Building the Foundation of Success
Jeff Ray, President
Jeff has been in ministry for 29 years, having served churches in Gainesville, Raleigh, NC, and now Jacksonville. He spent 9 years as a music evangelist. Jeff studied music at the University of Florida and taught Worship and Educational Ministry classes at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.
In addition to being a pastor, he also works for the Florida Baptist Convention as a Missions Coordinator for the Partnership Missions Department. Jeff trains churches for mission trips and missions awareness. In this capacity he works in Brazil, in the Amazon Basin, leading mission teams and training Brazilian pastors for ministry.
Jeff’s hobbies include fishing, reading and spending time with his family. His family has been at EVA for six years. They have had four children attend EVA. Jeff is excited and honored to serve on the Board of Directors. He believes that out of challenging days come incredible opportunities. EVA’s best days are ahead! Jeff believes that we have a great Board of Directors ready to work hard for the future of our great school. Jeff encourages prayer for the faculty, staff, Board, and our Administrator, Joshua Sheetz, as we strive for excellence.
Marian Cain, Corporate Secretary (ex-officio)
Marian has been involved with EVA from the very beginning, being a part of the original home school group that started the school. Prior to working at EVA, she worked as a Buyer’s Assistant at Learner’s Warehouse and as a Cash Manager at Stein Mart. Marian has two daughters, a son, and four grandchildren. Marian’s youngest daughter graduated from EVA in 2005.
Marian loves spending time with her family, bike riding, going to the beach, and vacationing at Disney. Her goal as a Board Member is to help EVA continue to raise academic standards, while maintaining a Christ-centered environment in the classroom. Marian’s desire is to be a positive leader in growing the school financially so that it can build for the future.
Doug Holmes, Board Member
Doug was born and raised in Jacksonville and has lived here his entire life. Being a locally based and operating business owner of Excel Property Services, his background includes 25+ years in account relations, operations management as well as sales and management roles. Prior to becoming a business owner, Doug worked as a Strategic Account Director for Fidelity National Information Services (FIS), a Fortune 150 company, providing technology solutions, processing services and information-based services to the financial services industry. Prior to that, Doug held various roles supporting small business, corporate, and government sectors for AT&T.
Doug is an active member at Chets Creek Church and also serves on the Advisory Board with the Chets Creek Church leadership team. He enjoys spending time with his family, working outside, traveling, and hunting. Doug seeks to provide insight and direction in regaining financial stability and health at EVA, as well as assist in the development and implementation of the roadmap to maximize current and future growth at EVA.
Don Presley, Board Member
Don is the owner of Next Level Academy (opened June 2010), an organization that prepares athletes on all levels, with indoor and outdoor facilities. He is the former owner, Vice President, General Manager, and CEO of Trident Supply Company, Inc. (1984-2010) before it was sold to GHX Inc, LLC. Don was responsible for the company’s budget, direction, inventory and personnel for three locations and 35 employees. After graduating from University Christian, Don received an Associates Degree in Accounting and Business and attended the University of North Florida. He has taken Dale Carnegie courses in sales and leadership.
Don has been married to Mary Presley for 24 years, and they have 5 children: Donya, Don III, Laura, Chris and Tyler. Don III, Laura, Chris, and Tyler all graduated from EVA. Don has been an involved parent at EVA, coaching girls’ softball, soccer, middle school football, middle school basketball, and baseball. Currently, he is the Varsity Baseball Coach at EVA. He enjoys playing softball (having been on 10 national title teams), hunting, and coaching.
As a Board Member, Don’s number one goal is to see that EVA is a spiritual and educational beacon in the community. He desires EVA to be a place where parents will want to send their children because they will be challenged academically and guided by Biblical principles that will help them to develop the character they will need to succeed in a difficult world. Don is committed to help EVA grow and compete so that one day his grandchildren will attend and graduate with the same pride he has as a coach and parent within the current system.
Emily Bailey, Board Member
Emily and her husband, Aaron, own and operate two businesses in Callahan where they reside. North Florida Lawn Maintenance, Inc. was established in 2001 and specializes in the maintenance of municipal and county roadsides and large-scale commercial tractor mowing. North Florida Aftermarket, Inc. was established in 2018 and specializes in sales and installation of auto and truck accessories including tires, wheels, lifts, leveling kits, and bolt-on accessories. Emily manages the finances for both businesses, while Aaron handles the day-to-day operations. She has also been the bookkeeper for Mizell Development, Inc. since 2011.
Emily homeschooled her two children for 9 years before enrolling them at EVA in the fall of 2015. Clay enrolled as a 9th grader and graduated in 2019. Kinley enrolled as a 6th grader and graduated in 2022.
Emily enjoys reading, music, sun and shores, and spending time with her family. She attends Chet’s Creek Church’s North Campus. Emily appreciates all that EVA has invested in her family. She hopes to contribute to EVA’s ongoing success through a focus on the importance of each person’s relationship with God and others, academic excellence, moral integrity, and spiritual maturity for all who are affiliated with the school.
Marley Harris, Board Member
Marley Harris is a life-long resident of the greater Jacksonville area. She is married to Darren Harris, and their son Colton recently graduated from EVA where he had attended since kindergarten.
Marley is a Certified Public Accountant and currently works as a Managing Director with BDO USA, collaborating with small and medium-sized business to outsource their accounting and financial reporting needs. With over two decades in both public and corporate accounting positions, Marley brings a varied perspective to her role as a trusted financial advisor to her clients. Marley is a graduate of Jacksonville University, holding bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance and a Master of Business Administration.
Marley is an active member of First Baptist Church of Baldwin, serving as the Children’s Department Sunday School leader and a member of the Stewardship Committee. Marley is excited about the opportunity to serve EVA along with other leaders who are invested in the growth and success of the school.
Joshua Sheetz, School Administrator (ex officio)
Joshua Sheetz is originally from Tennessee but has now lived in the Jacksonville area for over 20 years. In 2002, he graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in English and a minor in History. He also has a master’s degree from Arkansas State University in Educational Leadership. In 2006, he left the corporate world to pursue a teaching career at EVA. After joining EVA, he taught upper school English for four years until he became the Academic Advisor in 2010. In 2015, he became the school principal and served in that role until the summer of 2020 when he was chosen by the board of directors to be the school administrator. Joshua is passionate about strengthening the academic standing of the school while preserving the Christ-centered relationships that make EVA a warm and inviting family.
Joshua has three children. The two youngest currently attend EVA, and the oldest graduated from EVA in 2019. When not at the school, Joshua enjoys reading, traveling, and serving in his local church.