August 27, 2020
Dear Warrior Parents and Patrons,
Yesterday, Major General Bartell informed you that he was transitioning into his retirement year at our Academy. After 36 years in the military and over seven years with the Academy, they look forward to returning to their Michigan home, more travel and spending more time with their children and grandchildren. While your ANA Trustees are saddened about this transition, we could not be happier for them and we remain forever optimistic about the future of our school.
The Board of Trustees would like to provide you information regarding the process for finding our next president. We are extraordinarily fortunate to have Dennis Boyer (Class of 1963) as a Trustee. Dennis spent his professional career as a Senior Partner with two highly respected, international executive search firms and as Chairman of his own executive search firm. Dennis was also on the previous search committee that attracted MG Bartell to our School. Dennis is a careful and serious professional. He has volunteered to chair our Search Committee and immediately began the process of interviewing and creating a short list of qualified executive search firms.
The Search Committee reviewed five firms, evaluated proposals, and then proceeded with an in-depth interview of Wickenden Associates, an eminently qualified firm that specializes in Independent School clients. Their search experience is impressive as are their references. We have selected Wickenden and have begun the search process and we are fortunate to be working with Eric Peterson on this critically important assignment for Army and Navy Academy. Wickenden will soon begin with a series of internal interviews with trustees, faculty, staff, parents and other patrons to better understand us, tell our story, and describe the ideal candidate. They will move aggressively into the marketplace to develop a short list of qualified and interested candidates. This is a comprehensive and laborious process that takes many weeks to develop. Wickenden will also assist us throughout the entire search process and through a leadership transition period. Rest assured that, absent initial need for candidate confidentiality, this is a transparent process that will include the participation of our valued school community.
This process is arduous and a bit of a marathon, but we have a great executive search firm, a professional search team, a dedicated Search Committee, and an involved Board of Trustees that sets a high standard of excellence. We see this search as another opportunity to tell our great story in the marketplace, to attract an exciting new leader, to carry on the wonderful legacy of MG Bartell, and to lead our Academy into new opportunities. I will report to you periodically of our progress and as to events in which you may participate.
The Board would like to remind you that this is MG Bartell’s and Karen’s legacy year. That means we have the entire school year to celebrate them and their legacy at the Army and Navy Academy. We will miss them and we won’t be shy about reminding them how much they mean to us. No doubt, they will be the first to remind us – Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior.
The Board of Trustees is honored to have served with the Bartells and will honor their legacy by carefully and thoughtfully taking the next steps in securing the Academy’s future.
My Best,
Barry Shreiar
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
(Parent of Nick Shreiar ‘14)
Army and Navy Academy