Staff

COVA’s staff is composed of professionals and specialists dedicated to making a virtual academy a very real learning experience. Here are a few of the people who work behind the scenes to keep COVA responsive to your needs.

Abe Barela, Business Manager
Abe graduated from American National University in Albuquerque with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. His past experience includes working as a financial auditor with non-profit and governmental clients for PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLC and Grant Thornton LLC. He has also worked as a controller and accounting supervisor for school districts in Colorado for approximately three and a half years.

Denise Van Zee, Human Resources Manager, Accountant, and Office Manager
Denise has been with COVA since its start-up in the fall of 2001, beginning as the school's Business Manager. Before joining COVA she worked for District 12 as an attendance clerk, and then as bookkeeper at Bollman Technical Education Center. She graduated from Front Range Community College with an Accounting Certificate.

Mary Lou McNatt, High School Registrar
Mary Lou enjoys using her technical abilities to aid teachers and families with the COVA high school model. She volunteers with nonprofit organizations to help them work through their technical challenges and maintains nonprofit websites. Mary Lou received her B.A. and master's degrees from Regis University. She is excited to be in her third year as a part of the COVA team.

Jill Smock, High School Counselor
Jill is in her first year with Colorado Virtual Academy as the high school counselor. Jill has been involved in education for five years. Before coming to COVA she worked as an assistant director of admissions at CU-Boulder. In 2002 she earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology and educational studies at New England College, and went on to earn her Master of Arts in school counseling at the University of Phoenix in 2007.