Valley Forge Military Academy and College

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About Valley Forge Military Academy and College

We are continually focused on developing personal strength and confidence in every cadet. We are dedicated to individual academic achievement now, and for our leaders of the future.

Developing the Whole Person

Valley Forge Military Academy and College is a leadership institution focused on developing the whole person. The Academy is a college preparatory school for boys, offering middle school and high school. The College is a two-year institution for men and women and has been designated the Military College of Pennsylvania.™

Our Mission

To develop individuals to be fully prepared for the responsibilities and challenges of being citizen leaders. We produce graduates who are strong in mind, body and soul.

Our Vision

To be a shining beacon, calling young people from around the world to achieve their full intellectual, physical, moral and leadership potential.

Our Philosophy

To develop the whole person within an integrated academic and military environment. Our tightly structured and supervised cadet-led community helps to inculcate a deep, enduring commitment to responsible and informed citizenship in a democratic society.

Valley Forge Military Academy and College Leadership Team

Our leadership team is committed to making Valley Forge one of the premier institutes for forming young men and women into the leaders of tomorrow.  VFMAC Leader contact information can be found here.

Col Stuart Helgeson, USMCR Ret

VFMAC President

Colonel Helgeson was named President of Valley Forge Military Academy and College in March of 2020 after previously serving as Chief Operating Officer, Superintendent and Commandant of Cadets… Read Full Bio

LTC Brandon Drobenak

Professor of Military Science (PMS)

Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Drobenak is the Professor of Military Science at Valley Forge Military College. LTC Drobenak was commissioned from the United States Military Academy… Read Full Bio

Lauren Wochok

Dean, Valley Forge Military Academy

Lauren Wochok is responsible for leading Academy staff as they guide Cadets toward successful futures.

Prior to this appointment, she was assistant dean at the Academy… Read Full Bio

William Mott

Commandant

Garrison Sergeant Major William Mott is the Commandant of Cadets at VFMAC, having served in that role since February 2022. His primary… Read Full Bio

Kathleen Dougherty

Bandmaster

Kathleen manages the music curriculum for the academy and college, as well as leading the Regimental band and other ensembles in performances… Read Full Bio

Dr. Robert Smith

Provost, Valley Forge Military College

Dr. Robert Smith joined VFMC in 2019 as Chief Academic Officer, before also being appointed Provost of the College in… Read Full Bio

John Lanetti

Chief Financial Officer, Valley Forge Military Academy & College

John Lanetti is the Chief Financial Officer for Valley Forge Military Academy & College. In that role… Read Full Bio

Our Commitment is to Building Our Young Leaders of Tomorrow.

 

We are an international institute focused on developing personal strength in every cadet, opening the door for academic achievement now and in the future.

Board of Trustees

Our distinguished board members bring a variety of lifetime experiences to inform their decisions and ensure the future success of Valley Forge. The Board of Trustees meets four times a year. During intervals between meetings of the Board, the Executive Committee meets. Currently the Executive Committee meets four times a year.

Click here to download the Valley Forge Military Academy Foundation By-Laws.

Colonel Stuart B. Helgeson, USMCR Ret

VFMAC President

Colonel Helgeson was named President of Valley Forge Military Academy and College in March of 2020 after previously serving as Chief Operating Officer, Superintendent and Commandant of Cadets…
Read Full Bio

Mr. John English, '91

Chairman of the Board of Trustees

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…
Read Full Bio


David Cummins – Chairman of VFMA Board

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 and College and is involved in other volunteer work for non-profits.


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 and 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 and 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. 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 and 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 – VFMA Board

 
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.
 

 

ACADEMY
Dean, Valley Forge Military AcademyMs. Lauren Wochok1401
Associate Dean, Valley Forge Military AcademyMr. Aaron Barkley1382
COLLEGE
Director of AdmissionsMs. Mayra Barcus1311
Director of Library ScienceMs. Mary Hutchman1362
Dean of College Services/ Financial Aid & Admissions/ Title IX CoordinatorDr. Jesse Phillips1467
Registrar / Director of Assessment, Valley Forge Military CollegeMs. Rebecca Riordan1430
Provost, Valley Forge Military CollegeDr. Robert Smith1458
Enrollment Manager, Valley Forge Military CollegeMr. Anri Vardanyan1450
VALLEY FORGE MILITARY FOUNDATION
PresidentCol Stuart B. Helgeson, USMCR (Ret.) 1201
Chief Financial OfficerMr. John Lanetti1236
Commandant of CadetsGSM William Mott1471
Director of DevelopmentMs. Stephanie Helgeson1328
Director of Alumni RelationsMr. Thomas Goldblum ’69, ’71C1329
Head of Facilities OperationsMr. George Else1354
Director of Information TechnologyMr. Michael G. Brock1246
Bursar / Cadet Accounts ManagerMs. Jennifer Berry1230
Admissions Counselor, Valley Forge Military AcademyMs. Natalie Lahiff1399
Bandmaster / Director of MusicSGT Kathleen Dougherty1252
Director of Cadet Activities & Summer CampsMs. Sarah Samuels1253
Director of Health CenterMs. Debbie Hammer1518
Director of AthleticsMr. Mike Muscella1492
Professor of Military Sciences (SROTC)LTC Brandon Drobenak U.S. Army1440

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