Board of Directors

Brad Barker

Board President

Brad is a proud husband and father of two sons. He earned a computer science degree from WVU Tech in 2005 and started his career doing contract work in artificial intelligence and decision support systems for the Department of Defense. He moved to the Charleston area in 2008 to be close to family and to start a career in the energy sector at IBM. Brad has spent more than a decade working for a multinational energy company where he has led a diverse number of teams in information services, technical services, and now safety and governance. Brad is a technology enthusiast, a lifelong learner, and enjoys giving back through the mission of MMS.

Erica Smith-Wood

Board Vice President

Erica is a graduate of Marshall University, where she earned a BA in journalism and mass communications and a MS in adult & technical education. She has spent most of her career in retail and telecommunications management. Her daughter, Amaya, is an Upper Elementary student. “I knew I wanted a different education path for my daughter that included independence and promotion of her creativity. MMS has provided everything I envisioned for my daughter and more.”

Brian Young

Board Treasurer

Brian Young is a CPA and chief financial officer for a local retail company. He is the parent of three MMS students. Brian is a graduate Gardner-Webb University (BA in accounting, masters in accounting), where he played collegiate soccer. Brian is married to Jenny Young who grew up around Mountaineer Montessori School as her mother, Darlene Spangler, has been part of the school for over 20 years.

Brad Holliday

Board Secretary

Brad is the parent of two MMS students and is the regional sales director at Compass Group for the State of West Virginia with more than 12 years of sales, marketing and relationship building experience. A graduate of West Virginia State University with an emphasis in business and education, Brad is very involved in the sports community, coaching and consulting for many local teams in the South Charleston area. He says his family has “fallen in love” with our school. “My intention as a board member is to contribute to the school’s continued growth, and promote MMS and the difference it’s made for our family.”

Suzette Ashley

Suzette Raines Ashley is the President & CEO of Ashley Insurance Agency LLC, an independent insurance agency located in Spencer, WV, and current serves as president of the Big I of West Virginia (formerly the Independent Insurance Agents of West Virginia). Suzette likes to give back to her community, previously serving as Community Development Director for the American Cancer Society of West Virginia and as an elected WV House of Delegates member in 2012-14. Suzette is a native of Belle and is a graduate of Riverside High School. She earned bachelors and masters degrees in political science and political communication from West Virginia State University and The George Washington University, respectively. She is married to Ben Ashley and together they have a daughter, Alaina, who is in her third year of MMS Primary. She joined the MMS Board in 2022.

Hannah Copen

Hannah and her husband, Travis, joined the MMS community in 2021 when their son Isaac entered Primary II. Isaac is now a first year in Lower Elementary I, and their daughter Magnolia is a second year in Primary I. Hannah just celebrated her 10 year anniversary of being a WV resident, and is an account manager with Mountain State Insurance Agency

Enybe Diaz

Enybe is the mother of three MMS students and has been an active and enthusiastic volunteer throughout her time here, including chairing our School Life Committee and other community-wide activities. She works in economic development in West Virginia as an international trade manager. She is originally from Mexico where she studied international business. She and her husband, Brandon Merritt, currently live in Charleston.

Hillary Kemerer

Hillary Kemerer is a dedicated Mountaineer Montessori parent, business owner, and advocate for community involvement. 

As the founder of HEK Productions and Afterglow Studios in Charleston, Hillary has spent years helping others tell their stories through her work as a photographer and videographer. Her ability to connect with people and her strong communication skills come from both her business experience and her six years working in state government.

A graduate of the University of Charleston with a degree in communications, Hillary’s expertise in outreach makes her passionate about getting others involved in their community, especially when it comes to education. She and her husband, Brett, live on a farm outside Charleston with their two young children, Emmett (Lower Elementary) and Bellamy. 

Hillary’s involvement with Mountaineer Montessori began with helping to organize the 2024 gala, and she is excited to take on a larger role in supporting the school. She believes in fostering a school environment where parents, teachers, and the community work together to enhance educational opportunities.

Hillary is ready to bring her creativity, communication skills, and dedication to the school board, helping to build a strong foundation for Mountaineer Montessori’s future.

Julie Margolis

Julie has been at the heart of MMS for more than 30 years, serving our school in many key roles, including teacher, administrator, co-director and specialist, and now joining the Board in 2025. She earned a BS in education from the University of Vermont, and a MS from Penn State University. Her Montessori training is through the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies and the Cincinnati Montessori Secondary Teacher Education Program. Julie implemented many new programs during three years as co-director, including establishing our Plus and financial aid programs. A native of Vermont, she is a former public school teacher and a former computer programmer. Julie and her late husband, Jay, raised their four children in Charleston, two of whom are MMS alumni. Her personal interests include hiking, skiing, reading, and traveling to visit her family.

Ashley Rine

Ashley is the plant manager and integrated operations leader at The Chemours Company, a global chemistry company. In her current role, Ashley oversees manufacturing, safety, regulatory compliance, and supply chain for the Chemical Solutions business. In 2003, she earned a BS in chemical engineering from West Virginia University. Over the last 18 years, her diverse career in operations, technology, environmental/safety/health, project management, and senior leadership have shaped her substantially. Leading the organization through significant business transformation during the last several years, she has achieved mastery in flexibility and adaptability. With a passion for empowering positive change and investing in the growth of her team, Ashley looks forward to a long career in manufacturing. She is happiest with her husband Terry raising their two sons Blake and Mason in her home state of West Virginia.

Becca Stevenson

Becca grew up in Vermont before moving south to attend law school at the University of Richmond. A local law firm recruited her to West Virginia and she has been here ever since. Becca lives in Charleston with her husband, Christopher, and their three children, two of whom are MMS students. She fell in love with the Montessori method after visiting a Montessori school during an early childhood education class in college. She is passionate about education and supporting teachers and children. Becca joined the MMS Board in 2022, and has led many major fundraising activities, including the annual Spring Gala.

Brian Tucker

Brian Tucker is a graduate of WVU Tech, and holds a BS degree in mechanical engineering and has attained Professional Engineer status. Brian works in the natural gas industry and is involved with the engineering and design of natural gas energy infrastructure. He and Jennifer are proud parents of two children enrolled at MMS. Brian enjoys the outdoors, woodworking and helping others.

Jennifer Carriger, ex-officio

Head of School

Jennifer, now in her fifteenth year at MMS, brings extensive experience as a teacher in public and independent school settings, educational leadership and non-profit management to her position as our school director. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Jennifer leads our Student Support Team as our learning consultant.

Jennifer received a B.A. in international studies, a B.S. in secondary education and a M.S. in special education from West Virginia University and has pursued additional graduate studies in education at Marshall University and the University of Virginia. She holds permanent WV certification endorsement for students ages 5-12 in social studies, learning disabilities, mental impairment and behavior disorders. Her Montessori training is through the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies, and she recently completed NAMTA Montessori Whole School Management (Level I) training.

Jennifer received her AMS Montessori Administrator credential at the Center for Montessori Education in New York (a two-year program) and is the only educator in WV to hold this level of certification. Jennifer co-founded the Appalachian Reading Center in 2004 and is certified in the Wilson Reading System with additional training in Handwriting Without Tears. Jennifer is also a past president of the West Virginia Learning Disabilities Association. She taught in the public school system for nine years at the elementary, middle and high school levels in Madison County, Va., and Boone County, W.Va. In 2014, Jennifer was honored as West Virginia Teacher of the Year by the WVLDA. She and her husband, David, are the parents of two Mountaineer Montessori alumni. Jennifer enjoys hiking, camping, reading, and home renovation projects.