Trustees
Trustees are volunteers that are appointed to serve two year terms. Do you feel passionate about Ledyard Public Schools? Are you interested in becoming a LEAF Trustee? Email us at president@ledyardeducation.org
John Cusmano
Trustee - President
John has been a dedicated trustee since LEAF's inception in 2003. John was LEAF President in 2005-2007 and has assumed the presidency again as of July 1, 2020. He is looking forward to working with the LEAF trustees and the Ledyard Board of Education to ensure LEAF continues to support excellence in Ledyard Schools during this unique and challenging time. John and his wife Nancy have lived in Ledyard since 1991. Their three children all attended Ledyard Public Schools and graduated from Ledyard High School. In addition to his long association with LEAF, over the years John has served as President of the Ledyard Soccer Club, as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 16 and as a youth baseball, basketball, and soccer coach. John, Nancy, and their family are avid skiers and hikers. John recently retired after over 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry, most recently as Head of Project Management and Chief of Staff for Takeda Oncology in Cambridge MA. He holds a PhD in organic chemistry from The University of Vermont and a MS in Management Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic University.
Trustee - President
John has been a dedicated trustee since LEAF's inception in 2003. John was LEAF President in 2005-2007 and has assumed the presidency again as of July 1, 2020. He is looking forward to working with the LEAF trustees and the Ledyard Board of Education to ensure LEAF continues to support excellence in Ledyard Schools during this unique and challenging time. John and his wife Nancy have lived in Ledyard since 1991. Their three children all attended Ledyard Public Schools and graduated from Ledyard High School. In addition to his long association with LEAF, over the years John has served as President of the Ledyard Soccer Club, as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 16 and as a youth baseball, basketball, and soccer coach. John, Nancy, and their family are avid skiers and hikers. John recently retired after over 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry, most recently as Head of Project Management and Chief of Staff for Takeda Oncology in Cambridge MA. He holds a PhD in organic chemistry from The University of Vermont and a MS in Management Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic University.
Barbara Leandri
Trustee - Vice-President
LEAF’s Vice President, Barbara Leandri, is a past president of LEAF. She has been active both on the LEAF Board and in the Ledyard education system since 2005. She is currently active in Ledyard High School Sports Boosters and Music Boosters. Barbara formerly was the president of the GFS/ JWL School Parent Teacher Organization and was involved with Ledyard Middle School PTC. Barbara is highly effective at motivation and fundraising. Her commitment and dedication to our community is far reaching. Barbara graduated from Ledyard High School and chose to raise her family here with her husband John for the past 16 years. They have three children: Steven, Michael, and Anna.
Trustee - Vice-President
LEAF’s Vice President, Barbara Leandri, is a past president of LEAF. She has been active both on the LEAF Board and in the Ledyard education system since 2005. She is currently active in Ledyard High School Sports Boosters and Music Boosters. Barbara formerly was the president of the GFS/ JWL School Parent Teacher Organization and was involved with Ledyard Middle School PTC. Barbara is highly effective at motivation and fundraising. Her commitment and dedication to our community is far reaching. Barbara graduated from Ledyard High School and chose to raise her family here with her husband John for the past 16 years. They have three children: Steven, Michael, and Anna.
Krista Sabilia
Trustee - Secretary
Krista has been a trustee since 2015. Serving as our treasurer from 2016 until 2018 and now our secretary.
Trustee - Secretary
Krista has been a trustee since 2015. Serving as our treasurer from 2016 until 2018 and now our secretary.
