Board of Directors

Tiller School has a Board of Directors which sets policy and governs the school. They are parents and people from the community who are interested in making Tiller School a wonderful experience for each child and their families.

The Board of Directors meets monthly, typically the third Thursday of each month, in the Staff room in the main building. Agendas are posted 10 days prior to the meeting in the main office and are sent home in Friday folders with all students. All meetings are open to the public and begin at 6:30.

Members of the Board of Directors are selected from candidates who apply for these voluntary positions at our end of year school meetings. They Board of Director Members are elected for a 3 year term. If you are interested in learning more about the Board of Directors, or have questions or concerns, please contact the executive committee at: executivecommittee@tillerschool.org.

TILLER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

Lynn Fulcher, Treasurer

Originally from California, I moved to North Carolina in 1986. I have two daughters, Katelyn and Kelsey, both are former Tiller students. Since moving to North Carolina, I have worked in the television production field, both at Time Warner and Fox 8/14 in Morehead City. I am now semi-retired and enjoy working on a former farm down in Bettie. Our family sailed for two years around the Bahamas enjoying life and we are now back in the normal swing of things. I delight in being involved in the Tiller School, and I feel blessed that my kids had the opportunity to spend time here. It feels like home.

Ken Zieleck, Vice President

I am a 1988 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. I served in the United States Marine Corps, and I retired in 2008 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. I participated in the liberation of Kuwait during Desert Storm. I also deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Currently, I support both the United States Marine Corps and the Italian Air Force as a C-130 Simulator Instructor. My son, Ryan, attends Tiller School.

Doug Nowacek

My interest in Tiller School is primarily motivated by the fact that my two sons, Jack and Wyatt attend the school. I am also motivated by my sincere appreciation for and belief in our charter school and the mission it fulfills. With regard to my experience in education, I developed six educational programs that were focused on sound in the sea for middle school children, presented as part of a large distance-learning program called Project Oceanography. I am a professor at Duke University and hold a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

John LoPiccolo, President

My daughter Lydia is a student at Tiller. I am interested in guiding the school as well as continuing its goal of high academic standards and social responsibility. My background is diverse, both as a medical provider and business owner. I received my B.S. in Biology from the University at Albany in New York and my medical degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. I later completed my surgical residency through the Iowa Health Systems at Trinity Regional Medical Center and became Board Certified in foot surgery.

Corey McMahon

I am originally from Minneapolis and attended St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN graduating with an accounting major. My wife Angela and I spend many years sailing and working overseas and happily settled in Carteret County in 2001. We own our own marine business in Beaufort. In addition to my background in finance, I am an accredited Marine Surveyor and have completed many industry certifications. I am a volunteer coach with the Seashore Soccer League and I currently serve on the Marine Trades Advisory Board at Carteret Community College. Our son, Jack attends Tiller School.

Quentin Lewis

I am a native of Carteret County and I graduated from East Carteret High School in 1979. I then attended and graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in King's Point New York. I graduated with a B.S. in Marine Transportation and a U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate's license. I worked at Duke University Marine Laboratory for fifteen years as Manager of Marine Operations, managing both a successful Research Vessel operation and the Marine Lab's small boat department. While I travel a good deal for business, my work schedule is very flexible when I am home. It gives me a great deal of time to spend with my wife , Lisa and my daughter Samantha (who attends Tiller). I feel as a Tiller School Board member I can support that Tiller School will continue it's proud tradition of providing excellent education and a positive environment for its students, staff and parents.

Sharon Scudder, Secretary

I am a Tiller parent and an attorney, and I am very pleased to be involved with the Tiller Board. My educational background includes graduating with academic honors from North Carolina State University with an undergraduate degree in chemistry and in Science Education. I also have a Masters degree in Communication Science and Disorders, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Juris Doctorate degree from Campbell Law School. I have taught undergraduate college courses, and legal research and writing courses, and have published in four national peer-reviewed journals. Prior to becoming an attorney, I worked as a clinical audiologists in Wake County Public Schools' special education department. My legal practice has included experience in civil litigation, contracts, education law, employment law, government and municipal law, and real estate law. While I enjoy kayaking, tennis and walking, I spend most my time away from work being the mom of my four fantastic kids, including two sons in high school, a son in college, and a daughter who is a student at Tiller.

David White

My family and I live in Gloucester, NC. My daughter Rachel attends Tiller School. I am employed with NAVAIR at Cherry Point, I received my BS in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University and my MBA with a concentration in Project Management from Columbia Southern University. Currently I serve as the logistics lead for the KC-130J Harvest Hawk Program. I am very interested in contributing to the school's development while maximizing each student's experience at Tiller School.

Jenny Pilcher

I love Tiller School and have great appreciation for the dedicated Tiller Staff that serves our children. My family has been involved with Tiller School for the last five years and we currently have two children attending Tiller, a fifth grade daughter, Jordan and third grade son, Logan. We want to continue to foster and support Tiller School as a model school community that stands out with their approach to student learning and emphasis on social development. My Master of Social Work degree is from East Carolina University and by Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I have been a social worker within Carteret County for over twenty years and currently work as a school social worker for Carteret County Public schools serving all our Beaufort and Down East schools-as well as courtesy social work services to Tiller School. I am married to Jeff Pilcher, whom works with Parker Marine and we live in Beaufort.

Bobbie Gillikin

I am a native of Carteret county for over thirty years and currently live in Davis. In 1997, I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. I have represented the county as a Registered Nurse for over fifteen years. I have functioned as a pediatric registered nurse at Carteret General Hospital for over twelve years in multiple roles such as: Director of Pediatrics for five years and Pediatric Charge Nurse for seven years. I have had the opportunity to work with several of our local Pediatricians and with educational programs such as school age asthma, childhood obesity and diabetes. In 2012, I represented Carteret General Hospital as Leader of the Year Award recipient. Personally, my interests are very broad. I love gardening of all types and perfecting my blueberry and fruit tree orchard. If I have "free time" left, a good book is my favorite. Recently my husband and myself completed and became licensed Foster Care Providers for Carteret County. With this new opportunity to view life from a different angle, I am extremely interested in being more involved with the children of our county and their opportunities for success.

Ryan A. Pepperman Sr.

Both of my children (Ryan and Noah) attend Tiller School, and could not be more pleased. Since becoming a Tiller parent in 2012, this school has exceeded my desires and educational goals for my children. My background includes service in the US Air Force (2001-2004). During that time, I earned my Associates Degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology and went on to complete my Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Currently, I work as an Aircraft Attendant at Cherry Point MCAS where I am able to exercise my abilities as mediator, policy writer, and advocator. I have recently earned my Master's Degree in Business Administration. Through hard work (accomplishing my educational goals, participating in several volunteer projects, and being active in every aspect of my children's lives) I feel I have proven that I am a dedicated, hard working and responsible individual who will be a valuable Board Member.

Click HERE for Tiller School Board Documents