The Board of Trustees is a dedicated group of volunteers committed to the mission and philosophy of the school and has three main responsibilities:
- To sustain the school’s mission and program
- To maintain the campus and facilities necessary to carry out the program
- To secure the funding for the program to be successfully implemented and for the campus and facilities to be well maintained
The full Board meets six times per year. Each member participates on at least one standing committee. The committees include: Alumni Association, Buildings and Grounds, Development, Education and School Life, Executive, Finance and Endowment, and Parent-Teacher Club.
Board of Trustees
Mr. Michael H. Howland
President
Michael Howland (“Mike”) is a retired career diplomat and CEO. Mike began his 35-year public service career in the military and is a decorated Vietnam veteran. Mike followed his public service career by founding a national security consulting & technology services firm. Retiring in 2018, Mike is presently writing a book drawn from a secret journal he kept while being held hostage in Iran from 1979-1981. Mike is a frequent speaker on the Middle Eastern & Central Asian affairs, the Iran Hostage Crisis and radical Islam.
Mike is an avid fly fisherman and chases wild trout, with moderate success, anywhere he can find them. Fun fact: Mike is a collector of rare travel diaries from 19th century Central Asia and India.
Mike lives in Upperville, VA with his wife Kathy and their English setters. Kathy’s son Keenan Jackson ‘02 is a proud graduate of the Hill School.
Mr. Michael H. Howland
President
Board of Trustees
Mr. Erich Weber
Vice-President
Erich has lived most of his adult life in Northern Virginia after leaving his boyhood home in the Los Angeles, CA area for Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Early in his career he worked in a series of operations-management roles in the Department of Justice while eventually earning his MBA in night-school at the University of Maryland, College Park. He soon helped to start Kelley Management Consulting — and after 15 years with KMC he still enjoys the work, his colleagues, and his clients. Erich met his wife Rachel at GU and they moved progressively west as their family grew. They now live in Leesburg, VA where they have two sons (Ethan, Hill ’16 and Woodberry Forest ’20, and Andrew, Hill ’19). When he’s not working on the next interesting client challenge, he’s most likely reconnecting with Rachel in the bleachers or on the sidelines – and sometimes even at a Loudoun winery. Erich enjoys golf, skiing, and being outdoors, and looks forward to getting to know and work with the next generation of Hill School families.
Mr. Erich Weber
Vice-President
Board of Trustees
Mr. Charles M. Ellison ’97
Treasurer
Charles, who graduated from Hill School in 1997, has been a member of the Alumni Association Board since 2007 and was president from 2011 through 2014. Charles graduated from St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, DE in 2001 and from Tulane University in 2005 with a BA in Political Science. He, his wife Jennifer, and their four young children Sterling, Hazel Mae, Opal, and Elvy live in Winchester, VA.
Mr. Charles M. Ellison ’97
Treasurer
Board of Trustees
Mrs. Kate Armfield ’80
Secretary
Kate graduated from Hill School in 1980 and attended Madeira School and Duke University. She joined AHT in 1992 and currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer. During her tenure, she has held a variety of positions in the commercial property and casualty and operations areas of the business. In her current role, Kate designs and implements business strategies and plans procedures that are key to building the infrastructure for the organization. She has led a number of initiatives related to attracting and developing employees and establishing policies that promote AHT’s vision. Her work in insurer relationship management and internal practices has been integral to AHT’s success and growth. Kate is active in both the insurance industry and the community. She has served on various insurance company agent advisory councils, as co-chair of the RiskProNet Marketing Practice Group and as a board member for Loudoun Interfaith Relief (now Loudoun Hunger Relief), The Hill School, and the Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier. Kate holds a BA in Public Policy from Duke University and the Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation. Kate is the parent of two children who are graduates of Hill School; Chester (Hill ’20) and Kingsley (Hill ’18). She enjoys being part of the Board of Trustees.
Mrs. Kate Armfield ’80
Secretary
Board of Trustees
Mrs. Annie Bishop ’94
Annie was born and raised in Middleburg. Annie was lucky to be a part of Hill School Class of 1994. After Hill, Annie attended Foxcroft School (‘98) and then Lynchburg College, where she studied communications. Annie spent 10 years in DC working at The Glover Park Group where she was responsible for the creative and production of integrated campaigns for clients ranging from large brands to non-profit and advocacy groups. She is currently the co-founder and a managing partner of ZEBRA NYC, a creative and production company based in NYC. Annie was happy to join the Hill School Alumni Association Board in 2010. Annie and her husband Rob Onda live in The Plains. Annie spends her time riding, playing with her four brown dogs, and spending time with friends from Hill.
