Faculty & Staff Directory

Click here to learn more about R-MA’s President,
Brigadier General David C. Wesley, USAF, Retired. 

Amy joined the Randolph-Macon Academy team in the summer of 2004. She has loved working in the admission department and meeting new families to share great success stories that she has witnessed throughout her time at R-MA. Amy oversees the Upper School admissions process

Amy has personally welcomed hundreds of students to R-MA. She also works with families throughout the financial aid process, counseling them with accurate options and expectations. Her years of experience also includes assisting high performing students of the Falcon Foundation.

Her husband, Andy,  is an alumnus of R-MA and an R-MA social studies teacher.

• R-MA Mentor
• Yellow Jackets Football Announcer

Education:

• B.S., Towson University

An R-MA graduate, Andy (’82) returned to “The Hill” in 2004 and served as a Middle School Social Studies teacher and a dorm counselor. In 2005, he made the switch to the Upper School and has taught Modern World History, US Government, and 20th Century Warfare. In addition, Andy has coached several sports at R-MA and is currently the head swim coach and assistant girls’ soccer coach.

His family has its roots in New England, but Andy was born in Okinawa, Japan and was raised in Southeast Asia. He traveled the world extensively throughout his childhood; living in Japan, The Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. After high school, he spent a couple of years studying history in Athens, Greece while attending the American College of Greece before returning to the US to complete his academic studies. Andy lives on campus with his wife, Amy Harriman (R-MA’s Director of Admissions & Financial Aid) and their son, Campbell.

• R-MA Class of 1982
• R-MA Mentor
• National Social Studies Honor Society Advisor
• Freshman Team Co-Advisor
• Yellow Jackets Varsity Football Announcer
• “Mandatory Fun” band member
• Head Coach Swimming
• Assistant Coach Girls Soccer

Education:

• B.A., History-Keene State College

Awards:

• 2020: Coach of the Year
• 2014: United Methodist Church Exemplary Teaching Award
• 2014: Faculty of the Year
• 2010: Mentor of the Year
• 2007: Team of the Year

Bonnie was born and raised in Clark County and her family moved to Warren County during her high school years. She then attended Lord Fairfax Community College specializing in home hospice care.

After 18 years working for a local retirement home community, Bonnie joined R-MA has the Housekeeping Supervisor in 2012.

Brian is a former Entertainment Executive, CEO, Award-winning film-maker, writer and journalist with a proven track record of successes in developing creative strategies for major television networks and studios. Brian’s history of leading media organizations with operational and strategic planning responsibility led to the production and distribution of a diverse portfolio of successful film, television and digital content distributed worldwide. While Brian’s career highlights include senior staff positions with major television networks, and leading several major market creative services firms, his most significant personal accomplishment has been mentoring a long list of successful media executives who began their careers under his leadership. In 2007, while working as a senior executive at Discovery Communications Brian began his pioneering efforts in the use of drones for the collection of aerial imagery for television and film. Two years later he launched one of the first companies in The United States to receive an FAA exemption for the commercial use of drones for television and film production. Brian leveraged his company’s “first-in” position in commercial UAS services into multiple vertical markets including construction, emergency response management, agriculture and UAS flight training. In 2016, Brian launched National Drone Services — a UAS services company and training facility offering a broad curriculum of creative and industrial drone training. Today, Brian is the Director of The Unmanned Systems Lab at Randolph-Macon Academy where he applies a lifetime of personal and professional experience to the challenges of shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Chad arrived at R-MA in 2017 to teach Chemistry and AP Chemistry with a background in nanosurfaces, kinetics and statistical, experimental design. Jessica, his wife of 25+ years, and he have two children, a son attending UVA and a daughter about to finish high school. He enjoys joining his family in whitewater rafting, canoeing and hiking adventures and traveling across the globe to see the world. He tinkers and builds in his spare time, which has led to the start of a Do-It-Yourself workshop at R-MA.

