HTEA Head of School Search

August 6, 2012

Ms. Myra Igo Haley, Chairperson Board of Trustees, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Dear Myra, Can you believe it? I am celebrating my 25th year as Headmaster of Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy! I can’t begin to tell you what a blessing this institution has been in my life. It has truly been my pleasure to be a part of the growth and development of our beloved HT, which is poised to move to an even higher level of respect within the independent school community.

From my perspective, let me recap some of the strengths of HT as we begin the 2012‐2013 school year, as I believe the school is in an amazing position:

Our community supports us! News of Holy Trinity’s successes are well known throughout Brevard, and we are backed by committed families, families who are willing to sacrifice for their children and grandchildren and who believe that the environment we have created together is essential for growing complete and competent young people.

Our students are amazing! Even though they might not embrace their uniforms, it’s hard to find a student who wants to be somewhere else! What a testimony to the positive culture that has been sustained by our students! They are growing in character and in spirit, and they are destined to be the leaders of the future.

The faculty is exceptionally strong. Statistics back this statement unequivocally, and the data are clear. Our faculty does a great job in the classroom. They have created a community of learners, who are quick to engage with one another.

A cadre of talented, hardworking and dedicated school leaders surround me! Guidance, technology, finance and advancement are staffed by connected and caring professionals who love HT and who excel in their roles. The abundant strength of our academic leaders has sent the school on a course of excellence that is truly distinctive.

In spite of the economy, we are in the strongest financial position that we have been in for many, many years. Enrollment is strong, and the Upper School has diverted to a waitlist once again.

I work for a strong and supportive Board of Trustees, who understand the essence of an Episcopal school and who embrace our inclusiveness without breaching our sense of Episcopal identity. These school leaders exude best practice in governance and set a tone of professionalism for our entire school community.

I love this place, and I want to leave it in the best possible position for our Board of Trustees to call a highly qualified and talented Head to lead the school to the next level. Even though I will miss being in my role, I know the time is right to pass the baton. With some ambivalence, I plan to retire at the end of this school year, and I look forward to spending some important time with my family. In the meanwhile, I plan to continue to lead the school with the same vigor that I have given to my role for the last 25 years. My intention is to make the 2012‐2013 school year the best ever.

Thank you, Myra, for the opportunity the Board has afforded me! I will always be grateful.

Go Tigers!

Catherine A. Ford

August 6, 2012

Dear Cathy,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, I have accepted with deep regret your decision to retire as Headmaster effective June 30, 2013. The board joins me in expressing sincere gratitude for your remarkable leadership and dedication to Holy Trinity.

Called as Headmaster in 1988 when the struggling school had 142 students in preschool through ninth grade, your leadership grew the school to include tenth through twelfth grades with the creation of an Upper School on our 40‐acre Pineda campus. Your vision and leadership established Holy Trinity as the standard for educational excellence in Brevard County. Holy Trinity students excel in every respect: They are academic. They are artistic. They are athletic, and they are growing in their faith and spirituality. They give back to their community, and they care about creating a better world. Further, they are surrounded by loving families and supportive and dedicated faculty and staff. Grounded in Episcopal tradition, the Board of Trustees is keenly aware that it is this culture that defines Holy Trinity.

This year, as Holy Trinity commemorates the 25 years you have served as Headmaster, the Board of Trustees is extremely confident that we are in a strong position to move forward to the next stage of our school’s life. You will be leaving Holy Trinity in an enviable financial position, with strong enrollment, and an amazingly talented faculty and staff.

The Board of Trustees is deeply committed to maintaining the established culture and perpetuating the “Holy Trinity Way.” Therefore, we will set a systematic process in place to identify the next leader of the school. Given the reputation and strength of Holy Trinity in the independent school community, we are confident that we will have our choice of outstanding candidates. Throughout this search process, it is our intention to be transparent with faculty, staff, parents, and students.

With a view towards extending our heartfelt thanks, there certainly will be opportunities later this year for us to celebrate your leadership and success. In the meantime, I offer my congratulations Cathy, and thank you for the numerous and profound ways you have impacted our lives.

Sincerely,

Myra Igo Haley, Chairperson Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Board of Trustees

August 24, 2012

Dear HTEA Family, By now you may have learned that our Head of School, Cathy Ford, has announced her retirement. After 25 years of dedicated service, Mrs. Ford will finish her remarkable tenure with the close of the 2012‐13 school year.

We have been blessed with Mrs. Ford’s extraordinary leadership and now have the task of finding HTEA’s next Head of School. To lead this initiative, HTEA’s Board of Trustees has appointed a Search Committee and is pleased to introduce them and their backgrounds on the following pages.

You will be hearing more from the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee as we seek your input on the leadership qualities needed to lead HTEA into the future.

We are committed to keeping you apprised of our progress. We will do this with as much transparency as possible without compromising the confidentiality of our prospective candidates.

Thank you in advance for your confidence and support as we embark on this ever important decision.

Sincerely,

Myra Igo Haley, Chairperson HTEA Board of Trustees

Jack Ryals, Chairperson Head of School Search Committee

The following individuals will comprise the Head of School Search Committee:

Mr. Jack Ryals, Chair B.S.B.A., M.B.A., University of Florida Realtor and Business Leader Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Board Member: 1983‐1987; 1989‐1991; 2009‐Present Past Holy Trinity Board Chair Site Selection Committee for the Upper School Past Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Senior Warden Past Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Vestry Member Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Finance Committee Past Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Search Committee Chair: 1998 and 2006 Episcopalian and Holy Trinity Church Member Children: Legacy students, J.J., Jeff, & Justin Jack currently serves on the boards of the Melbourne Airport Authority, Economic Development Commission Board, Melbourne Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, Melbourne Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Committee, and Trinity Towers Board.

