About Us
School Governance

Academy Board of Directors

JH Classical Academy is honored to have oversight and active engagement from such an esteemed mix of individuals. Each member of our Board of Directors brings their unique gifts, skills, and experience to bear for the advancement of our academy and the betterment of our Jackson Hole community.



List of 7 items.

  • Mr. Jonathan Robinson

    President

    Jonathan Robinson joins the Board of Directors at Jackson Hole Classical Academy with years of experience in statistical analysis, finance, and education. Mr. Robinson has lived in Jackson Hole since 2013, and his son Bill attends JHCA. Mr. Robinson is dedicated to the mission and vision of the school. "I value JHCA for its commitment to rigorous classical education and structure. Students are given the ability to succeed academically, as well as develop good habits for life." 

    Mr. Robinson grew up in Midland, Texas. His father was an air force test pilot, and he followed in his footsteps, joining the Air Force Academy. There he received a B.S. in Operations Research. His excellent work led to a scholarship for a graduate degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As a Captain in the US Air Force, Mr. Robinson was an assistant professor at the United States Air Force Academy. There he was recognized as the Outstanding Computer Science Instructor of the Year in 1998.
     
    Mr. Robinson brings valuable financial acumen to his role as a board member at JHCA. From 2007-2009, Mr. Robinson served as the Vice-Treasurer of the US Air Force Academy's Endowment. Here he helped expand the US Air Force Academy's endowment and gained significant experience in non-profit fundraising. Since 2009, Mr. Robinson has been the principal consultant at William E. Wecker Associates. He uses statistical analysis to solve problems arising in litigation and business.
     
    Besides his professional pursuits, Mr. Robinson is an assistant scout master for Troop 67, Boy Scouts of America. His son Bill is a scout. They look forward to adventures throughout the year, such as winter camping, cross-country ski treks, and extended rafting expeditions. 
  • Mrs. Polly Friess

    Vice President

    Polly Friess’ belief in classical education stems from her love for classical music, having toured through 26 countries, from 1987 through 1995, performing and recording sacred classical music in 16 languages. As the winds of freedom began to sweep across the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, Gloriae Dei Cantores was the first American choir to visit countries that had been closed to the West for more than 40 years. Bringing hope and inspiration through the universal language of music to those people at that historic time was a formational experience.

    Entering Boston College after her international touring, Mrs. Friess continued her love of singing with the Boston Pops at Tanglewood. She serves on the board of two charitable foundations that support education and the promotion of a just and free society. Her founding donations toward the establishment of The Trinity Forum and Relevate demonstrate her desire for Christians to think, work, and lead wisely and well.

    She also served for many years on two national advocacy boards dedicated to the transformation and renewal of culture through effective philanthropic giving, The Gathering, and strategic political action, Legacy.

    Mrs. Friess earned a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Boston College, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She met her husband Steve at a conference on giving, only to realize they were united in their work for religious freedom and passionate about excellence in education. They were married in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and feel blessed to raise their four children, Jackson, Virginia, Thatcher, and Sarah in such a beautiful place.

    At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
    Matthew 18:1-5
  • Mrs. Lynn Friess

    Secretary 

    Mrs. Lynn Friess joins the JH Classical Board of Directors with years of experience in nonprofit organizations, specifically in the arts and education. Her grandchildren, Thatcher, Ginger, and Sarah attend JHCA. Lynn was instrumental in the founding of JHCA and is dedicated to excellence in education. 

    "I love JHCA because, as a grandmother, I have seen and visited other schools, both public and private. Unfortunately, many of those schools miss the mark in my opinion. JHCA is special. The teachers really care about their students. It shows in the conduct of the students the respect they have for their teachers, and each other."

    Lynn grew up in upstate New York and worked as a grocery store clerk, an assistant in the Scottsville Town Library, and made her own clothes. She received a bachelor of arts from the University of Wisconsin, married her “Marlboro Man” and together they raised four children.  

    Lynn was named one of the Outstanding Women of Wilmington, Delaware for her volunteer work, and she continues to work in the arts and education. She chaired the Wyoming Business Council and the Board of the National Museum of Wildlife Art, while winning awards for each of her five children’s books. Lynn currently enjoys serving on the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Board, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Board, the ACE Scholarships National Advisory Board.

    Lynn lives part-time in Jackson and enjoys her fifteen grandchildren.
  • Mr. Frank Reichel, CFA, CAIA

    Treasurer

    Mr. Frank Reichel brings a long career in the investment management business to the JH Classical Academy Board as well as years of experience in the non-profit sector. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations and is a Certified Financial Planner.

    Frank has been profiled in several publications such as Forbes Magazine, Barron’s Magazine and The Washington Post for his accredited small cap investing style and has also appeared as a guest on CNBC, CNN and Bloomberg television. Until December of 2020, Frank was the CEO of Virginia investment management firm Thompson, Siegel and Walmsley, where he has remained a portfolio manager and senior advisor with plans to fully retire in September of 2021. Most recently, Frank served on the Board of Governors at St. Catherine’s School in Richmond for six years and chaired the Finance Committee. His tenure included two capital Campaigns, two head of school searches, and co-chairing the Class of 2014 parents’ gift committee. 

    Frank was born and raised near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in Villanova. He received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and his MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, Frank married Sue, his college sweetheart, and returned to the Philadelphia area to work at Stratton Management Company, an investment advisory firm. There, he was managing partner and created and actively managed the Stratton Small Cap Value Fund. After 14 years at Stratton, Frank was recruited to start a Small Cap fund at TSW. 

