Board of Trustees

Richard Hansen, Chairman

Richard Hansen graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer and later earned an MBA in Finance from NYU.  After serving as a junior officer in the Navy, Mr. Hansen moved to New York City and began a 30-year career in Commerical Banking, financing  Forture 500 Corporations, and international energy and mining projects.  He retired in 2006 and moved to Bluffton.  

Mr. Hansen joined The Church of the Cross in 2018.  He was attracted by the energy of the church and its focus on and faithfulness to God's message.  He was also attracted by Cross Schools, which he views as a testament to the strength of the church's commitment to spreading the Christian message to the next generation.  

As a Trustee, he enthusiastically embraces the two goals of imparting a Christian world view and values to the children of Cross Schools while also providing an excellent academic education.  

He is married and has two sons and two grandchildren.  

A favorite Bible verse is Matthew 7:7-8:  "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  

David Pierson, Vice Chairman

Dave has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. He is a career retailer spending the majority of that time in the retail optical industry.  He served as President and CEO of various optical companies including Sears Optical and Pearle Vision.  He retired in 2014 and continues to consult with companies and trade associations in the industry.

Dave and Sue have been members of the Church of the Cross since permanently relocating to the Bluffton area in 2014.  They frequently attended and grew to love the church when visiting the area for over 20 years.  Dave has previously been involved with Stephen Ministry and Sue taught Sunday School at the historic location.    

They have two married children and four grandchildren.  Their two oldest grandkids are now attending the University of South Carolina in Columbia.  They are fortunate to have both families enjoy the Low Country and spend vacations and holidays in their home.

A favorite Bible verse of Dave’s is 1 John 1:7 – “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

Alan Restivo, Chief Financial Officer

Alan graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing. He is also the holder of a Masters’ Degree in Business Management from Bryant University. 

Mr. Restivo and his wife, Beverly, moved to Bluffton, SC in 2014, and joined The Church of the Cross in 2015 where they are involved in various ministries. Prior to moving to Bluffton, they lived in Rhode Island where Mr. Restivo, a CPA, was the Controller at Johnson and Wales University.  He has over twenty-five years of experience in the Education field, mostly in financial management. 

The Restivos enjoy spending time with their two children and four grandchildren.  They also enjoy golfing and the beach.

A favorite bible verse is Philippians 4:13:  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Scott Thomas, Secretary

Scott graduated from Georgia Southern University with a B.S. in Construction Management and a minor in Business. He co-owns a construction firm in Bluffton, SC with his two brothers. Scott grew up in Savannah, GA, and moved to Bluffton with his wife Megan in 2009. They have two children, Chance, and Gracie Bea, that attend Cross Schools. They are active members of Community Bible Church in Beaufort.

A favorite Bible verse is John 16:33: “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Doug Barone, Trustee

Doug Barone, a seasoned and semi-retired executive from a national heavy industrial construction firm based in Savannah, Georgia, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for education to Cross Schools. At 66 years old, Doug, along with his beloved wife of 40 years, Laura Ann, has resided in 10 different states, with a significant portion of their time spent in Georgia and North/South Carolina. Their children and grandchildren also call the South their home. Doug is thrilled about the challenging opportunity presented by Cross Schools, as he advocates for the exceptional quality of a comprehensive private school education in comparison to the public school alternative.

Drawing inspiration from Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV), Doug encourages rejoicing in the Lord always and emphasizes the importance of demonstrating gentleness to all. With a heart free from anxiety, he encourages seeking God's guidance through prayer, petition, and gratitude in every situation.

Betsy Batten, Trustee

Betsy Batten is a physical therapist and president of Thrive Physical Therapy and Wellness, LLC. Prior to moving to Bluffton in 2008, she completed undergraduate studies in Health and Exercise Science at Furman University and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Elon University.

Dr. Batten is delighted to serve on the Board of Trustees for Cross Schools. As a member of The Church of the Cross since 2012, the mission and outreach of the church and school are near and dear to her heart. Betsy is married to Lowcountry native, Wise Batten, Jr. Their sons have attended Cross Schools since preschool and are delighted to go to school every day.

She is inspired by the words of Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Wayne Bowerman, Trustee

Wayne Bowerman grew up on a dairy farm in western New York.  After High School, he graduated from Erie County Technical Institute with an AAS in Mechanical Technology.  He then served in the US Navy on an aircraft carrier, then spent 29 years at Xerox Corporation working in Research and Development.  After retiring in 1998, he continued working in a career of flying for a small charter company based in Rochester, New York.  

