Leadership

Meet the Valley Forge 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.

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Take the time to read about Valley Forge Military Take the time to read about Valley Forge Military Academy and Colleges prestigious GSM. “Garrison Sgt. Major (retired) Bill Mott knows about attention to detail, whether it’s overseeing the parade route of a Royal Wedding, or keeping things running smoothly at Valley Forge Military Academy.” https://vista.today/2021/07/valley-forge-academy-mott-royal-wedding/?utm_source=VISTA+Today&utm_campaign=f72446e548-DailyEmailCampaign5_27_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_75b1fa784c-f72446e548-275732147

Take the time to read about Valley Forge Military Academy and Colleges prestigious GSM.

“Garrison Sgt. Major (retired) Bill Mott knows about attention to detail, whether it’s overseeing the parade route of a Royal Wedding, or keeping things running smoothly at Valley Forge Military Academy.”

https://vista.today/2021/07/valley-forge-academy-mott-royal-wedding/?utm_source=VISTA+Today&utm_campaign=f72446e548-DailyEmailCampaign5_27_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_75b1fa784c-f72446e548-275732147 ...

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Join our Academy for our in person open house on S Join our Academy for our in person open house on Saturday, August 7th at 10:00 a.m. We hope to see you there! To register for the event follow the link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valley-forge-military-academy-in-person-open-house-for-prospective-families-tickets-163901191877?aff=erelexpmlt

Join our Academy for our in person open house on Saturday, August 7th at 10:00 a.m.

We hope to see you there!

To register for the event follow the link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valley-forge-military-academy-in-person-open-house-for-prospective-families-tickets-163901191877?aff=erelexpmlt ...

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On July 16th, 70 years ago, J.D Salinger's book "T On July 16th, 70 years ago, J.D Salinger's book "The Catcher in the Rye" was published by Little, Brown and Co. Did you know that Salinger was a Cadet at Valley Forge Military Academy? During his time at the Academy, he displayed a much greater interest in acting than in writing. However, during his senior year, he served as the literary editor of the yearbook, Crossed Sabres '36. Which led him with the intention to write for the New Yorker Magazine. In his, book, he used VFMA as a model for Pencey Prep, Holden Caulfield's alma mater in "The Catcher in the Rye." Salinger served in the US Army during WWII and was alleged to have carried chapters of the "Catcher in the Rye" with him when he laded on D-Day. #couragehonorconquer #alumni #history

On July 16th, 70 years ago, J.D Salinger's book "The Catcher in the Rye" was published by Little, Brown and Co.

Did you know that Salinger was a Cadet at Valley Forge Military Academy?

During his time at the Academy, he displayed a much greater interest in acting than in writing. However, during his senior year, he served as the literary editor of the yearbook, Crossed Sabres '36. Which led him with the intention to write for the New Yorker Magazine.

In his, book, he used VFMA as a model for Pencey Prep, Holden Caulfield's alma mater in "The Catcher in the Rye." Salinger served in the US Army during WWII and was alleged to have carried chapters of the "Catcher in the Rye" with him when he laded on D-Day.

#couragehonorconquer #alumni #history ...

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Former Alumni and Captain of the Valley Forge Mili Former Alumni and Captain of the Valley Forge Military Academy Defensive Football Team, Chris Doleman '81 TAPS is the man whose advice put Alumni '02 Larry Fitzgerald on the path to the NFL. Larry Fitzgerald has played 17 seasons in the NFL and given back to communities domestically and internationally. We are proud of the path that Cadet Fitzgerald has forged. During his time at Valley Forge Military Academy, Cadet Fitzgerald had 35 catches for 420 yards and seven touchdowns in six games. We knew he was destined for the NFL. Current Athletic Director, Michael Muscella, and former Assistant Football Coach noted  "I saw him and I said, 'This is what guys who play on Sundays look like,' Muscella said. "His uniform, his physique, you could just tell that he was different." "Fitzgerald told McManaman in an interview, “I can’t tell you how thankful I am for my Valley Forge Military Academy experience. … There’s no way I’d be here if I hadn’t gone there.” "And, if it hadn’t been for Chris Doleman, he might not have gone there at all." We are glad he did. #Couragehonorconquer #Alumni #NFL Pictured in the middle: Cadet Larry Fitzgerald. Follow the link below for more info on Larry Fitzgerald's time at VFMA

Former Alumni and Captain of the Valley Forge Military Academy Defensive Football Team, Chris Doleman '81 TAPS is the man whose advice put Alumni '02 Larry Fitzgerald on the path to the NFL.

