About Us – School Board
The school board consists of up to nine (9) members, seven of whom are members of Blackhawk Ministries Church. Board members serve three-year terms up to a maximum of six years in succession. The board chairman is a Blackhawk Ministries elder and is appointed by the Blackhawk Ministries Elder Board. The school board meets monthly and is responsible for setting the policy of the school and for the performance of the lead administrator. School board members have authority as members only as they meet together as a board. Correspondence for the school board should be directed to the school board chairman or the lead administrator.
Mr. Arlan Friesen, Chairman of the School Board, joined the school board in May 2009. He and his wife, Linda, are celebrating their twenty-fifth year of marriage in August. They have four children, Whitney, Jordan, Taylor, and Austin, who collectively have 48 years of education at Blackhawk Christian School. Arlan previously served a term as an elder of Blackhawk Ministries, and is rejoining the elder board as of June 2009. Arlan and Linda have served in the church in numerous capacities including leading the middle school youth program for four years, teaching various ages of children’s Sunday School, and teaching in an Adult Bible Fellowship. Currently, they are leading a small group of couples that meets weekly, and have been teaching in the Great Adventure adult Sunday morning class. Arlan is the Vice President of Ambassador Leadership, an operating unit of Ambassador Family Enterprises, a local privately held organization where Arlan has worked for five years. Previously, he had over twenty years of corporate experience with Lincoln Financial Group and Mutual Security Life. Arlan graduated summa cum laude from Taylor University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Systems. He obtained his MBA from Indiana University. Arlan was born and raised in Japan, where his parents served as missionaries.
Mr. Keith Brown is a member of Blackhawk Ministries and actively involved in ABF (Adult Sunday School) and children’s ministry (Sunday School, AWANA). He has two children that attend Blackhawk Christian School. He is actively interested in developing leadership, talent, and character in our children. Mr. Brown serves as President of the non-profit organization ArchAngel Institute, committed to pro-family and pro-life action. He enjoys spending time with his extended family in Fort Wayne, adjunct teaching at Indiana Tech, and “flipping” an occasional distressed house. In his day job, he can be found at Regal Beloit-electric motor manufacturer where he works as a Sourcing/Purchasing analyst. He is married to his lovely wife Jamie, of 20 years.
Ryan Elijah is a News Anchor, at Indiana Newscenter and is a graduate of BCS. He received his degree in Mass Communications from Anderson University. He is involved in various volunteer organizations, including BCS, Upward/YMCA, adjunct Professor at Huntington University (broadcasting) and a variety of charities. Also, while located in Florida, he served on the Mayor’s Council. He and his wife Tasha are attending and involved at The Chapel. Ryan and Tasha have two children, Jake and Luke, both enrolled at BCS.
Scott Figgins, Vice President, Claims & Underwriting at Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company. Scott is a graduate of Indiana University with a focus in criminal justice and public administration. He has his MBA from Taylor MBA University. Scott and his wife Yvonne are active members of Fellowship Missionary Church. Scott has served on various boards and committees, including, Remedy.FM, advisory board for the Taylor MBA program, Indiana Insurance Institute, American Church Group, LLC, and True Life Choices. Scott and Yvonne have 4 children, Courtney and Zachary, who are BCS Graduates and Brittany and Benedict, currently enrolled.
Eric Hall is President / Owner of EH Design & Consulting. He is a graduate of Fort Wayne Bible College / Summit Christian College in Christian Education / Theology. He is a past Elder of Blackhawk Ministries and currently active in a variety ministries including the Bible Hour. He and his wife Becky have three children, Abigail, Richard, and Drew all enrolled in BCS.
Mrs. Debra Howard is a graduate of Ball State University with a major in social work. She currently is teaching as an employee of Associated Churches of Fort Wayne. Debbie was a small group discussion leader in Bible Study Fellowship for 7 years and a children’s leader for 3 years. She has also served as a peer counselor and hotline worker for A Hope Center. She and her husband Denny have 3 children, Joshua, Rebecca and Timothy who have graduated or are currently students at BCS. Her family attends church at Blackhawk Ministries.
Dr. Gregory Sassmannshausen is a physician/surgeon at Fort Wayne Orthopedics. Dr. Sassmannshausen earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Indianapolis, and his MD at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He continued his orthopedic residency at Dartmouth and served a fellowship at the University of Kentucky. He currently serves on the Executive Committee at FWO and is on the marketing committee for FWO’s Orthopedic Hospital. Greg and his wife, Jill, have daughter, Hannah and son, Luke, both of which attend Blackhawk Christian School. The Sassmannshausens are members of Blackhawk Ministries.
Mr. Dan Starr is Vice President of Human Resources, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Do it Best Corp. He graduated from Anderson College and earned his JD magna cum laude at Indiana University’s School of Law. Dan has served on various civic and charitable boards through the years, and has participated in Leadership Fort Wayne. Dan and his wife, Abbe, have three boys, Noah, Jacob, and Tucker all of whom attend Blackhawk Christian School. Dan and his family are members of Blackhawk Ministries.
Mark Zolman, Physician/Owner of Physical Medicine Consultants, and is a graduate of BCS. He has his undergraduate from IPFW and his Doctorate from Indiana Medical School. Mark currently serves as an Elder on Blackhawk Ministries Elder Board, as a Board member for Tri-State Medical Group, and on the Medical Executive Committee of Rehab Hospital of Fort Wayne. He and his wife Gretchen are members and active in Blackhawk Ministries. Mark and Gretchen have 4 children, Elizabeth, Kathryn, Tessa, currently enrolled in BCS, and future student, Jack.
Interested in Serving on Our BCS School Board?
As positions on our School Board become available, we want to consider all potential members of our BCS Family. If you would have interest in being considered for a future position or know someone that you would recommend, please contact Marilyn Knuth at the school office (493-7400 ext 320) for specific information and / or an application.
