Board Members

Brian Bobek was born and raised in Oklahoma.  He received his bachelor’s degree from The University of Oklahoma.

Brian Bobek is no stranger to the Oklahoma education space. He has served on the Oklahoma State Board of Education, Career & Technology Education Board of Oklahoma, and the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board for Oklahoma, using his talents to advocate on behalf of all Oklahoma students, regardless of their educational pathways. He currently serves as the director of the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

Prior to being chosen to serve as Director of Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Brian was Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Stitt as well as State COO.
He has recently been re-appointed to both, the Oklahoma State Board of Education and the Career & Technology Education Board of Oklahoma.

Brian devotes his time and resources to the community, by generating new opportunities to those who have been in the criminal justice system, homeless, addicted to drugs, abused, or need someone to assist them getting back on the right track.

Chris VanDenhende is a finance executive and education advocate with more than 40 years of experience in corporate finance, strategic planning, and aviation leadership. Recently nominated by Governor Kevin Stitt to serve on the Oklahoma State Board of Education, he brings a deep understanding of financial oversight, higher education governance, and workforce development to his role.

VanDenhende served four years on the Board of Regents for the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO), overseeing six universities that collectively graduate nearly 60% of the state’s teachers. His leadership helped guide policies impacting faculty, students, and the financial sustainability of Oklahoma’s largest higher education system.

A lifelong Tulsa resident, VanDenhende comes from a family of career public school educators. His father taught history and civics, and his mother taught music and speech in Tulsa Public Schools. He is a graduate of Will Rogers High School, holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from East Central University, and earned his MBA from Oklahoma City University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

John Wesley “Wes” Nofire, a lifelong Oklahoman and resident of Park Hill, brings a broad range of experience in public service, business, and community leadership to the State Board of Education. A proud graduate of Sequoyah High School, Wes attended Northeastern State University. He went on to compete as a professional boxer, earning nationwide recognition for his discipline, determination, and commitment to representing Oklahoma values.

Wes has served the State of Oklahoma in several leadership capacities, including as the Governor’s Native American Liaison and as a member of the Oklahoma Athletic Commission. In these roles, he worked to strengthen state-tribal relations, enhance transparency in intergovernmental partnerships, and promote accountability and collaboration across public institutions.

Beyond public service, Wes is a licensed real estate broker and the founder of Nofire Real Estate LLC and Middle Cross Consulting LLC, businesses built on his dedication to responsible development, faith-based leadership, and economic opportunity for Oklahoma communities.

Grounded in his Christian faith and belief in family-centered values, Wes views education as the cornerstone of opportunity and unity among all Oklahomans. He and his wife, Molly, live in Park Hill with their children, where they remain active in church, youth sports, and community outreach throughout the Tahlequah area.

Ryan Deatherage is an experienced business owner and emergency management professional with a proven track record in leadership, crisis management, and organizational development. With a background in Agriculture Business and extensive FEMA training, Ryan has dedicated his career to serving communities through strategic planning, volunteer coordination, and business growth.

In his role as Director of Emergency Management and 911 for Kingfisher County, Ryan revitalized local emergency programs, implemented effective policies, and fostered community engagement to ensure public safety. As the Associate Director of Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief, Ryan has led large-scale disaster response efforts across multiple states, managing teams of over 3,000 volunteers.

His entrepreneurial spirit is evident in his success as a Multi-State Franchise Owner, where he managed million-dollar budgets, developed operational policies, and coached teams to achieve significant growth. Ryan’s ability to combine strategic vision with practical leadership has earned him recognition, including the Franchise of the Year Award in 2017 and an elected position on the Kingfisher City Council in 2022. Ryan is passionate about serving his community, developing leaders, and ensuring organizations operate with excellence. Whether guiding teams through disaster relief efforts or mentoring business managers, he brings a unique blend of experience, communication skills, and leadership to every role

Michael L. Tinney, a native of Mangum, Oklahoma, is a proud graduate of Mangum High School. Growing up with a father who was both a teacher and a coach, Mike developed a strong passion for education. He went on to earn a master’s degree in education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and spent three years teaching in Chattanooga, Oklahoma.

In 1983, Mike graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and has since built a successful career in private practice. His primary focus is oil and gas title opinions, handling probate cases, and managing related legal matters. Over the years, Mike has shared his expertise through published articles in the Oklahoma Bar Journal and by presenting at various legal seminars. He currently serves as the president of the Oklahoma City Chapter of the Christian Legal Society.

Mike is married to Ginger Tinney and together they have two children: Rachel Ackerman, who resides in Edmond, and Daniel Tinney, who lives in Bentonville, Arkansas. In memory of their late son, Jonathan Tinney, Mike has recently published a book sharing the story of his life and the challenges of having a child with Down Syndrome. The couple is also the proud grandparents of two grandchildren

Becky Carson was born and educated in OKC, who now resides in Edmond. She received her master’s in education from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1988. She is a retired special education teacher who spent 30 years in the classroom for both Moore and Edmond Public Schools. She has experience in curriculum design, student assessment and individual plan development. Mrs. Carson was one of the first educators in the state to introduce, educate and implement Co-teaching.

In addition to her education career she has owned several small businesses, including Young Chef’s Academy and Prairie Soul Designs.

She is an involved member of her local church and volunteers in many areas there. Alongside her husband she prepares Wednesday meals for over 150 people. They also love attending Falls Creek Church camp with the youth.

She and her husband have two grown sons, who both reside in Oklahoma. They are also grandparents to five grandchildren. Mrs. Carson brings her many years of experience as a public educator to the board and is passionate about ensuring that all students in Oklahoma are given every opportunity to succeed.