Larry Fitzgerald has played 17 seasons in the NFL and given back to communities domestically and internationally. We are proud of the path that Cadet Fitzgerald has forged. During his time at Valley Forge Military Academy, Cadet Fitzgerald had 35 catches for 420 yards and seven touchdowns in six games. We knew he was destined for the NFL.

Current Athletic Director, Michael Muscella, and former Assistant Football Coach noted  "I saw him and I said, 'This is what guys who play on Sundays look like,' Muscella said. "His uniform, his physique, you could just tell that he was different."

"Fitzgerald told McManaman in an interview, “I can’t tell you how thankful I am for my Valley Forge Military Academy experience. … There’s no way I’d be here if I hadn’t gone there.”
"And, if it hadn’t been for Chris Doleman, he might not have gone there at all."

We are glad he did. #Couragehonorconquer #Alumni #NFL

Pictured in the middle: Cadet Larry Fitzgerald.
Follow the link below for more info on Larry Fitzgerald's time at VFMA ...

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Today’s #throwbackthursday is @hjarguello alumni Today’s #throwbackthursday is @hjarguello alumni ‘95 former E-battery Company Commander. This photo was taken after graduation and all he could think approaching the stairs of graduation was “don’t trip, don’t trip, don’t trip.” #couragehonorconquer #alumnichallenge #throwbackthursday

Today’s #throwbackthursday is @hjarguello alumni ‘95 former E-battery Company Commander. This photo was taken after graduation and all he could think approaching the stairs of graduation was “don’t trip, don’t trip, don’t trip.”
#couragehonorconquer #alumnichallenge #throwbackthursday ...

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Share your #throwbackthursday with us, alumni! # Share your #throwbackthursday with us, alumni! #ThrowbackThursday #alumnichallenge #thenandnowchallenge Send your submissions via email to gjones@vfmac.edu.

Share your #throwbackthursday with us, alumni!

#ThrowbackThursday #alumnichallenge #thenandnowchallenge

Send your submissions via email to gjones@vfmac.edu. ...

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This week's #ForgeFactFriday is posted, good luck! This week's #ForgeFactFriday is posted, good luck! #ForgeFactFriday #forgefridaygiveaway

This week's #ForgeFactFriday is posted, good luck!

#ForgeFactFriday #forgefridaygiveaway ...

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Congrats, to last weeks #ForgeFridayGiveaway Winne Congrats, to last weeks #ForgeFridayGiveaway Winners. We expect your prizes to arrive sometime next week! This week's #ForgeFactFriday is a lot harder, so we wish you lots of luck! We will choose one random correct winner from Facebook and one from Instagram. Winners will be selected next Tuesday. Good Luck! #ForgeFactFriday #forgefridaygiveaway

Congrats, to last weeks #ForgeFridayGiveaway Winners. We expect your prizes to arrive sometime next week!

This week's #ForgeFactFriday is a lot harder, so we wish you lots of luck! We will choose one random correct winner from Facebook and one from Instagram. Winners will be selected next Tuesday.

Good Luck!

#ForgeFactFriday #forgefridaygiveaway ...

 

Senior Leadership

  • Col Stuart B. Helgeson, USMCR (Ret)
    Col Stuart B. Helgeson, USMCR (Ret)
    President
  • Colonel J.J. Rivera, USMCR
    Colonel J.J. Rivera, USMCR
    Commandant of Cadets
  • Dr. Paul M. Lea ’87, ’89C
    Dr. Paul M. Lea ’87, ’89C
    Dean, Valley Forge Military Academy
  • William Mott
    William Mott
    Garrison Sergeant Major
  • Dr. Robert Smith
    Dr. Robert Smith
    Provost, Valley Forge Military College
  • Eric Saul
    Eric Saul
    CFO

Contact
Main Telephone: (610) 989-1200
Toll Free Telephone: (800) 234-8362
Main Fax: (610) 688-1545

Phone and Email Conventions

Unless otherwise noted, all phone numbers begin with (610) 989-XXXX. Add the 4-digit extension, listed by department, for the person you wish to reach.

If you know a staff member’s name and would like to reach him/her via e-mail, the following format can be used to do so: “first initial, last name” followed by “@vfmac.edu”. Therefore, if the individual’s name were John Public, it would translate into: “jpublic@vfmac.edu”

Staff Contact Information

PresidentCol Stuart B. Helgeson, USMCR (Ret.)1201
Commandant of CadetsCol J.J. Rivera, USMCR1256
Chief Financial OfficerMr. Eric Saul1325
Professor of Military Sciences (SROTC)MAJ Joshua Meyer U.S. Army1440
Dean, Valley Forge Military AcademyDr. Paul M. Lea, '87, '89C1360
Provost, Valley Forge Military CollegeDr. Robert Smith1458
Garrison Sergeant MajorGSM William Mott1471
Dean of College Services/ Financial Aid & Admissions/ Title IX CoordinatorDr. Jesse Phillips1467
Registrar, Valley Forge Military CollegeLtCol Tracey Hartley1450
Enrollment Manager, Valley Forge Military CollegeMr. Audie Murphy1302
Marketing & CommunicationsMs. Gabrielle Jones1399
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
Associate Dean, Valley Forge Military AcademyMr. Aaron Barkley1382
Assistant Dean, Valley Forge Military AcademyMrs. Lauren Wochok1401
Director of Admissions, Valley Forge Military AcademyMs. Anna Brennan1561
Director International AdmissionsMr. Kerry Sethi1315
Admissions Representative & Financial Aid Coordinator, Valley Forge Military AcademyMs. Gabrielle Jones1399
Bandmaster / Director of MusicMr. Vincent DeMarro1252
Director of Cadet Activities & Summer CampsMrs. Elizabeth Boylan1253
Director of Health CenterMs. Debbie Hammer1518
Director of Library ServicesMs. Dana Kerrigan1364
Director of AthleticsMr. Mike Muscella1492
Col Stuart B. Helgeson, USMCR (Ret)
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. 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.

During his time on active duty he participated in a wide range of training exercises and operational deployments including Exercise Alpine Warrior, Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm (Iraq), Operation Provide Promise and Deny Flight (former Yugoslavia) and Continue Hope (Somalia). In 1998 after serving as an instructor at The Infantry Officer Course, Colonel Helgeson was assigned as the Head Coach for the Sprint Football team at the United States Naval Academy. While at the Naval Academy, he and three other Marines biked and ran across America in 27 days to raise money for the Children’s Hopes and Dreams Foundation.

In 2000 Colonel Helgeson left active duty for civilian employment with MBNA Bank in Wilmington, DE. In 2004 he joined the Selected Marine Corps Reserve, took command of an Engineer Support Company and completed the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. After assignments as Executive Officer and Commander of 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, he was mobilized and deployed to Afghanistan with the Marine Corps Special Operations Command in 2010. In 2011 he returned to civilian employment with Sechan Electronics, a defense electronics manufacturing service provider based in Lititz, Pennsylvania. In 2013 he was once again mobilized and deployed to Afghanistan and served as Special Operations Coordinator for Helmand and Nimroz provinces.

Colonel Helgeson and his wife, Stephanie, have three children: Stuart, Sarah, and Samantha.

Colonel J.J. Rivera, USMCR
Commandant of Cadets

Colonel (Col) Julian J. Rivera was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science with a concentration in Mathematics from the Virginia Military Institute and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program in May of 1996. Upon graduation from the Basic School in January 1997, he reported to NAS Pensacola, Florida, for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in April 1999.

Over the course of his 24 year (and counting) career in the United Stated Marine Corps, Colonel Rivera has been assigned every duty within a Light Attack Helicopter Squadron, from Operations Schedule Writer to safety Officer to Maintenance Officer, in both active duty and reserve functions, during peacetime and combat operations, as well as several staff positions at the Group level (Rgmt), to include Executive Officer.

In 2006, Colonel Rivera left active duty. While he remained active as a Huey Pilot in the Marine Corps Reserves, he began work as a Lead Pilot for The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania’s Emergency Medical Service Helicopter program – PennSTAR Flight.

