The Mission
Equipping servant leaders to faithfully build institutions and communities in Christ’s work of making all things new.
The Vision
An integrated leadership formation model that shapes identity, deepens character, builds leadership capability, and applies learning in real-world contexts to faithfully build institutions and communities in Christ's renewing work.
Leadership Formation Model
Vision
Leadership identity grounded in Christ
Leaders clarify who they are called to be by grounding their leadership in humility, integrity, purpose, and a commitment to human flourishing.
Through assessments and personal reflection experiences, we help leaders define a personal leadership model.
Growth
Character and leadership capability developed together
Leaders cultivate self-awareness, moral discernment, courage, and resilience while also building essential leadership skills in strategy, innovation, and leading change within a biblical framework.
Through customized learning experiences, workshops, and conferences, leaders grow and build skills to equip them to wisely steward organizations with faith and integrity.
Action
Leadership applied in real-world contexts
Leaders apply what they are learning through strategy, innovation, and service projects, strengthening their ability to make faithful decisions, collaborate effectively, and lead amid complexity.
Through guided transformation projects, leaders address meaningful challenges and put their leadership into faithful action.
Wisdom
Learning from lived experience
Leaders who have navigated leadership in the arena share insights and stories to help others gain perspective, discernment, and wisdom.
Through the Brock Forum, The Barnes Executive-in-Residence Series, and the Leaders in the Arena Series, learning is facilitated by those who have navigated leadership in organizations and communities with faithfulness and perseverance.
Jenny Whitener
Executive Director
Jenny Whitener serves as executive director of the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. A visionary practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in strategic innovation, leadership development, and organizational transformation, Jenny leads the center’s work to equip servant leaders to faithfully build institutions and communities in Christ’s work of making all things new.
Her career has focused on helping organizations innovate, transform culture, and execute strategy in ways that enable people and communities to flourish. She has held senior leadership roles at Ernst & Young, Capgemini, Prudential HealthCare, and Kaiser Permanente, and is the founder of Bridge Innovate, a boutique consulting firm serving Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, nonprofits, and educational institutions.
Jenny’s leadership is shaped by a Reformed vision of vocation—understanding leadership as stewardship and service. Her work centers on forming leaders whose character, competence, and calling shape how they lead, serve others, and contribute to the flourishing of the church and the world.
Advisory Board
Our advisory board comprises leaders from business, nonprofit, education, and ministry sectors who are committed to the center's mission and provide strategic guidance.
Mike Kramer (Chair)
Mike currently serves as the chairman of the Southeastern Trust Company. He has previously served as the president and COO of Atlantic Capital Bank, the CEO of FSG Bank, and in various other leadership roles in the banking industry. He serves on the boards of Covenant Logistics, Patriot Family Homes, the University of Chattanooga Foundation, Covenant College, and the Covenant College Foundation. Mike earned his BA in political science from Grove City College.
Kenneth G. Elzinga
Kenneth is the Robert C. Taylor professor of economics at the University of Virginia. He has received numerous teaching awards and each fall his introductory economics course attracts a thousand students, making it the largest class offered at UVA. His specialty is antitrust economics and he has testified in precedent-setting antitrust cases, including four Supreme Court decisions. The author of more than 80 academic publications, Kenneth is also known for his mystery novels (under the pen name Marshall Jevons) in which the protagonist uses economic analysis to solve crimes. Kenneth has a BA and honorary doctorate from Kalamazoo College and a PhD from Michigan State University. He has served on the boards of Hope College and Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship and currently chairs the board of 100 Fold Studio. He has been a member of the faculty at the University of Virginia since 1967.
Sarina Sharp
Sarina serves as an economist and commodities risk manager for Ag Business Solutions in Grand Rapids, MI and as a market analyst for the Daily Dairy Report. She previously served as a grain market analyst for the Nesvick Trading Group in Memphis, TN. She serves on the advisory board for Covenant College and on the board of the Covenant College Foundation. Sarina earned her BA in business finance with a minor in English from Covenant College.
Miller Welborn
Miller currently serves as the chairman of SmartFinancial, Inc. and its subsidiary, SmartBank. He has also served as the president of Welborn Transport, Boyd Bros. Transportation, and Welborn and Associates, a transportation consulting firm which specializes in truckload operations and mergers and acquisitions. He was a co-founder of the Lamp Post Group, a venture incubator in Chattanooga, TN, and served on the Board of Directors for the Federal Reserve Board of Atlanta, Birmingham Branch. Miller serves on the board of Covenant Logistics and has served on various not-for-profit boards, including Big Oak Ranch, the Maclellan Foundation, the Hunter Museum of American Art, River City Company, and the United Way of Greater Chattanooga. He earned his BA in political science and government from the University of Alabama.
Craig Wood
Craig is a retired partner at McGuireWoods LLP, where he tried cases in the areas of commercial litigation, employment litigation, education law, and civil rights law. He served as the office managing partner for the firm’s Charlottesville office from 2000-2009. He is a highly regarded lecturer and author, and serves as an adjunct professor of law at the Washington & Lee School of Law. He holds a BA from the University of Virginia, an MEd from the University of Virginia, and a JD from the Washington & Lee School of Law.
"Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name."
Psalm 86:11
Our Legacy
The Brock-Barnes Center honors the legacy of Covenant College’s longest-serving presidents, Frank Brock (1987–2002) and Marion Barnes (1965–1978). Both modeled leadership excellence in their work at the college, their commitment to the growth and vitality of the city of Chattanooga, and their service to the church.
Frank Brock
Frank Brock was Covenant College’s longest-serving president, filling the role from 1987 to 2002. Frank was already well-known to the Chattanooga community as the executive vice president of the Brock Candy Company before becoming the college's fourth president. Frank remains a respected leader within the business community, particularly through his work as a founder of The 10 Project, which focuses on developing culture-building skills for senior and emerging leaders. A graduate of the Harvard Business School and a longtime ruling elder at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, Frank served as the moderator of the PCA General Assembly in 1995.
Marion Barnes
Marion Barnes was Covenant College’s second longest-serving president, filling the role from 1965 to 1978. Marion was the chairman of the college’s board of trustees when that group determined to move the campus from St. Louis, MO, to Lookout Mountain, GA. After that move, he became the college’s second president. Marion led the board through the acquisition of the Lookout Mountain Hotel—now Carter Hall—as well as the construction of multiple facilities, creating the basis for today's campus. A research chemist by training who earned his PhD at Columbia University, he served as chair of the Chattanooga Air Pollution Control Board at a time when the region was notorious for its poor air quality. This effort set the stage for a transformation of the city and the region. Marion served as the moderator for the General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod in 1972.
Partner in building the next generation of leaders
Join us as we equip leaders who listen with empathy, act with courage, and serve with purpose. Together, we will strengthen organizations, communities, and the Kingdom.
Get involved
Interested in upcoming programs, partnerships, or other ways to get involved with the center?