Mrs. Annie Bishop ’94
Board of Trustees
Mr. Matthew Blunt
Matt and his wife Melanie are the parents of Branch ‘20 and Brooks ‘24. Matt is the president of the American Automotive Policy Council, a trade association representing the common trade policy interests of FCA US, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Company. In 2004, Matt was elected the 54th Governor of Missouri. Prior to his election as governor, he served in the Missouri House of Representatives and as Missouri’s elected Secretary of State. He also served 14 years in the Navy and Naval Reserve, which included assignments on the USS JACK WILLIAMS (FFG-24), and the USS PETERSON (DD-969). As a Reservist, he was mobilized after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Matt is a Director for Copart, the USAA Life Insurance Company of New York and Dent Wizard International and is a member of the board of business advisors for Gridiron Capital. He was also appointed by the President of the College of William and Mary to the James Monroe Commission which assists with the management of Ash Lawn-Highland, the home of James Monroe.
Matt earned his bachelor’s degree in History from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Mr. Matthew Blunt
Board of Trustees
Mr. W. Carey Crane, III ’67
Carey is the father of Judson (Hill ‘99) and Sarah (Hill ‘00). Judson graduated from George Washington University and has received his Masters at Johns Hopkins in foreign affairs. Sarah graduated from VCU with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Italian. She attended the University College London where she received her Masters in Psychology. She has also received her MBA from University of Central Florida and is working for a Non Profit called HOW (Help or Wounded) using hyperbaric chambers to heal concussions of all kinds. They also have had great success with traumatic wound care.
Carey is a longtime conservation expert and founding member of C2I, LLC. C2I is the holding company of Green-Trees, the largest carbon reforestation program in the world. He comes from a family active at the top levels of the American conservation movement for over 50 years and has been a participant in large public/private partnerships. C2I is a conservation finance company whose mission is to restore significant ecosystems, sequester meaningful amounts of carbon and create an enduring conservation endowment. Carey is married to Louise, a “former” Mississippian, and they both enjoy tennis and golf.
Mr. W. Carey Crane, III ’67
Board of Trustees
Mr. Brad Davis
Brad and wife Bailey live in Halfway, The Plains and are the grandparents of Vivian (Hill ’18, Foxcroft ’22) and Addie (Hill ’20, Foxcroft ’24) whose parents are Heather and Clark Davis. Brad is on the Hill Development Committee and to Bailey’s chagrin has raised his hand too many times at the Hill School Auction. After stints in advertising, banking, and real estate in NYC, London, and Chicago Brad co-founded a private equity investing firm, Trivest Inc. with his high school friend from Scranton, PA. Trivest had offices in Chicago and Miami but after a decade he split from Trivest and with son Clark and others founded Ridge Capital Partners, also a mid-market private equity firm where both he and Clark hold the title of Managing Partners. Again to the chagrin of Bailey he is still working hard at buying and building small to medium-sized companies. Brad graduated in Liberal Arts from Penn State University and serve two years on an active duty status in the US Army (MPC) at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL and later in NYC in the reserves in a very demanding position as an Aide-de-Camp to a 4-star General, retiring as a Captain. Brad has participated locally in civic and community affairs having served 9 years as President of the Piedmont Community Foundation and with other organizations. After years of team sports, marathons, Ride & Ties, triathlons, and long distance bicycling, he has “retired” to tennis, golf, and working out, although Bailey just calls him a “TV sports nut.”
Mr. Brad Davis
Board of Trustees
Mr. James G. Davis
As President and CEO of DAVIS Construction since 1988, Jim oversees operations strategy, key project development, and client relationships. For over 40 years, Jim has helped transform a small family business into a nationally ranked construction leader. He is recognized by clients and employees alike for his emphasis on effective teamwork, commitment to quality and excellence in service, and ensuring the firm-wide management practice of putting the client first.
Jim is proud of the company’s reputation for honesty and integrity; a reputation which is supported by the demonstrated belief that corporate responsibility extends well beyond the bottom line. DAVIS has a genuine passion for giving back to the community, and has established long and meaningful relationships with many nonprofit organizations, education providers, small and minority businesses, and community groups. Jim continues to lead the charge at DAVIS, engaging employees at every level to contribute to the company’s community outreach efforts.
