Board of Directors
Sue Virden
PRESIDENT
Sue Virden is a graduate of Dover High School & Arkansas Tech University where she earned a double Masters in Education and Curriculum Administration. She is married to Kim Virden and together they have five children and ten grandchildren. After a career in education that spanned 38 years, she retired as Director of Curriculum, Dover School District, to travel with her husband and volunteer with non-profits and her church.
Jeff Paxton
1st Vice President
Jeff has been the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Dover since 1988. He married his grade school sweetheart, Marci, and they have two children, Austin and Ashley. He holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Memphis, a M.Div. from Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary, and a D.Min. from Luther Rice Seminary. He serves on the Arkansas Baptist State Convention Executive Board and the Arkansas Baptist State Convention Nominating Committee.
Sharla Hartzell
2nd VP & Gala Co-Chair
Sharla Hartzell is a graduate of Dover High School & Arkansas Tech University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business
Education. Currently in the 25th year of her teaching career, she is the EAST Facilitator and Photography teacher at Dover High School. Married to Eric Hartzell, together they have two daughters, Shelby and Gracie. Shelby is currently in her first year of teaching as the Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor at Rogers Heritage High School and is a fourth generation teacher. Gracie is currently in her Junior year at Arkansas Tech University majoring in Hospitality Management with an emphasis in Event Planning. Eric and Sharla are both business owners in Russellville having recently opened The Hartzell Homestead Mercantile & Creative Studio as well as Eric co-owning Sorrells Body Shop. Together they all enjoy family road trips and are actively involved in their home church, Woodlawn Free Will Baptist Church in Russellville.
Kim Davis
Treasurer
Kim Davis is a graduate of Dover High School & AR Tech University. She is married to Jerryl Davis and they have two children, Cody and Kelsey (attends Dover High School). Kim is a CPA and has worked at Kent Dollar Certified Public Accountants, Inc. for 26 + years.
Teresa Shatwell
Secretary
Teresa Shatwell is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University with degrees in English Education and Journalism, and a Masters in Gifted and Talented Education. She taught English at Russellville High School for 5 years, and was the Coordinator for Gifted Programs at Dover School District for 25 years, before retiring. She volunteers for her church and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children in Judicial District Five. She is married to Dickey Shatwell, and they have two children (both graduates of Dover High School and Arkansas Tech University), and three grandchildren.
Lydia Zimmerman
board member
Lydia Zimmerman is a graduate of Pottsville High School. She is married to Chris Zimmerman and they have three children; Grace, Claire, and Lucas. Lydia is a Registered Respiratory Therapist / Registered Polysomnograph Technologist, with a career in the medical field for over 26 years. She is employed at Dardanelle Regional Medical Center.
Josh Daniels
Schools Liaison to Board
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Fe Barton
Gala Chairperson
Fe Barton is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University. She is married to Boyd Barton, CPA. Boyd and their three children, Daniel Barton, Jeanifer Metz, and Chrystal Davis are Dover High School graduates. She and her husband own and operate Dover Market Catering.
Rusty Janssen
Member at Large
Rusty Janssen is a graduate of Dover High School, The University of Arkansas, & Washington University. He is married to Tammy Janssen and they have 5 children, Wade (attends UCA), Bailey (attends The University of Arkansas), Colt (works for Russellville Citicorp), Jacob (attends The University of Arkansas) and Cody (attends Russellville High School). He has been a business executive for 25 years and is currently the President & CEO of Alpha Oilfield Water Services.
Deidre Luker
Member at Large
Deidre Luker is a graduate of Dover High School, Arkansas Tech University, and the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law where she graduated with a Juris Doctorate. She is the owner of Luker Law Firm, P.A. in Russellville, Arkansas, is a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the 5th Judicial District, an Attorney Ad Litem in Johnson County in the 5th Judicial District, and represents municipalities including the City of Dover. Her hobbies include running and traveling with her husband Jason Luker.
BETTY ANN (LYNCH) BURNETT
Member at Large
Betty Burnett was born and raised in Dover, Arkansas. She graduated Dover High School in 1953, and was the first Dover graduate whose parents both graduated at Dover. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree at Arkansas Tech University in 1957. Betty taught at Eureka Springs High School 1957-1958. She was employed at Security Pacific National Bank 1958-1978. She joined Rockwell Federal Credit Union as Vice President Credit 1978–1998. Upon retirement Betty returned to Dover.
Betty is a member of Dover United Methodist Church and served as Administrative Council Chair, co-organizer and staff for After School WOW, and pianist at DUMC from 1998-2018. She served as volunteer clerical at DMS 2001–2007. Betty was Chair of Community Holiday Luncheon Committee 2015-2017. 1999–2020 was a member of the Board of Directors of ATU Wesley Foundation AGE to AGE.
Betty Burnett is a founding team member & Board of Directors of Dover Public Education Foundation 2011–present.
Merrell Shoptaw
Member at Large
Merrell Shoptaw is a lifelong resident of Dover. He graduated from Dover High School in 1965, and subsequently obtained degrees from the University of Arkansas and Arkansas Tech University. After several years as a fighter pilot in the USAF he returned to Dover, and retired in 2013 after 35 years as Director of Computer Services at ATU. He has served the Dover community in multiple capacities including a ten year tenure on the school board and as music director at the Dover church of Christ. Merrell has four grown children and six grandchildren.
Stan Berry
Member at Large
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