Directors

Chase Larsen, Director, President and Chairman	Academic Credentials: Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah Juris Doctorate, Florida Coastal School of Law, Jacksonville, Florida Personal: Born and Raised in South Jordan, Utah. Currently serving the Third Circuit State Attorney’s Office as the Supervising Attorney of Columbia County . Chase and his wife Sunita have two children, Hunter and Sophia. Profile: Chase is a parent of two Belmont students and has been actively participating in as much school related volunteer activities as his schedule allows. Chase enjoys spending time with his family and wants to see his kids grow up in the positive environment that is Belmont Academy. Email: [email protected]
Jay Poole, Director	Academic Credentials: Master of Science in Financial Planning, University of Georgia Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Saint Leo University Associate of Arts, Santa Fe Community College Personal: Vice President/Financial Advisor at Pentas Wealth Management/Raymond James Columbia County Resident Raised in Columbia County and graduated high school from Buchholz High School in Gainesville, FL. Jay and his wife, Gwen, have 2 children Profile: Jay is the parent of a student at Belmont and has been actively involved in supporting education for a number of years as a School Advisory Council member, PTO President and classroom volunteer. He has been a financial advisor since 2010 and is a veteran of the US Army. In his spare time, Jay enjoys boating and traveling.
Will Myers, Director and Secretary	Academic Credentials: High School Graduate of Columbia County Studied Accounting at Santa Fe Community College Personal: Owner of William Myers Design, IncResident of Columbia County for 25 years. Married with 4 boys living at home. Profile: Will has been in the residential home design business for over 20 years. He has excellent technical and computer skills. He volunteers as a project manager, equipment and facilities manager, as well as team leader. Will has home schooled his three older children and is now passionate about this charter school, having dedicated many hours of design and technical work into the construction of the school. Will enjoys golfing and outdoor activities with his boys.
Katie Tyler, Director	Academic Credentials: High School Graduate of Columbia County Personal: Columbia County Resident Married, with 3 children. Profile: Katie is a mother of three children, all enrolled at Belmont Academy, volunteers as a school classroom assistant in multiple classes, and runs her own business. Katie is very involved in her children's education, and has been involved and volunteering since the inception of Belmont Academy. She loves challenges, is very detail oriented, a born organizer, and enjoys working with children. She is a voice on the School Board for teachers as well as students. When not working, she enjoys decorating, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Jonny Handy, Director and Treasurer	Academic Credentials: High School Graduate of Columbia County Personal: IT Manager at Applied Industrial TechnologiesFlorida State Coordinator at Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC) Columbia County Resident for 30+ years Jonny and his wife Stacy have 4 daughters, Ella, Ashlyn, Annabelle, and Lillian Profile: Jonny has been working in communications and IT for 20 years and loves to volunteer his time and expertise to Belmont to help keep their tech up to date and running smoothly. As treasurer Jonny keeps an eagle eye on the Belmont finances to ensure every dollar is being spent per the Governing Board’s guidance and with the best interest of our students and the taxpayers in mind. When Jonny isn’t working or at Belmont he enjoys spending time with his family and is likely to be traveling to one of our National Parks or responding to some storm ravaged community to volunteer his time to provide communications.
Shellie Young, Director	Academic Credentials: High School Graduate, Suwannee High School Associate of Arts, Florida Gateway College Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, The Baptist College of Florida Personal: Director of Marketing, All Things VisualMother of 4 Children Profile: Shellie is the mother of 3 Belmont Academy students and an active toddler. After being an Elementary School teacher for 5 years she moved into the marketing field. She has a passion for the community and growing businesses through strategic marketing plans. Shellie is active in many community events and a member of Lake City Altrusa International Club. When not working she enjoys traveling and spending time with her children.

Alex Kirsch, Director	Academic Credentials: High School Graduate of Columbia County Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP, MCSE) Personal: Director of Technology at HUB Industrial Supply Raised in Columbia County Father of 2 Children, Oliver and Elinor. Profile: Alex has been involved in information technology for several decades. He has a long history of volunteering at Belmont Academy since it opened in 2013. He has two children and is very involved in their education. Alex enjoys spending his free time doing activities with his kids.
Dr. Miguel Tepedino, Director	Academic Credentials: Dr. Tepedino earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Cell Science with highest honors from the University of Florida. He successfully completed his medical school education at the University of Florida, and he also did his Family Medicine residency training there, serving as chief resident in his final year. Dr. Tepedino is also an adjunct clinical assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine, where he helps teach medical students and train residents. Personal: He is the CEO of North Florida Family Medicine and works as a physician caring for patients. He is native to Lake City, Florida, is married, and has two daughters. Profile: Dr. Tepedino is happily married to his wife Kelly. He particularly enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters Ella and Ava. He is a first generation Floridian after his parents fled from Cuba to seek a better life in America. His parents and in-laws are residents of Columbia County and he has a niece (Kaylie) who attends Belmont.