The Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees and the Head of School lead York together, each with well-defined and complementary responsibilities for advancing the school’s mission.

The Head implements Board policy, hires faculty and staff, oversees development of school programs, and manages the school’s day-to-day operations. The Board hires and advises the Head and focuses on financial stewardship and long-range strategic planning.

The full Board meets regularly during the school year. Each trustee also serves on at least one committee that meets frequently to achieve annual Board goals and the school’s strategic plan. These committees include Executive, Finance, Advancement, Audit, Strategic Planning, and the Committee on Trustees. The Board establishes advisory committees and task forces as needed.

York’s Board includes alumni, parents of current students and graduates, and members of the local community who had no previous connection to York but who were attracted to the school by its record of achievement, its welcoming culture, and its commitment to serve students from a range of backgrounds.

Our trustees believe in the value of a York education for individual students, their families, and our communities.

Officers


   Randall I. Charles, Chair of the Board
Randy is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Mathematics at San Jose State University. He has been a lifelong educator, teaching at the elementary, secondary, and collegiate levels. For over 30 years he has been an author of mathematics textbooks for grades K through 12. This is Randy's fourth year on the Board and first as Chair.

  Jane Paulsen, Vice Chair
Jane is a former journalist and public relations professional. The parent of a 2010 York graduate, Jane served on York’s 50th Anniversary and communications advisory committees before joining the Board in 2008. Jane previously served as Board secretary and is now a member of the Strategic Planning Committee. 

  Mary Adams, Treasurer
Mary is President and CEO of United Way Monterey County and is a long-time leader in local nonprofit and civic organizations. She has also served in leadership positions for national, state, and regional organizations. Mary chairs the Finance Committee. This is her second year on the Board.

 

Doug Smith, Secretary
Doug is a former Silicon Valley technical professional and business consultant. He has served on the Board for six years as a member of the Executive Committee and Technology Advisory Committee, among others. Doug co-chairs the Advancement Committee.

  Chuck Harmon, Head of School
Chuck has worked in independent schools for over 30 years in a variety of faculty and administrative positions.  He became Head of School at York in 2002.  Chuck is a member and participant in the work of all committees of the Board.

Members


  

Jayanti Addleman is County Librarian for Monterey County. She is the parent of a current York student and a 2007 graduate. As a long-time York supporter, Jayanti has been a leader in the parent community. She joined the Board in 2010 and is a member of the Advancement Committee.

 

Brenda Aronowitz is a lifelong educator and author who has taught at the secondary and university levels. Brenda retired in 2007 after serving York nearly 30 years as a humanities teacher and assistant head of school. She  joins the York Board this year as a member of the Think Forward advisory committee.

 

Peggy Downes Baskin is an author, lecturer, and retired professor of political science. Her former husband, the late Chuck Downes, was Head of School from 1966 to 1974, and her daughter, Cammy Torgenrud, is a member of the York faculty. Peggy and her husband, Jack Baskin, are longtime supporters of York and a number of college-level programs. Peggy joined the Board in 2006 and serves on the Think Forward advisory committee.

 

Jason Burnett '94 is Managing Partner of Clean Fund LLC, a provider of financing for commercial clean energy projects. In addition to serving the community as a Carmel city council member and as a member of local civic and philanthropic foundations, Jason joined the York Board in 2009. He serves on the Strategic Planning Committee.

  Agnes Chien is a retired physician and parent of two York graduates, classes of ‘02 and ‘05. She serves on the Diversity Committee and co-chairs the Advancement Committee. Agnes joined the Board in 2005.

  Marianne Gawain Davis ’76, a former public utilities regulator, is an active school and community volunteer. She is beginning her first term on the York Board this year as a member of the Advancement Committee.

  Morgan Gilman is a retired attorney and real estate developer who has served on numerous corporate boards. Morgan joined the York Board in 2009. He is a member of the Strategic Planning Committee. 

  Mary Gray-Reeves, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real, is the parent of a 2011 York graduate. Bishop Mary is an ex-officio trustee serving on the Diversity Committee.

  Lyman Hamilton is former CEO of the ITT Corporation. An active member of several civic and educational boards, Lyman joined the York Board in 2002 and serves on the Committee on Trustees.

  Before his retirement, Jim Kasson performed and managed research and product development for Hewlett-Packard, Rolm, IBM, and others. He has served on several nonprofit boards. In his fifth year on the York Board, he serves on the Finance, Audit, and Executive Committees.

  Doug Lee, parent of a 2009 York graduate, is President and CEO of California Models & Talent. Doug serves York as a member of the Audit, Finance, Advancement, and Diversity committees. He joined the Board in 2003.

  Fane Opperman is Managing Director-Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. The parent of three York alumni (‘02, ‘06, and ‘10), Fane serves on the Board’s investment subcommittee. Fane joined the Board in 2007.

  Cory Ray, parent of two York graduates, ‘06 and ‘09, is a former technical writer and owner of a property management firm.  Now serving her fourth year on the Board, Cory chairs the Strategic Planning Committee.

  Gary Ray, parent of a current York student, is a partner with Ottone Leach Olsen & Ray in Salinas. Gary joins the Board this year as a member of the Advancement Committee and the Committee on Trustees. 

  Michele Rench, Head of All Saints Episcopal Day School in Carmel, has served as ex-officio member of the York Board since 2003. 

  Edwin Ryu ’69 is founder and principal of Legacy Wealth Advisors in San Jose. Ed serves on the Advancement and Finance committees. He joined the Board in 2010.

  Stephen Schulte was a founding partner and is now of counsel to the law firm Schulte, Roth & Zabel LLP in New York City.  A leader on several local and national nonprofit boards, Stephen joined the York Board in 2004 and served as Chair for five years. He is now chair of the Audit Committee and the Committee on Trustees.

  William F. Sharpe is professor emeritus at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and 1990 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economics. In addition to his membership in numerous civic, philanthropic, and professional organizations, Bill has served as a York trustee since 2009. He is a member of the Finance Committee.

  Carol Wilhelm, travel consultant and former teacher, serves on the Strategic Planning Committee and the Committee on Trustees. Carol joined the Board in 2005.

Emeriti


   Jim Tunney, trustee emeritus, is an author, motivational speaker, former teacher and school principal. He was interim Head of York in 1993-94.

  Steven Webster, trustee emeritus, is a marine biologist and a founder of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Steven joined the York Board in 1979 and has served in his emeritus advisory role since 2005.

Representatives


   Tom Murray, faculty representative to the Board, joined the York faculty in 1983. He began his three-year Board term in May 2010.

 
Haley Lane '12 is student representative to the Board, serving a one-year term.