Governing Board

Mike Gent, Chair of the Board

Mike was appointed to the Board in 2018.

Mike is the Deputy City Manager for the City of Surprise.

Education: Doctor of Social Work, University of Southern California Master of Public Administration, Norwich University Bachelor of Arts, Western Washington University

He has been married to his best friend Jennifer for 25 years. His children began at Paradise Honors Elementary and are now part of PHMS and PHHS. Along with enjoying excellent teachers and wonderful classmates, they have also benefited tremendously from Paradise clubs and sports.

He is passionate about local government, loves to read, spend time hiking, biking, and swimming as a family, and he is actively involved in his church.

Laura Keith, Co-Chair of the Board

Laura was appointed to the Board in 2020

Although I have held many different positions in the corporate world from management and sales to a landscape architect, I am fortunate and blessed right now to stay at home and help our busy family.

Education: Laura earned a BSBA Business Administration from The University of Central Missouri, formerly Central Missouri State University

She has a passion for volunteering. She has been a Girl Scout Troop Leader for the past six years. She also volunteers with the Arizona Cactus-Pine Council on their Outdoor Education team helping girls learn more about everything outdoors. She volunteers at Paradise both in the classrooms and PEP Booster as much as time will permit. Before joining the Board, she served as a parent representative on the PHES Site Council for a two-year term.

Her husband’s name is Brian and they have been married since 2005. They have two exceptional children that attend Paradise Honors Middle School and are heavily involved in extracurricular activities. They are close with their parents so they are a part of their everyday lives and they love how that shapes their children. They are an active family who loves to play sports, family game nights, LOVE to go camping, attend church, travel, watch movies together, and cheer on their favorite college team the Nebraska Cornhuskers…....….. GO BIG RED!  

Laura loves being outdoors, she enjoys hiking, camping, fishing with her kids, kayaking. She also loves to work with her hands whether it's woodworking, painting, crafting, gardening, or propagating plants. She enjoys game nights with her family, spending time with her mother, cooking and baking.  Her most important passion is her family.

Rich Marstella, Member of the Board

Rich was appointed to the Board in 2014.

Rich is the Owner of Stellar Building and Development

Education: Bachelors in Construction Management

Rich is Married to Stacie who is a VP with a national trucking company. They have 4 children, the have all attended Paradise Schools. The youngest is in 5th grade at PHES.

Rich has served on the Governing Body as well as the Governing Board.

Rich loves to vacation with his family. He also enjoys running, hiking and reading.

Jerry Salcedo, Member of the Board

Jerry was appointed to the Board in 2016

Sales Manager. Commercial Laundry Equipment Solutions

Education: University of Texas

Jerry has been married to his wife, Brandy for 27 years.  They have 3 incredible children that have all graduated from Paradise Schools.

Jerry enjoys spending time with his family. Mountain biking and serving in the community in several ways at school and church involvement. 

Erick DeWerth, Member of the Board

Erick was appointed to the Board in 2022

After leaving the Marines, he began what is now a nearly 20 year career in law enforcement where he was recently promoted from Captain to Major. Erick also co-owns a security consulting company with his former police partner and longtime friend.

Erick graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology and a minor in Political Science. His graduate work is in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Erick is also a graduate of Northwestern University’s prestigious School of Police Staff and Command.

Erick served on the Site Counsel for Paradise Honors Elementary School for 3 years before joining the Paradise Honors Governing Board in the Spring of 2022.

Erick has been happily married to the love of his life since 2010 and is the father of two incredible sons, both of whom are Paradise Honors students.

Erick is a man of faith and loves being a husband to his wonderful wife and a dad to his amazing boys. Hanging out in the backyard, swimming, playing catch, and chasing Rosco Mugsy Murphy (the family’s yellow Labrador) is the family’s favorite way to spend time together. Erick is also a Brazilian jiu jitsu competitor, firearms instructor, and enjoys rock climbing and anything that involves being outdoors and turning off his phone.