Board of Directors
Board Chairman
Joseph Houldin '69
Academic Excellence, Catholic Identity, Inclusion and Diversity
FORMER CEO OF DVIRC, FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL MANUFACTURING INITIATIVES OF THE DELAWARE VALLEY INDUSTRIAL RESOURCE CENTER
Joe devoted his career to fostering growth in manufacturing and technology in Southeast Pennsylvania. He founded/directed the National Manufacturing Initiatives of the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center, a regional economic development organization established in 1988 to support profitable growth of small/medium-sized manufacturing companies. He has a BA from Villanova University and an MA in City and Regional Planning from the Catholic University of America. Joe served two terms on the Board of Trustees of West Catholic and was a founding member of the Advisory Board for West’s groundbreaking Engineering Technology Academy. In 2018, the Alumni Association presented Joe with its highest honor, the McGarvey Award for his many contributions to West Catholic and its students.
Rev. Anthony Bozeman, SSJ ‘77
Catholic Identity Committee Chair
Father Anthony was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 2000, at age 40. After
several pastoral appointments in the Philadelphia area, he answered the call to join the Josephites
(formally known as St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart). The Josephite Fathers are committed to
serving the African American community through the proclamation of the Gospel and our personal
witness. He is a member of the West Catholic Prep Hall of Fame and a past recipient of the Br. Lumley,
FSC award. Father Anthony is currently the pastor of the Church of the Transfiguration in Los Angeles,
California.
Kathleen Buchanan
PRESIDENT - WEST CATHOLIC ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION
Kathleen attended Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science as well as The Philadelphia Institute for Paralegal Training. She retired in 2015 from a career as a trusts and estates paralegal. She also is the recording secretary for the Seniors Group at St. Genevieve parish in Flourtown, PA, where she is a member.
Fran Crowley '77
Governance and Nominating
President, West Catholic Alumni Association
PARTNER - BLANK ROME
Following his graduation from West Catholic, Fran attended the University of Pennsylvania where he received his degree in Political Science. Upon graduation, Fran attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Fran joined Blank Rome in Philadelphia PA in 1984, and has been there for 34 years.. Fran has previously served as President of the West Catholic Alumni Association and served as a coach for more than 20 years. Fran resides in Drexel Hill PA with his wife Nancy (’78) and has three children who are all alumni of West Catholic – Matt(’10), Terry (’05) and Caitlin (’03).
Tom Davis '05
Finance and Facilities Committee Chair
Vice President - Hamilton Lane
Tom has more than 10 years of experience in corporate finance. He is currently Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at Hamilton Lane, a global investment manager focused on private markets. In this role, he helped lead the company’s 2017 IPO and transition to a public company.
Tom is a 2005 graduate of West Catholic and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with a concentration in Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Tom resides in Chester Springs with his wife Jessica.
Michael Ferry ‘90
Enrollment and Financial Support Committee Chair
Michael is a 1990 graduate that went onto to the Drexel University. He is married to Alicia Ferry who is also an alum from the class of 1992. Upon graduating from Drexel, Michael began a career at Susquehanna International Group (SIG). At the time of joining SIG they had approximately 200 employees, today SIG employs almost 1,900. Michael also serves on the Board of the Walden School in Media, PA.
Christopher B. Franklin, II '90
Jeanie Ward Heffernan '80
Governance and Nominating Committee Chair
Retired, CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER - INDEPENDENCE BLUE CROSS
Jeanie Heffernan leads the People Strategy for the Independence Blue Cross Family of companies. In this role, she helps the organization to build a culture of People with Purpose and ensuring that the company is fully engaging their talent and have the right organizational structure in place to effectively execute their business strategy and meet their goals. Jeanie joined Independence in 2011 with 25 years of experience in multiple business sectors. Jeanie has been active in the Non-Profit arena over the course of her career and has served on the Boards of the Peoples Emergency Center, The Veteran’s Group. She currently serves on the board of Graduate Philadelphia.
Alix James
ALIX JAMES is an experienced CEO with a demonstrated history of successful leadership in the electronics manufacturing and ecommerce industries. Alix is skilled in setting the strategy, building the team and creating the processes to scale companies and brands across the breadth of 21st Century products, markets, channels and regions. Alix is particularly passionate about creating hard-to-imitate smart connected product categories that yield intense brand loyalty and are sold direct to niche end-user segments. Alix is also known for creating a corporate culture that inspires team members to care, grow and drive innovation.
