About

Board Of Directors

Shane Laroia – Board President

Slaroia@stgacademy.org

Mr. Laroia has focused 20+ years of his career either working in, advising or selling to the Global 2000. As a curious problem solver, he focuses on creating/implementing transformative strategies and business architectures that deliver quantifiable results.

As an active, hands-on technology leader, Laroia has served as President of the Integration Consortium and co-chair of many industry advisory boards and panels. He chaired four acclaimed panels with industry leadership such as the CTO of the GSA (General Services Administration) as well as the former CIO of the Obama White House, and the CIO of Bombardier discussing the impacts of Digital Transformation and Machine Learning on the IT community. He performs pro-bono public service focused on ideating creative solutions to complex National Security and US Intelligence Community problems. Mr. Laroia is “Fully Cleared,” “Green Picture Badged,” TS/SCI (Poly) with access to 4 core compartments at two flagship US Intelligence Community Agencies.

Mr. Laroia holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technology from the University of Houston and a Master of Science Degree in Economic Development & Entrepreneurship from the University of Houston Victoria.

Carol Vallejo – Governance Committee

cvallejo@stgacademy.org

Carol was born and raised in Utah and began living in Saint George in 1983. She has a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Nevada Reno. She is a licensed clinical social work therapist at S & S Counseling. Prior to getting her Master’s Degree, she worked as a paralegal for 18 years and has extensive legal and bookkeeping experience. Carol is a passionate advocate for special education programs and first started working with the SPED program as a volunteer in high school. She has two beautiful children, the youngest of which graduated from SGA in 2021.

Dee Wilson – Board Member, PR Chair & PTO

Dwilson@stgacademy.org

Dee has worked on other charter school boards and has two children currently attenting St George Academy. She is a USAF Veteran and was active duty during the first Gulf War.

Dee is a local businesswoman and received her degree at Dixie State University (now called Utah Tech University). She and her husband have lived in Southern Utah since 1995. She loves mountain biking, yoga, photography, painting, traveling, and attending concerts.

 

Carrie Willis – Board Member

cwillis@stgacademy.org

Carrie is a physician and has been practicing locally since 2014, including as the medical director of heart failure management for St. George Regional Hospital. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in psychology at the University of California, Davis and her Doctorate of Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine. She completed her internal medicine training in Philadelphia, her cardiology fellowship at Marshall University in West Virginia and her advanced heart Failure and transplant fellowship at the University of Utah.

She started the Southwest Cardiology heart failure multidisciplinary clinic in 2014 and has grown the clinic to serve patients of Washington County as well as those of regions as far east as Page, AZ and as far west as Las Vegas. Her building of the heart failure clinic has required both her clinical knowledge, and her health care administration and finance knowledge. She created and continues to serve on the hospital’s Heart Failure Guidance Council. Carrie provides education to fellow physicians as well as local nurse practitioners, nurses, home health providers and skilled nursing facility staff. She provides community education formally through community lectures. Carrie has always had a passion for education, believing education is the foundation of a successful society. She has 2 children, both of whom are attending charter schools in St. George, including St. George Academy.

 

Nancy Ross – Board Memeber

nross@stgacademy.org

Nancy Ross is an associate professor in the Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Department at Utah Tech University, where she has been teaching for 16 years. Her Ph D is in art history, but her current research focuses on the history and sociology of religion.

Al Pappas – Board Member, Audit and Finance Committee Chair

apappas@stgacademy.org

Al is an Executive Consultantand soleowner of The Canea Group and isa well-known technology veteran with many years of experience in the fields of information technology (IT), development engineering, marketing and business management. Al is an active Advisory Board memberand mentorfor several early stage technology based businesses. As the CIO for VMware, Al led the IT organization during their periodof hyper-growth. Al held CIO positions forHotwire, Portal Software, VeriFone andAdobe Systems. Prior to his CIO positions, Al was a VP of Engineering at Adobe Systems, a Test Engineering manager at Apple Computer, a Business Unit Director& VP of Engineering forSchlumberger Technologies, a Director of Software at MSI Data and held various technology and marketing positions with the Xerox Corporation, RCA Communications and theNCR Computer Division.

Mitchell Blake – Board Member

mblake@stgacademy.org

Mitchell (Mitch) Blake grew up in St. George where his family was involved in the concrete
construction business. He attended West Elementary, Dixie Jr. High School, and Dixie High
School. Mitch later graduated from Utah Tech University (Dixie College) in 1990. Mitch holds a
certificate in Surgical Technology from SLCC, a bachelor’s degree in business management
from the University of Phoenix, and a Master of Business Administration from Bellarmine
University.
After serving a mission for the LDS Church in Argentina, Mitch returned home to meet his wife
Nicole while attending Dixie College. Mitch and Nicole have 5 children and 4 grandchildren. He
has worked for CNH Industrial for the past 26 years living in the Midwest for 12 of those years.
Mitch is fluent in Spanish and has been a youth leader most of his adult life in organizations such
as his church, Boy Scouts of America, youth sports teams, and currently serves on the board of
directors for the Utah Military Academy.
Mitch served in the Air Force Reserves for 13 years as a heavy equipment operator attaining the
rank of Staff Sergeant. He continues to serve his local community as a Precinct Vice-chair.
Mitch has a passion to see youth develop themselves into active and involved citizens with pride
in their country and dedication to their families.

Sherrain ReberBoard Member

sreber@stgacademy.org

As an officer in the United States Army Reserve Command, I am passionate about military
benefits, discipline and the highest levels of professionalism. I have extensive training in
leadership and have experience in public relations, planning and executing communication
strategies, and media facilitation.

SGA Board Meeting Schedule

The SGA Board of Directors meets every second Thursday of the Month at 5:30pm