Cari Barnes
Trustee - Treasurer
Trustee - Treasurer
Angela Cassidy
Trustee
Angela has been a trustee since 2016. She graduated from Cornell with a BS degree in 1991 where she attended the ALS College majoring in Economics, specializing in Marketing and Management. She has 20 years of experience in marketing and public relations and has always worked with non-profit companies through events and community outreach whether from the corporate side or directly for the non-profit. Angela organized, conducted and hosted events and conventions for up to 3,000 people. She also acted as spokesperson for all regional press doing television, radio and newspaper interviews around the U.S. She has developed and conducted four-hour training seminars for 50-150 people. Angela has also worked as an Education Consultant where she conducted professional development workshops for school systems in the Eastern US involving the implementation of software to assist in assessment and compilation of individualized education plans (IEP’s). She has worked in development and community outreach with many nonprofit companies representing the company or donor, and eventually solely moved into development, working for the non-profit company, Easter Seals where she planned, organized and implemented the annual appeal, stewarded major donors, and secured individual and corporate contributions. She also planned and executed the first Easter Seals “Walk With Me” event in southeastern Connecticut.
Trustee
Angela has been a trustee since 2016. She graduated from Cornell with a BS degree in 1991 where she attended the ALS College majoring in Economics, specializing in Marketing and Management. She has 20 years of experience in marketing and public relations and has always worked with non-profit companies through events and community outreach whether from the corporate side or directly for the non-profit. Angela organized, conducted and hosted events and conventions for up to 3,000 people. She also acted as spokesperson for all regional press doing television, radio and newspaper interviews around the U.S. She has developed and conducted four-hour training seminars for 50-150 people. Angela has also worked as an Education Consultant where she conducted professional development workshops for school systems in the Eastern US involving the implementation of software to assist in assessment and compilation of individualized education plans (IEP’s). She has worked in development and community outreach with many nonprofit companies representing the company or donor, and eventually solely moved into development, working for the non-profit company, Easter Seals where she planned, organized and implemented the annual appeal, stewarded major donors, and secured individual and corporate contributions. She also planned and executed the first Easter Seals “Walk With Me” event in southeastern Connecticut.
Adrienne Parad
Trustee
Adrienne Parad is a Ledyard resident, mother of three elementary school-aged children, veteran of the US Navy, and is currently employed at Northeast Medical Group as a Family Physician. She was born and raised in Rhode Island and lived in Warwick until 2003. Adrienne has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Rhode Island and a Medical Doctorate from Boston University School of Medicine. She completed her Family Medicine residency at the Naval Hospital Pensacola. Adrienne is married to Andrew Parad, and they have 3 children. The Parad family was assigned to Subase and moved to Ledyard in 2012, after an overseas tour in Bahrain. In 2014, Adrienne was honorably discharged from active duty status and began her current employment in Mystic, CT as a Primary Care Physician. Adrienne continues to be an active community supporter of Ledyard Public Schools, with all three children attending the STARS program, Ledyard Center School, and now Gallup Hill School. She is a supporter of LEAF, and truly values the importance of quality education. In her spare time, Adrienne enjoys running, spin classes, yoga, barre, strength training, healthy cooking, and spending time with her family.
Trustee
Adrienne Parad is a Ledyard resident, mother of three elementary school-aged children, veteran of the US Navy, and is currently employed at Northeast Medical Group as a Family Physician. She was born and raised in Rhode Island and lived in Warwick until 2003. Adrienne has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Rhode Island and a Medical Doctorate from Boston University School of Medicine. She completed her Family Medicine residency at the Naval Hospital Pensacola. Adrienne is married to Andrew Parad, and they have 3 children. The Parad family was assigned to Subase and moved to Ledyard in 2012, after an overseas tour in Bahrain. In 2014, Adrienne was honorably discharged from active duty status and began her current employment in Mystic, CT as a Primary Care Physician. Adrienne continues to be an active community supporter of Ledyard Public Schools, with all three children attending the STARS program, Ledyard Center School, and now Gallup Hill School. She is a supporter of LEAF, and truly values the importance of quality education. In her spare time, Adrienne enjoys running, spin classes, yoga, barre, strength training, healthy cooking, and spending time with her family.
