Leadership

Joseph R. Manning is Fryeburg Academy’s 55th Head of School

Joe Manning has been at Fryeburg Academy for twenty years and assumed the role of Head in July of 2023. During his time at Fryeburg, he's held the roles of teacher, dorm parent, assistant admissions director, academic dean, advisor, and most recently, the Associate Head of School, overseeing admissions and marketing, campus facilities, the school's food service, and I.T.

Joe has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Environmental Science from George Washington University and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Maine. He's been a key developer and champion of experiential learning initiatives at the Academy. Joe, his wife Maria, and their four children reside in the Fessenden House on campus.

Introducing the Trustees of Fryeburg Academy

The Academy’s Bylaws were first written when the school was chartered in 1792 (when Maine was still part of Massachusetts), and they have been revised many times in the intervening years. The Bylaws call for a formal governing structure known as the Board of Trustees, a self-perpetuating group comprised of committed alumni and friends who are responsible for selecting the Head of School and for assuring the Academy’s institutional health and an ongoing focus on school mission. Trustees serve on a volunteer basis for up to three consecutive four-year terms. The Board may be as large as twenty-two members, with a broad representation of women and men, alumni and community members, and those who live either in Fryeburg or outside the area.

Please read about current Fryeburg Academy trustees below. If you wish to contact the Board, you may do so through the Head of School's Office.

Board of Trustees, 2022-23

List of 18 items.

Christopher M. Gordon '81, President

Chris Gordon has a longstanding connection to Fryeburg Academy. He graduated in 1981 and grew up on campus. His father, Jack Gordon, was Assistant Headmaster and taught at the Academy for almost 40 years.
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Steven P. Cote '85, Vice President

Steve is a life-long resident of Fryeburg and the Mt. Washington Valley and a 1985 graduate of Fryeburg Academy. He earned an A.B. in Government and Legal Studies from Bowdoin College in 1989.
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Joseph Shaffner '81, Treasurer

Joe is a 1981 graduate of Fryeburg Academy. He earned a BS in Economics and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Southern Maine in 1986. In 1993 Joe earned his MBA from the George Washington University.
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Brenda Thibodeau, Secretary

Brenda Thibodeau is a graduate of the University of Maine at Farmington with a BS in elementary education with a minor in science. Currently, she is the Vice President and Treasurer of Green Thumb Farms, a family owned farm in Fryeburg that markets potatoes, beans, corn, and sod throughout New England.
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Christopher Burk

Christopher Burk received a B.S. from Boston College where he studied economics and finance. He began his career in the fixed income department of Fidelity Investments. While working there he earned the distinction of Chartered Financial Analyst. During his career he has also worked for Lloyds Bank plc, and Ameriprise Financial.
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John Chandler '78

A 1978 graduate of Fryeburg Academy, John earned a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Southern Maine. After working in private industry, John began his public accounting career in 1987 with BerryDunn in Portland, Maine—serving as President and CEO from 1999 to 2021.
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Sheila Duane '82

Sheila is a 1982 graduate of Fryeburg Academy. She earned her undergraduate degree in Hospitality Management from Johnson and Wales University, RI, in 1986. After operating one of North Conway’s first scratch bagel shops and popular breakfast destination, the profitable business was acquired and remains in operation today.
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Gerry Durgin '68

Recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award, Gerald Durgin, Class of 1968, was a three-sport athlete at FA, who later went on to an outstanding career at the University of Maine at Farmington. He has held positions as a teacher and coach at Telstar High School in Bethel, also serving as dean, administrator, and dorm parent at Fryeburg Academy.
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Heather Pike Hart '87

Heather is a 1987 graduate of Fryeburg Academy. She earned her undergraduate degree in History from Bowdoin College in 1991. After spending several years at home raising her family, Heather is currently working in an elementary school and pursuing her Master's Degree in Education through Lesley University
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Michael H. Hill '79

Mike is a 1979 graduate of Fryeburg Academy. He earned his undergraduate degree in Economics and History from Bowdoin College in 1983. In 1988 Mike earned his J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law.
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Kathleen Dekutoski Hunsicker '89

Kathleen Dekutoski Hunsicker is a graduate of Fryeburg Academy, class of 1989 and has maintained an active connection to the Fryeburg community. Kathleen went on to continue her education at the University of Southern Maine, receiving a Bachelors of Science in Sociology and Teaching Certificate from the ETEP Program.
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Bradford Littlefield '80

Brad is a 1980 graduate of Fryeburg Academy. He earned his B.S. in Business Management from The University of Southern Maine in 1984. He has owned and operated the family business, Littlefield Builders Inc., since his graduation from Southern Maine.
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Gary MacFarlane '72

Gary MacFarlane, Class of ‘72, is past president of HarMac Rebar & Steel Corporation, and is currently active as a consultant and liaison for the corporation. He began his career as manager of MacFarlane Inc. (DBA Young’s Metal Shop) in 1974. He became owner/president of MacFarlane Steel Corporation in 1983, which merged with A. H. Harris & Sons, Inc. in 2002, to create the HarMac Rebar & Steel Corp.
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Shannon D. McKeen '81

Shannon McKeen graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1981. His father, brother, and grandparents are also Fryeburg Academy graduates.
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Andrea Smith Osgood '86

Andrea Smith Osgood is a graduate of Fryeburg Academy, class of 1986. Andrea began her professional career with Norway Savings Bank in 1987 where she is currently the Regional Vice President of Retail Banking. She is responsible for the overall success of the retail division’s Western region offices of the local community bank.
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Jessica Russell '81

Jessica Russell graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1981, a classmate of current trustees, Shannon McKeen and Chris Gordon. Born in Augusta, Maine and raised in Fryeburg, she attended St. Michael’s College her freshman year and transferred to the University of New Hampshire in Durham to graduate in 1985, majoring in Theatre with a minor in Italian Studies.
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Nicola "Nikki" Soares '86

Nicola “Nikki” Soares ‘86 lives in the Detroit area in Michigan, where she is the president of Kelly Education, the nation’s largest education workforce solutions provider.
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Renee Thomas '84

Renee Thomas ‘84 resides in Bermuda, where she works as an assistant to the director of the Bermudian Government’s Department of Culture.
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Fryeburg Academy Trustees Emeriti