As a fourth generation construction industry leader, Jim reflects the principles of hard work and innovation in everything he does. His well-honed instincts are invaluable, and his experience and perspective are essential as the company moves forward. His pride in continuing the good work his father began is abundantly clear and inspirational to all who work at DAVIS. Jim is active within many professional organizations and serves on several boards including the National Building Museum, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Samaritan Inns and the DC Students Construction Trades Foundation.
Jim is married to Shannon Davis, a former Hill School Board Member and Auction Chair. Together, they have three children: Meghan, Class of 1998 Kara, Class of 2000, and Charlotte, Class of 2005.
Mr. James G. Davis
Board of Trustees
Mr. Philip Dudley ’86
Philip was raised in Upperville, VA and is the founder and Managing Partner of Dudley Capital Management, LLC based in Middleburg, VA. Previously, he held positions with Morgan Stanley & Co and Deutsche Bank Alex Brown. He is a graduate of The Hill School (’86) in Middleburg, VA, Episcopal High School (’91) in Alexandria, VA, Texas Christian University (’95) in Fort Worth, TX and Louisiana State University (’99) in Baton Rouge, LA. Three generations of Philip’s family have attended Hill. His current role as a board member and President of Hill’s Alumni Association follows board positions by his father Tim (’56), sister Anne (’83) and wife Stormy (‘81). Additionally, he serves on the investment committee for the PATH Foundation and the board of the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation and is NPCF’s investment committee Chair. Philip resides in Upperville, VA with his wife Stormy and their children.
Mr. Philip Dudley ’86
Board of Trustees
Mrs. Angela Killinger
Angela was born and raised in Northern Va. She received her under graduate degree from the University of Colorado and went on to get her Masters degree from Johns Hopkins. Currently Angela is the General Manager and Vice President of Joyce Koons Honda Buick GMC. She is third generation automobile dealer, following in the footsteps of her grandfather and mother. She believes buying a car should be a joyful experience and her life motto is to hustle kindness. Angela is a member of NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association). Outside of work she acts as an advocate in the community for children with cancer and has a partnership with Journey 4A Cure, KEEN (Kids Enjoying Exercise Now) and SPARK (Prince Williams County’s Education Foundation). Angela is a mother of four Hill School students, Ellie Rose (Hill ’18), Chloe (Hill ’19), Lilly (Hill’22) and Keagan (Hill ’24). She loves spending time with her children, visiting with friends and creating new things with her sewing machine.
Mrs. Angela Killinger
Board of Trustees
Ms. Barbara Scott
Barbara Scott moved to Middleburg in 1984 to take a position at the Hill School as the first grade teacher. Her two daughters Joella (’86) and Laura (’87) attended Hill. Ms. Scott is a graduate of Southern Methodist University with a degree in Biology and English. She currently resides near Middleburg, Virginia. She is a current trustee of the Bank of Charles Town based in Charles Town WV.
Ms. Scott was CEO of Summit Point Raceway Associates Inc. (SPRA) and BSR Inc. These are the operating entities for the 785 acre Summit Point Motorsports Park located in Summit Point West Virginia. SPRA hosts motorsport events to include amateur road racing for sports cars, motorcycles, and karts. BSR Inc. provides specialty and anti-terrorist driver training programs for government agencies and the U.S. military. The facility has four European style road racing circuits and a 300 acre industrial park that houses a U.S. State Department training facility.
Ms. Scott began her employment at Summit Point in 1987 and has extensive experience in all facets of the business, by managing and operating a multifaceted and highly successful company with nearly 200 employees. The company sold and now Ms. Scott is enjoying travel and community work.
Ms. Barbara Scott
Board of Trustees
Mr. Maximilian A. Tufts, Jr.
Max and his wife Maria (PTC President 1994 -1996 and a Board Member 1996-1997) have been part of the Hill School community since the early nineties (parents of Max ‘94 and Jonathan ‘96) and are now proud grandparents of Camden ‘24, Caroline ‘24, Charlotte ’24, and Mills ‘29.
Max is a lifelong resident of Fauquier County and has been farming his family’s farm. He has been and is involved in civic and government organizations. He is a past president of Fauquier Mental Health Association and is currently President of Foothills Housing Corporation, as well as Vice Chairman of the Fauquier Board of Zoning Appeals.
Max enjoys sailing, photography, and horseback riding with his grandchildren. He is excited to join the Hill School Board and is looking forward to reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.
Mr. Maximilian A. Tufts, Jr.
Board of Trustees
Mr. Fraser Wallace
Fraser and his wife Susan are the parents of Duncan (Hill’96) and Emma (Hill’99) During their nine years as Hill parents, Susan chaired the Auction and the Book Fair amongst many other volunteer opportunities.
Duncan, a graduate of Tabor Academy and Dickinson College, is a Senior Account Executive at Wallace & Company where he has been for ten years. He and his wife, Gina, also a Dickinson graduate, and children Ian and Grayson, live in Ashburn. Emma, a Summa Cum Laude graduate of St. Andrew’s School and Johns Hopkins University, is the Head Lacrosse Coach at American University in Washington, D.C. She lives in Glover Park.
Fraser, originally from High Wycombe, England is CEO of Wallace & Company, a full service Advertising, Marketing and Branding Company based in Dulles Virginia. He is also Chairman of Ecendant Interactive also based in Dulles.
He enjoys fly fishing, shooting, gardening, cooking and traveling the world.
Mr. Fraser Wallace
Board of Trustees
Mrs. Anne duPont Westbrook ’75
Anne graduated from Hill School in 1975. She attended Foxcroft School and Case Western Reserve University. She is currently a Senior Vice President with Heitman, LLC, a Chicago-based real estate investment management firm. She is responsible for all marketing and capital raising assignments in the Southeastern United States. Heitman currently manages over $37 billion of commercial real estate investment on behalf of public and corporate pensions, endowments and foundations. Prior to joining Heitman, Anne was a Managing Director and Co-Principal with Berkadia Capital Markets, LLC and responsible for all broker dealer related business including private placements and the sale of 144(a) securities. She has been a commercial real estate professional since 1985 and held investment and capital markets positions with Credit Suisse, Soros Fund Management and was the founder and Principal of Beekman Capital Partners, a real estate private placement firm. Anne has formerly served on the Board of St. Michaels Country Day School in Newport, RI and also chaired the schools finance committee. Her daughter, Bettina Corbin, graduated from Hill in 2015.
Mrs. Anne duPont Westbrook ’75
Board of Trustees
Mr. Jesse White
Jesse and his wife Kim relocated to Northern Virginia 8 years ago with their daughters Isabella (Hill ’20) and Camilla (Hill ’26), from the Hudson Valley in NY, where Jesse grew up, and by way of Boston, where Isabella was born. Jesse is passionate about Hill’s philosophy, community, and the experience of his two daughters. Jesse and family now live in Paeonian Springs, VA. Jesse began his career as a technology entrepreneur, has built 4 technology service businesses in the last 21 years, and has served on the board of multiple local not-
for-profit organizations and IT industry boards. He currently serves as President and Partner at Intact Technology, a high growth National provider of IT Management services to the Fortune 1000 and US Federal Government. Over the last 12 years of his tenure he has increased Intact’s’ revenue over 15X with the culture of the business being the primary focus. He believes that the best in class experience of their customer begins and ends with the experience and engagement of each employee. In his spare time, he loves spending time outdoors with his family, alone on his bike in the hills of Northern Virginia, or learning something new.
Mr. Jesse White
Board of Trustees
Mrs. Jennifer Zickel
Jennifer and her husband Matthew, have two children at Hill School (Natalie ’18) and Emily (’21) while younger brother Tommy is eager to jump into the Hill School community.
Jennifer was born and raised in a suburb of Rochester, NY and has spent her adult life in Northern Virginia. She graduated from Providence College with a BA in Elementary/Special Education with a minor in Public and Community Service. Professionally, Jennifer’s focus was centered on Service Learning, teaching through Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences model and being trained in Reading Recovery.
Through her Masters program (Initiatives in the Transformation of Education) at GMU, she researched and modeled effective co-teaching through inclusion in special education. Jennifer was an Instructional Support Team Member for Prince William County Schools where she was published in the educational journal ASCD; coached teachers and shared her passion for teaching students with learning differences effective self-advocacy skills.
Jennifer chose to be at home as “the first educator” in the lives of their children. When she is not driving children on route 50 or volunteering at school, she can be found doing anything athletic, capturing the world in photographs or reading to keep her mind and body balanced. The Zickel family feels blessed to be part of the Hill Community.
Mrs. Jennifer Zickel