Board of Directors
Legacy Christian Academy is governed by a board of directors who meet bimonthly, overseeing the school through a policy-governance model. Members of the board give generously of their time, gifts, resources, and professional expertise to advance Legacy's mission and vision.

Alison Allport was raised in Alaska, where her education included home school, private Christian school, and secondary public school before moving to Ohio to attend Cedarville University. There she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communications and met her husband, Brian. She pursued a Master of Science in Community Counseling from Wright State University, which led to licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor. Her professional experience includes working in foster care, school settings, churches, and community mental health organizations as a counselor, as well as additional education to become a supervisor for other aspiring counselors. She has worked as a therapist for four years in Cedarville University’s Counseling Services.
Alison’s husband, Brian, is a ’98 graduate of Xenia Christian School, and they have been connected through coaching basketball and volleyball at XC/LCA since 2001. Alison and Brian have three daughters, Alayna (class of ’24), Autumn (class of ’27) and Avery (class of ’32), and a bonus daughter from Costa Rica, Samantha Vargas (class of ’24). Most of the time they can be found in the gym or on the soccer field cheering for LCA.
Alison’s favorite Bible passage is Ephesians 3:16-21 (NIV) because it points to the limitless love and power of God, our connection with Father, Son, Spirit and Christian community, inspires wonder and culminates in praise:
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is work within us, to him be glory in the church and Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Mrs. Durrell was born and raised in Germany where she received her degree in Paralegal Studies. While still in Germany, she worked at a general practice law firm providing legal support to four attorneys. Upon moving to the U.S., she embarked on a journey to learn the American legal system from the ground up, starting in the International Law Department of a major Boston law firm. Her husband’s career as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, which required frequent moves around the country as well as to Japan, enabled her to work as a paralegal in various law firms and legal specialties for well over 20 years. Mrs. Durrell has been married to her husband, Mark, for 36 years and has two beautiful children, Stefan (32), and Jasmine (Jazzy) who graduated from LCA in May 2024. She enjoys exploring God’s beautiful creation with her husband (and sometimes the kids) in their RV. She is actively engaged in her local church as a First Grade Sunday School Class teacher and small group leader and is passionate about volunteering her time at LCA. Mrs. Durrell’s life verse illustrates her strong belief that despite the many trials we may encounter in this life, God has a purpose for each one of us:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Rev. Arendale has served as the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Beavercreek, Ohio since 2020. Pastor Arendale has served in pastoral ministry in a variety of contexts and finds his great joy in opening the Scriptures and setting forth our all-sufficient Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor Arendale was born and raised in Nashville, TN, and has spent time in North Carolina and Texas, before being led to Ohio.
He is married to Christy, whom he met at Baylor University. The Lord has blessed the Arendales with three children, Elizabeth, Hudson, and Johnny, each of whom attends LCA. They love the Christ-centered focus of the LCA curriculum and the Spirit-filled community of the school.
Pastor Arendanle often returns to Jesus' words in the Upper Room to his disciples and his church,
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Pastor Duane is a strong advocate of Christian Education. He graduated from Dayton Christian H.S., and continued by getting his BS in behavioral health science with an emphasis on trauma from Grand Canyon University. Pastor Duane passionately led youth along with college and career ministries for over a decade before he stepped into the role of Lead Pastor. He is currently the Lead Pastor of the Body Dayton in Kettering, Ohio.
Pastor Duane and his wife, Amanda, have been blessed with five children (typically referred to as The Grants), all of whom attend LCA. He and his wife have had the opportunity to be heavily involved in their children's experience at LCA through volunteering, coaching, and his role on the board. Duane and his family are excited to be a part of the LEGACY being built at LCA. Say hello to him if you see him around campus, he loves getting to know others in the LCA community!
Pastor Duane was asked for a word of wisdom or scripture to be shared with our community. He shared his life’s verse and the reason for all he does:
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. (Romans 12:1-2 AMP)

Ms. Harphant has over 30 years of experience as a Department of Defense civilian. She has specialized in financial management, specifically, in accounting and budget. The majority of her career, she has served in a leadership role, supervising, and managing personnel and projects. Ms. Harphant is a dedicated member of the LCA family. She has been actively involved in various activities alongside her son Justin, who has been a part of the school since kindergarten. He will graduate in 2025. Additionally, her husband, Bill, serves as the assistant HS Baseball coach. Her life verse is Psalm 46:10,
Be still and know that I am God

Jared Holloway has a strong background in business. He previously was an executive in the oil industry managing supply contracts and hedging, and then served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Xenia. He currently spends his days at Strausburg Nursery, a wholesale grower that cultivates a diverse selection of trees and shrubs for sale across the country. He earned his MBA from Cedarville University in 2016, and his Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Wright State University in 2014. Jared also serves on the board of the Xenia Community Improvement Corporation, and as a Deacon and Treasurer at Emmanuel Baptist Church, in Xenia.
Jared is an alumnus of Xenia Christian High School, graduating in 2011 after attending preschool through graduation. He and his wife, Hillary, reside in Xenia with their four children, two of whom currently attend Legacy Christian Academy (Class of 2034 and 2036). His faith is central to his life, guided by the principle of Colossians 3:17: 'And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Jared joined the LCA Board in Spring of 2023, and currently serves as Board Treasurer.

Josh Michael grew up in Maryland and attended a Christian school throughout his elementary and secondary education. He graduated from Cedarville University in 1999 and returned to Ohio to work at Cedarville after working in higher education in Pennsylvania. Currently serving as Dean of Library Services at the university, he has degrees in history, divinity, and library science. He and his wife Caren have four boys who have attended LCA - Tommy (LCA class of 2024), Sam, (LCA class of 2026), Nate (LCA class of 2026), and Ethan (LCA class of 2028). They have been part of the LCA community since the 2014-15 school year and their boys have participated in athletics and drama.
An important verse for Josh for as long as he can remember is Joshua 1:9,
"Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Mr. Jared Miller is currently serving as the Basketball Director with Athletes in Action. He is a proven & passionate visionary & servant leader with experience developing people and programs at Christian schools from 2011 until moving back to Ohio in August 2020 to join AIA. He also served in the classroom and in administration at a public
school from 2003-2011, in the middle of which Jared took a year (2006-2007) leave of absence to live and serve at an international Christian school in Ethiopia. The Lord has blessed Jared and his wife Erin with three children: Tressel (LCA ‘22), Jocelyn (2025), and Alētheia (2034), as well as daughter-in-law Sydney (LCA ‘22). A couple of Jared’s favorite scriptures are Colossians 3:23 which says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,” and 2 Corinthians 5:20 that tells us we are "ambassadors for Christ."

Dr. Nickerson has been privileged to learn, teach, and lead in Christian school environments throughout his life where the central importance of a thoroughly Christ-permeated faculty, curriculum, and community has been essential. After being homeschooled through most of his elementary and middle school years, Dr. Nickerson graduated from a Christian high school in South Carolina. A highlight of his high school experience was spending a year abroad in mainland China as an exchange student. Following high school, he earned two degrees at Cedarville University: a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Master of Education with a concentration in educational administration. Dr. Nickerson later earned a PhD in organizational leadership at Columbia International University, where his research focused on the academic influence of Christian school athletic coaches.
Professionally, Dr. Nickerson served as a secondary math and science teacher early in his career before shifting to school leadership roles. However, he considers himself a teacher at heart, and it is his prayer that the Holy Spirit uses each student's experience at Legacy to draw closer in their relationship to God. Dr. Nickerson takes joy in partnering with Christian families to educate students in a Christian worldview so that students develop in godly character and wisdom and are prepared to lead change in their world. He has served as chief steward of the Legacy mission, Equipping Leaders for Christ, since the fall of 2021.
The Lord has given Dr. Nickerson and his wife, Allison, two sons: Micah (LCA class of '26) and Judah (LCA class of '27).
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." -Paul (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." -Jesus (John 17:3, ESV)
"Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!" -David (Psalm 34:3, ESV)

Mrs. Tia Reilly has served in secondary language arts education for almost 25 years--both in the states as well as in Paraguay and Costa Rica. In the last five years she has taught and developed English-as-a-second-language programs for international missionaries. Currently, she works part-time at Cedarville University in the International Student Services office.
Mrs. Reilly has three living children and six grandchildren--all living locally, so many good times are enjoyed. Two of her children graduated from Legacy Christian. She and her husband are still involved in overseas (primarily Mexico) and local missions (Dayton) endeavors. Mrs. Reilly's favorite things are photography, puzzles, piano, reading, traveling overseas, and enjoying her 3-year-old Cavapoo, Truly.
Her favorite (right now) Bible passage is Psalm 16: 5-9a,
Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

Mister Shank received a BA in education at Cedarville University and an M. Ed in educational administration at Wright State University. He has enjoyed 36 years of teaching and administration in public school districts in Clark and Greene counties. He also taught some post-high school classes at two area community colleges.
Now retired, Mr. and Mrs. Shank enjoy time with their three adult children and six grandchildren. Four of those grandchildren attend Legacy. They are avid RVers, enjoying camping especially in Florida and the beautiful American west. Always an educator, Mr. Shank feels blessed to work with the team at Legacy as we see God working in so many ways.
A verse that he has found both a great promise and challenge is Deuteronomy 29:29,
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Note: Questions or concerns regarding school operations should be appropriately directed to members of the faculty, staff, or administration most closely connected to the question or concern. If you are interested in serving on the Legacy Christian Academy Board of Directors or would like to nominate another person for service, please complete this form. Submitting this form does not guarantee the nominee will be contacted by the board to complete an application. The number of directors is limited by board policy, and the nominating committee of the board considers nominations for open board seats annually.