Ms. Myra Igo Haley B.B.A., University of Mississippi; RN, Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing President of Suntree Partners and President of the Igo Family Foundation Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Board Member: 2003‐2007; 2009‐Present Current Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Board Chair since 2011 Episcopalian Children: Meredith and Mason, grade 10

Myra currently serves on the boards of the Health First Foundation, Renaissance Trust Services, Brevard Community College Trustee, Rossetter House Foundation, The King Center for the Performing Arts, Brevard Community College Foundation, and in the recent past, served on the boards of: Junior Achievement, The Haven Guild, Brevard Museum of Art, and Brevard Cultural Alliance.

Ms. Teresa Ewton School / Community Volunteer Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Board Member: 2001‐Present Past Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Board Chair: 2008‐2011 Past President Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy’s Parents Association Episcopalian and Holy Trinity Church Member Children: Chris, grade 12; Ashley, Class of 2008; and Matt, Class of 2006

Teresa has served on The Haven Board since July 2012 and the Women’s Center Guild since April 2012.

Mrs. Valerie Holloway, Secretary B.S., Speech Communication, University of Southern Mississippi M.A., Management and Leadership, Webster University Management Consultant/Coach The Coaching Company, Inc. Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Board Member: 2002‐2007; 2010‐Present; former Board Secretary, and served on Advancement and Marketing Committees Episcopalian Children: Jessa Davis, Class of 2009

Valerie currently serves on the board of the Brevard Heart Foundation.

Mr. Matthew Kucera B.S., Florida State University Senior VP, Investments, Merrill Lynch Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Board Member: 2005‐Present ‐ Chair of Finance Committee; Chair of Building and Grounds Committee; Chair of the Endowment Management Committee Episcopalian Children: Lydia, grade 11; Tom, Class of 2008; and Grace, Class of 2010

Matthew currently serves as Director, The Suzanne C. Basset Foundation and Chairman, The Margaret Heins Foundation.

Dr. Katherine Cobb B.A., Stetson University; J.D., Stetson College of Law Brevard Community College Provost of the Online Campus‐eBrevard PBS Project Access Advisory Board Member: 1999‐2001 Appointed member of the Florida Community College Distance Learning Consortium 1999‐ Present Member of the Florida Bar Association: 1983‐Present Appointed by Governor Bush to Serve and Member of the Paper Reduction Task Force: 2006 Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Board Member: 2003‐2007, 2012‐Present ‐ Chair of the Finance Committee, and Academic Review Committee Member of Church‐School Dialog Committee: 1992 Children: Alex, Class of 2006; Ali, Class of 2011

Kathy has served a two‐term president of the American Cancer Society; Board member of Stetson University's College of Arts and Sciences; member of the Eau Gallie Rotary, member of the WE Initiative of the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce, and as Chair of the Chamber Education Committee. She is currently a member of Florida Institute of Technology Women's Business Center, a member of Melbourne High School, and Viera High School Business Academy Advisory Board. Member, the Health First Foundation –Grape Escape Committee and a member of Breast Friends (cancer support group) Board of Directors.

The Rev. Joy Willard‐Williford, staff, HTEA Search Committee Vice‐Chair B.A., University of Florida; B.S.N., University of Florida; M.P.A., University of Central Florida; M.Div., Sewanee: The University of the South Upper School Chaplain and Faculty Member, hire date‐9/16/2002 Past Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Board Member: 1991‐1994, 1999‐2002 Past Board Chair: 1999‐2002 and 1994 Past Vestry Member: 1997‐2001 Past Senior Warden: 2001 Episcopalian and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Assisting Priest Children: Legacy students, Melissa and Katie

Reverend Joy has served on two past search committees, and is currently chair of the Central Florida Episcopal Schools Association and a board member of the Brevard Neighborhood Development Coalition.

Mrs. Mary Wallis, staff B.A., Rollins College Director of Advancement Services, hire date‐8/5/2011 Past Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Vestry Member: 2005‐2009 Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Board Member: 2007‐2011 Episcopalian and Holy Trinity Church Member Children: Meg, Class of 2005; Ben, Class of 2008

Mary currently serves on the boards of Space Coast Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals and Community Advisory Committee for the Junior League of South Brevard, and in recent past, served on the boards of: Brevard Cultural Alliance, Brevard Neighborhood Development Coalition, and Henegar Center for the Performing Arts.

Mrs. Jo Ellen Williams, staff B.A., University of Colorado Director of Lower School Student Life and Athletics, hire date 1/4/1990 Children: Legacy students, Ryan and Jonathon

Jo Ellen is currently the President of the Space Coast Christian Athletic Association, sponsor of the HTEA sixth grade I‐Team, and member of the Florida Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Rev. Pam Easterday, Co‐Rector of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and HTEA Trustee, will serve as Spiritual Advisor to the Search Committee.

SCHEDULE OF COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS HONORING MRS. FORD

December 1, 2012

Vicky Hurst Holy Trinity Golf Tournament

Sponsorships opportunities are now available. Golfer’s registration opens November 1, 2012.

December 6, 2012

Online Giving Day and Trinity Traditions Cookbook Faculty Luncheon honoring Mrs. Ford

Evening of Elegance presents 25th Anniversary Celebration ~ Pineda Campus

March 16, 2013

May 29, 2013

End of the Year Faculty and Staff Luncheon ~ Parish Campus Gymnasium

May 26, 2013

Retirement Dinner ~ Eau Gallie Yacht Club