    Until moving to Wyoming in April of 2021, Frank served on the Board and also as treasurer for Elk Hill Farm, which provides educational and mental health services for underprivileged youth across several Virginia counties. He was the VP of Development and an Executive Committee Member of the Board for the Heart of Virginia Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Directorships in the Philadelphia area included Episcopal Community Services and Seaman’s Church Institute. He also served on the Vestry of Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr, PA and on the Session of Hebron Presbyterian Church in Manakin-Sabot, VA. 

    Frank is committed to the classical model of education. He says, “In this unsettling time, I believe it is important to return to basic learning with a foundation in the Christian tradition and the Great Works of our civilization. This is important for my daughter as well as the children of her generation and those to come.”

    In his free time, Frank enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing, kayaking, running, hiking, and rollerblading. He is looking forward to hunting and getting into fly fishing with his youngest daughter, Honor, who is a student at JHCA. In addition to Honor, Frank and Sue have three grown children and one grandchild.
  • Mr. James Link

    Member

    James Link joins the Board of Directors at JH Classical Academy with years of experience in strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, communications, and board development. Mr. Link earned a bachelor of arts degree in Religious Studies from Iona College and a master’s degree in Religious Education at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
     
    Mr. Link is the President of Greenwich Philanthropic Advisors, based in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he provides professional counsel to charitable organizations to maximize their fundraising potential and assists with their strategic planning. Previously, Mr. Link worked as President of the Coast Guard Foundation in Stonington, Connecticut, helping to secure private support for the Coast Guard Academy. He also served as Regional Director of Major Gifts at Dartmouth College, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Hartwick College, and Vice President for Advancement at Iona College, where he led marketing, communications, and advancement programs. 
     
    Mr. Link was also the Assistant Headmaster for Institutional Advancement at Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, New York. There he developed and implemented an advancement plan that helped to increase annual fund revenues by 42 percent in his first year. He is excited to bring his years of experience working in advancement at an independent school to JH Classical Academy.
     
    Mr. Link believes that a classical, Christian education is “the best way to learn.” He says “it causes students to wrestle with the material, see if it's true, and make it their own. In the process, students discover that truth exists, that it can be known, and that it leads to happiness and virtue.”
     
    Mr. Link is pleased to join the Board of Directors at JH Classical Academy “because JHCA is becoming a national leader in classical education and has the ability to renew our culture.”
     
    In his free time, Mr. Link enjoys backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, skiing, golfing, and reading.
  • Mr. Norton Rainey

    Member

    Jackson Hole Classical Academy is pleased to welcome Norton Rainey as a new member of our board. Norton brings years of experience with Christian education and school choice to JHCA. Norton currently serves as the CEO of ACE Scholarships: leading the charge for education reform in America, ACE Scholarships provides K-12 scholarships to lower-income children and enables them to attend private K-12 schools. In addition, the organization collaborates with state legislatures to advocate for school choice policies. ACE played a crucial role in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Espinoza vs. the State of Montana, which opened the doors for families to enroll their children in schools of their choice.
     
    Norton earned his degree in business marketing from the University of Colorado, where he also received a scholarship to compete in golf (even facing off against Tiger Woods). He is a board member at Brave Christian Academy in Denver, an active member of YPO Rocky Mountain, serves as a board member with Evans Scholars, and contributes as a panelist for Golf Digest. Norton has been married to Kara for 22 years, and together, they take pride in raising three children, aged between 15 and 18.
  • Mr. Paul Harrell

    Head of School - Non-voting Member

    Paul Harrell’s 44-year tenure in private education encompasses a multitude of roles, as a master teacher, Math Department Head, Varsity Football Coach, Admissions Director, Advancement Director, and Head of School, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our community. Throughout his career, which has taken him across the country at premier private educational institutions from North Carolina to Kentucky, Michigan, Illinois, and California, Paul has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and the nurturing of virtuous habits in students. His track record is unparalleled, most notably
    during his tenure as Interim Head of School at Seven Peaks School in Bend, Oregon, where he orchestrated significant financial and cultural growth, leaving a lasting legacy of unity and academic excellence.
     
    During his 10-year tenure as Head of School at Vacaville Christian Schools in Vacaville, California (2007–2017), Paul led a transformative era of expansion and innovation. Overseeing over 800 students and 140 faculty and staff members, he managed a $10 million annual operating budget with precision. Paul spearheaded a groundbreaking $16 million bond project for a state-of-the-art high school and athletic complex, successfully renegotiating the bond to $6 million for fiscal responsibility. Paul fostered a cultural shift, promoting collaboration and empowerment among the administrative team, leading to consecutive 6-year accreditation renewals by Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). Beyond academics, he contributed to student development by teaching AP Calculus and AP Statistics, coaching elementary football, and initiating Positive Psychology into the curriculum. Paul’s visionary leadership and tireless dedication positioned Vacaville Christian Schools as a beacon of educational excellence in Northern California.

    Paul and his wife, Krista, are the proud parents of six children.
     
    "My family and I are incredibly honored and blessed to have received this opportunity to be a part of such an amazing team and community. I will use every experience God has afforded me to support the students, faculty, and parents. I am beyond excited to be a part of such a talented and driven team." – Paul Harrell
Mountain Range

Contact

Physical Address:
2500 S. Park Loop Rd.
Jackson, WY 83001

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 7466
Jackson, WY 83002
 
Enrollment Inquiries:
Lisa Landis, Admissions 
(307) 201-5040 
 
All Other Inquiries:
School Office
(307) 201-5040
 








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Nondiscrimination Policy: Jackson Hole Classical Academy admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Jackson Hole Classical Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, tuition assistance, athletic, arts and other school administrated programs.