Daryl R. Eldridge, Ph.D.

President and Cofounder

J. Sam Simmons, Ph.D.

Chief Learning Officer, Cofounder

Brian L. Schmitt

Vice President of Operations

J. James Mancuso

Theological Librarian

The seminary’s cofounders, Dr. Daryl Eldridge and Dr. Sam Simmons, have a rich background in seminary leadership and teaching experience. Both men have led in accreditation and curriculum reviews at their respective institutions.

Dr. Eldridge holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Drury University, a Master of Arts in religious education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Southwestern. Prior to the start of Rockbridge Seminary, he served seven years as Dean of the School of Educational Ministries at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Dr. Simmons holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham; a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree, both from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to the start of Rockbridge Seminary, he served ten years as Director of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary’s Southern California Campus (Orange County) and five years as Director of the Northeast Campus of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (Albany, NY).

Brian Schmitt, Vice President of Operations, graduated from Evangel University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and from Southwest Baptist University with a Master of Business Administration. His background as a small business owner with experience in website development, technologies and data management, and software merchandising gives him the knowledge and experience necessary to provide operational oversight to a new but growing seminary.

J. James Mancuso, Theological Librarian, holds a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics and a Master of Library Science, both from Syracuse University. Jim has more than twenty-five years of experience in the field of library science. Also, he has been active professionally as a member of the New York Library Association, the Hudson-Mohawk Library Association, and Libraries Interested in Theology Across New York.