Faculty and Staff
Montfort’s teachers are its greatest asset. They are outstanding, successful, and loving professionals serious about their role as custodians of the sacred truths of our Catholic faith, the high ideals we cherish as Americans, and the pursuit of academic and professional excellence. They are committed to sharing their professional and academic experiences freely with our students and helping to form them in mind, body, and soul.
Among our faculty are a PhD, a retired nuclear engineer, a former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, a certified United States Chess Federation instructor, a third-order Franciscan, a Grammy award winning musician, two lawyers, a computer engineer, and many, many other distinguished professionals who have followed God's invitation to fulfill their vocation to teaching.
Our teachers are graduates of Yale, Hillsdale, Franciscan, Cornell, NYU, the University of Chicago, the Johns Hopkins University, the City University of New York, Fordham University, and many other fine colleges and graduate schools. Perhaps more telling, we have had multiple alumni who have served as teachers, including our Dean of Students and Theology teacher Mr. Steven Edelson, Montfort ‘08.
Richard Greco, Jr.
The Honorable Richard Greco, Jr.
President & Chairman
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President & Chairman of the Board
Teacher of Astronomy & Astrophysics and Italian Cinema
Richard Greco Jr. has been the president of The Montfort Academy since its founding more than twenty years ago. Mr. Greco founded Montfort out of a deep love for God and His created world, Christ’s message of forgiveness and promise of eternal life, and a commitment to forming young men and women in intellect and character. Under his leadership The Montfort Academy has grown from just four students to its current, full-capacity enrollment of 180 students and has consistently been ranked among the best Catholic high schools in America. In addition to developing Montfort’s classical academic curriculum and special programs and managing Montfort’s distinguished faculty of 23 scholars, Mr. Greco has helped Montfort form relationships with prestigious research, academic, cultural, and religious institutions around the world. In 2014 he was part of the United States delegation to a worldwide Holy See conference on the future of Catholic education and contributed to the publication Education, A Renewing Passion: Today and Tomorrow.
Mr. Greco established Montfort while he was still a Managing Director at the corporate finance advisory firm of Stern Stewart & Co., which he joined in 1997 and where he specialized in shareholder value creation strategies and was responsible for Stern Stewart’s expansion into Italy. The events of September 11, 2001 compelled Mr. Greco to leave the private sector for government service. In 2002 he was appointed a White House Fellow and was assigned to the Department of Defense. After his White House Fellowship year, Mr. Greco was nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate as the nation's 19th Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller), responsible for an annual budget of $130 billion and a global financial workforce of 7,000 professionals. He also served as the chairman of the Department of the Navy’s audit committee, National President of the American Society of Military Comptrollers, a member of the Navy’s Acquisition Integrity Board, and a member of the Executive Committee of the United States Naval Academy. For exceptional service to our Navy and Marine Corps, Mr. Greco was twice awarded the Department of the Navy's Distinguished Public Service Medal.
In 2007, at the conclusion of his government service, Mr. Greco. was named Chief Executive Officer of Filangieri Capital Partners, a private investment and strategic advisory firm named after Gaetano Filangieri, an 18th Century Italian political philosopher who had a multi-year correspondence with Benjamin Franklin. During his ten years as CEO of Filangieri Capital, Mr. Greco invested in and served as the Chairman, CEO, or Member of the Board of Directors of twelve portfolio companies from start-up to Global Fortune 500, including three publicly traded companies with more than $8.5 billion of market capitalization. During this time Mr. Greco was also a regular contributor to Longitude, a publication of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2013, Mr. Greco worked with the Banking Association of San Marino and the Pope John Paul II Foundation to design a strategy to help the Republic of San Marino re-integrate into the global banking and financial system. In 2017, Mr. Greco retired from business and joined The Montfort Academy’s faculty full-time. He still serves as a Senior Advisor at The Scowcroft Group, based in Washington, D.C., an international strategy advisory firm founded by former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft, where he had been an associate immediately after graduate school.
