Tom Tillapaugh is the founder and administrator of the Denver Street School System and President of the National Association of Street Schools. An educator with a heart for the inner-city, he has spent the past twenty three years refining and sharing the street school concept.
During that time, he has not only offered hundreds of Denver’s inner-city kids a second chance to earn their diplomas, but has helped to start street schools all over the nation. In the summer of 1996, Tillapaugh saw a decade long dream come true as the National Association of Street Schools held its first annual conference in Seattle, WA.
Tom received his Master of Arts in Education from Oral Roberts University and continues to pursue a doctoral degree in school administration from the University of Denver. He has been nominated to Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who among American Teachers and received the Teacher Who Makes A Difference Award from Newscenter 4 and The Rocky Mountain News. Tom was featured in Education Week and Newsweek, and he has been asked to speak at First Lady Laura Bush, "Helping America's Youth" conference and served on congressman Bob Beauprez' education policy advisory committee.
Tom is married to Yvonne Tillapaugh and they have four children: Cherie, Rebecca, Rick and Neil. They also have four beautiful grandchildren: Joseph, Savannah, Hayden, and Hailey.
Tom Tillapaugh, President
NASS Headquarters
1567 Marion Street
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: (303) 830-8213
Cell: (720) 299-3420
Fax: (303) 860-1402
Toll free: 1-877-981-7700
tomt@streetschools.com
Wendy Loloff Piersee was born in Colorado and spent the majority of her growing up years outside of Yellowstone National Park in Northwest Wyoming. She came to Christ at an early age and has served Him in various volunteer and paid ministry positions since that time.
She earned her bachelors degree in 1990 from Colorado Christian University in Business Management. She received Magna Cum Laude honors and was awarded two of CCU’s top three awards including the Outstanding Christian Service Award and the Outstanding Student in Professional Studies Award.
During her senior year at CCU, Piersee worked for the college as the Special Events Coordinator for University Fundraising. Her resume also includes marketing Youth for Christ’s SuperConferences on Youth Evangelism and managing Promise Keepers Educational Ministries Department.
She joined the staff of Denver Street School in January of 1996 as the Director of Development and found her nitch in using her business skills to develop the street school concept while partnering with interested donors to triple organizational capacity. The best part of working at the street school was getting to combine daily hands-on ministry with business skills that make the organization more effective.
She has been grateful to be a part of helping to launch the National Association of Street Schools and is excited about both the educational and spiritual answers that NASS brings to the table for struggling urban youth. Wendy serves as the Executive Vice President for NASS and has been in the process of helping local NASS member schools develop strategies for funding their programs.
She is married to Dean Piersee whose graphic and multi-media skills are demonstrated on this web site. Wendy is the mother of three, Jackson Charles, Josiah Eric and a daughter Ellianna Rene Piersee.
Wendy Piersee, Vice-President of Development and Operations
NASS Headquarters
1567 Marion Street
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: (303) 830-8213
Fax: (303) 860-1402
Toll free: 1-877-981-7700
wpiersee@yahoo.com
Todd Goble was born in Kansas City, but grew up moving frequently throughout his childhood, living in Billings, MT, St. Louis, MO, Minneapolis, MN, Darien, CT, where he graduated from high school, San Diego, CA, and Cleveland, OH.
Todd graduated from Allegheny College, in Meadville, PA with a B.A. in English, and an M.A. in Education. He began teaching in the Cleveland area in 1970.
Todd has been involved with alternative high school education since 1974, when he helped start and teach in a school for potential drop-outs that continued for 26 years in the Berea, Ohio area. He has been involved with Young Life since 1963, and has been active in Young Life leadership and committees since 1970.
Following his teaching in the Berea City School District, Todd was the Minister of Christian Education for six years at Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village, Ohio. He worked in business, as a senior account executive in employee benefits for New England Life and as a group pension specialist for CIGNA.
He returned to education as a teacher at an at-risk high school, was an assistant high school principal, a principal of an at-risk high school, and a principal at a career-technical high school. He was certified as a public school superintendent in Ohio, and started work on a Ph.D. in Urban Education at Cleveland State University
Moving to Colorado in 2001, Todd was involved at Pikes Peak Academy, an alternative Christian high school for at risk students in Colorado Springs, as a teacher, principal, and executive director. He is currently the Vice President for Education for the National Association of Street Schools.
