Executive Leadership Team

Matt Barnes

Vice President of Student Life and Formation

Rev. Dr. Matt Barnes serves as the Vice President of Student Life and Formation at Asbury Theological Seminary. He previously served as Director of Community Formation under former Vice President Donna Covington, now retired, and brings a wide variety of gifts, talents, and expertise to the community.

Prior to coming to Asbury Theological Seminary, Rev. Barnes served the Church for more than two decades in a variety of posts. Most recently, he served as senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Alhambra, California. Rev. Barnes holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hardin-Simmons University, an MDiv from George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University, and a PhD in New Testament from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Rev. Barnes and his wife, Alida, have been married for twenty years and are the proud parents of three boys: Myron, Smith, and Tobias. He is passionate about preaching, leading, training volunteers, engaging in staff and leader development, and providing pastoral care and counseling.

Kevin Bish

Vice President of Enrollment Services and Marketing

Kevin Bish joined Asbury Theological Seminary in 2009. As the Vice President of Enrollment Services and Marketing, his role provides strategic leadership for Admissions, Financial Aid, International Services, the Registrar’s Office, Marketing, and the Global Learning Platform—the Seminary’s innovative non-residential program designed for online, hybrid, and extension site students. As a member of the President’s Executive Leadership Team, Kevin is deeply committed to the Seminary’s mission and values his role in shaping its future. His greatest passion is journeying alongside students from their first inquiry through graduation and beyond, ensuring they receive the support and resources needed for success.

With over 30 years of experience in higher education, nonprofit leadership, and marketing, Kevin brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Prior to joining Asbury, he served as Vice President of Development for The Advancement Group, a consulting firm specializing in sustainability and strategic planning for nonprofit organizations. Before that, he held leadership positions in enrollment and advancement at Oral Roberts University, where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education in Administration.

In recognition of his dedication and service to both the Seminary and the broader community, Kevin was honored in 2016 with the title of Kentucky Colonel, the highest civilian honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Kevin and his wife, Nicole, are proud parents of three children.

Bryan P. Blankenship

Vice President of Finance & Operations / CFO

Bryan Blankenship is a graduate of Greenville College (BA, 1989), the University of Kentucky (MBA, 1995), and Asbury Theological Seminary (MA in Leadership, 2007). At Asbury Theological Seminary, Bryan has responsibility for four directors and their respective departments – Auxiliary Services, Controller/Business Office, Employee Services (HR), and Facilities & Security. In addition, he has direct responsibility for several other functions including the annual budget, benefits management and negotiation, capital planning, endowment administration, legal matters, and risk management among others. He serves on the Executive Leadership Team, as well as the Seminary’s Title IX Coordinator.

Bryan began his vocation in higher education in 1995, when he was hired as the operations manager for a Federal Highway Administration grant project at the University of Kentucky Transportation Center. A year later he moved to Central Christian College in McPherson, Kansas where he served as a faculty member in the business department, network administrator, development officer, and finally chair of the business department before becoming the college’s director of finance, a position he held from 2000-2004. Bryan came to Asbury Theological Seminary on April 1, 2004 to serve as its executive director of finance, and on March 1, 2007 he was promoted to the vice president’s role.

In 2007, Bryan completed the Leadership Jessamine County program, as well as received the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s highest title of honor, Kentucky Colonel, for his service to both the Seminary and the community. He currently serves on the Board of The Martha R Jones Foundation for Health Education, Inc., as well as on the Board of Directors of The Foundation of Central Christian College as its Vice President. In the summer of 2021, Bryan was invited by TIAA to serve a three-year term (2022-2024) on its national Select Client Advisory Council, which provides a forum for the voice of Independent Institutions as well as other mid-market institutional clients to the TIAA executive leadership.

Bryan is a member of his local Free Methodist Church. He and his wife, Carol, have three adult children and three grandchildren. He enjoys traveling, reading, and working on small construction and repair jobs around the house.

Tammy Hogan

Vice President of Advancement

Tammy Hogan has served Asbury Theological Seminary since 2003. She enjoys serving alongside the Development team to further the mission of Asbury Theological Seminary. She loves to connect the students who are called into ministry with those who are called to invest in them. Tammy began her career working in Washington, D.C. as a contractor to the Navy on the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. She also owned a business in Morgantown, W.V. as an Arby’s franchisee. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Geneva College. She is the mother of three children and two grand dogs.

Jay Mansur

Vice President and Chief of Staff

Jay Mansur serves as Vice President and Chief of Staff at Asbury Theological Seminary. As a strategic partner and advisor to the president, he helps to ensure seamless executive operations and advances the Seminary’s mission and vision. Under the President’s guidance, Jay provides leadership for strategic initiatives, facilitates collaboration across institutional functions, and promotes organizational health by driving continuous improvement and alignment with institutional goals.

Jay collaborates with all members of the Executive Leadership Team to accomplish the president’s agenda and vision. He also works closely with the Board of Trustees and provides strategic leadership on the Asbury Global Management Team.

Previously, Jay served as Vice President of Advancement from 2009 to 2021, during which he directed the Seminary’s most successful fundraising campaign, raising $155 million. His leadership resulted in a 65% increase in unrestricted giving and achieving the highest total giving in the Seminary’s history.

With over 35 years of experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and comprehensive fundraising, Jay is also a certified financial planner. He and his wife, Penny, are active members of GCF-Vineyard in Wilmore, serving in various leadership roles. Together, they have seven children and 18 grandchildren.

Dr. John Ragsdale

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Dr. John Ragsdale comes to Asbury Theological Seminary from Azusa Pacific University, where he has served as Associate Dean of the School of Theology, Interim Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education, and most recently, Interim Dean at the School of Theology. Dr. Ragsdale brings two decades of experience in strategic planning, assessment, program review, and external funding within higher education administration. His research interests include Old Testament interpretation and hermeneutics, the Spirit in the Old Testament, theology of joy, and racism and lament. His most recent publication is a curriculum for churches and other groups entitled Lamenting Racism: A Christian Response to Racial Injustice with the Herald Press. Dr. Ragsdale received an M.A. in Biblical Languages from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Marquette University.