Board Members

Oklahoma State Board of Education
District 1 Appointee

Chris Van Denhende 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)

Sarah Lepak is a Claremore native, Claremore Public Schools graduate, and a 2002 University of Oklahoma graduate with a Business Administration degree. In 2005, Ms. Lepak received her law degree from the University of Kansas, and recently completed a Master Leadership Program from Harvard Business Publishing. 

She is a Senior Environmental Project Manager at QuikTrip Corporation-Tulsa, leading the company’s compliance department and managing all aspects of environmental regulatory compliance and due diligence for QuikTrip stores.
As an involved member of her community, she spends her free time teaching classes to high school students at her church; and since 2010 serves on the advisory board of OU Price College of Business Management/Entrepreneurship.

When nominated by Governor Stitt, Ms. Lepak said, “I’m honored to be nominated and look forward to serving on the Board, and I am happy to give of my time and experience to help ensure Oklahoma kids are well-prepared for the future.”

Oklahoma State Board of Education
District 4 Appointee

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

Zachary (Zach) Archer was raised in Hammon in far western Oklahoma, graduated from Hammon High School, and a proud 5th generation owner of land homesteaded by his great-great grandfather in 1896.

In 2001, Zach received his BBA in Finance from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU). After graduation he entered the world of investments and has spent his entire career working in that field. Over the years, work took his family to Arkansas and back to Oklahoma where he is Managing Director at Great Plains Investment Services.

Zach and his wife Sara have sons who are students at Hammon High School. They have always tried to be very involved with their children’s education, looked for ways to serve, and Zach also served on the local school boards. He is very involved with his church and other local organizations.

Zach is excited to be able to serve on the State Board of Education and is passionate about making Oklahoma Education the best it can be!

Oklahoma State Board of Education
District 3 Appointee

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