• R-MA Mentor

Education:

• Ph.D. Chemical Engineering-Virginia Polytechnic and State University
• M.S. Chemical Engineering-West Virginia University
• B.S. Chemical Engineering-West Virginia University

Charles has taught Physics and Mathematics since 1996. He began his teaching career in the public school system, and moved to private school upon his arrival in Virginia in 2010. He joined the R-MA team in 2018, and has taught at both the Upper and Middle Schools. His baseball experience in college supports him in coaching, and he enjoys being available for tutoring in the evenings. Charles lives with his wife and family in Woodstock, VA.

• R-MA Mentor
• Varsity Baseball Head Coach

Education:

• M.Ed., Educational Leadership-Regent University
• B.S., Physics-Frostburg State University

Cindy Wenzel is a 5th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, a Certified Personal Trainer since 2009, a Board Certified Massage Therapist, and Warren County Parks & Recreation’s Gymnastics Coordinator since 1998. Her passion for coaching young athletes comes easily as she grew up in an Athletic Director’s home where sports was the heartbeat of her family.  Her father served in the Army and would be very proud that she works at R-MA.  In April 2019 Cindy began her R-MA career as an Upper School CLS. 

  “I encourage young leaders to never stop at  good and to always strive for their best.” As an SLS at the Middle School Cindy seeks to make a positive impact with this group. 

“ I enjoy their level of energy!”

“God blessed  my life to be Mom to Emylou &  Grandma to Mila. They are both Deaf and have made me fluent in Sign Language. I live on campus with my newly adopted cat, Lorde Fawkes.”  

Education:

• Virginia School of Massage
• American Council on Excercise

Clay Clinedinst was born and raised in Shenandoah County, graduated from Central High School, went on to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree from Ferrum Junior College and graduated from Eastern Mennonite University. He has spent time in the military and has since found his calling in working with children.

Most of Clay’s career has been focused on children. He has worked with kids at the Tempe Center and Grafton School as well as with social services and child protective services.

Sixteen years ago, Clay was approached about a dorm leader opportunity… and has never looked back.  Clay likes working with kids because he says that it “keeps you young.” He is well-equipped as a dorm supervisor because he grew up in a big family; now he is part of the “R-MA family.”

Education:

• B.S., Camping, Recreation and Youth Ministries-Eastern Mennonite College

Cynthia came to R-MA in the fall of 1993 from Dayton, Ohio. As a proud Buckeye, she has spent the majority of her time in Virginia trying to figure out why snow is such a big deal here. Cynthia has been a teacher in the Mathematics department serving as the Department Chair in addition to teaching Algebra and Geometry. In her time at R-MA, she coached the swim team for 18 years and served as an assistant coach in nearly every team for girls. She has served as a sponsor for the Honor Council, National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society  and Mu Alpha Theta, the Mathematics Honor Society. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, photography, reading, listening to music and visiting family and friends in Ohio.

• R-MA Mentor
• Freshman Team Co-Advisor
• Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society) Advisor

Education:

• M.S. Education – University of Dayton
• B.S. Education – Miami University

Awards:

• 2012, 2006: R-MA Mentor of the Quarter
• 2010: Northern Virginia Daily’s All Area Boys Swimming Coach
• 2009: R-MA Coach of the Year
• 2009: R-MA Coach of the Winter Season
• 2007:  Northern Shenandoah Valley Chapter’s Air Force Association Teacher of the Year
• 2004: R-MA Teacher of the 2nd Quarter
• 2002: R-MA Parents Association’s Teacher of the Year

Daniel Ricci joined R-MA’s Technology Department in 2020. Daniel has a wide variety of experience in the I.T. field, and enjoys using his knowledge and skills to solve problems and improve system efficiency and user experience. Outside of R-MA, Daniel takes care of his two rescue dogs  White German Shepherd named Jax and her puppy, Bowser. Daniel’s background also includes experience with safety and security, and he is an active volunteer with a local law enforcement agency.

Dave English is a retired law enforcement officer, Army veteran and an R-MA alumnus from the class of 1989. Dave is from Virginia, but returned to R-MA, in 2018, to assist with the Baseball program. When the position of Director of Student Life was vacated, Dave jumped at the opportunity to return to R-MA full time. When asked about his background, Dave said, “Having a non-traditional resident life background has been a positive — Having a myriad of life experiences coupled with an understanding of unique challenges cadets face…having been a cadet before, is invaluable!”    

