Stars

Board of Trustees

VFMA Board of Trustees

Col Stuart Helgeson,

USMC(Ret)

President of the
Valley Forge Military Academy Board

Colonel Helgeson was named President of Valley Forge Military Academy & College in March of 2020 after previously serving as Chief Operating Officer, Superintendent and Commandant of Cadets. Colonel Helgeson attended Penn State University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. At Penn State he played Varsity Lacrosse and later walked on to the football team as a receiver on the 1986 National Championship and 1987 Citrus Bowl Teams. Upon graduation Colonel Helgeson was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

 

Mr. John English

ㅤㅤ

Chairman of the Board of Trustees,
Valley Forge Military Foundation

John English is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Heartland Consulting, which he founded in 2009. Mr. English manages and oversees all operations regarding government and commercial clients across several different fields. Prior to founding Heartland, Mr. English worked for the Office of the Secretary within the Department of Veteran’s Affairs from 2005-2009. There, he assisted three different Department Secretaries with organizational and transformational management as well as strategic communications pertaining to the Department’s major initiatives.

 

 

 

[link to full board list on vfmac shared site – content below is just to copy over]

David Cummins Senior Vice President, Citizen Services Business Group David Cummins serves as Senior Vice President of Serco’s Citizen Services Business Group. He is responsible for managing the three business units that comprise Serco’s civilian work for federal, state, and local governments in the U.S. and Canada. David has more than 20 years of experience in government contracting. Before joining Serco in late 2016, he was a Senior Vice President for Conduent Inc. (formerly Xerox and ACS) where he ran their mobility, parking, and court business units. Prior to that, he led strategy, sales, marketing, and acquisitions for their Transportation division with operations in over 30 countries. He has led numerous innovation project and has been co-awarded 15 patents. David was the Director of Operations Management for the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic organizing committee, and he was a recipient of the 2003 International Project of the Year Award, presented by the Project Management Institute. David holds an MBA from the University of Michigan Business School, an MA in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a BA in Political Science from Messiah College. He serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Valley Forge Military Academy & College and is involved in other volunteer work for non-profits.


Mr. Robert A. Bacine, Esq., ’60 Attorney, Friedman Schuman, P.C.; Former Founding Partner/Attorney, Flamm, Boroff & Bacine, P.C. of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Past President, Montgomery County Estate Planning Council; Past Chairman, Montgomery County Law Reporter Committee; Co-Founder and Past Chairman, Probate and Tax Section, Montgomery Bar Association; Trustee, Montgomery Bar Foundation; Member, Whitemarsh Township Zoning Hearing Board; New York University Graduate School of Law, L.L.M. in Taxation (1969); Villanova University, School of Law, J.D. Degree (1967); Drexel University, B.S., Accounting (1964); Past President and Past Chairman, Alumni Association, VFMAC.


Mr. Joseph A. Bartasius ’81, ‘83C, Colonel, USA (Ret.) Mr. Bartasius is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Soaring Eagle Solutions, LLC  a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. He previously served as Senior Managing Director for L-3 Communications, Inc. Over the course of his 30-year career in the Army and Army Reserve, Mr. Bartasius served in a variety of command and staff positions in airborne, light, special operations, Joint Commands and training units serving in Southwest Asia (Iraq and Afghanistan), the Republic of Germany and the United States. Having risen to the rank of Colonel, his Senior Officer assignments began as Senior Military Advisor/Military Transition Team of the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT), Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq (MNSTC-I) in October 2004.  He assumed duties as the Chief, Civil Affairs Plans, 358th Civil Affairs Brigade in January 2006.  From July 2006 to December 2007, Mr. Bartasius was assigned as the Brigade Commander, 1st Brigade, 98th Division (Institutional Training). In January 2008, he assumed command of a detachment, J2/JT, Army Reserve Element, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida and served as a Senior Chief, Observer, Controller and Trainer of the 75th Division (Battle Command Training Division) to February  2010.  In March of 2010, he served as the Director, Region II (NJ, NY, PR, VI), Emergency Preparedness Office (NORTHCOM) in support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  Honorably, his last assignment before retiring in September 2013, he was assigned at the United States Military Academy, West Point as a Military Academy Liaison Officer representing the State of New Jersey, in collaboration with the NJ representatives and their staffs of the US House of Representatives. A graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy & College, Class of 81 and 83C, where he obtained an Associate degree in Business, and held the cadet rank of 1st Captain, Regimental Commander.  Following graduation from the academy, Mr. Bartasius was commissioned through the ROTC program as an Infantry officer.  He holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from Cabrini University, with Cum Laude honors for academic excellence and attended University of Pennsylvania for his graduate work in Organization Management.  Mr. Bartasius currently serves as the Chairman of the Valley Forge Military Academy & College, Alumni Board of Directors.  Additionally, he serves as a Trustee of the Valley Forge Military Academy Foundation. He is a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association of America and Association of the United States Army. Mr. Bartasius was a 2016 Inductee in the United States Army, Reserve Officer’s Training Corp. (ROTC), Hall of Fame.