Among Mr. Greco’s distinctions are The Department of the Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Knighthood of the Italian Republic in the Order of Merit bestowed by the President of Italy, Knighthood in the Order of Malta, Knighthood in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, the Filippo Mazzei Award for Public Service, and the Minatore d’Oro International Humanitarian Award. He served as the Vice Chairman and member of the board of the Westchester County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Department for eight years and on the board of trustees of The Hudson River Museum for fifteen years. In addition, he has served on the board of trustees of the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, the advisory board of The Navy League of the United States New York Chapter, and the advisory board of the Boy Scouts of America Westchester-Putnam Council. He has also served as a member of the advisory board of the Morgan Stanley Journal of Applied Corporate Finance and is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Richard Greco holds an M.B.A. in finance from The University of Chicago, an M.A. in American Foreign Policy from The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, and a B.S. in Chemistry Summa Cum Laude, In Cursu Honorum from Fordham University, which he attended on a full scholarship. Mr. Greco is the author or co-author of twenty-seven published articles, policy papers, and white books on international finance and banking, American foreign policy, corporate governance, incentive compensation, humanitarian assistance, and education. He is married to Mrs. Marla Greco, and they are the proud parents of six children, including a United States Marine.
Ms. Isabella Murphy
imurphy@themontfortacademy.org
Latin, Christian Womanhood
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Originally from Orange County, CA, Miss Murphy grew up playing soccer and performing in musicals with her sister and three younger brothers. She earned her bachelor's degree in Latin and Classical Education from Hillsdale College, with an honor's thesis on the educational philosophy of Martin Buber. While at Hillsdale, she worked as a copy-editor for the college's Department of K-12 Education, served on the board of the Catholic student ministry, and contributed photography to a student-run publication called The Tower Light. After graduation, she lived in Rome for a year as a teaching fellow with The Paideia Institute. She owes her love of Latin to the many encouraging and passionate professors with whom she's studied, and she strives to emulate these mentors as she begins to teach at The Montfort Academy.
Mrs. Marla Greco
mgreco@themontfortacademy.org
Director of Admissions and Communication
Christian Womanhood I & II
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Marla DeGaetano Greco has been with The Montfort Academy since its beginning. In 1998, as a practicing attorney, Marla prepared and filed all the necessary paperwork to establish a new, not for profit, classical curriculum high school in New York. Marla graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree and magna cum laude from St. John’s University School of Law. She began her professional career as an attorney, first at the New York firm of Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays and Handler, and later at the Law Firm of Peter F. DeGaetano. She left the practice of law after marrying Richard Greco, Jr., to raise their 6 children. In 2013, Marla returned to Montfort as the Director of Development.
Mr. Robert Moderelli
rmoderelli@themontfortacademy.org
Director of Guidance and College Placement
History, Foreign Affairs
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Robert Moderelli comes to Montfort after a 28 year career in finance where he ran a variety of teams and businesses at Bear Stearns, JP Morgan and Macquarie Bank. Rob's last position saw him run North American Commodity and Global Markets Sales and sit on the management board of Macquarie Capital USA. Rob has a BA from Lehigh University and a GCert from Rice University. Rob is married and has three sons.
Mr. Andrew Neuman
aneuman@themontfortacademy.org
Literature
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Andrew F. Neuman is a graduate of Fordham University and Fordham University School of Law. Over his career, he has practiced law in a variety of areas. Most recently, he acted as Senior Vice President for Regulatory Affairs and Assistant General Counsel for the New York Power Authority. He previously served as counsel to the New York City Police Department, as an Assistant District Attorney, and in various roles in government relations and legislative affairs. He is a licensed New York City sightseeing guide, a member of the Guide Association of New York City, and the founder of RetroMan Tours, which specializes in New York City historical walking tours. An accomplished performer, he is an active member of New York’s acclaimed Gilbert & Sullivan group, the Blue Hill Troupe. In his spare time, you can find him playing bluegrass banjo or singing from the American Songbook. He is the proud dad of two sons, one of whom is a thriving Montfort Academy alumnus.
