GA is a PreK-12, coed, nonsectarian day school in Fort Washington, PA

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Board of Trustees

 

Germantown Academy’s Board of Trustees is the governing body of the school and is a dedicated partner with the school’s administrative leadership. It is responsible for establishing policy goals that align with the operation of the Academy and further its Mission and Civility Pledge. The Board provides fiduciary oversight and stewardship of the Academy, appoints and oversees the Head of School, and engages in and supports long-range strategic planning.

The GA Board of Trustees Executive Committee is chaired by the President of the Board. The Executive Committee consists of the Committee Chairs, Officers, and ad hoc trustees (if so invited by the Board President), all of whom are nominated by the Board President and elected by the Board annually.

The GA Board of Trustees is comprised of no more than 33 members who serve as volunteers and are elected in accordance with the by-laws of the school. Trustees are invited to serve for a three-year term with a limit of three terms, with a then required one-year roll-off.  At the end of each 3-year term, the Board President and Governance Chair talk with each Trustee to ensure another term is mutually agreed upon by both parties.

There are usually four regular meetings of the Board each year along with a Summer Retreat in which more in-depth policy and strategic planning discussions take place. In addition, Trustees serve on standing committees, to include: Governance, Executive, Finance, Investment, Audit, Facilities and Development and Communications. In any given year, task forces may be created to address other strategic issues (i.e. Strategic Vision, Program & Property Planning, and Marketing). Executive, Audit and Governance membership may only be comprised of Trustees, per the by-laws.

Trustees are nominated to the Board through the Governance Committee, which is responsible for facilitating Board leadership and succession planning. This committee solicits and welcomes recommendations from current Trustees and from all constituencies of the school.  The Governance Committee is responsible for recommending strategies and advising the Board on how to maintain a diverse, balanced representation among its membership. In order to ensure a vast array of backgrounds, experiences and skillsets, the Governance Committee utilizes a Trustee Matrix that includes a current profile of skills and experience for each trustee that is used for Board composition and analysis.  If the Board and/or a specific Committee expresses the need for a specific background or skillset, then such is discussed by the Governance Committee and potentially added to the matrix and/or discussions of potential nominees. For example, if there is a determined need for an individual in the medical/health care field, such will be used as a criterion when reviewing recommendations for Board nomination.

It is important to note that the administration and faculty are the experts in their respective areas of education/school life, and that the Board serves as a supportive advisory team to assist and partner to move the school toward our shared future.

Finally, the majority of Trustees are alumni/ae, parents of alumni/ae, current parents, or some combination of these. Trustees share a genuine love for GA and a dedication to fulfilling our Mission and Civility Pledge to make GA the best independent school it can be.

If you have questions or concerns regarding the Board of Trustees, please do not hesitate to contact the current Board President.

2023-24 Board of Trustees

PRESIDENT
Michael H. Jordan

VICE PRESIDENT
John M. Galloway

TREASURER
Janet Haugen

SECRETARY
Cheryl Ross 1760

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Ira Brownstein    
Anthony DiSandro, Jr.    
Annamarie Geppert Hellebusch '84
Salvatore J. Paone '95
Rich Schellhas 1760

BOARD MEMBERS
Bela D. Bagga
Laura W. Brewer '80
Ira M. Brownstein
John Cannon '80
Amy Seyfert Connelly '90
Anthony DiSandro, Jr.
Mark Dooley
Thomas E. Durkin '89
Judy A. Felgoise
Dr. Desrene Freeman
John M. Galloway
Judi J. Goodman 1760
Janet Haugen
Annamarie Geppert Hellebusch '84
Lauren Hellman '95
Dr. Philip Huang
Michael H. Jordan
Claire MacRae '84
Carol Momjian
Dr. Linda White Nunes '80
Salvatore J. Paone '95
George M. Riter '76
Diana Rodgers '03
Cheryl Ross 1760
Andrew D. Sandifer
Edward Swanson
Kezirah Linn Vaughters '91
William B. Weihenmayer, Jr. '03

 

TRUSTEE EMERITI
Thayer R. Adams
John K. Binswanger '50
Christopher J. Davis 1760
Christopher H. Gadsden
Eleanore H. Gadsden 1760
A. Scott Holmes '57
Jeffrey A. Honickman '75
Janice MacVaugh Kopple 1760
Bradley J. Korman '83
Susan Stratton McGinnis '78
John Rex '63
Jeffrey T. Sultanik '72
Richard W. Thatcher, Jr. 1760
Clarence Z. Wurts

 

Committees

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee’s role is to set the agenda for the Board each year, coordinate the work of Board committees, and assist the Head of School as sounding board and counsel.

Governance Committee

The Governance Committee supports the mission of Germantown Academy by ensuring effective Board and School leadership. The Committee is responsible for Board governance in the following ways: the periodic review, revision and implementation of the By-laws; the regular review and discussion of School and Board policies and procedures; the general structure of Board Committees and the composition of Standing Committees; the annual self-evaluation of the Board; the recruitment and on-boarding of new Trustees; the oversight of the overall composition of the Board and trustee/officer/committee chair succession planning; and, the oversight of Trustee professional development and School engagement.

Development Committee

The Development Committee oversees all institutional advancement fund raising activities, marketing efforts, and the public relations and external communications to enable Germantown Academy to excel as a leading independent school.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee oversees all material aspects of the school’s financial planning and reporting, control and audit functions, as well as overseeing endowment, campaign and operating investments. This includes focusing on the qualitative aspects of financial reporting and on the school’s processes for the management of business/financial risk and compliance with significant applicable legal, ethical and regulatory requirements. In addition, the Finance Committee will focus on identifying financial trends/situations that could materially impact the long-term financial health of the school.

Investment Committee

The Investment Committee shall direct and supervise investment of the Academy’s endowment and trust funds and provide advice on short-term cash management to the Business Office within investment policies developed by the Board.

Campus Planning Committee

The Campus Planning Committee shall have general responsibility for the maintenance of all buildings and facilities and the improvement, maintenance and use of the grounds. The Committee oversees strategies for achieving the plant and facilities goals to provide an outstanding physical environment that meets the needs of the School’s educational program and takes into consideration the requirements in the areas of health, safety, aesthetics, accessibility and environmental impact.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee reviews annually with the outside auditors the audited financial statements of the School Corporation.