Mr. William E. Floyd, Jr. ’63 Chairman Emeritus, Valley Forge Military Academy Foundation. Mr. Floyd is also a 1963 graduate of the Academy.  During his tenure at Valley Forge, he oversaw the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approval of Senate Bill 560, legislation introduced by Senator Mensch, creating a new program for legislative appointments to Valley Forge Military College; the designation of the College as “The Military College of Pennsylvania;” and the successful integration of women into the Corps of Cadets at the College. Mr. Floyd is the retired Chairman and CEO of Physiotherapy Associates, the largest provider of outpatient rehab services in the U.S.  Prior to Physiotherapy, he was Chairman, President and CEO of Beverly Enterprises, Inc., a leading provider of eldercare services in the U.S. with $2.2 Billion in revenue.  Prior to Beverly, Mr. Floyd held leadership positions as CEO and President of Choice Hotels International, the largest franchiser of hotels in the world, as well as Chief Operating Officer of Taco Bell and KFC, both of which were part of PepsiCo’s Restaurant Division. Mr. Floyd holds a B.A. Degree in American Studies from the University of Pennsylvania (1967) and an MBA Degree from the Wharton School (1969).  After graduation from Wharton, he served as an officer in the Fifth Infantry Division (U.S. Army) from 1970-72. In addition to being the Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Valley Forge Military Academy & College, Mr. Floyd is the former Chairman of the Board of Buffet Holdings, Inc., a multi-million family dining restaurant concept. He is also on the Board of Korn-Ferry, the world’s largest executive search and talent consulting firm, El Pollo Loco Restaurants, a $600 million flame-grilled chicken restaurant chain, Pivot, an Outpatient Physical Therapy company, and Muzinich Capital LLC. Mr. Floyd is also a member of the Board of Overseers of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Mr. Floyd is a member of the Union League of Philadelphia and is a past board member of Philadelphia Outward Bound.


Dr. Christine Anne Royce Dr. Christine Anne Royce is currently a professor in the teacher education department and co-director for the MAT in STEM Education program at Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania having joined the faculty in 2002. In her current position, Royce—who served three consecutive terms as the chair of the teacher education department—teaches classes in science education, assessment, curricular planning and research design at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and implemented a new online teaching certification program which prepares educators to teach in blended or online environments. Royce has been a passionate educator and dedicated leader in the science education community for more than 25 years. She brings with her experience working at the elementary, middle, and secondary school level in both public and private schools having taught science, math, and serving in administrative roles. She holds instructional and administrative certificates in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. External to her position at Shippensburg, Dr. Christine Anne Royce is the retiring president of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) having completed her term as 2018-2019 President. Her involvement with NSTA has been extensive having been elected to the NSTA board as director of professional development (2009-2012) and prior to that serving in the role of district IV director (2006-2009).  She is the column author for Teaching Through Trade Books which appears in Science and Children and has authored multiple books. In addition to her work and commitment to NSTA, Royce is extremely active with other state and national organizations and STEM initiatives. She was the PSTA Exchange editor, executive secretary, and twice served as the president of the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association. Royce has also served as the treasurer for the National Science Education Leadership Association, and was an NSF panel judge and chair for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching. She was invited to serve on the Academy Oversight Committee in July 2018 and joins the BOT having had experience working at Valley Forge Military Academy from 1988 through 1992.  She served as an Assistant Camp Commandant for the summer camp program.  Additionally, she worked in the Senior ROTC Department for nearly two years as an Administration and Operations Specialist. During her distinguished career, Royce has received a number of awards and honors. Her accomplishments include receiving NSTA’s Fellow Award (2016), UPCEA Excellence in Teaching Award (2016), Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators’ Teacher Educator of the Year Award (2010), National Association of Geoscience Teachers’ Outstanding Earth Science Teacher – Eastern Region (2003), and the Woodrow Wilson National Memorial Fellowship (2000). Royce was also named a 1997 Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Science Teaching. Her academic preparation includes a B.S. degree in elementary education from Cabrini College, a M.A. degree in curriculum and instruction from Delaware State University, a M.S. degree in school administration and supervision from the University of Scranton, a M.B.A. from Shippensburg University, and an Ed.D. in curriculum, instruction and technology education from Temple University.


