Administration

  • Louis Parker, CEO
  • Dr. Janjay Gehndyu Ed. D., Principal
  • Michael Ayres, Director of Development Services
  • Lori D. Benton, Director of Operations/Registrar
  • Sandra Figueroa, Bookkeeper
  • Frank Jenkins, Student & Family Advocate
  • Darysabel Morales, Bus Driver
  • Clancey Hernandez Morel, Bus Driver
  • Rocio Pacheco, Clerk
  • William Pacheco, Head Custodian
  • Laura Randall, CFRE, Senior Director of Development
  • Diego Velasco, Dean of Students
  • Vincent Schmitt, School Guardian

Instructional Staff

  • Desmond Blue, Physical Education
  • Idanelis Ferrera, Fifth Grade Teacher
  • Jackie Gehndyu, Special Education Coordinator
  • Jacqueline Hinds, Resource Specialist
  • Tanisha Knight,Kindergarten Teacher
  • Meghan Lee, Fourth Grade Teacher
  • Heather Reardon, Second Grade
  • Suzanne Shea, Home Economics Teacher
  • Greg Vogel, Third Grade
  • Anthony Willis, Fourth Grade Teacher

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors values the opinions of our parents, and welcomes feedback. If you have a complaint, or would like an item added to our Governing Board Agenda, please contact our Board Chair, Naiema Freison at board@vmacademy.org.

Download minutes, 990s and budgets here.

  • Naiema T. Frieson (Board Chair)
  • Marilyn Dwan Kline
  • Ronald A. Johnson
  • Dilcia Navarro – Parent Representative
  • Mark Smith
  • Janet Taylor MD, MPH
  • Greg Vogel – Faculty Representative

Advisory Board

  • Lynette Edwards Asst. Superintendent, Manatee County School District (Retired)
  • David Grain Chairman, Grain Management
  • Wilson Jones Chief Operating Officer, BoardSource (Retired)
  • Kelly Kirschner Former Mayor of Sarasota – Dean, Special Programs, Eckerd College
  • James B. Stewart, Ph.D.
  • Brett Timmons Head Football Coach, Southeast High School

Founding Team

A. Louis Parker
Co-Founder, CEO

Contact Louis

Neil Phillips
Co-Founder
2012-2021

Shannon Rohrer-Phillips
Co-Founder
2012-2018

Cynthia Cavallaro Day
Co-Founder