New leaders to help support faculty, students

4/26/2016

Great schools are built on talented educators whose passion for their subject matter is surpassed only by their passion for working with young people. At Ransom Everglades, we believe our faculty is unsurpassed. Our teachers work exceedingly hard and care deeply about their students’ well-being. I feel a keen sense of responsibility to support their efforts with a senior leadership team that brings the same level of excellence.

I’m delighted to announce the team for the upcoming academic year.

I hope many of you will come out to meet our incoming Director of College Counseling Marty Elkins at 7 p.m. tonight – Tuesday, April 26 – at the Rehearsal Hall adjacent to the Lewis Family Auditorium. Mrs. Elkins will amplify our faculty’s work by being a resounding advocate and resource for our students. She begins officially on July 1; this meet-and-greet offers a wonderful opportunity to hear Mrs. Elkin’s vision for college counseling at Ransom Everglades.

I’d also like to announce the appointment of Gregory Pollard as Director of Advancement, effective August 1, and Raymond Steward in the newly created position of Chief Technology Officer, effective July 1. These additions to our team – already bolstered in December with the hiring of Director of Communications Amy Shipley – will give us a group unmatched in experience, creativity, intelligence and plain enthusiasm to back and enhance the amazing work that goes on at Ransom Everglades every day.

Some of you may already know Mrs. Elkins. She has worked at six independent schools, serving in a variety of positions: director of college counseling, head of school, teacher and coach. She notably worked as director of college counseling at Groton School from 2001-2009, and attended Phillips Exeter Academy; Williams College, where she received her BA in American Studies; the University of New Hampshire; and Harvard – there she earned a CAS in Administration, Planning and Social Policy. She is currently finishing her tenure at Shadyside Academy in Pittsburgh.

Mr. Pollard brings an unparalleled wealth of experience from the world of independent schools, a major public research university and the private sector, giving us a director of advancement who can boost and extend our myriad outreach efforts to alumni and friends of RE. Mr. Pollard has worked as regional director of major gifts at Phillips Exeter Academy; director of major gifts at the University of Virginia; assistant vice president at Wilmington Trust Company; and, most recently, director of advancement at Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire. Mr. Pollard earned his BS at the University of Delaware.

Raymond Stewart has helped transform information technology systems at The Park School in Massachusetts and The Potomac School in Virginia, and served as an adjunct professor at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Mr. Stewart will enable us continue to provide our students and faculty with state-of-the-art, high-tech resources and the know-how to remain at the forefront of technological advances in our fast-changing world. Mr. Stewart received his MS at the University of California, Berkeley; his MA at San Francisco State University; and EdD at Columbia University.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank two departing members of our team.

Athletic Director Claude Grubair has elevated our athletic program during his 17 years at Ransom Everglades. Mr. Grubair helped launch the RE Athletic Hall of Fame and the REACH (Ransom Everglades Athletes Can Help) service program. He oversaw the construction of the Ransom Everglades Aquatics Center - Ansin Pool. He spearheaded facility partnerships with Coral Gables High and The Boys and Girls Club of Miami-Dade. While doing all of that, he also managed to assemble an athletic program ranked No. 1 in the county by the Miami Herald for that past two years. He will conclude his tenure in June to pursue other opportunities, and I wish him the very best. I am confident that Andy De Angulo, our assistant athletic director and swimming coach, will ensure that Raider athletics continues to prosper as he assumes the role of interim athletic director.

Finally, I offer my sincerest thanks to Bruce Hunter, who has served Ransom Everglades with energy, passion and determination as interim director of counseling during a difficult year for him, which included the loss of his father. I wish Mr. Hunter much success in his future endeavors.

Please join me in welcoming the newest members of the Ransom Everglades’ senior leadership team. They will join Jim Cowgill, Chief Financial Officer; John A. King, Jr., Associate Head of School; Ken Mills, Head of the Upper School; Rachel Rodriguez, Head of the Middle School; Amy Sayfie Zichella, Director of Admission; and Ms. Shipley. I am confident their work will help extend and strengthen our tradition of excellence, and I hope you share my excitement.

Penny Townsend
Head of School

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RE founder Paul Ransom, circa 1903

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