CCA Board Members

Mrs. Dana Dando and her husband, Matt, served on the founding board of Cornerstone in 2010 before she stepped down to take an active role in the day-to-day operations of the school. Dana has over 15 years of experience in education including six years teaching at a middle school near Atlanta and nine years at CCA in administration. Most recently she has served as an ACSI accreditation team member for schools in the Southeast. She has a BA in English from Covenant College and an MEd from the University of Georgia. All four of her sons (Brady, Will, Jack and George) graduated from Cornerstone. Matt and Dana are thankful for the excellent education that they received at CCA and the godly staff who influenced their sons through gospel-centered teaching and mentoring. Matt and Dana attend Abingdon Bible Church and are active in Bible Study Fellowship.

Mr. Cass Harman grew up in Buchanan County. He completed his studies in 2012 with a Doctoral degree in Nurse Anesthesia and has since been working as a CRNA. He is currently leading the team at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, VA. He is married to Sarah who has a part-time position at CCA on the administrative team and their 3 children, Cohen, Maddie and Levi are in the grammar school. Cass is involved at Abingdon Bible Church with leading the men's ministry and teaching Sunday school. His vision is to educate children to the glory of God, equip the next generation with a biblical worldview and allow them to see the world through the lens of scripture.

Mr. Henry Looney is President of United Central Industrial Supply where he has dedicated his 41-year career to supporting mining communities, the energy industry and other industrial markets across the United States.  A native of Buchanan County, Henry earned his BA in Economics and Business at King College in Bristol and participated in the men’s basketball program. It was there that he met his wife, Melinda. They just recently celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary. Henry and Melinda raised their four children in Abingdon and are blessed with five grandchildren, three of whom attend CCA. Henry and Melinda are faithful members of Highlands Fellowship Church.

Mr. Robbie Phillips is a native of Abingdon, Virginia, and graduated from Radford University with a master’s in corporate and professional communications, as well as a bachelor’s in communications. He is vice president of Bristol, Tennessee-based Corporate Image and Corporate Marketing, a full-service public relations/communications and marketing firm. Robbie’s wife, Leanne, is the varsity volleyball coach at Cornerstone and their two daughters, Raegan and Ryann, attend CCA. Robbie and Leanne are passionate about CCA and its opportunity to influence generations of students in our region for Christ. The Phillips’ attend Chilhowie Baptist Church.

Mr. Dave Pollard grew up in Stone Mountain, GA and earned a degree in Industrial Design from Auburn University. After working for 9 years in the design field, he changed careers and became a Chick-fil-A Operator. He has been a franchisee for 13 years, and is currently the Operator at Chick-fil-A Bristol Exit 7. Dave moved to Abingdon in 2012 with his wife Hannah and their 4 children (Rachel, Sara Grace, Lucy, and Luke) who all attend Cornerstone. Hannah is on staff at Cornerstone, and they both have a heart for impacting our community through CCA! Dave served as an Elder at Discovery Church for several years and currently attends Highlands Fellowship.

Mr. Antony D. (Tony) Roop, CPA is a 1998 graduate of Virginia Tech with a Master of Accountancy including a concentration in taxation.  He is also a 1997 graduate of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a business administration minor.  Tony is a tax partner with Brown, Edwards & Company, LLP, a regional certified public accounting firm.  Tony and his wife Amy have three children (Raegan, Drew and Callie) that attend CCA.  They live in Abingdon and attend Covenant Presbyterian Church.  Tony also currently serves on the Carillion Tazewell Community Hospital board and is active in local youth sports with his three children.

Dr. Emily Shields is a native of Dallas, TX.  She completed her undergraduate work at King College in Bristol, TN, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She then obtained her Doctor of Medicine and Master in Healthcare Administration degrees. After completing a neurology residence at the University of Louisville in 2010, she and her husband, Robert moved to Abingdon. They have four children: Evy, George, Harold and Vella. Dr. Shields is a Neurologist at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Cornerstone is an answer to prayer for the Shields who came to Abingdon with faith that God would provide a local Christ-centered education for their young children. Dr. Shields and her family attend Abingdon Bible Church.

Mr. Paul Widener is a native of Southwest Virginia and relocated to Washington County, VA in 1994.  He worked in various roles for a local organization for over 20 years and recently started his own business, Commonwealth Industries, located in Abingdon, to serve law enforcement, corrections, and other government and private entities.  Paul earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Information Technology from Old Dominion University, and has served on advisory boards for companies including Lexmark, EXE Technologies, and TopSource.  He has also served local organizations including Washington County United Way as the Industry Division co-chair and as a member of the Washington County Planning Commission since 2011.  His wife, Carrie, a teacher at Cornerstone Christian Academy, and he are both active members of Chestnut Grove Community Church, and have one daughter.  

Mr. Will Witcher serves as Director of Water Resources and GIS for BVU Authority. A native of Bristol, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee and was engaged in both private engineering consulting practice and public utility management for nearly twenty years prior to his current role. He holds professional engineering licensure in Tennessee and Virginia. Will is married to Virginia, a native of Sumter, South Carolina. They have two children, Katherine and William, who are both Grammar School students at CCA. Will and his family are members of Eastern Heights Presbyterian Church in Bristol, where he teaches the Advancers Sunday School class. Will and Virginia are thankful for the CCA community and the school’s commitment to serve the Lord’s kingdom through Biblical, Christ-centered classical education.