Carmen Garcia-Irizarry
Trustee - Communications Chair
Carmen graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in 2002 with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry. She has been working as a scientist at Pfizer since 2006 and has been living in Gales Ferry since 2007. Carmen has three children currently attending Juliet W. Long, Ledyard Middle School, and Ledyard High School. Carmen volunteered for several years as the Science Fair Coordinator at Juliet W. Long Elementary School. She currently serves in the Ledyard Conservation Commission. In her spare time, Carmen loves going hiking with her dogs and photography.
Trustee - Communications Chair
Carmen graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in 2002 with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry. She has been working as a scientist at Pfizer since 2006 and has been living in Gales Ferry since 2007. Carmen has three children currently attending Juliet W. Long, Ledyard Middle School, and Ledyard High School. Carmen volunteered for several years as the Science Fair Coordinator at Juliet W. Long Elementary School. She currently serves in the Ledyard Conservation Commission. In her spare time, Carmen loves going hiking with her dogs and photography.
Kate DiPalma-Herb
Trustee
Trustee
Ellin Grenger
Trustee - Governance Chairperson
Attorney Ellin Grenger has lived in Ledyard since 1993, and practices law in Mystic. Her practice is limited to real estate transactions, estate planning and settlement, and Probate and Juvenile Court matters. A nationally certified Child Welfare Law Specialist, she also served as Ledyard’s final Judge of Probate, due to the consolidation of the Probate Courts. She is proud to be a LEAF founding Trustee, and has been involved with many other local non-profit organizations, as well. She has two children; one enrolled in Ledyard Public Schools and one that is a proud alum of Ledyard High School.
Trustee - Governance Chairperson
Attorney Ellin Grenger has lived in Ledyard since 1993, and practices law in Mystic. Her practice is limited to real estate transactions, estate planning and settlement, and Probate and Juvenile Court matters. A nationally certified Child Welfare Law Specialist, she also served as Ledyard’s final Judge of Probate, due to the consolidation of the Probate Courts. She is proud to be a LEAF founding Trustee, and has been involved with many other local non-profit organizations, as well. She has two children; one enrolled in Ledyard Public Schools and one that is a proud alum of Ledyard High School.
Meredith Robinson
Trustee - Database Coordinator
Meredith Robinson is a retired naval officer and attorney. She retired from the Navy JAG Corps as a Commander in 2011, after 20 years of service. An active volunteer within the community, she served as president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Gales Ferry School and Juliet W. Long School for 3 years and presently serves on a number of committees and boards within Ledyard. She is currently a federally certified EEO Investigator and Final Agency Decision Writer. Meredith and her husband Greg, a science teacher at Ledyard High School, have two children proudly attending Ledyard Public Schools.
Trustee - Database Coordinator
Meredith Robinson is a retired naval officer and attorney. She retired from the Navy JAG Corps as a Commander in 2011, after 20 years of service. An active volunteer within the community, she served as president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Gales Ferry School and Juliet W. Long School for 3 years and presently serves on a number of committees and boards within Ledyard. She is currently a federally certified EEO Investigator and Final Agency Decision Writer. Meredith and her husband Greg, a science teacher at Ledyard High School, have two children proudly attending Ledyard Public Schools.
Felix Vajdos
Trustee - Grants Chairperson
Felix has lived in Ledyard since 2002, after moving here to take a research scientist position at Pfizer in Groton, where he has been continuously employed to date. He obtained his PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Utah, then moved to San Francisco, CA for a post-doctoral fellowship at the biopharmaceutical company Genentech. He is married to Janis O’Quinn Vajdos, and they have 3 children: Benjamin, a Ledyard High School graduate, Jessica attends Ledyard High School, and Nikolas is in 7th grade at Ledyard Middle School.
Felix has enjoyed serving our community in a variety of capacities during the past 16 years. He has previously served on the board of directors for the Furniture Bank of Southeastern CT, where he helped secure grant funding from local philanthropic organizations to purchase mattress/box-spring sets for individuals and families transitioning to independent housing. He has also served on many committees at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, including 2 years as vice president and 1 year as president of the Congregational Council. In addition to these administrative roles, he has helped coach youth sports (soccer, baseball), and currently serve as quartermaster for Ledyard Cub Scout Pack 16.