He and his wife, Phyllis (Phyl) have two sons and six grandchildren.  One son is an MD with twin boys, and the other is a private equities investor with four children.  Both sons graduated from a private, Christ-centered school, thus Mr. Bowerman's interest in promoting and assisting with a Christ and academic-centered education.  

His verse of choice is John 3:16," For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  It is probably the most well-known verse and signifies the level of love God has for all of us, a level that none of us can even begin to comprehend.  

Kimberly Duke-Clark, Trustee

Kim a native of N.C., has been in the great state of SC since 1990. She graduated from Atlantic Christian College with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. She worked numerous years for the Dept. of Social Services in Child Protective Services, Investigations, Adoptions, and Child advocacy. In 1997 Kim founded and operated Lowcountry Day Christian Schools, until  September of 2020. She is still very active in Child Advocacy, serving on the Board of Directors for CAPA (Child Abuse Prevention Association), sitting chairperson for Open Arms Children's Shelter, and a volunteer with many childrens services in the Lowcountry.

Kim married her high school sweetheart Mike, and they have two son's. Their new granddaughter Millie Lee attends Cross Schools. Kim & Mike opened May River Pet Resorts in 2020, along with their son Duke. Their youngest son Henry is with Orlando Public Defenders Office. The family attends Church of the Cross & Kim is an active member of Daughters of the Holy Cross, & passionate about  volunteering with Cross Women & summer Bible Schools. 

Favorite Bible verse: Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Rob Heflin, Trustee

Rob Heflin graduated with a B.S. in Business Management from Old Dominion University and later earned a Master’s degree in Management & Supervision from Central Michigan University.  After his undergraduate studies, Rob served 3 years in the Army being commissioned as a Military Personnel Officer and then spent the next 39 years in the Human Resource field retiring  as VP of Human Resources for Perdue Incorporated, a fortune 500 Food and Agricultural Company.

Rob married his high school sweetheart (Nancy) and they have been married for 53 years.  They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren.  They moved to Bluffton in the fall of 2013 and joined the Church of The Cross in the fall of 2014.

Rob has always been active in youth related activities such as coaching, Junior Achievement, and Mentoring.  Since 2015 he has been volunteering at God’s Gifts Thrift Store and is also currently a mentor with the Don Ryan Center for Innovation.  A favorite bible verse is Psalm 34:4 - “I prayed to the Lord and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.”

Kat Robinson, Trustee

Kat Robinson has served in Human Resources leadership positions in public and private sectors. The
most recent role was as Director of Human Resources for the Town of Bluffton, where she has since
retired. Kat earned her B.A. from Eckerd College in St Petersburg, FL and then obtained a Human
Resources Management Certification from the University of South Florida. She holds a SPHR credential
which is a senior level designation through the Society for Human Resource Management.

Kat discovered The Church of the Cross in 2013 when she came to Bluffton for an interview, and it did
not take long for her to make it her church home. Retirement has provided opportunities to serve in
new ways including being a Docent at the historic campus, ushering at the 5:28 service and co-leading
the Christmas Market Monthly Workshop. In addition, she works part-time as the Women’s Ministry
Assistant at The Church of the Cross.

Kat has authored two books and loves spending time with friends and family. She enjoys helping
people and looking for opportunities to share the love of Jesus with others.

One of her favorite Bible passages is from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Always be joyful. Never stop
praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

George Millard (Mill) Simmons, MD, Trustee

Mill grew up in a Christian military family mostly in the Northeast. He graduated from the University of Vermont with  

BA and MD degrees. He specialized in Obstetrics and Gynecology and sub-specialized in Maternal/Fetal Medicine at Cornell Medical Center, NYC.  He was on the Faculty of Cornel University before joining the US Army stationed at Fort Hood, TX. Subsequently, he went into an OB/GYN/High-Risk Pregnancy academic career teaching and practicing at Dartmouth College, the University of Vermont, and West Virginia University. His research interests were in the development of rural perinatal medicine and postgraduate medical education. He retired in 2003 as Emeritus Professor of OB/GYN, West Virginia University.

In Medical School Mill married his college sweetheart Rosalie. They have three children and four grandchildren. Their 59 years of marriage have been a faith journey. After moving to the Bluffton area in 2013 they joined The Church of the Cross. They have been actively participating in lay ministries since, including Senior Warden to the Pastor.

A favorite Bible verse can be found engraved in their wedding rings, Hebrews 11:10 (KJV): "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."