Mr. William Haffey
whaffey@themontfortacademy.org
Dean of Academics
Biology, Logic
Scuola, National Honor Society
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William Haffey teaches biology and logic at The Montfort Academy. Drawing on his background as a research scientist, Mr. Haffey harmoniously blends the complexities of modern scientific theories with the Catholic understanding of Truth.
Before arriving at The Montfort Academy, Mr. Haffey was engaged in several research programs at Fairfield University between 2008 and 2012, most notably examining avian responses to man-induced stress and tropical bird feeding habits. At Fordham University, he studied bird collisions with glass windows, spearheading a large collaborative effort that brought together many national conservation organizations and drew national media attention. After earning his Masters in 2014, Mr. Haffey spent two years in priestly formation for the Diocese of Bridgeport (CT), studying a wide range of philosophical schools in great detail.
Mr. Haffey received a B.S. in biology from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut and his M.S. in biology from Fordham University in the Bronx, New York.
In addition to teaching at Montfort Academy, he also professionally leads international tours for Nature Travel Birding, an African-based safari company and is actively involved in educating priests and laypeople in the Traditional Form of the Roman Rite.
His keen interest in sacred music, particularly Gregorian chant, has led him to serve as a board member for the St. Cecelia Society, an organization which seeks to promote such music in its proper liturgical context.
Why Mr. Haffey loves teaching: “I love teaching biology and logic to our students because it permits me to share something I am very passionate about with young, inquisitive minds. As students progress through the course, it is so rewarding to see all the moments in which they come to understand the material in a deep way and are consequently able to apply it to other areas of their life. To that end, teaching them that hard work is not a thing to be avoided, but rather a necessary step on the way to a more fruitful life, is a lesson that will hopefully serve them well their entire lives.”
Mr. George DeGaetano
gdegaetano@themontfortacademy.org
Grammar, Speech
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Mr. Antonio Coyoc
mcoyoc@themontfortacademy.org
Mathematics
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Mr. Coyoc graduated from St. John's University, Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Mathematics and a Minor in History (with a concentration in U.S. History and Senior Thesis on Andrew Jackson's Military and Foreign Policy in the East). He is currently a Ph.D. Student at CUNY. While studying at CUNY he also teaches undergraduate courses in Mathematics.
Miss Gillian Reinhard
greinhard@themontfortacademy.org
History
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Miss Reinhard earned her bachelor's degree summa cum laude in history at Trinity College in Connecticut. At Trinity, she studied abroad in China and the UK, served as editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Later, she earned a Master's degree at Yale University, where she pursued her love of the history and languages of the Ancient Near East. Her graduate coursework culminated in a commentary on The Epic of Gilgamesh, as well as a thesis on the reception of Gilgamesh in the nineteenth century. She is excited to contribute to Montfort's mission to seek wisdom and practice virtue.
Mr. Michael Mestieri
mmestieri@themontfortacademy.org
Co-Director of Athletics
PE, Health
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Michael Mestieri joins the The Montfort Academy for his first year as Athletic Director. In this role he will draw on his range of experience in athletics, from high school to professional baseball and football while overseeing and continuing the growth of Montfort Knights athletics.
Mr. Mestieri’s background spans 8 years (2012-2020) with the New York Giants with time spent in the Pro Scouting Department as well as a coaching assistant, working primarily with the defense. Prior to that he was at Springfield College (2011-2012) as a graduate assistant football coach and working towards a Master’s degree in Athletic Administration.
From 2008-2011 Mr. Mestieri was the visiting clubhouse manager for the Portland Sea Dogs (Minor League affiliate; Boston Red Sox). He also completed a training camp internship with the St. Louis Rams during the Fall of 2009.