Todd Goble, Vice-President of Education
NASS Headquarters
1567 Marion Street
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: (720) 280-0194
Fax: (303) 860-1402
Toll free: 1-877-981-7700
toddg@streetschools.com
As Director of Development for NASS, Denise Lechtenberger oversees all fundraising efforts that help finance the Association’s nationwide impact and growth for urban at-risk youth and the street schools that reach them. Her objective is to “serve the servants” by raising financial support for NASS’s innovative programs and services, which are then delivered to NASS-member schools, teachers and kids.
She is particularly enthusiastic about the national movement toward a variety of smaller, more personal educational alternatives to the traditional comprehensive secondary schools. She believes in a holistic educational approach to reaching troubled kids who drop out of school that includes rigorous academic standards, career development, spiritual development and personalized attention.
Prior to joining the NASS staff in October 2004, Lechtenberger’s 10+ year career in the Internet industry involves sales, business development and strategic partnership management roles dealing with Fortune 500 companies to Internet start-ups. With experience from organizations like National Geographic Society, Discovery Channel, Digex and most recentlly Yahoo!, Lechtenberger contributes to NASS solid business skills in building creative development plans and successfully executing details. Strong relationship-building and communication skills offer her a unique ability to cultivate large corporate and foundation partnership support, and also to foster large and small individual donors alike.
Lechtenberger received her BBA from The University of Oklahoma and is an avid Sooners football and basketball fan.
Denise Lechtenberger, Director of Development
NASS Headquarters
1567 Marion Street
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: (303) 830-8213
Fax: (303) 860-1402
Toll free: 1-877-981-7700
denisel@streetschools.com
Kendall Lyons is from Dallas, Texas. He currently works as an assignment editor at KXAS-TV in Dallas / Fort Worth for news and recently joined NASS as a grant writer.
Lyons graduated from Oklahoma Christian University with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism, and is currently pursuing his Master's in Divinity at Criswell College. Before leaving Oklahoma City, he worked at KFOR-TV as a writer and a weekend overnight assignment editor.Lyons has been preaching since May 2005, and is currently under the leadership and guidance of his ministry mentor and Pastor, C.O. Preston, of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Dallas. Kendall works with the youth, and greatly enjoys it!
He also writes for the animation news website, "Animation Insider.Net," where he serves as a cartoon reviewer and analyst. Kendall authored the series, "WeatherTrax," a story about a 14 year old over-achiever and his 8 year old hyperactive and technologically advanced brother, going storm chasing.
Lyons writes numerous messages and updates on http://weathermanoc.deviantart.com, and www.myspace.com/weathertrax aswell as various articles on youth and educationand current pop-culture.
In Washington, D.C., Kendall spent two Summers ('04 and '05) with the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, where he met various members of Capitol Hill and interned at Radio America Network as a Producer for "Newsbeat" with Blanquita Cullum.
Lyons has been recognized by the Dallas/Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, The Oklahoma Broadcasters Education Association, and the Young American Broadcasters.
He enjoys sharing and helping people through their struggles as well as successes by bringing God into focus in their lives.
Kendall Lyons, Development
NASS Headquarters
1567 Marion Street
Denver, CO 80218
Fax: (303) 860-1402
Toll free: 1-877-981-7700
KendallL@streetschools.com
Julie Martin was born and raised in a suburb of Chicago. At 18, she went to Central Bible College in Springfield, MO to gain a degree in the Bible and Missions. Two years after graduation she left for Europe to travel with a Christian theater company for two years. It was there she met her English husband, Lee. After marrying and spending four more months with the theater company they settled in England. While in England Julie gained another degree in Theology as well as certified teacher status in the field of Religious Studies. Julie was a teacher and head of department for six years in a mainstream, comprehensive, secondary school. Julie and her husband felt called by God to come to Colorado and reach out to troubled teens. The Lord led her to Denver Street Schools where she met Tom Tillapaugh and Lisa Leith and a partnership was formed. Julie is the School Development Coordinator for NASS, and is available to all present and future member schools, to develop and support them in any way possible. Her hope is that through this ministry God will use her to help young people become all God created them to be.
Julie Martin, Member Services Manager
NASS Headquarters
1567 Marion Street
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: 303-501-3164
Fax: (303) 860-1402
Toll free: 1-877-981-7700
juliem@streetschools.com
After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish studies from the University of Minnesota in 1994, Katie McArthur fueled her passion for multi-cultural ministry by studying practical theology at Christ for the Nations Institute and participating in numerous world-wide missions trips. She volunteered with various inner-city evangelistic and educational organizations in the Dallas area before moving to Denver, Colorado in 1996 where she joined the teaching faculty of the Denver Street School and enjoyed teaching for six years.
