STAFF:
CPT Seth R. Seaton, M.Ed. serves as the Executive Director and a Founding Member of the Republic Institute, a non-profit focused on civic education. This foundational role reflects his dedication to service and ethical leadership, principles that guide his approach as Executive Director, where he champions the Institute's focus on sustainable and responsible educational practices. Under Seth’s leadership, the Republic Institute is poised to become a powerhouse in civic education. His ability to anticipate sector trends and deliver mission-driven solutions will drive the organization’s growth and establish it as an industry innovator, setting new standards for excellence in the field. Seth's academic background, including degrees in Music, Education, and Educational Leadership, has equipped him with creative problem-solving and analytical skills. These qualities enable him to approach organizational challenges with intellectual depth and innovative thinking, fostering a culture of adaptability and growth at the Republic Institute. Before his current role, Seth made significant contributions in the field of education. At Academics Plus Charter School, he developed music programs and founded the Academics Music Society, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit. As Director of Band and Choirs at Bigelow High School, he refined his leadership and organizational skills, inspiring teams to achieve excellence. His impact in education extended beyond the classroom when he joined the Arkansas Department of Education, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the Education Freedom Accounts program under the Learns Act. Through strategic collaboration with policymakers and educators, Seth helped design a framework that empowered families with greater educational choices, increasing access to quality education across the state. Additionally, he worked closely with the Charter School Unit to establish and develop charter schools, fostering a supportive environment that led to the growth of innovative educational models throughout Arkansas. Seth’s military service in the Arkansas Army National Guard further shaped his leadership abilities. Through deployments and various command roles, he honed skills in strategic planning and resource management, which he now applies directly to his executive leadership at the Republic Institute, ensuring operational efficiency in achieving the Institute's mission. Seth Seaton’s career is a testament to resilience, ingenuity, and the pursuit of excellence. His diverse experiences in education, military service, and non-profit work have uniquely prepared him to lead the Republic Institute, solidifying his reputation as a transformative leader.
Jody Bergstrom, the Founder and CEO of Camp Alliance, Inc., has dedicated her life to serving and uplifting Service Members, Veterans, and their families (SMVF). Since founding the nonprofit in 2010, Jody has demonstrated visionary leadership guided by the core values of compassion, empowerment, education, and collaboration. Her strategic expertise, honed through years of entrepreneurship and corporate experience, has been instrumental in building Camp Alliance into a powerful advocate for those who have sacrificed for our nation. Jody’s deep commitment to the military community is not just professional but also personal. As a mother of two, Morgan (22) and Samantha (20), and part of an Army Reserve family, she navigated the challenges of military life, including eight deployments and mobilizations over 18 years of marriage. This firsthand experience fuels her passion to serve those who wear the uniform and their families. Her leadership and service have earned her numerous awards, and she holds key roles on several boards and councils, including the Arkansas State Council for Military Children, the Northwest Arkansas Veterans Coalition, and the Governor’s Challenge team for Mental Health, Awareness, and Suicide Prevention. Jody’s dedication continues to shape the lives of countless SMVFs through her unwavering commitment to their well-being.
Laura Hopkins is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Camp Alliance Inc., where she has dedicated over 11 years to supporting the organization’s mission of serving and uplifting Service Members, Veterans, and their families (SMVF). In addition to her leadership role, Laura is a talented photographer, graphic designer, and artist. In recent years, Laura has used her creative skills to raise awareness about critical issues such as the opioid crisis in Arkansas. Her work continues to highlight the importance of community support and advocacy for military families. Through her diverse skill set, she ensures that the mission of Camp Alliance resonates with a broad audience, amplifying its impact and outreach.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS
Experienced Program Director with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Early Childhood Education, Program Evaluation, Volunteer Management, and Public Speaking. Strong business development professional with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) focused in Adult Life Long Learning from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Dustin Wood, J.D., is the Chief Compliance and Design Officer of Republic Institute (R.I.) For over 20 years he has worked a various levels within the education sector ranging from being a Senior Contract & Grant Negotiator for U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, as a coordinator in the Dallas Independent School District, as the Executive Director of PEIMS and Compliance for Faith Family Academy Charter Schools, and as State Director of School Choice in the Arkansas Department of Education. He has also held a number of voluntary and community-based positions including serving as the Special Advisor on Education Matters to the Arkansas Council for Military Children. Dustin graduated from the Honors College at the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. In 2006 he earned his Juris Doctorate from the William H. Bowen School of Law and was subsequently licensed to practice law. Over the years, Dustin has advised on, or authored, dozens of bills and policy papers on matters related to the education sector. Outside of the office, Dustin is a certified Wilderness First Responder and has coached archery in the public schools for grades 5 through 12. With a deep love of the outdoors, he has led hundreds of students on multi-day hiking and camping trips to such places as Big Bend and Rocky Mountain National Parks transforming what would otherwise be “just another hike” into an outdoor experiential classroom by blending in lessons on history, biology, and anthropology (ask him about green walnut husks sometime.) Dustin is an avid reader with a particular interest in Southern gothic, horror, and Western noir. Due to an early influence of a grandmother from England, he knits in his spare time. For many years, Dustin has volunteered to work in the field rescuing domestic rabbits.