Dave’s investment in R-MA is deep as his father (class of 1960) and son (class of 2023) are tied to the legacy. 

Having played football and baseball in college, Dave continues to pass on the life lessons of teamwork, hard work, and commitment. Outside of R-MA, Dave has three teenage children, coaches travel baseball, is a private pilot, and an avid outdoorsman.    

Education:

• B.A., Criminal Intelligence-American Military University
• M.A., Management-American Public University System

Derrick came to R-MA in 2008 after serving ten years as a history and geography teacher and Dean of Academics at Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad, California. His education career, however, began at The University of Arizona College of Education where he served as an administrator for an inner-city outreach program.

Derrick earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History from The Ohio State University and a Master’s Degree in History from The University of Arizona. His professional affiliations are with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the National Association for the Social Studies. He is also a member of and current president of the Front Royal Rotary Club.

He is married to Michelle Cantlebary, and they have two children, Grant (R-MA Class of 2024) and Elena.

• R-MA Mentor
• Head Coach: Golf

Education:

• M.A. The University of Arizona
• B.A. The Ohio State University

A New York native, James Taafel has lived in Virginia since 2001, when he attended R-MA. After graduating in 2005 as a proud alumnus, James then attended Dickinson College, where he graduated with a degree in Law and Policy. James has worked at the Academy since 2011, where he teaches English and a Sociology/Criminology elective. James coached Speech and Debate for many years, and is currently an enthusiastic coach for R-MA’s Cross Country and Track teams.

• R-MA Class of 2005
• Speech and Debate Coach
• International Club Advisor
• “Mandatory Fun” band member
• Assistant Coach: Track and Field
• Assistant Coach: Swimming

Education:

• B.A., Law and Policy-Dickinson College

• B.A. Tulane University

Jim Payne has always enjoyed working with people, and that led him into a variety of counseling positions and Christian ministries and includes being a volunteer for mission centers in the inner-city of Richmond, VA, and a youth minister for churches as far south as Emporia, VA.

“I grew up in the suburbs of Richmond, VA, playing league sports like football and baseball.  But, I also spent a lot of time on my grandparents’ farm in Louisa County, Virginia and was taught  how to milk a cow and grow my own food!”  These experiences enable him to relate to many students as the Night Officer-in-Charge. 

At R-MA, Jim has taught Computer Applications, Comparative Religions and Social Psychology.  He is currently the pastor of a small church just outside of Front Royal.  Some of his personal hobbies include reading and playing board games, especially chess and checkers.  He is also an avid movie fan, his favorites being the Star Wars series and vampire movies.

Education:

• M.Div.-Baptist Theological Seminary or Richmond
• B.S., Psychology-Virginia Commonwealth University
• A.A.-J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

Bio:

• Assistant Coach: Varsity Football

Education:

• B.S. James Madison University

Kenesa Haffer moved to Front Royal when she was 2 years old and has been living here ever since.  She has worked at R-MA for over 20 years. She initially worked in the Academics Office and moved over to Student Services in October of 2014. “I love spending time at the lake with my family and I love to read.  Fun fact – I am a HUGE Green Bay Packers fan!!”

Kevin began his teaching career in Berlin, Germany where he taught English as a Second Language for many years and pursued a graduate degree in Modern European History at Humboldt Universitaet. He also taught for half a year in Paris before returning to the U.S. to pursue a doctorate in French literature, where he also taught both French language classes and Western Civilization classes to undergrads while earning his degree. Kevin subsequently spent five years teaching high school French in North Carolina. He devotes his free time to music, books and movies.

Education:

• Ph.D. French Fiterature-New York University
• B.A. History-UMass, Amherst

Lynette came to R-MA from Tennessee (via Wyoming and Savannah) in 2018. She brings 30+ years of teaching experience and a love of travel and hydroponic farming. She oversees the hydroponics farm and teaches science classes. Lynette has two doodle companions, Simon and Tucker, and all three enjoy traveling in a self-built camper van during the summer. The Western U.S. is their favorite destination. Lynette has a daughter in Richmond and has come to love Northwest Virginia. She now calls this part of the world “Home”.