In 2002 Katie joined the staff of the National Association of Street Schools. With a secondary teaching liscence and Masters of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy in Education from the University of Denver, Katie serves as NASS' Director of Academic Support and Compliance. She seeks to assist schools in their academic research and development and provide resources of best teaching practices for working with at-risk youth.
Katie is blessed to be married to Andrew and have two children, Adalae and Liam.
Katie McArthur, Director of Academic Support and Compliance
NASS Headquarters
1567 Marion Street
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: (303) 830-8213
Fax: (303) 860-1402
Toll free: 1-877-981-7700
katiem@streetschools.com
Mark L. Merrill is a lifelong Camden, NJ resident. He and his wife Karen, of 28 years, have raised two, now grown sons Andrew and Aaron. As a family, they continue to serve the citizens of Camden, NJ and Philadelphia, PA through consistent grassroots service in the church, public school system, business, non-profit and special needs communities. Mark has served the corporate business community as a strategic member of corporate and non-profit leadership teams. Mark specializes in the development of collaborative partnering/relationships as an effective means of pooling services and resources for thebetterment of families and communities in need.
Mark currently serves as Executive Director of Project Give Back, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit working in Camden to provide high school education to at-risk students through Eastside Academy and GED’s to the community at large. He is a Pastor at the East Camden Community Fellowship, volunteer with the Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Association for Non-violence and serves on several other key community boards.
Mark Merrill, Development Manager, Northeast Region
P.O. Box 555
Camden/Pennsauken, NJ 08110
856-366-8704
Fax: 856-963 1447
MarkM@streetschools.com
Angie grew up living in Indiana prior to accepting a position with NASS and moving to Denver in July 2002.
Angie attended Anderson University for two years and then went on to graduate from Ball State University with degrees in Political Science and Religious Studies. While in college, Angie spent three years working with Youth for Christ at the local high schools and helped to lead weekly club meetings. She also served an internship at Youth for Christ’s national office and helped to plan its SuperConference on Youth Evangelism.
Angie keeps NASS running smoothly as she manages the financial aspects of NASS operations, plans the annual conference, tracks data on NASS schools, and serves as the communication hub for NASS staff and member schools. Angie enjoys the opportunities to not only work behind the scenes for NASS, but to get involved in the students’ lives as well.
Angie enjoys going to the mountains on the weekends with her husband Matt and dog Tristen for backpacking, hiking, camping, skiing, and snowshoeing.
Angela Noteboom, Finance and Project Manager
NASS Headquarters
1567 Marion Street
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: (303) 830-8213
Fax: (303) 860-1402
Toll free: 1-877-981-7700
angiem@streetschools.com
Ginger earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and has been involved with a variety of ministries for helping people. She came to know Christ in high school at a camp in Buena Vista, Colorado. She has served as a youth leader and worked as a resident advisor in college. Both of these experiences have enabled her to develop skills for helping people in ministry.
Ginger joined NASS in October 2006 as an Executive Assistant for Tom and Wendy. She enjoys working for NASS because the organization is focused on making a significant and eternal impact in people’s lives.
Ginger can be contacted with any questions or comments regarding RenWeb, Development, and Job Recruitment.
Ginger Preeo, Executive Assistant
NASS Headquarters
1567 Marion Street
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: (303) 830-8213 x725
Fax: (303) 860-1402
Toll free: 1-877-981-7700
gingerp@streetschools.com
Lindsay earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Colorado Christian University in 2005. Just after graduating from CCU, Lindsay was working as a counselor at one of NASS’s schools and shortly thereafter joined the NASS team in October 2006. Lindsay is working as an Executive Assistant for the NASS Academic Team and can be contacted with any questions or comments that apply to Accreditation, Member Services, RenWeb, or data related material. She is ecstatic about working for NASS and looks forward to growing with the organization. Lindsay is happily married to her husband Ben and together they enjoy spending time outdoors and fellowshipping with the body of Christ.
Lindsay Sattler, Executive Assistant
NASS Headquarters
1567 Marion Street
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: (303) 830-8213 x706
Fax: (303) 860-1402
Toll free: 1-877-981-7700
lindsays@streetschools.com
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