Mr. Mestieri holds a degree in Sports Management from Springfield College, where he was also a four year member of the football team. Michael resides in Ossining with his wife Karen and two young children, Charlie and Ellie
Ms. Marci Schein
mschein@themontfortacademy.org
Creative Media Specialist & Drama Production
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Mr. Jake Zimny
jzimny@themontfortacademy.org
Literature, Philosophy
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Mr Jake Zimny, a lifelong Yonkers resident, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Theology from Iona College with a Thesis on Kierkegaard’s Faith and Reason. After a couple of years servicing New York City and responding to emergency 911 calls as an EMT, teaching English online to students in Ukraine, working in his parish, and teaching in Elementary School, he finally returned to his passion and love of Philosophy, Theology, and Literature; and perhaps most importantly of all, his home town of Yonkers. He attributes his love of Philosophy to his many amazing professors, many of whom were of great influence to him in college. With years of religious discernment, as well as careers in various other fields, he has built on his beginnings of ministry which he started in Archbishop Stepinac High School. Jake enjoys reading (mainly philosophy and theology) and keeping close to family and friends.
His hobbies include keeping up with sports and new television series, running, and visiting the local dog park with his dog Sienna.
Mrs. Anna Greco
agreco@themontfortacademy.org
Vice President of Finance and Human Resources
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Ann Greco began her career in Human Resources at the corporate headquarters of Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company on Park Avenue which, through a series of acquisitions over the years, is now known as JP Morgan Chase. She left the bank after four years to have children and raise her family.
During those years, she acquired her Real Estate License, and worked for Richard Greco Appraisals/Real Estate as an Accountant. When her children were old enough Ann began working for the Lillian Vernon Corporation and remained there in various positions for 26 years. The last 17 years at Lillian Vernon, Ann was an Administrator in Human Resources. In 2006 when the company relocated to Virginia Beach, Ann again went to work for Richard Greco Appraisals Inc., where she still is Property Manager/Accountant. Ann serves as the Director of Finances to Montfort as well as acting as Director of Human Resources, filling a critical need as the school grows.
Ann believes in volunteerism. She has volunteered as a server at soup kitchens, has cooked for the soup kitchens, and currently still bakes for them. She has delivered meals, and currently cooks for a life-long friend with Multiple Sclerosis. She has volunteered at Calvary Hospital, New Rochelle Sound Shore Hospital, and is currently in the process of volunteering at Lawrence NY Presbyterian Hospital.
Mr. Bradley Morley
bmorley@themontfortacademy.org
Greek, Latin, Rhetoric & Debate
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Mr. Morley earned his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Seton Hall in South Orange, N.J. After studying Latin and Greek at the Accademia Vivarium Novum in Rome and the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., he completed a two-year post-baccalaureate program in Classical languages at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to Classical languages, Mr. Morley has spent much time abroad studying German and Spanish and looks forward to sharing his great love of language with the students at the Montfort Academy.
Mr. Steven Edelson
(Montfort Knight Class of 2010)
sedelson@themontfortacademy.org
Dean of Students
Theology, Chivalry
GK Chesterton Boys Clubs, Chess Club
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Steven Edelson is a graduate of the Montfort Academy, which is where he first developed his passion for Theology and Philosophy. He then went on to double major in both of these subjects at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. There he studied under professors such as Scott Hahn, John Bergsma, and John Crosby. He recently completed his Masters Degree in Theology from the Augustine Institute in Denver.
After college Steven went on to become a missionary with Generation Life, serving as a public speaker in all 5 boroughs of New York as well as much of Westchester County. He spoke mainly about pro-life and chastity issues, as well as Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body. Steven went on to use his degree more directly as a Theology teacher at Salesian High School in New Rochelle, where he taught for 4 years.
He returned home to Montfort in 2018, where it all began, the place where his love for Theology and Philosophy (faith and reason) originated, and where is zeal for truth, goodness, beauty, and Christ was cultivated and given the chance to grow. Steven brings with him a passion for the arts; especially opera and drama; he acted in plays all through high school and college, but sadly has no singing ability whatsoever. He also brings a passion for the poor, having served on missions to 4 under-developed countries.
