Father Ryan Announces 25-26 Board of Trustees

Brian Callahan: Board President and Chair

Callahan serves as CEO of Deflecto, LLC, an office products supplier specializing in office, safety, storage, and air distribution products. Callahan graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Accounting in 1983 and earned his M.B.A from the Wharton School of Business in 1989. Previously, he served as the Treasurer/Finance and Budget Chair on Father Ryan's Board.

---

Father Ryan High School is pleased to announce the Executive Committee and five new members of the school’s Board of Trustees for the 2025-2026 school year.

Executive Committee:

Mr. Brian Callahan - President/Chair

Mr. John Bumpus '78 - Vice President/Vice Chair

Mr. Tom Sloan - Treasurer/Finance and Budget Chair

Mrs. Brittney (Testerman) Griffith '03 - Secretary

Mrs. Caroline Young - Governance and Nominating Chair

Rev. Rhodes Bolster '11 - Priest

 

Committee Chairs:

Mr. Thomas Bauer - Facilities Committee Chair

Mrs. Chris Donnelly - Advancement Committee Chair

 

Board Members:

Mr. Chris Baltz '88*

Mr. David Bohan '66

Mrs. Jinx Cockerham*

Mr. Brandon Corbin '98*

Mr. David Glascoe

Mr. William Hill '67

Mr. Donald Jackson '78*

Mr. Tom Turner

Dr. Joe Wehby '78*

Mr. Matthew Wright

 

Ex Officio Members:

Most Rev. J. Mark Spalding, JCL | Bishop of Nashville

Dr. Shana DeSouza Druffner |  Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Mr. Paul Davis '81 | Chief Executive Officer/President

Very Rev. Austin Gilstrap | Episcopal Vicar - Formation and Education

 

* Indicates a new member of the Board of Trustees. 

All positions are effective July 1, 2025.

---

Chris Baltz ’88

Christopher Baltz is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development Communications at Vanderbilt University, where he has worked for over 25 years. In this role, he oversees communications related to Vanderbilt's fundraising and development efforts. Before becoming Assistant Vice Chancellor, Baltz served as Executive Director of Development Communications and led campaign communications for the university. He graduated from Vanderbilt with a B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology and has held various roles in communications, including positions at M. Lee Smith Publishers and DecisionQuest (New York). Baltz currently serves on the Advancement Committee at Father Ryan High School. He is the father of Victoria ’24 and Isabella ’28. They went to St. Bernard Academy, where Baltz and his wife, Jill, served on two capital campaigns for the school. He is a Cathedral of the Incarnation parishioner. 

 

---

Jinx Cockerham

Jinx Cockerham is a distinguished educator and coach who has dedicated over 46 years to Father Ryan. She began her tenure in 1970, coinciding with the school's transition to a co-educational institution. As the Head Volleyball Coach for 40 years, Cockerham led her teams to five state championships, establishing Father Ryan as a powerhouse. In addition to volleyball, she served as the Head Basketball Coach for the Lady Irish for over 30 years, guiding her teams to two state runner-up finishes. Her exceptional contributions to athletics were recognized with her induction into the Father Ryan Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. Beyond coaching, Cockerham was a dedicated teacher and mentor, positively impacting the lives of countless students and colleagues throughout her career. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a B.S. in 1970 and her M.Ed. in 1973. Cockerham currently serves on the Hall of Fame Committee and the 100th Anniversary Advisory Committee for Father Ryan. She is the mother of Josh Cockerham ’96 and Kelly (Cockerham) Reilly ’93. She is also the grandmother to two Father Ryan alumni, two current Father Ryan students, and one rising 6^th grader at St. Henry School. Cockerham attends St. Henry Church.

---

Brandon Corbin ’98

Brandon Corbin is the Regional Technology Officer for Ascension Saint Thomas, where he leads technology initiatives that enhance patient care, clinician support, and operational efficiency across Tennessee. He has over 20 years of IT leadership experience, including at HCA Healthcare and as CIO for the Tennessee Department of Health.  Brandon earned a master’s degree in business administration with a focus on technology management from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree in information technology management from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. He further enhanced his expertise with a CIO Certificate from Carnegie Mellon University and holds certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Healthcare CIO (CHCIO).  Beyond his professional accomplishments, Brandon is deeply involved in community service. He serves on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, Nashville Technology Council, and Family & Children Services and is a 2022 Leadership Nashville class graduate. Brandon lives in Brentwood, Tennessee, with his wife, Coffi, and son, Hendrix.

---

Donald Jackson ’78

Donald E. Jackson, Jr. is a native Nashvillian, a graduate of St. Vincent de Paul School, and a proud member of the Class of 1978 at Father Ryan High School. After graduating from Tennessee State University, he was recruited to teach in Father Ryan’s emerging Technology Program. In addition to teaching, he took on extracurricular roles, coaching both football and track. After several years in education, Jackson transitioned into the business world. During this time, he met and married his wife, Felicia, a physician. Her career led them to Mobile, AL, where they raised their two children, now adults. In 2023, Jackson was recruited back to Nashville to serve as the Director of Property Management – Operations with the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency. Jackson is one of five siblings who all graduated from Father Ryan, making three generations of Jacksons to graduate from our school.

---

Dr. Joe Wehby ’78

Dr. Joe Wehby is a professor in the Special Education Department at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College, where he focuses on helping kids with behavioral challenges thrive in school. His work centers on understanding why some kids struggle socially and creating interventions that make a real difference. Over the years, Wehby has brought in more than $30 million in federal grants to support research and training.  He is a proud Vanderbilt alum, earning his Ph.D. and M.Ed. in Special Education after his undergrad degree from Memphis State University. Wehby has been recognized for his impactful work, including the Outstanding Research Award from the Council for Exceptional Children. Wehby is the father of Andrew ’11, Emily ’08, and Matthew ’17.  He attends St. Henry Parish.