Transnational Association Of Christian Colleges and Schools

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Commission and Staff

Left to Right
Row 1 (Front): Dr. Russell G. Fitzgerald, Executive Director (VA), Dr. Boyd Rist,
Row 2: Dr. Benson Karanja (GA), Dr. Elaine Copeland (SC), Dr. Barkev Trachian (NC, Ernest Mall (IL), Dr. Timothy W. Eaton - TRACS Regional Coordinator (OK), Dr. Paul Chappell - TRACS Regional Coordinator (CA)
Row 3: Dr. John Borek (GA), Dr. Gary Weier (SC), Dr. Earl S. Mills - TRACS Associate Executive Director (VA), Dr. Beth D. Ashburn (NC), Dr. C. Wayne Freeberg (FL), Dr. David Beck - TRACS Assistant Director of Seminaries
Row 4: Dr. James Flanagan (GA), Dr. Carl Screiber (CA), Dr. Constance L. Pearson - Secretary (TN), Charles T. Shoemaker - Commission Chair (FL), Dr. Michael J. Adams (WA), H. Beau Baez - Legal Counsel
Row 5 (Back): Dr. Jeffrey Amsbaugh (GA), Stuart Page (NY), Dr. David R. Nicholas (CA), Donald R. Lesle - TRACS Assistant Director for Finance (VA), Dr. R. Jeff McCann
Not Pictured: Dr. William Bowden (MD)

*Dr. Russell G. Fitzgerald* Executive Director Dr. Fitzgerald, holds a B.S. from Frostburg State University (MD), an M.A. and Ed.D. from West Virginia University. Additional postgraduate studies were completed at the University of New Hampshire and Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. Having been associated with TRACS since 1988, Dr. Fitzgerald assumed the Directorship of the agency in 1997. Dr. Fitzgerald has worked to ensure the soundness and quality of TRACS. He has many years of educational, administrative, and accreditation experience, including Regional accrediting consulting, serving as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Graduate Dean at Liberty University (VA), and serving as Professor at Fairmont State College, Davis and Elkins College, and Concord College (WV).

Dr. T. Paul Boatner Associate Executive Director Dr. Boatner holds two B.A.’s from Biola University (La Mirada, CA), an M.S from California State University – Fullerton, an M.A. from Southern California Seminary (El Cajon, CA), and EdD from the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA). Additional graduate studies were completed at Talbot Theological Seminary (La Mirada, CA). He has 37 years of educational, administrative, and accreditation experience including regional accrediting; serving as an Academic Vice President for thirteen years; serving as a Student Services Vice President for five years; serving as a campus business officer for 1 ½ years; and serving as a Professor at Cuyamaca College (El Cajon, CA), Southern California Seminary, (El Cajon, CA), and Adjunct Professor at San Diego Christian College (El Cajon, CA). Dr. Boatner has particular strengths in program development, including both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, in governmental affairs, as well as excellent credentials in the planning, budgeting and evaluation processes.


Dr. Charles Shoemaker Commission Chair Executive Vice President of Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, Florida, was elected as Vice Chair of the Accreditation Commission at the November, 2003 meeting. Dr. Shoemaker has served as a Commissioner and has been active in working with institutions in the accrediting process as well as carrying the TRACS banner in his travels. Dr. Shoemaker has an Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. John Borek Commission Vice Chair Dr. John M. Borek, Jr. has an earned Ph.D. in Business Administration from Georgia State University and three honorary doctorates. He has completed all the required graduate courses for a DMin. He is an ordained minister. His career in higher education includes having served as President of Liberty University and President of Luther Rice University and as a member of the faculty of several institutions. He was Vice President for Financial Affairs at Georgia State University, Dr. Borek consults with a number of public, private, Christian, and for profit colleges and universities. He has served as a member or Chair of over 70 regional and national accrediting committees. In addition to his higher education experience, Dr. Borek is a retired Officer from the United States Army Reserves and a licensed Financial Advisor. He is also active with numerous civic organizations, foundations, and businesses, and he has owned a number of businesses. A published author and speaker, Dr. Borek’s most recent books are: David: From Shepherd to Sovereign, Ancient Pathways to Great Leadership and Good Book on Leadership: Case Studies from the Bible.