Alix is the CEO of Nielsen-Kellerman, a private-equity backed group of companies and brands in the sports performance, weather and environmental markets. Alix’s career at NK has provided her with broad experience in scaling an organization from a basement business with a handful of employees to a multi-site, multi-brand, global player with ten times the revenue and employees. Alix has led NK through its transition from founder ownership and two rounds of private- equity investment and has also led NK’s acquisition strategy. NK has been regionally recognized as both an exemplary US lean manufacturer and a top workplace, and each of its brands -- Kestrel® Instruments, Kestrel Ballistics®, MagnetoSpeed®, NK Sports®, Ambient® Weather and RainWise® -- are regarded as leaders in their category.
Prior to joining NK, Alix practiced law as a civil litigator in California for three years. Alix is presently serving on the boards of the Philadelphia Association for Corporate Growth, the Delaware Valley Combined Training Assoc. and the Wilmington Rowing Center as well as on the advisory board of AWE Tuning, Inc. Alix actively trains and competes in both rowing and the equestrian sport of dressage.
Alix received her bachelor’s degree from Yale University, where she was a four-year member of the Yale Women’s Crew and Sprints and Ivy League Champions, and her JD from the University of Pennsylvania. Alix was previously admitted to the bar in California and Washington. Alix is married with two adult children and a rotating cast of horses, dogs and cats, and resides in the greater Philadelphia area.
Ivory V.C. Allison '97
Ivory Allison is a dual sector executive with deep influence in the arts, health & research industries, and partnership cultivation. Born, raised, educated, and serving in Philadelphia, PA. For more than 20 years Ivory has delivered measurable impact nationally. She is currently the National Director of Community Impact with the American Liver Foundation (ALF) and prior to her appointment to the national team, Ivory created three (3) national programs for the organization during her decade of service as the Mid-Atlantic region’s Executive Director. In her current role Ivory develops innovative national partnerships that increases the awareness, research, and accessibility to care for those fighting liver related diseases and ailments and leads the organization’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.
Prior to joining ALF in 2010, Ivory was Vice-President of Programming and Production for ‘Welcome America!’ Ivory led the production and programming for the nation’s premiere and largest Independence festival; a team of more than 200 staff, consultants, and volunteers; and a programming budget of more than $3MM. Ivory is also a veteran concert producer and has booked and produced live, televised concerts featuring artists like John Legend, Fantasia, Patti LaBelle, Hall & Oates, Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, and Jill Scott for audiences of more than 10,000 people. During her time with ‘Welcome America!’ Ivory also created the nationally
replicated and trademarked ‘Go 4 th & Learn!’ literacy program for children and families. Ivory’s career began as a special events producer, managing production and partnership development for highly visible events like Philadelphia’s Annual Mayoral City Ball; Philadelphia’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony; Philadelphia’s Holiday Festival, and the Philadelphia Marathon. She has also represented the City of Philadelphia at the 49 th Annual Grammy Awards and in Athens, Greece for the International Festival and Events Association. Ivory’s accomplishments are highly lauded as noted by her 8 features in the Philadelphia Tribune’s Most Influential Philadelphian’s issue and listing as one of their 10 under 40 to Watch, as well as her being named a Woman of Distinction by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Moreover, Ivory has a deep belief in volunteerism and has made time to offer her time, talent, and support to organizations such as the YMCA Y-Achievers, Girls Inc. of Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and the Philadelphia International Bike Race. Ivory is also the President of the Board of Directors for Philadanco! (The acclaimed Philadelphia Dance Company), where she leads the 50-year organization’s strategic vision, direction, and planning. Ivory holds membership with the Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Arts & Business Council of Philadelphia, Business Volunteers for the Arts, and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Pennsylvania Chapter. She has been the co-chair of the West Catholic Night at the Phillies for the last 5 years to support her alma mater. Ivory earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Saint Joseph’s University with international residency and study in Australia (Sydney and Melbourne, proper). She currently resides in Philadelphia where she enjoys renovating her home and finding new spas nearby.