• R-MA Mentor
• R-MA Hydroponics Lab

Education:

• M.S. Life Science – Louisiana Tech University
• B.S. Science Education (Biology/Physics) – Louisiana Tech University

Mary Gamache came to R-MA after serving on active duty with the Air National Guard for over 26 years. While in the ANG, Mary advised and provided technical expertise to the Air Surgeon’s staff and guidance to ANG Medical Units on staffing, training and organizational development. After serving two years as an Air Force JROTC instructor, the Richmond native moved to the position of R-MA’s College Counselor. As R-MA’s College Counselor, Mary has found her niche that combines a dream career with a well-developed talent; counseling students in regards to their college choices and future careers. “This is my joy. I love listening to students’ dreams and helping them discover their interests and talents and coaching them in achieving their goals.” In pursuit of making herself the best possible resource for R-MA students, Mary has visited more than 150 colleges. Her college counseling efforts with more than 500 students over the last decade have resulted in graduating classes with 100% acceptance and an average of $6 million in merit scholarships each year. In her free time, Mary enjoys traveling throughout the world and “glamping” in her Airstream trailer.

• Chief Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.)
• R-MA Mentor

Education:

• M.S. Human Resources Training and Development – National Louis University
• B.S. in Organizational Management – Bluefield College

Mary joined the Middle School faculty at R-MA in August of 2018. In addition to teaching, mentoring, and coaching both Cross Country and Girls Basketball, she served as the Middle School’s Director of Student Engagement for the 2022-23 academic year. She hails from upstate New York and moved to Virginia 15 years ago to coach lacrosse and teach. Since then, she has spent her time at various local private schools. In her free time, Mary enjoys spending time with friends and family, competing in long distance races, and quilting. Mary is pursuing an EdD in Educational Leadership at Shenandoah University, and holds a Masters in Educational Leadership from Shenandoah University and a BS from Connecticut College.

• R-MA Mentor
• Head Coach, Middle School Girls Basketball

Education:

• B.S., International Relations and East Asian Studies, Japanese Concentration-Connecticut College

Bio

A native New Yorker (born and raised in Bayside, Queens), Michael moved to Front Royal to take the Choral Director position at Randolph-Macon Academy in August 2010. Having studied music at Loyola College in Maryland and music education at New York University, Michael has found his musical niche at R-MA. In addition to teaching music and assisting in R-MA Spiritual Life, he is married and a father of four, an avid runner, and the lead guitarist/backup vocalist/keyboardist for the local cover band, Mandatory Fun.

• R-MA Mentor
• “Mandatory Fun” band member

Education:

• M.A. Music Education-New York University
• B.A. Concentration Music-Loyola University Maryland

Michael joined R-MA in 2020. He has taught a mixture of middle school and high school mathematics for the past 5 years. His teaching philosophy is to change the fixed mindset of students to a growth mindset. He believes that everyone has the ability to be a “math person.” Michael is a Les Mills certified group fitness instructor at Fitness Evolution here in Front Royal with advanced instructor status. He also has a background in high school theater, where he has been the assistant director and producer for three musicals and two one-act plays. Michael has a minor in Spanish and a goal of traveling to Spain and hiking the Camino de Santiago. He dotes on his dog, Kizzie, who has been with him since moving to Virginia from Pennsylvania in 2015.

Education:

• B.S.Ed., Secondary Mathematics Education-Indiana University of Pennsylvania Robert E. Cook Honors College Graduate

Michele is a past parent of three R-MA graduates, Jessica ’12, Tyler ’15, and Sarah ’18.  She has served the Academy in a number of roles including volunteering with and then working within the Grounds Department, volunteering with the Parents’ Association, and coordinating celebratory lunches for faculty.

Michele was promoted to Executive Assistant, from the Grounds Department, in 2017 and then named as Chief of Staff in 2019. In addition to her other responsibilities, Michele serves as the Assistant Secretary to the R-MA Board of Trustees. Michele has also been instrumental in helping to plan and coordinate several major student events and runs the women’s fitness intramural. Michele enjoys the outdoors, working out, and spending time with family.

