Board of Advisors
Brent Fitch
Brent Fitch was appointed as the seventh president of Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in May of 2020. Approaching his fourth year at the helm of the college, Brent along with Faculty, Staff, and Administrators successfully navigated the recent pandemic challenges by supporting improvements in student population, innovation and student retention. He is passionate about student success and having RMCAD positioned as a practical low-cost option for students looking to hone their craft as artists or designers online.
Prior to RMCAD, Brent served as the Senior Vice President of Shared Services Operations at Bridgepoint Education, a publicly-traded technology company and Strategic Services Director at Blackboard. Prior to Blackboard, he served over 20 years in several roles at University of Phoenix,...
Bill Hamilton
Bill Hamilton brings a wealth of experience to John Melvin Christian College as a Board Member. With over 37 years in college athletics, Hamilton has left an indelible mark on the sports community.
During his tenure as the head baseball coach from 1990 to 2010, Hamilton led the PSC Pirates baseball team to its first-ever state championship in 2004, a remarkable achievement that solidified his reputation as a skilled and dedicated coach.
In addition to coaching, Hamilton also took on the role of athletic director from 2000 to 2021, showcasing his ability to balance multiple responsibilities successfully. With his retirement from coaching in 2010, Hamilton transitioned into a full-time role as the College's athletic director.
Under Hamilton's leadership, the baseball team achieved remarkable milestones, finishing sixth in the JUCO World Series during the 2004 championship season and winning the coveted Tomas Howard Sportsmanship Trophy. Hamilton's exceptional coaching abilities ...
Dave Partrick
Dave Partrick has had a diverse and remarkable journey, from being a former 8th-round pick in the 1988 MLB draft by the California Angels to enjoying a successful six-year baseball career. After transitioning to entrepreneurship, he owned a mobile home dealership for three years.
In 2011, Dave joined the Pensacola Police Department, where he spent four years on patrol and another four as a Detective in the Criminal Investigation Division. During his time there, he showcased his skills as an Operator/Sniper on the Pensacola SWAT Team for an impressive nine-year stint.
Currently, Dave is committed to contributing to community well-being, having spent the last four years in the Community Outreach Division. In addition to his law enforcement career, he founded Camo4Christ in 2015, a Christian Camo Clothing Apparel company...
Esther Culbertson
My name is Esther Garger Culbertson, and I hail from Roanoke, Virginia. I attended East Tennessee State University, where I had the pleasure of meeting my wonderful husband. Although I had been accepted into the University of Virginia Law School and my soon-to-be husband had been accepted into dental college, we made the decision to forgo these opportunities. My father-in-law had recently acquired Astro Lincoln Mercury and needed our assistance, so we relocated to Pensacola.
Through a connection with my father-in-law, I was introduced to Ralph Godwin, the Principal at Tate High School. He convinced me to join the teaching staff at Tate, and it was a truly rewarding experience. I was amazed at the impact I could make on the lives of these young individuals, and their determination and passion served as an inspiration to me. After teaching for two years, our journey led us to South Carolina, where we ventured into opening another Ford store with my husband's uncle. Following several years in South Carolina, we returned to Pensacola.
During the time that our two boys were growing up, I dedicated myself to ...
Shane Butler
Michael Shane Butler, born in 1970, is a devout Catholic and a former professional baseball player. He was awarded a full scholarship to Texas Tech University, where he showcased his exceptional talent in baseball, resulting in his selection by the Chicago Cubs in the draft. Unfortunately, his professional career was cut short due to an injury. However, this setback did not deter him from pursuing his academic aspirations, and he successfully completed his mathematics degree. In addition to his academic pursuits, Shane served as a pilot in the United States Air Force for 21 years, undertaking multiple deployments worldwide. His dedication and commitment to his service are commendable. Furthermore, since 2004, Shane has been actively involved in commercial aviation and currently serves as a captain for American Airlines. Beyond his remarkable professional and athletic achievements, Shane is a devoted family man. He is blessed with four sons and a grandson, with another grandchild soon to join the family. Recognizing his passion for supporting young adults in their faith...