Trustee - Grants Chairperson
Felix has lived in Ledyard since 2002, after moving here to take a research scientist position at Pfizer in Groton, where he has been continuously employed to date. He obtained his PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Utah, then moved to San Francisco, CA for a post-doctoral fellowship at the biopharmaceutical company Genentech. He is married to Janis O’Quinn Vajdos, and they have 3 children: Benjamin, a Ledyard High School graduate, Jessica attends Ledyard High School, and Nikolas is in 7th grade at Ledyard Middle School.
Felix has enjoyed serving our community in a variety of capacities during the past 16 years. He has previously served on the board of directors for the Furniture Bank of Southeastern CT, where he helped secure grant funding from local philanthropic organizations to purchase mattress/box-spring sets for individuals and families transitioning to independent housing. He has also served on many committees at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, including 2 years as vice president and 1 year as president of the Congregational Council. In addition to these administrative roles, he has helped coach youth sports (soccer, baseball), and currently serve as quartermaster for Ledyard Cub Scout Pack 16.
Sherri Diamond
Trustee
Sherri is a mother of 4 and a proud retired Navy Wife. Sherri was an Ombudsman most of her husband’s military career and also worked with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. The Diamond Family was assigned to the sub base in 2016 after living several years in Hawaii, Then after 22 years of service the family decided it was time for retirement and settled in Gales Ferry and Sherri’s husband is now working for General Dynamics (Electric Boat) and Sherri continues to be active within the community with the Ledyard Public Schools, Sherri is a true supporter of LEAF and truly loves Ledyard as her new home.
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Trustee
Sherri is a mother of 4 and a proud retired Navy Wife. Sherri was an Ombudsman most of her husband’s military career and also worked with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. The Diamond Family was assigned to the sub base in 2016 after living several years in Hawaii, Then after 22 years of service the family decided it was time for retirement and settled in Gales Ferry and Sherri’s husband is now working for General Dynamics (Electric Boat) and Sherri continues to be active within the community with the Ledyard Public Schools, Sherri is a true supporter of LEAF and truly loves Ledyard as her new home.
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David Wolford
Trustee
David Wolford has been a Ledyard resident since moving to Connecticut in 2002. He is married to Angela and has one son that is currently enrolled in Ledyard Public Schools. David is a regional sales manager and has been working in sales and marketing since 2012. Prior to that, he worked for 10 years as a scientist at Pfizer. He has a Masters of Science in Chemistry from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from Niagara University.
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Trustee
David Wolford has been a Ledyard resident since moving to Connecticut in 2002. He is married to Angela and has one son that is currently enrolled in Ledyard Public Schools. David is a regional sales manager and has been working in sales and marketing since 2012. Prior to that, he worked for 10 years as a scientist at Pfizer. He has a Masters of Science in Chemistry from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from Niagara University.
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Heather Shipley
Trustee
Originally from Southern Illinois, Heather has lived in Gales Ferry since 2008, with her husband, Mark, who is currently stationed on the PCU IOWA. Their son, Luke, is 8 years old and attends Gales Ferry School. Heather enjoys her job in the library at Gales Ferry School. She can also be found some weekend days behind the circulation desk at Groton Public Library.
Heather’s Elementary Education degree is from the University of Illinois and she also holds a Master’s in Post-Secondary Education from Troy University. She has taught grades 3-8 in public schools in Illinois and Georgia, specializing in Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies.
The Shipley Family is very glad the Navy brought them here!
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Trustee
Originally from Southern Illinois, Heather has lived in Gales Ferry since 2008, with her husband, Mark, who is currently stationed on the PCU IOWA. Their son, Luke, is 8 years old and attends Gales Ferry School. Heather enjoys her job in the library at Gales Ferry School. She can also be found some weekend days behind the circulation desk at Groton Public Library.