Bio:

Education:

Awards:

Pam was born, raised, and educated in Northern Virginia. She worked as an accountant for 24 years prior to joining the admissions team. Both of her children graduated from R-MA where she has worked for the last 25 years. She enjoys spending time with her family, ballet, theatre, reading, gardening, and listening to music. Her favorite part of working in admissions is watching the students she has worked with achieve both growth and success.

Pam has also personally welcomed over 350 international students from more than 20 countries to R-MA. She also has extensive experience with Middle School admissions, preparing families for success early in their child’s education for Upper School preparation and University matriculation.

Ryan is a flight instructor who has been part of the R-MA since 2006. He enjoys being involved in all aspects of aviation, most notably teaching students how to fly an airplane before most learn to drive a car. His favorite part of teaching at R-MA is seeing the excitement of each student who takes to the sky. When not flying or teaching Ryan enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife and two sons as well as unicycling, hiking and making things using a scroll saw.

• R-MA Mentor

Education:

• B.S. Aviation Flight Operations – Daniel Webster College

Stephen was born in Cheshire, UK, to an English father and German mother. Annual visits with his German relatives led naturally to studying German at Aston University, UK with a year abroad at Universität Heidelberg, Germany. After working in Düsseldorf, Germany and Manchester, UK for several years, Stephen moved with his wife to Virginia in 1996 and started teaching at R-MA the following year. In addition to speaking German and French, he enjoys trying out new languages and immersing himself in different cultures, having traveled to nearly 50 countries across 4 continents. In addition to having a degree in psychology, he enjoys philosophy and spirituality, and leads clubs and seminars at R-MA on philosophy, mindfulness, and yoga.

• R-MA Mentor
• Varsity Boys Soccer Coach
• National German Honor Society Advisor

Education:

• Combined Honors B.S. in Honors German/Human Psychology-Aston University (United Kingdom)

Stephen Pederson joined the aerospace program at Randolph-Macon Academy in 2007 after retiring from the United States Air Force with over 30 years of military service. After eleven years as an Aerospace Instructor and running their uniform supply operations, Stephen transitioned to R-MA’s uniform store where he manages all uniform sales for both the Upper and Middle School. In addition to uniform sales, he  teaches a cybersecurity course. His goal is to build a foundation for cybersecurity instruction that will provide students with a pathway for this career.  He enjoys amateur radio and is a member of the Warren County Fire and Rescue Emergency Communications team.

• Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.)
• Ham Radio Club Advisor

Education:

• GradCert National Cybersecurity Teaching Academy – University of Arkansas at Little Rock
• M.S. Space Education – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• B.S. Occupational Education – Wayland Baptist University

Awards:

• 2014, 2012, 2009: Air Force – Outstanding Instructor Award
• 2011: Air Force – Outstanding Instructor Award with Merit

Originally growing up in southern New Hampshire, Taylor Vazquez and his family moved up and down the East Coast during his younger years. He graduated from Washington High School in Jefferson County, WV and is a graduate of Shepherd University (WV). He joined the R-MA faculty in the summer of 2019, teaching physical education (PE) and health at the Middle School. Taylor coaches varsity football, varsity basketball, and varsity baseball at R-MA. Outside coaching and teaching, he devotes his time to his wife, Michaela, and his charcoal Labrador, Harper. When he does have some downtime for himself, he tries to spend it on the golf course.

• R-MA Mentor
• Assistant Coach, Varsity Football
• Assistant Coach, Varsity Boys Basketball
• Assistant Coach, Varsity Baseball

Education:

• B.S. Shepherd University

Tracey was born and raised in Northern Wisconsin, growing up loving the summers on Lake Superior. After graduating from university, she spent the next several years living and teaching in South Korea and traveling the world. While she has settled nicely in teaching and leading in the independent school world, she still loves to travel when she can. Her love of reading and Netflix take up much of her free time as well as walking and hiking with her 3 punky dogs.

• R-MA Mentor

Education:

• M.S. Curriculum and Instruction-University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• B.S. Elementary Education-University of Wisconsin-Superior