Board of Trustees – News and Information

The By-Laws of Phil-Mont Christian Academy provides that the Academy’s mission is “to provide excellent academic education from a consistent Christian world-and-life view for the children in Christian families.” This mission is entrusted to a Board of Trustees. Each meeting of the Board of Trustees begins and ends with prayer, and includes a brief devotional prepared by one of the Trustees. Between meetings, business is conducted by the Executive Committee. Other Committees (e.g., Finance, Facilities, and Fundraising) meet regularly and report to the full Board. Discussion of these reports, and any reports submitted by the Head of School or other administrators, is one of the main activities at the Board’s meetings, and highlights of those reports will appear here from time to time.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” - Proverbs 16:9

Meetings of the Board of Trustees often involve discussion and action related to personnel issues, confidential matters, and matters that are under consideration but not ripe for public dissemination. Being mindful of its obligations to be good stewards of Phil-Mont, the Board cannot make public postings about such matters. When appropriate, however, the Board will address them in letters to the Phil-Mont community or in Town Hall meetings.

Meetings scheduled
  • September 11
  • October 20-21
  • December 11
  • February 12
  • March TBA
  • April TBA
  • May 13
  • June 10
  • Town Hall dates: Planned for November and April, but dates are TBD

Constituent Meetings

One or more Trustees will be available to meet with a parent, alumnus, or other constituents before the Board’s regularly scheduled meetings. If you’d like to request a meeting, please contact the Board president forty-eight hours prior to the Board meeting. The request should state the topic that will be discussed and identify the speaker and his or her connection to Phil-Mont.

While the Board welcomes input and feedback about the school, academic and disciplinary decisions affecting individual students are the purview of the administrative staff and faculty, not the Board.

Meet the Board of Trustees

Patricia Bernhard served as a community pharmacist for 42 years. She and her husband, George, live in Glenside and worship at Chelten a Church of Hope. She has been an active member there for 30-plus years, volunteering on various committees and teaching kindergarten Sunday School; she is currently a Deaconess and member of their Missions Committee and teaches ESL to an Afghan family the church sponsors. She and George have 2 adult sons who were both “lifers” at Phil-Mont. Tricia believes “Phil-Mont is the best investment we could have made into our son’s lives.” Both sons have greatly benefited from Phil-Mont’s Christ centered education with high academics and athletics. They were mentored by their teachers and coaches. Son Billy went on to wrestle on a division 1 university team and is currently working in campus ministry at two Philadelphia universities. Son George is a materials engineer. Tricia was also formerly a Phil-Mont Board member for 9 years, is currently a member of the Finance committee, and is happy to be back serving at the school that has been so important in the lives of her family.
Lamar Caison, the parent of a Phil-Mont graduate as well as a current Phil-Mont student, has served on multiple boards, including the Board of Trustees for Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church and the Advisory Board for the Freedom Valley YMCA, Columbia North Branch. He is an Associate Director, Corporate Contracts & Legal Operations for Amneal Pharmaceuticals, and has worked in the legal environment for more than thirty years. His favorite Bible verse is Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The Caisons worship at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. The family has loved its experience at Phil-Mont and has shared their love for the school with anyone who will listen.
Dwayne Cuff Sr. is a proud parent of a current Phil-Mont student and is the Youth Minister and Church Administrator at Freedom Christian Bible Fellowship, where he and his family have served for many years. He was a Big Ten College football player at the University of Wisconsin. For eleven years, he served on the Philadelphia Police Department, three of which were on the SWAT Unit. Dwayne Sr. is committed to helping God’s people become the best stewards of God’s resources. “My wife and I are grateful for Phil-Mont’s dedication to a biblical worldview and the commitment to use all of God’s gifts for His glory and the advancement of His Kingdom.”

Philip Dharmawirya and his family are members of Emmanuel Chapel in South Philadelphia, where he is currently serving as interim pastor. He and his wife, Jenny, are parents of two children, a recent alumna who graduated as a Phil-Mont Lifer and a sophomore who, Lord willing, will also finish as a Lifer. “For me, in a world increasingly drowning in secular ideologies and values, few things are more critical in a covenant child’s learning than an unapologetically Christ-centered education. Phil-Mont fully embraces this in its motivation and operation, and has proven to be an indispensable partner in bringing up my children in the discipline and counsel of the Lord.”

