Changes to the Board of Directors

Last spring, Admiral Farragut Academy announced that George Michel ‘49 had stepped down as chairman of the Board of Directors. Christian Wagner ‘82, who is the President at Penn Investment Group, was elected as chairman by the Board.

Mr. Michel’s work on the Board was instrumental in bringing financial stability to Admiral Farragut Academy. During his tenure at Farragut he was able to make many improvements. He formed the Admiral Farragut Academy Foundation, implemented sound financial policies and procedures, emphasized academics and college placement, and oversaw many renovations and improvements to the plant and facility. Due to Michel’s commitment, the Academy has showed profits, built enrollment, and is on an upward trend in all measurable success indicators. “George’s shoes will be extremely large shoes to fill, but I hope we, as aBoard, continue to build on what George started,” said Wagner, who formerly served as vice chairman and who has assisted George in many of the advances including serving as President of the Foundation in the past.

Wagner, who received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Rutgers University, has held executive positions with Commerce Capital Markets, Inc., Commerce Wealth Advisors, Bank of America Private Bank, Fisher Investments, and Longview Capital Management, LLC.

Retired General Lee Salomon will serve as Vice Chair, along with Art Musicaro ‘73 as Treasurer and Terry Hirsch as Secretary. The Board of Directors also added two new Board members: Tonjua Williams, Ph.D., the Vice President of St. Petersburg College, and Mirella James, the owner of Pasadena Marina, who is also a parent of three Farragut alumnae.

“The Board agenda is full this year, with strategic planning, master site planning, Foundation growth support, and global initiatives” said Headmaster Robert J. Fine, Jr. Fine added that he is looking forward to the work ahead and believes our Board is rich with talent.