The Flick Framework. Jordan Flick, a dedicated community development professional with a strong background in strategic planning, market research, and grant procurement. With a Bachelor's degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from The King's College and specialized training from Columbia University and The School for International Training, I bring a well-rounded expertise to my work. Throughout my career, I have successfully secured and managed substantial grant funding, expanding portfolios from $25.9 million to over $60 million. I have a proven track record of writing successful grant applications, securing over $2.5 million within a two-month period, and developing comprehensive grant packages that support diverse community initiatives. My leadership roles include having served as Vice Chair for the Board of Directors for the Ottawa County Boys & Girls Club, as President & Executive Director of Partners for Ottawa County, Inc., and Chairperson of the Ottawa County Health Department's Board of Health. I am honored to be a Gates Millennium Scholar Alumni and a recipient of the Native American 40 Under 40 award given by the The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. At The Flick Framework, we are proud to be a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) and Woman & Minority Owned business, committed to providing exceptional services with integrity, efficiency, and resilience. I look forward to collaborating with you to drive growth and foster resilience in our communities.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Freddie Scott, Sr. has a varied career that spans more than forty years of team building and professional services marketing encompassing education, health, technology, and entrepreneurship consulting. He recently served as a newly appointed member of the Arkansas Department of Education Charter Authorizing Panel and currently serves as Education Programs Coordinator for Family and Community Engagement and the Charter Schools Office for the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment. From 1974 through 1984, Freddie was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts (4 years) and the Detroit Lions (6 years). He ended his professional football career with the United States Football League’s (USFL) Los Angeles Express under quarterback Steve Young. Freddie was enshrined in the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana in 2001. In April, 2023 Freddie was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and in 2025 the first inaugurating class of the Jefferson County Sports Hall of Fame. Immediately following his eleven-year career in professional football, Freddie served as a science teacher in both middle and high school for 3 years in Dade County Public Schools (Fl). Born in Grady, Arkansas, Freddie graduated valedictorian from Southeast High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1970 and was named the 1970 Outstanding Teenager of Arkansas by the Outstanding Americans Foundation receiving the trophy from the late Governor Winthrop Rockefeller. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts cum laude degree in 1974 from Amherst College (Amherst, MA) with a major in Black Studies and minor in Pre-Medicine. He continued his pursuit of medicine by completing one year of work towards a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, (MD) and The University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1995, he graduated with honors from the Word of Faith International Christian Center School of Ministry. In July, 2016 Freddie was appointed by the Commissioner of Education to the Little Rock School District Community Advisory Board. Freddie more recently served as an appointed member of the Pine Bluff School District Community Advisory Committee. In 2021 Freddie co-chaired a Pine Bluff Community Engagement in Education Think Tank alongside Ret. Col, Nathaniel Todd and continues to lead the effort of collaboration with community leadership to identify community SMART goals to the benefit of Jefferson County, Pine Bluff and other communities throughout the state of Arkansas. He has served the community in myriad ways, including spokesperson for state-wide health initiatives, 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Michigan, former officer and board member of Bradford Academy (MI) and Little Rock Preparatory Academy (AR); Board Vice-Chair and Treasurer of the Boys and Girls Club of Jacksonville (AR), and the former President of the Arkansas Area Council of Boys and Girls Clubs of Arkansas. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board for the Arkansas-based non-profit Southeast Panthers Historical Society LLC. In 2001 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and is now cancer-free and attributes survival to his belief in God, prayers, early detection, a quality team of health professionals, support from family and friends and a zeal for knowledge to communicate prostate cancer awareness. Together he and his wife Faye McIntosh Scott enjoy 6 children and 8 grands.
Saliha Qazi, has serve as a Fiscal Support Supervisor/Expert with the Division of Elementary & Secondary Education’s Fiscal Services & Support Unit, overseeing statewide financial reviews, district budget analysis, and compliance for Arkansas public schools and charter systems. With over ten years of experience in public education finance, I work closely with district and state leadership to strengthen fiscal governance and ensure the responsible use of public resources. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Business Information Systems. My work includes developing statewide financial dashboards, accountability tools, and data-driven reporting to support transparency, strategic planning, and equitable resource allocation. I am committed to supporting high-quality educational opportunities for families across Arkansas, including those serving in military, veteran, defense, and first responder roles. I look forward to contributing my expertise to the Republic Institute and supporting its mission to advance sustainable and impactful educational initiatives.
Greg Cox,
Dr. David Mason, Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Career Technical Education, has over 15 years of experience in education, working for both private and state-operated institutions. He holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and a Master’s in Counseling Education. As a first-generation college student, Dr. Mason understands the significance of career pathways that lead to high-wage and high-demand occupations. He is dedicated to cultivating strong partnerships across organizations to see personal and community transformation. Dr. Mason enjoys exploring the outdoors with his wife, Lizeth, and three children, Isabel, David Jr., and Jeremiah. They enjoy hiking, biking, camping, and visiting America’s national parks.
Jamie Ward,
Jeremy Hilton,
Paul Lazenby,
Aaron Black,
Alison Williams is Excel by Eight’s Coalitions Director. From 2016-2023, she served as Chief of Staff to Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, supporting his transformational vision for the State. In 2022, she led Governor Hutchinson’s effort to encourage more states to increase awareness and access to computer science education, the most successful Chairman’s Initiative in the history of the National Governors Association. She also led the Arkansas Women’s Commission, the first one to exist in the state in nearly 50 years. Before returning to Arkansas, Alison worked in the Washington, D.C., area for more than a decade in the public and private sectors. As a federal civil servant, she served in several agencies and managed external affairs portfolios. In the private sector, she consulted with both start-ups and Fortune 100 companies in the defense and homeland security industries. Early in her career, she worked with former Congressmen Asa Hutchinson and John Boozman. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.