Prior to joining ALF in 2010, Ivory was Vice-President of Programming and Production for ‘Welcome America!’ Ivory led the production and programming for the nation’s premiere and largest Independence festival; a team of more than 200 staff, consultants, and volunteers; and a programming budget of more than $3MM. Ivory is also a veteran concert producer and has booked and produced live, televised concerts featuring artists like John Legend, Fantasia, Patti LaBelle, Hall & Oates, Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, and Jill Scott for audiences of more than 10,000 people. During her time with ‘Welcome America!’ Ivory also created the nationally
replicated and trademarked ‘Go 4 th & Learn!’ literacy program for children and families. Ivory’s career began as a special events producer, managing production and partnership development for highly visible events like Philadelphia’s Annual Mayoral City Ball; Philadelphia’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony; Philadelphia’s Holiday Festival, and the Philadelphia Marathon. She has also represented the City of Philadelphia at the 49 th Annual Grammy Awards and in Athens, Greece for the International Festival and Events Association. Ivory’s accomplishments are highly lauded as noted by her 8 features in the Philadelphia Tribune’s Most Influential Philadelphian’s issue and listing as one of their 10 under 40 to Watch, as well as her being named a Woman of Distinction by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Moreover, Ivory has a deep belief in volunteerism and has made time to offer her time, talent, and support to organizations such as the YMCA Y-Achievers, Girls Inc. of Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and the Philadelphia International Bike Race. Ivory is also the President of the Board of Directors for Philadanco! (The acclaimed Philadelphia Dance Company), where she leads the 50-year organization’s strategic vision, direction, and planning. Ivory holds membership with the Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Arts & Business Council of Philadelphia, Business Volunteers for the Arts, and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Pennsylvania Chapter. She has been the co-chair of the West Catholic Night at the Phillies for the last 5 years to support her alma mater. Ivory earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Saint Joseph’s University with international residency and study in Australia (Sydney and Melbourne, proper). She currently resides in Philadelphia where she enjoys renovating her home and finding new spas nearby.
Brother Ed Koronkiewicz FSC, '72
Enrollment and Financial Support
ASSOCIATE REGISTRAR - LASALLE UNIVERSITY
Brother Edward Koronkiewicz, FSC is currently the Assistant Dean of Students as of August 2022 at La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the Associate Registrar for Student Enrollment before moving positions since 2000. Prior to La Salle, he spent 12 years as the Assistant Principal of Academic Affairs at West Catholic HS from which he graduated in 1972. Other assignments include 9 years as teacher and Dean of Students at Archbishop Carroll HS in Radnor, PA and teacher at Bishop Walsh HS in Cumberland, MD. He holds degrees from La Salle University and Villanova University.
James Logue
Institutional Advancement Committee Chair
PRESIDENT & CEO, THERM-OMEGA-TECH, INC.
Jim is the President & CEO of Therm-Omega-Tech, Inc., a company he purchased from the estate of Frederick L. Pirkle in August 2012. Prior to Therm-Omega-Tech, Jim served as Principal of Innovative Capital Partners, LLC(“ICP”). ICP was an investment banking firm specializing in debt restructuring, family business succession and turnaround management for privately held companies. Jim is a graduate of Villanova University and began his career as a CPA with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Timothy J. McNamara '79
Managing Partner, mPower Software Services
Tim has been Managing Partner of mPower Software since 2006, providing custom enterprise software solutions to clients in Defense, national aerospace service, insurance and electronic payments industries. Prior to joining mPower Tim was a Senior Business Manager at Temple University School of Medicine. Tim studied Math and Computer Science at LaSalle University and received his MBA from Temple University.
Dr. Robert McNamara '74
Academic Excellence Committee Chair
PROFESSOR AND CHAIR OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE AT THE LEWIS KATZ SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
Bob is the Professor and Chair of Emergency Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Following his graduation from West Catholic, Bob went on to LaSalle University and then received his MD from Jefferson Medical College (now Jefferson University). Bob served as President of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine and currently coaches the US National Dragonboat team.
Dana Russikoff
Academic Excellence, Enrollment/Tuition Assistance
CO-FOUNDER OF SURESHADE
Dana and her husband, Ron, founded and owned Sureshade, a manufacturing business based in Northeast Philadelphia. Sureshade was recently acquired by Lippert, allowing Dana to focus on her other interests. Dana is involved in numerous causes throughout the area, and is very committed to West Catholic Prep and the work happening here. Dana received a BA from Holy Family University and an MBA from Drexel University.