Gwyn Ennis serves on the Board of Trustees because she wants to give back to the school that has meant so much to her family. She and her husband David have three children who attended Phil-Mont from kindergarten to graduation. They found Phil-Mont to be a home away from home, where teachers gave of themselves above and beyond the classroom to connect with and encourage her family. David has also served as a past Board member. Gwyn is the owner of a small antique store in Glenside called The Nest.

A resident of Melrose Park, Bob Hormann is active in the biopharma industry. After many years as an inventor, he now engages with intangible asset management and technology development as a licensing officer in the academic setting. Together with his wife, Susana, Bob has parented eleven teens and pre-teens, ten of which have attended Phil-Mont in some capacity. “Two investments are always worthwhile: Christian missions and children. Phil-Mont combines both.” Bob is repeatedly inspired by the dedication and love of Christ shown by the Phil-Mont faculty and staff. Bob and his family are members at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. 

Robyn Howland lives in Cheltenham with her husband, Colin, who is the Minister of Music at Tenth Presbyterian Church. Robyn enjoys singing in the choir and volunteering in the nursery at church. She and Colin are parents to three daughters; the younger two are recent graduates of Phil-Mont. Their daughters have been eager participants in music, art, and sports at Phil-Mont. She and her family love the wonderful teachers at Phil-Mont who influence students to seek Christ in all aspects of life. Education at Phil-Mont enables students to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10).

Larry Kelley is a retired operations manager for a Fortune 50 company in the pharmaceutical Industry. He had more than thirty years of business experience. His undergraduate degree is in secondary education and he has taught in the public school system. Larry has a Master of Business Administration degree as well. He is the parent of two grown children who are Phil-Mont alumni. He deeply appreciates Phil-Mont for its emphasis on the Reformed distinction toward education. He is a member of New Life Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Dresher and serves on their finance committee.

Anne is the mom to four adult children, three of whom are recent Phil-Mont graduates, and is also a former homeschooler. The transition from homeschooling to Phil-Mont was made easier by a welcoming community of teachers and students, and by the emphasis Phil-Mont places on the role of parents as partners in education. Anne appreciates the rich Christian worldview, individual attention, and solid foundation for college that her children received at Phil-Mont. Anne is a member of Christ the King PCA in Conshohocken, where she enjoys singing in the choir. She lives in Glenside and works at Villanova University as a professor of nursing. In her free time, she loves to read and has recently started learning to quilt. She also enjoys attending Phil-Mont events, especially soccer and basketball games, concerts, and theatre productions.

Rich Steiger is Senior Counsel for Allstate Insurance Company. He has worked for Allstate since 1991. He also serves as an elder at his church, Keystone Fellowship. Rich has many connections to Phil-Mont, both in the past and in the present. He and his wife, Janine, personally observed the high level of academics, athletics, and arts while their four children attended Phil-Mont Christian Academy (starting in 1995). All four children were well-prepared for their college years. This success continued into their four careers: Two are now teachers, one is the director of student ministry at a local church, and one works as a videographer. Their granddaughter Riley is in third grade at Phil-Mont. Their two other grandchildren expect to attend Phil-Mont when they start school. Rich appreciates so much about Phil-Mont including the small class size, biblical foundation, Reformed theological perspective, strong faculty, and talented students that make the school unique.

Joe Swaim is a member of the Philadelphia Carpenter’s Union holding positions as a foreman, superintendent, and now project manager for an interior contractor in North Wales. He also serves as an elder at his church, Glenside Bible Church. He and his wife, Jennie, have four children enrolled at Phil-Mont in grades 4, 7, 8, & 10. The Swaims always planned to enroll their children in Phil-Mont as they entered middle school, but the Lord made it possible to enroll all 4 in 2020 and they are thriving. They enjoy the music and athletics at Phil-Mont. Most of all, Joe and Jennie are so thankful that their children are getting an education with a Christian worldview.