Steven teaches Theology and Chivalry for Montfort and continues to share his love for truth, goodness and beauty.
Mrs. Pilar Olagaray
polagaray@themontfortacademy.org
Office Administrative Assistant
Spanish
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Mrs. Pilar Olagaray teaches Spanish as well as acting as the Office Manager here at Montfort.
She received her BA in Computer Engineering at La Salle University in Mexico City and after seven years working in her career she started to work as a teacher and found her true vocation. She received a BA in Preschool Education and then her Master’s in Education, Neuro-cognition and Neuroscience. She has been teaching English, Spanish and Computer Science to students of different ages for over 18 years.
Mrs. Olagaray has also volunteered tutoring kids in need, and in a Catholic pregnancy center teaching woman Computer Science and English.
Mr. Daniel Cohen
Teacher of Mathematics and Chemistry Lab
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Mr. Cohen teaches Geometry, Algebra and PreCalculus at the Montfort Academy. He received his BA in Mathematics and Economics from Queens College, Masters of Business Administration in Finance from Baruch College and Masters of Arts in Statistics from Hunter College. He has been teaching Math for over ten years in various colleges throughout NYC.
Mrs. Linda Martin
lindamartin@themontfortacademy.org
Mathematics
Math Club, Student Government
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Linda Martin is a New York State certified teacher of mathematics for grades 7-12. Joining Montfort to teach geometry, algebra and applied mathematics, Linda has been a great addition to the team.
Previously a computer scientist and business analyst, Linda worked as a programmer before entering the world of education. She uses her business background quite often during her lessons and takes great pride in providing her students with the critical thinking skills required to compete in the business world. She has particular knowledge of how mathematics is used in business, programming, and some scientific fields; and her students explore how classical math concepts are used in today’s professions.
Ms. Martin received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the College of Mt. St. Vincent and her master’s degree in computer science from Pace University. She continued her education at Manhattanville College entering their post master’s teacher certification program which allowed her to fulfill the requirements needed to obtain her permanent NYS teacher certification to teach mathematics grades 7-12.
Why Mrs. Martin loves teaching: “To be a part of educating the next generation is why I love teaching. It is rewarding to watch the looks on the faces of my students when they really understand the beauty of mathematics! Students realize that mathematics is not just a subject you learn in your four years of high school but is a needed skill for survival in today's everchanging world.”
Mr. Kareem Phillip-Davis
kphillip-davis@themontfortacademy.org
Co-Director of Athletics, PE, Health
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Kareem serves as the Co-Director of Athletics at The Montfort Academy, bringing a wealth of leadership experience from his background in coaching, operations, and team development. A dedicated mentor and advocate for student-athletes, Kareem is committed to fostering a strong sports culture that emphasizes discipline, teamwork, and personal growth.
In addition to his administrative leadership, Kareem serves as the Head Girls Basketball Coach for four years, guiding student-athletes to grow both competitively and personally while building a strong and supportive team environment. His leadership extends beyond the school community as President and Head Coach of Ballin Bronx Blazers Inc., a nonprofit sports organization dedicated to empowering young athletes and creating opportunities through athletics.
Dr. Nathan Liebowtiz, PhD
nliebowitz@themontfortacademy.org
History, Economics
Chess Club
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Nathan Liebowitz, PhD, has been a History Teacher at the Montfort Academy since September 2009. He teaches courses such as the Great Conversation course, Western Civilization, American History and Economics, Civics and Political Philosophy. Dr. Liebowitz also directs the Monfort Chess Club.
Prior to joining Montfort, Dr. Liebowitz was on faculty at several colleges such as Fordham, Brooklyn College and Pace University, where he was Adjunct Associate Professor.
