CCUEF Board of Directors
Wil Armstrong
Chairman & CEO – Three Tree Capital
Wil Armstrong is an entrepreneur and investor who specializes in technology and financial services. As Chairman and CEO of Three Tree Capital, he leads venture capital and private equity investments. Armstrong is a general partner at Guava Capital and serves on multiple boards, including InBankshares. Passionate about building high-performance teams, he also chairs Colorado Christian University’s Board of Trustees and The Armstrong Family Foundation. He lives in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, with his family.
Derek Hamilton
Economist
Derek Hamilton is an economist who has spent his entire career in the investment industry and has a heart for serving others all over the world. He has been on several international and domestic mission trips over the years and is an advisory board member for Hope Is Alive Ministries in the Kansas City area, which is an organization dedicated to radically changing the lives of drug addicts, alcoholics, and those who love them. He also enjoys serving at his local church.
Eric Hogue
President – Colorado Christian University
Eric Hogue was named President of Colorado Christian University by the Board of Trustees in March 2023 and took office in June 2023. Prior to his appointment, Hogue served as Vice President of University Advancement for CCU. He has a strong affinity for Christian higher education, having earned a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from William Jessup University. Many may recognize Hogue from his former roles as a political candidate, practicing theologian and pastor, and long-tenured radio, television, and media professional. He is the author of The Winning Side of the Ask: The Heart and Skills of the Donor-Centric Professional Fundraiser, a book dedicated to helping nonprofits design a thriving philanthropic culture.
Bryan Ritz
Head of School – Valor Christian High School
Bryan Ritz was appointed Head of School at Valor Christian High School in 2024 after serving on its Board of Education and Board of Trustees, including two years as Board Chair. Prior to this, he was the Chief Investment Officer at Alder Companies and Anschutz Investment Company, responsible for managing investments, foundations, and endowments through multiple economic cycles. With nearly 30 years of experience in direct investments, Ritz has successfully collaborated with CEOs and executive teams on strategy, competitiveness, and leadership development.
Rod Schlauger
Attorney
Rod Schlauger is a former partner in the law firm Bangs, McCullen, Butler, Foye & Simmons, L.L.P. in Rapid City, South Dakota, whose practice focuses on commercial litigation, banking law, and real property. He is licensed to practice law in South Dakota, the U.S. District Court for South Dakota, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Throughout his career, Schlauger has received numerous accolades and is recognized as one of the best lawyers in the United States for banking and finance litigation, real estate, and real estate litigation as well as one of The National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers for South Dakota. He maintains the highest ratings for competency, ethics and service to clients from Martindale-Hubbell and currently serves on the Cornerstone Mission Foundation, which he started, and as Trustee for John Witherspoon College.
Harold Smethills
Founder - Sterling Ranch
Harold Smethills is Chairman of Sterling Ranch Development Co. and co-founder of the master-planned community in Douglas County, Colorado, recognized for its innovation, sustainability, and emphasis on water efficiency. He began his career in ranching and transitioned into the business world, holding executive roles in banking, finance, and investments. His experience includes lending on and building water systems, including projects for the Adolph Coors Company and Sterling Ranch.
CCU Staff Officers
Daniel LaBry
VP of University Advancement – CCU
President, CCU Endowment Foundation
Daniel LaBry joined Colorado Christian University in September 2023 to lead fundraising efforts and donor relations. During his first year, the university raised approximately $11.1 million from more than 6,800 gifts. LaBry has served across various philanthropic sectors, including STEM education, the school choice movement, orphan advocacy, and international missions in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Cuba, and the Philippines. He also serves as a Board Member of the ABBA Fund, which supports Christian adoption and orphan care.
Thomas N. Scheffel, J.D., LL.M.
University Counsel - CCU
Secretary, CCU Endowment Foundation
Thomas N. Scheffel serves as the University's counsel. He has been practicing law in Denver since 1977 and opened his own firm in 1984 as a general practice commercial law firm with a special emphasis in tax. Scheffel’s personal focus is in the areas of wills, trusts, estate tax planning, and estate administration. He has also served as adjunct instructor for the American College Graduate School of Financial Sciences and currently teaches business law and nonprofit law as a practitioner professor at CCU.
Iain Wightman MSc., FCCA
VP Finance and Technology – CCU
Treasurer, CCU Endowment Foundation
Iain Wightman is a qualified accountant who joined Colorado Christian University in February 2022 as the Chief Budgeting Officer before becoming the Vice President of Finance and Technology. Before joining CCU, Wightman was the Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. subsidiary RMD Kwikform and has held several director, executive, and senior financial positions across a variety of industries and publicly traded companies, including Interserve Plc. (facilities management and construction), Retail Decisions Plc. (online credit card risk management and fuel card issuer) and BG Group Plc. (oil and gas). Wightman's experience also includes living and working in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe.