Leadership
Meet the Valley Forge Leadership Team
Happy Birthday to the United States Air Force! Aim High....Fly-Fight-Win!
On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we pause to remember the sacrifices and service of those who were Prisoners of War, as well as those who are Missing in Action, and their families. #YouAreNotForgotten
Brotherhood
Our Cadets come from all over the world but quickly bond and become family.
ROTC Cadets are out early this morning learning Land Navigation (land nav) using campus landmarks.
Life Skills
Cadets had a quick start into our new Life Skills program this week. In Theater and Set Design they had already broken out the power tools.
Cadet Barrow, Bravo Company Commander after leading his company onto the Parade Field and about to be sworn into the Honor Council.
Plebes took their Oath's yesterday, to both themselves and to the Corps of Cadets.
This young man has been on campus for just a few days and is already leading from the front by volunteering to be first in line at the barber shop. He described his previous hairstyle as "messy".
This morning, at 8:46, #VFMC's Army ROTC Cadre and Cadets began their mission to walk 2,071 stairs on #VFMAC's campus- the same amount that firefighters had to walk /run in the stairwells of the Twin Towers on 9/11. The Cadre and Cadets walked a loop that included three sets of stairs with gear and weighted packs while 9/11 dispatcher calls played through the loud speaker.
When the mission was complete, Army ROTC Professor of Military Science, LTC Gambacorta, spoke to the cadets, many of which were not yet born when the event occurred, and gave some perspective to the day. "Those 2,071 stairs were essentially their commute to work. After those 2,071 stairs they were exhausted and had to bring calm to a difficult situation. You need to be physically fit enough, mentally fit enough, that after the chaos of getting there, you bring calm to the situation and then you actually go to work and do your job. Just getting there is not enough for us."
The American flag carried during the mission belongs to Army ROTC Senior Military Instructor MSG Newton and has been on every deployment with him.
@vfmcarmyrotc @vfmc_rotc_pms
Durrell ‘Bronko’ Pearsall '86‚ age 34‚ was a member of the New York Fire Department’s Rescue 4 in Queens. ‘Bronko’ was passionate in his love for his job and his ‘brothers’ in the FDNY. He was finishing his shift the morning of September 11‚ 2001‚ when the call came about the WTC. Without hesitation he volunteered to respond‚ along with several others from his firehouse.
He is remembered for his zest for life and his comical personality. ‘Bronko’ will be forever remembered by his countless friends.
.
.
.
From an early age‚ he dreamed of becoming a fireman. ‘Bronko‚’ following in his father’s footsteps‚ began his firefighting career as a volunteer with Hempstead Fire Department on Long Island. He received numerous commendations and two Medals of Valor. He was also a Nassau fire educator. Durrell joined the #FDNY in 1993‚ a member of Squad 1 and then Rescue 4. He was preparing for his next goal‚ a lieutenant in the FDNY. He pursued several personal interests within the department.
He was active as a member and co-captain of ‘The Bravest Football Club‚’ gaining experience with his college team at C.W. Post. His love for football extended outside the department as well‚ as he was a devoted fan of Notre Dame football.
Fiercely proud of his Irish heritage‚ ‘Bronko’ played the snare drum in the FDNY’s Emerald Society Pipe and Drums. All members of the band gathered outside his funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to ‘pipe him to Heaven.’
2,071 Stairs.
Never Forget. 09.11.2001
Never Forget
Today we honor, respect, and remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. #PatriotDay
Happy Birthday to the United States Air Force! Aim High....Fly-Fight-Win!
On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we pause to remember the sacrifices and service of those who were Prisoners of War, as well as those who are Missing in Action, and their families. #YouAreNotForgotten
Brotherhood
Our Cadets come from all over the world but quickly bond and become family.
ROTC Cadets are out early this morning learning Land Navigation (land nav) using campus landmarks.
Life Skills
Cadets had a quick start into our new Life Skills program this week. In Theater and Set Design they had already broken out the power tools.
Cadet Barrow, Bravo Company Commander after leading his company onto the Parade Field and about to be sworn into the Honor Council.
Plebes took their Oath's yesterday, to both themselves and to the Corps of Cadets.
This young man has been on campus for just a few days and is already leading from the front by volunteering to be first in line at the barber shop. He described his previous hairstyle as "messy".
This morning, at 8:46, #VFMC's Army ROTC Cadre and Cadets began their mission to walk 2,071 stairs on #VFMAC's campus- the same amount that firefighters had to walk /run in the stairwells of the Twin Towers on 9/11. The Cadre and Cadets walked a loop that included three sets of stairs with gear and weighted packs while 9/11 dispatcher calls played through the loud speaker.
When the mission was complete, Army ROTC Professor of Military Science, LTC Gambacorta, spoke to the cadets, many of which were not yet born when the event occurred, and gave some perspective to the day. "Those 2,071 stairs were essentially their commute to work. After those 2,071 stairs they were exhausted and had to bring calm to a difficult situation. You need to be physically fit enough, mentally fit enough, that after the chaos of getting there, you bring calm to the situation and then you actually go to work and do your job. Just getting there is not enough for us."
The American flag carried during the mission belongs to Army ROTC Senior Military Instructor MSG Newton and has been on every deployment with him.
@vfmcarmyrotc @vfmc_rotc_pms
Durrell ‘Bronko’ Pearsall '86‚ age 34‚ was a member of the New York Fire Department’s Rescue 4 in Queens. ‘Bronko’ was passionate in his love for his job and his ‘brothers’ in the FDNY. He was finishing his shift the morning of September 11‚ 2001‚ when the call came about the WTC. Without hesitation he volunteered to respond‚ along with several others from his firehouse.
He is remembered for his zest for life and his comical personality. ‘Bronko’ will be forever remembered by his countless friends.
.
.
.
From an early age‚ he dreamed of becoming a fireman. ‘Bronko‚’ following in his father’s footsteps‚ began his firefighting career as a volunteer with Hempstead Fire Department on Long Island. He received numerous commendations and two Medals of Valor. He was also a Nassau fire educator. Durrell joined the #FDNY in 1993‚ a member of Squad 1 and then Rescue 4. He was preparing for his next goal‚ a lieutenant in the FDNY. He pursued several personal interests within the department.
He was active as a member and co-captain of ‘The Bravest Football Club‚’ gaining experience with his college team at C.W. Post. His love for football extended outside the department as well‚ as he was a devoted fan of Notre Dame football.
Fiercely proud of his Irish heritage‚ ‘Bronko’ played the snare drum in the FDNY’s Emerald Society Pipe and Drums. All members of the band gathered outside his funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to ‘pipe him to Heaven.’
2,071 Stairs.
Never Forget. 09.11.2001
Never Forget
Today we honor, respect, and remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. #PatriotDay
Senior Leadership
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Col Stuart B. Helgeson, USMCR (Ret)President -
Colonel J.J. Rivera, USMCRCommandant of Cadets -
LTC Brett A. GambacortaProfessor of Military Science (PMS) -
Dr. Paul M. Lea ’87, ’89CDean, Valley Forge Military Academy -
Eric SaulCFO -
Kathleen ElsmoreSenior Director of Institutional Advancement
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
| Superintendent & Chief Operating Officer | Colonel Stuart B. Helgeson, USMCR (Ret.) | 1201 |
| Commandant of Cadets | Colonel J.J. Rivera, USMCR | 1256 |
| Chief Financial Officer | Mr. Eric Saul | 1325 |
| Professor of Military Sciences (SROTC) | LTC Brett A. Gambacorta, U.S. Army | 1440 |
| Dean, Valley Forge Military Academy | Dr. Paul M. Lea, '87, '89C | 1360 |
| Provost, Valley Forge Military College | Dr. Bob Smith | 1458 |
| Garrison Sergeant Major | GSM William Mott | 1471 |
| Senior Director of Institutional Advancement | Mrs. Kathleen Elsmore | 1328 |
| Dean of College Services/ Financial Aid & Admissions/ Title IX Coordinator | Dr. Jesse Phillips | 1467 |
| Director of Athletics | Mr. Mike Muscella | 1492 |
| Human Resources | Mrs. Lauren Guardino | 1240 |
| Director of Marketing & Communications | Mrs. Mary Heller | 1345 |
| Director of Alumni Relations | Mr. Thomas Goldblum ’69, '71C | 1329 |
| Head of Facilities Operations | Mr. George Else | 1354 |
| Director of Information Technology | Mr. Michael G. Brock | 1246 |
| Bursar / Cadet Accounts Manager | Ms. Jennifer Berry | 1237 |
| Associate Dean, Valley Forge Military Academy | Mr. Aaron Barkley | 1382 |
| Director of Lower School, Valley Forge Military Academy | Mrs. Lauren Wochok | 1401 |
| Director of Academy Admissions | Ms. Anna Brennan | 1561 |
| Bandmaster / Director of Music | Mr. Vincent DeMarro | 1252 |
| Director of Student Activities & Summer Camps | Mrs. Elizabeth Boylan | 1253 |
| Director of Health Center | Ms. Debbie Hammer | 1518 |
| Director of Library Services | Ms. Dana Kerrigan | 1364 |
| Registrar, Valley Forge Military College | Lt Col Tracey Hartley | 1450 |