He directed several education and social services agencies including the NYC Mayor’s Office for the Handicapped, the Putnam Chapter of the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies, Volunteer Services for the Elderly of Yorkville, and the Functional Family Therapy Program for the Catholic Guardian Society, one of the largest social services programs operated by the NY Archdiocese. Dr. Liebowitz was a psychiatric counselor at St. Vincent’s Hospital and a youth counselor for the New York City Youth Bureau.
He is the author of Daniel Bell and the Agony of Modern Liberalism (Greenwood Press), and was the regular youth development columnist for the Putnam Courier Trader.
Liebowitz holds a doctorate in sociology with a concentration in the History of Ideas from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He a Chess Coach certified by the United States Chess Federation and has studied with some of America’s leadingchess champions.
He has been married for 28 years and lives in Westchester. A former gym teacher, Dr. Liebowitz considers one of his greatest accomplishments to be his election to his high school Hall of Fame as a handball player.
Mr. Matthew Terilli
mterilli@themontfortacademy.org
Theology, Chemistry
Society of St. Agnes
Campus Minister
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Mr. Terilli came to The Montfort Academy from the Academy of Our Lady of Good Counsel in White Plains, NY in 2016, where he taught Chemistry and Physics for eight years. He now teaches Chemistry and multiple Theology classes at Montfort and serves at the Chair of the Theology Department.
Mr. Terilli went to Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
Mr. Terilli is a Lay Franciscan and has worked for the Church his entire adult life. He is the Master of Ceremonies for all the high feasts, and continues to serve as the Sunday Sacristan in his parish, which he has done for over twenty five years.
Mr. Tom Owsiak
Teacher of Calculus and Physics
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With a Master’s in Applied Statistics from Kennesaw State University and a Bachelor’s in Mathematics from Queens College, I have over 18 years of experience teaching mathematics and physics at both high school and college levels. My work has spanned algebra, calculus I–III, differential equations, physics, optimization in economics, AP Statistics, SAT/ACT prep, and C# programming. I’ve taught at Columbia University, Mercy College, and St. Joseph’s University, where I created assignments and supported student learning through platforms like MyOpenMath and, more recently, Lumen OHM. I believe in the power of small, steady steps to build mathematical confidence, and I emphasize asking meaningful questions—encouraging students not just to seek answers, but to explore the "why" behind them as a path to deeper understanding.
Lt. Col. David Petrillo (USAF, Ret)
Headmaster Emeritus
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Lt Col David Petrillo, PhD (USAF, Retired) has been a program management consultant to the United States Air Force since 2011. From 2008 until 2013, he was the Chief Operating Officer for Integron LLC, a DoD program management and engineering consulting firm. During that period, he made key contributions to the Air Force’s innovative Kessel Run organization, a cloud-based, secure, software development platform providing state-of-the-art software applications to America’s Air Operations Centers around the world.
Lt Col Petrillo served 21 years on active duty in the Air Force. As a member of the Strategic Air Command’s ICBM missile launch crew force and Tactical Air Command’s Intermediate Nuclear Force missile launch teams in Europe, he participated in the nuclear deterrent that helped the United States keep the peace through the tumultuous years of the Cold War and eventually win it. He later taught at the Air Force Institute of Technology, the Air Force’s graduate school, and finished his career as Commander of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) detachment at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, preparing college student cadets to become commissioned officers.
Upon leaving the Air Force, Lt Col Petrillo was chosen as the first Headmaster of The Montfort Academy, a private, classical Catholic high school, serving there for 18 years, also holding roles as teacher, Trustee, and Dean of Students. He served in those leadership roles during the dramatic growth and national recognition the school enjoyed during that period.
Lt Col Petrillo holds an BA in Government and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame, an MA in Government Contract Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and a PhD in Strategic Purchasing and Supply Chain Management from the Pennsylvania State University. He is a married father of four grown children, a member of several professional organizations, and currently sits on the board of a crisis pregnancy center for women.
Essays by David Petrillo
Jia Zheng
jzheng@themontfortacademy.org
International Programs Liaison
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