Mr. J. Kent McNew ’61C Current CEO and Owner, Coastal Heating and Air Conditioning Co., Inc. and Southbound Corporation.  Mr. McNew worked for Hess Oil & Chemical for four years.  In 1969, he formed Eastern Petroleum Corporation, a home heating oil and diesel fuel marketer.  In 1999, the heating oil and diesel business was sold and Mr. McNew entered the gasoline market business serving some 80 locations.  Mr. McNew sold the gasoline business in 2010. Current Board of Trustee member and former Board of Visitor member of VFMA&C. Current Board of Trustee member at Anne Arundel Health Systems Inc.. Past Trustee of Foundation Board at Anne Arundel Health System. Past Board Member, Associated Builders and Contractors.  Founding Director at The Annapolis National Bank, and current member Board of Directors, The South River Federation. Mr. McNew has lived in the Annapolis area his entire life with the South River and Chesapeake Bay being a big part of his life.


Mr. George H. Schildge ’56 Chairman/Owner CRP Industries Inc. (Importer/distributor of automotive and industrial products), Cranbury, NJ; Chairman Precision Roll Grinders; board member Transmares Corp., Charleston, SC; member Metropolitan Club, NYC and Navesink Country Club, Middletown, NJ; Served two years as an officer in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany; Bachelor of Engineering Cornell University (1960); studied 1 year at Hannover Institute of Technology in Germany.


Mr. Conrad E. Muhly, IV ’73 CEO, Terra Technical Services, LLC and Terra Railroad Services, LLC, West Chester, Pennsylvania.  President, Chester County SPCA Board of Directors; Member, Associated Builders and Contractors, National; Association of Demolition Contractors; VFMA&C Alumni Association Board of Directors (1989-98).  VFMA&C Chairman, Alumni Association (1996-97); VFMA&C President, Alumni Association (1995-96); VFMA&C Board of Visitors (1991-93); VFMA&C Golden Sword Society Chairman (1997-98).


Mr. Jonathan Tratt ’76 Founder/Managing Principal of Tratt Properties LLC, a Phoenix based commercial real estate development/investment firm for the past 23 years.  He is regarded for his distinguished expertise in real estate development, acquisition and property management services for logistics and e-commerce properties.  This includes site selection, ground up construction, and warehousing and distribution operations. Jonathan brings over 30 years of real estate experience to the leadership of Tratt Properties LLC.  His early experience as an industrial broker with Iliff Thorn and Daum Commercial Real Estate Services prepared him to start Industrial Brokerage, Inc. in 1992 before broadening his scope to development and investment as Tratt Properties, LLC in 2000. Jonathan holds a Master of Business Administration in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management and A Bachelor of Science from the University of Dayton.  He serves on the Board of Trustees for Valley Forge Military Academy & College in Wayne, PA.  In addition, he is an active Board member for the National Association of Commercial Real Estate Development Industry’s NAIOP.  He serves on its Executive Committee, is a Governor of the NAIOP Research Foundation, and is Vice-Chairman, Trustee of the NAIOP-PAC.  By way of his expertise and leadership, Jonathan also served as the Chair of the Industrial Development II National Forum of NAIOP.  Jonathan is a long-standing local sponsor and Developer Association Member of SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors). Jonathan contributes to community service and charitable organizations across the country.  This broad range of philanthropic activities includes numerous Jewish and religious organizations, as well as academic institutions, and professional associations.  In addition, Tratt Properties, LLC focuses contributions in the local markets where they own and operate properties to further the commitment to meaningful service.