Dr. Earl S. Mills Assistant Director for Development Dr. Mills received his A.A. a B.S. and M.S, Degrees from Western Michigan University, Ed. D. from Wayne State University. He has been associated with TRACS since 1980 and has served as Executive Director, Consultant, Commissioner and Associate Executive Director. He has fifteen years of Industrial experience serving as a design engineer, research engineer and Plant Manager for several companies. He has served for thirty years as a teacher, Department Chairman, Director of External Studies at Central Michigan University, V.P of Research and Development, Provost at Liberty University and President of Christian Heritage College (currently San Diego Christian College). After serving as an Educational Consultant for seven years, Dr. Mills rejoined the TRACS Staff in 2007 with the focus on assisting institutions in their development. A major focus will be on instruction and student outcome.

Dr. Donald R. Leslie Director for Finance Joined the TRACS staff as Assistant Director for Finance, in January 2004. He earned a B.S. in Accounting at Bob Jones University, and his M.B.A. from Lynchburg College. He received his professional license as a CPA in 1975. Mr. Leslie began his career in 1966 with Price Waterhouse, Certified Public Accountants. In 1976, he accepted a position as Controller and later became Vice President of Finance with Liberty University. In 1990, he established his own accounting and audit firm. He has audited and consulted with many educational institutions.

Dr. David Beck Assistant Director for Seminaries Dr. Beck works primarily with seminaries, international education, and various colleges in the eastern U.S. He received a Ph.D. from Boston University, M.A. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and B.A. from Houghton College. He has completed additional graduate study at the University of Rhode Island. Dr. Beck has spent many years traveling and teaching abroad (which he continues to do) and has been with TRACS since 1998. He is also the Dean of Graduate Studies at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Dr. Paul Chappell Regional Coordinator Dr. Chappell is Executive Vice President of The King's College & Seminary in Van Nuys, California. Heworks with those institutions in the Western United States. He joined TRACS as a Regional Coordinator in November of 2001. Dr. Chappell received a Ph.D. and M. Phil. from Drew University, M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary; Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and B.A. from Oral Roberts University.

Dr. Timothy Eaton Regional Coordinator Dr. Eaton is President of Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College in Moore, OK, and works primarily with TRACS institutions in the southeast and midwest U.S. He completed his Ph.D. & M.Ed. at the University of Oklahoma, an M.Div. at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Th.B. at Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College. Tim has been with TRACS since 1998 and is also in charge of the TRACS Reliability-Validity Study.

Joann Fitzgerald Administrative Assistant Joann has served TRACS as Administrative Assistant since 1995. She is graduate of Catherman's Business College with experience in the corporate as well as educational domain. She has the primary responsibility of overseeing the day -today office operations and staff management. Her duties also include the coordination of on-site team visits, as well as the preparation of various reports and publications.

Meryl Lee Sawyer Administrative Assistant Meryl Lee joined TRACS as an Administrative Assistant in 2004. She earned a B.A. in French from Grove City College where she eventually returned to serve as Secretary/Administrative Assistant in the Executive Office. She later served as Administrative Assistant to the Executive Vice President and Academic Dean of Blue Mountain College.

Evon Hall Records Manager Evon has been with TRACS since 1996, has been in the secretarial profession for more than 20 years. She ensures that all records are properly organized and filed. She also handles day -to-day basic accounting matters/bill paying, computer work, and general office duties. Her husband, Jim Hall, is currently heading up the Ark Research Project, in search of Noah's Ark.

Gwen Riggleman Special Projects Manager & Conference Planner She holds aB.S. in Psychology from Davis and Elkins College. Gwen handles various tasks at TRACS including the UPDATE Newsletter design/layout/editing, planning and general management of the Annual Conference, brochure design, and general computer work. She has been with TRACS since 1995.

Caitlin Swain Databases & Web Manager Caitlin has been a part of TRACS since March 2005. She is a Lynchburg native and has lived in the Lynchburg/Forest area her entire life. Caitlin was Homeschooled K-12 and graduated in 2003. She continues her education in the field of Web & Graphics Design through self-learning and classes at the local community college.