In July 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Rivera returned to active duty as the Marine Aircraft Group 49 (MAG-49) full time Aviation Combat Element (ACE) lead planner for Integrated Training Exercise 4-15, and in the Summer of 2015 remained on active duty to serve as the MAG-49 Site Commander for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.

In May 2016 he returned to the “Red Dogs”, as he took command of HMLA-773, a Light Attack Helicopter Squadron consisting of eighteen AH-1W Super Cobras and thirteen UH-1Y Venom helicopters, located in both Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ and Naval Air Station Belle Chasse, LA. In May 2018, he relinquished command and returned to MAG-49 as the Executive Officer, as well as a drilling reservist.

At that same time, Colonel Rivera joined the Valley Forge Military Academy and College team as a Lead Tactical Officer in the College, and in the summer of 2019 became the Commandant of Cadets.

Currently, in the Marine Corps Reserves, Colonel Rivera serves as the Regional Coordinator for Reserve Support Program – Region III, where he leads and a team of 40 IMA Marines that continue the faith, and administratively and tactically support and serves our Marines that have begun inactive service. (Approximately 10,000 Marines in the Northeastern United States).

His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Air Medal with 22 Strike/Flight awards, as well as two individual Combat Valor awards, Navy Commendation Medal with the Combat “V” and Gold Star in lieu of second award, and two Navy Achievement Medals. He is married to the former Laura Cieniawa.

Dr. Paul M. Lea ’87, ’89C
Dean, Valley Forge Military Academy

Dr. Paul M. Lea ’87, ’89C became the Dean of Valley Forge Military Academy in July of 2018.

In his position, Dr. Lea is responsible for leading our Academy staff as they guide our cadets toward successful futures. Dr. Lea brings more than 28 years of experience to VFMA, and as a member of VFMA Class of 1987 and VFMC Class of 1989, he has unique insight and perspective into what makes Valley Forge great – and how to help our cadets excel.

After graduating from VFMC, Dr. Lea served in several leadership positions in Philadelphia’s 1st Squadron/104th Cavalry (PAARNG), including as Company Executive Officer, Scout Platoon Leader and Medical Platoon Leader, where he was responsible for the training and tactical employment of tank or armored reconnaissance units, among other tasks. His past management and operations experience includes positions as Director of Research Operations at New Health Sciences, Inc. in Bethesda, Md.; Senior Director-Research & Clinical Operations at Cangen Biotechnologies in Baltimore, Md.; Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) Consultant for ECS-Federal Information Systems Worldwide Corp. in Arlington, Va. He is also the owner of Bench to Bedside Global, LLC, in Annandale, Va., a certified consulting company that provides professional, scientific and technical services to academia, government agencies, hospitals, venture capital firms and others.

In addition to his management expertise, Dr. Lea also has a strong background in education, serving on the faculty of North Virginia Community College in Annandale, before becoming the Assistant Dean of Engineering last year.

Dr. Lea earned his Postdoctorate in neurophysiology from Georgetown University, a Ph.D. in Physiology from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, a Master’s degree in biology from Villanova University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (cum laude) from Cabrini College. He has also completed an Armor Officer Basic Course and a Scout Platoon Leaders Course at the U.S. Armor School in Fort Knox, Ky.

William Mott
Garrison Sergeant Major

I served in the British Army for 37 years, culminating in the last 13 years serving in London as the Garrison Sergeant Major London District. In that post I was heavily involved planning and executing all ceremonial events, the likes of the Royal Wedding of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee celebrations, amongst many others and I retired and moved to Kentucky in 2015.

It was in 2018 when I was approached by VFMAC to come and join the staff here as a Lead TAC Officer, an appointment I found very rewarding, watching the young lads develop and mature in so many positive ways. This role I held for my first year. I was then asked to move into the HQ and work more closely with admissions in a Recruiting and Retention role. Visiting different Schools in various Counties and States.

However, I remain heavily involved with the day to day activities here at Valley Forge and I feel an enormous sense of pride being a part of the experiences each of our cadets live every day. Whilst they continue to become stronger, more confidant and develop into wonderful young men.

Name: William Mott

Title: Director of Academy Admissions

Contact Information

Email: wmott@vfmac.edu

Phone Number:  610-989-1471

Dr. Robert Smith
Provost, Valley Forge Military College
Eric Saul
CFO
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