Heather’s Elementary Education degree is from the University of Illinois and she also holds a Master’s in Post-Secondary Education from Troy University. She has taught grades 3-8 in public schools in Illinois and Georgia, specializing in Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies.
The Shipley Family is very glad the Navy brought them here!
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Michael Pfarr
Trustee
Mike grew up in New Jersey prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy. After completing the Nuclear Power training program, he was stationed at the submarine base in Groton in 2000, and has remained in Connecticut since. He has lived in Ledyard for the last 7 years, with his wife Kristin and their two sons.
Mike has worked as a Mechanical Engineer for over a decade and is currently employed at A/Z Corporation. Additionally, he is actively involved in Scouts BSA with his sons and currently serves as the Assistant Cubmaster for Pack 16 in Ledyard.
Trustee
Mike grew up in New Jersey prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy. After completing the Nuclear Power training program, he was stationed at the submarine base in Groton in 2000, and has remained in Connecticut since. He has lived in Ledyard for the last 7 years, with his wife Kristin and their two sons.
Mike has worked as a Mechanical Engineer for over a decade and is currently employed at A/Z Corporation. Additionally, he is actively involved in Scouts BSA with his sons and currently serves as the Assistant Cubmaster for Pack 16 in Ledyard.
Ex Officio Members
Jason Hartling - Ledyard Superintendent
Anthony Favry – Ledyard Board of Education Chair
Former LEAF Trustees
Dawn Sullivan
Jim Sullivan
John Freeman
Chris Calhoun
Marge Anderson
Angela Arnold
Cathy Patterson
John Clark
Kurt Colella
Julia Cronin
Michael Curtin
Linda Davis
Terry Fedors
Corinna Fleischmann
Keva Fothergill
Marie Fowler,
Michael Graner
Sharon Hightower
Barbara Jones
Alan Kriz
Bruce Lefker
Martin Legg
Jerry Lentz
Fred Litty
Mary McGrattan
William Merrill
Douglas Meyer
Chuck Mihalko
Mimi Peck-Llewelyn
Steve Nohara
Elizabeth Peterson
John Phetteplace
Marcy Pillsbury
Mike Planeta
Lori Potter
Tom Reynolds
Naomi Rodriguez
Liz Smith
Sean Sullivan
Peter Swatsburg
James Sweet
Terry Triplett
Joseph Vorbach
Jenna Warren
Erica Watson
Lisa Chesnut
Doreen Szollosi
Randy Craig
Kevin DiFilippo
Jennifer Keefe
Stephanie Calhoun
Jason Hartling - Ledyard Superintendent
Anthony Favry – Ledyard Board of Education Chair
Former LEAF Trustees
Dawn Sullivan
Jim Sullivan
John Freeman
Chris Calhoun
Marge Anderson
Angela Arnold
Cathy Patterson
John Clark
Kurt Colella
Julia Cronin
Michael Curtin
Linda Davis
Terry Fedors
Corinna Fleischmann
Keva Fothergill
Marie Fowler,
Michael Graner
Sharon Hightower
Barbara Jones
Alan Kriz
Bruce Lefker
Martin Legg
Jerry Lentz
Fred Litty
Mary McGrattan
William Merrill
Douglas Meyer
Chuck Mihalko
Mimi Peck-Llewelyn
Steve Nohara
Elizabeth Peterson
John Phetteplace
Marcy Pillsbury
Mike Planeta
Lori Potter
Tom Reynolds
Naomi Rodriguez
Liz Smith
Sean Sullivan
Peter Swatsburg
James Sweet
Terry Triplett
Joseph Vorbach
Jenna Warren
Erica Watson
Lisa Chesnut
Doreen Szollosi
Randy Craig
Kevin DiFilippo
Jennifer Keefe
Stephanie Calhoun