Mr. Mark Kelton ’74

 
CASS Advisory Council Chair
 
Mark Kelton is the Director of MEK & Associates, LLC and a retired senior Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) executive with 34 years of experience in intelligence operations. Mr. Kelton’s CIA career included more than sixteen years of overseas service, to include four assignments in key field leadership positions. He concluded his career as Chief of CIA’s Counterintelligence Center. Directing CIA’s counterintelligence and counterespionage programs, Mr. Kelton led the team that protected the nation’s most closely guarded secrets. He has expertise in intelligence operations, international security issues, detection of insider threats, assessment of counterintelligence risk, and crisis management. Mr. Kelton is a recipient of the CIA Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the CIA Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, the Director of National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the CIA Director’s Award, the 2015 Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Senior Intelligence Officer, the CIA Intelligence Medal of Merit, the CIA Donovan Award and many other honors. Mr. Kelton is: Senior Vice President for National Security Solutions, DynCorp International; an Outside Board Director of Blue Planet-Works, LLC; a member of the Board of Trustees of Valley Forge Military Academy & College; an Advisory Board member for FORCEPOINT, LLC; Board Chair of the Spookstock Foundation (benefitting the CIA Memorial Foundation and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation); an Advisor to the Chertoff Group; and a contributor to The Cipher Brief, writing on intelligence and national security issues.


Colonel Ken DeTreux, USMC (Retired Colonel Ken DeTreux, USMC (retired) served for over thirty years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School (’83) and Temple University (’88). As a career infantry officer and combat veteran, Ken has over 30 years of operational and leadership experience having commanded at the platoon through Regimental level, as well as serving in key staff positions at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. His career spans ten deployments to include combat operations in Panama, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. His highest personal awards include the Legion of Merit w/two gold stars in lieu of 3 rd award and the Bronze Star w/Valor device. During his service, he earned an M.A. in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College in 2008 and a Masters Public Administration (MPA) from Villanova University. Retiring from active duty in 2018, Ken served as the Commandant of Cadets at Valley Forge Military Academy & College (VFMAC) during Academic Year 2018-19 before accepting a Director position for a Veterans program at the University of Pennsylvania where he served during Academic Year 2019-2020. He continues his public service in the higher education and nonprofit sectors currently serving as an Adjunct Professor at Villanova University in the Department of Public Administration and the College of Professional Studies teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He also served a two-year term (’20-’22) on the Board of Directors for the Society of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of Saint Patrick (Philadelphia Chapter) and is on the current Board of Directors for the Hoxie Harrison Smith Foundation, a grant-making foundation supporting non-profit organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area. He is also very active on the Philadelphia committees of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF) and the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation (MCLEF), as well as serving on the Veterans Advisory Panel for Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA, 4th Congressional District). Ken is married for over 32 years to his wife, Kathleen Donohoe DeTreux, a Registered Nurse (RN) with the VA. They have four children.”


Mr. R. Grey Beck 

 
Mr. R. Gray Beck serves as Chief Financial Officer of cBEYONData, a federal government contractor specializing in business, data, and automation solutions, where he is responsible for finance and accounting, contracts, and risk management.
Gray has over 15 years of experience in government contracting and has completed numerous private equity buy-side and sell-side transactions. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Quadel Consulting, a federal, state, and local government contractor providing affordable housing services. He also previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Klein-Hersh International, a healthcare and life sciences recruiting firm based in the greater Philadelphia area.
 
Gray holds a BA in Economics, Cum Laude, and an MS in Finance, both from Washington University in St. Louis.
 
He lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Meghan, and son, Tyler.