemoller
VP, National Account Manager, First American Title Insurance Company
Kelly Johnson
Chief Legal Officer, Telarus
Annie Kay
Pilates Instructor, D Town Pilates
Ryan Lawless
Founder / Managing Principal, Renegade Capital
Matt Lengel
Founder and President, Summit Point Capital Management
Greg Litvak
Principal, Highlands Vista Group
Chancy Love
Managing Partner, Protea Investments, LLC
Alex Metz
Executive Director, TriNet
Matt Miller
Chief Development Officer, Alliance Animal Health
John Obering
President, Helm Energy, LLC
Bryce Parietti
Senior Vice President, First Western Trust
Ellie Knott Offner
Principal, U.S. Business Mgmt & Strategy, Ares Wealth Management Solutions
Rob Peirce
Executive Vice President, USI Colorado
Natalie Piquette
Division Manager, Accounting and Finance, Bradsby Group
Andrew Rehm
Advisor, CCIG
Aidan Scott
Client Advisor, Johnson Financial Group
Brandon Sherwood
VP Investment Banking, Strong Capital Markets
Margo Simpson
Denver, CO
Sean Sjodin
Managing Partner, Ascent Commercial Real Estate
Charlie Smith
Attorney-Shareholder, Polsinelli PC
Scott Smith
Senior Vice President, CAC Specialty
Paul Tappon
Managing Director, Sterling-Rice Group
Matt Tracey
Director Rockies Marketing, United Energy Trading, LLC
Wesley Weise
Senior Vice President, Bank of America Private Bank
Mary Ann Whetzal
HR Director, Liberty Energy
Kansas Board of Advisors
Chuck Bloom
President, Personal Financial Management
George Bruce
Wichita, KS
Tim Buchanan
CEO, Legend Senior Living
Cody Foster
Topeka, KS
Bryan Hanning
Wichita, KS
Chuck Mackey
Louisburg, KS
Louisiana Board of Advisors
Donald T. “Boysie” Bollinger
Chairman and CEO of Bollinger Enterprises LLC, New Orleans, LA
Mike DeHart
Chief Investment Officer at Stuller, Inc., Lafayette, LA
John H. Gin
Private Wealth Advisor at Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, Metairie, LA
Milton Graugnard
Executive Vice President at Cajun Industries, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA
Lane Grigsby
Chairman of Cajun Industries, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA
Mark Musso
Managing Partner of The Musso Investment Group, Lafayette, LA
Manny Perez de la Mesa
Former President/CEO of POOL Corp. Hollywood, FL
Eddie Rispone
Chairman of ISC Constructors, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA
Ralph J. Stephens, CPA/ABV/CFF, JD
Retired, Baton Rouge, LA
Matt Stuller
Founder and Chairman of Stuller, Inc., Lafayette, LA
Louisiana Champions
Scott Ballard
Owner/Founder, Ballard Brands
Donald T. “Boysie” Bollinger
Chairman and CEO of Bollinger Enterprises LLC, New Orleans, LA
Shane Breaux
CEO, SRI Telecom, LLC
Mike DeHart
Chief Investment Officer at Stuller, Inc., Lafayette, LA
John H. Gin
Private Wealth Advisor at Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, Metairie, LA
Milton Graugnard
Executive Vice President at Cajun Industries, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA
Lane Grigsby
Chairman of Cajun Industries, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA
Lenny Lemoine
President & CEO, The Lemoine Company
Jimmy Maurin
Founder & Past Chairman, Stirling Properties
Wesley McConnell
Owner, La Salle Management Company
John E. “Jack” McElligott Jr.
Partner, Davidson Meaux
William P. Mills III
President/Owner, MPW Properties LLC
Mark Musso
Managing Partner of The Musso Investment Group, Lafayette, LA
Manny Perez de la Mesa
Former President/CEO of POOL Corp. Hollywood, FL
Eddie Rispone
Chairman of ISC Constructors, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA
Rodney Savoy
RR Company of America, LLC
Ralph J. Stephens, CPA/ABV/CFF, JD
Retired, Baton Rouge, LA
Matt Stuller
Founder and Chairman of Stuller, Inc., Lafayette, LA
Montana Board of Advisors
Craig Barrett
Retired CEO/Chairman, Intel
Robert Beers
Billings, MT
Joe Billion
Retired Owner & Chairman, Billion Auto Group
Jerry Cashman
Founder & Owner, Cashman Nursery & Landscape
Brian Cebull
President, Nance Resources, Inc.
Jared Hauskins
Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Investments
Colleen Howell
CEO, BuildUS
Jay Jamieson
Vice President, Leavitt Group
Elliot Justin, MD
CEO, Justin MD LLC
Jenni Leach, Ph.D., LCPC
Great Falls, MT
Matt McDonnell Jr.
Owner, Big Sky Collision Center
Marc Pierce
Co-Founder & CEO, Warm Springs Productions
Ray Thompson
Founder & Former CEO, Semitool
Rick Ungersma
President & CEO, Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply
Texas Board of Advisors
Adrienne and Snehal Amin
Founder, The WindAcre Partnership
Steve Boyd
McKinney, TX
Grant Coates
President & CEO, The Miles Foundation
Cathy and Alex Cranberg
Creator and Founder, Authentic Agility; Chairman, Aspect Energy, LLC
Heidi Cruz
Managing Director, Goldman, Sachs & Co. LLC
Tim Horner
Plano, TX
Tom Jorden
Chairman, CEO & President, Coterra Energy Operating Co
Ann and Joe Kercheville
President, Joshua Creek Ranch
Shannon and Zack Laning
Director of Branding and Marketing, 2521 Entertainment; Supply Coordination Director, Aris Water Solutions
Paige and Haynie Mayhew
Carrollton, TX
Alan Miller
CEO, Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors
Emery Petrof
Frisco, TX
Wyoming Board of Advisors
Stuart Atnip
Casper, WY
Sam Galeotos
Chairman & CEO, Linavi
Alex Maher
Owner & Broker, Live Water Properties, LLC
Barbara True
Crude Oil Marketer, Eighty Eight Oil, LLC
Jennifer True
Verdad Foundation
Peter Wold
CEO, Wold Pol Properties, LLC
Eva Zimmerman
Evansville, WY
Director of School & Family Engagement, ACE Texas
Lauren Aulenbach
National Foundations
Manager
Sindy Beckerle
Director of
Development Operations
Tina Burke
National Director of Marketing
& Communications
Alan Cox
VP of Development,
ACE Colorado
Liz Fitzgerald
Director of
Strategic Outreach
Ryan Gold
National
Events Manager
Melissa Hallam
VP of Development
& Planned Giving
Kari Hebble
National Director of Public Relations
& Community Outreach
Dacia Henshaw
President, ACE Kansas
& Missouri
AJ Kuhle
President,
ACE Hawaii
Micah Hirokawa
President,
ACE Texas
Jon Lineberger
Human Resources
Director
Halle Mathues
Major
Gift Officer
Brooke Maurer
VP of Development,
ACE Louisiana
Ashley Nelson
President,
ACE Colorado
Brittani O’Brien
Director of
Community Outreach
Gabby Porter
President,
ACE Montana
& Wyoming
Lisa Russell
