Alumni Council
Meet Alumni Countil President John Heald '64
John Heald ’64 holds many distinctions at The Governor’s Academy.John is the 2021 Alumnus of the Year, president of the Alumni Council, and a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame committee. Since joining the Council in 2020, John has led the Annual Giving and Philanthropy Committee, meeting with administrators and trustees to gain a deeper understanding of the Academy’s financial priorities. He’s used that insight to rally classmate support for student-athletes and the GovsPLUS program.
A graduate of Stetson University and Boston University, John enjoyed a successful career in the packaging and paper industry, serving as Executive Vice President of Union Camp Corporation, CEO of Baldwin Technology, and President of John H. Harland Co. He has also been recognized for his service on the boards of United Cerebral Palsy, Preble Street, Common Good Ventures, and the Cobscook Community Learning Center. John divides his time between Cromwell, Connecticut, and Southport, Maine. His brother, Thomas Heald '66, is also a proud Govs graduate.
About the Alumni Council
Alumni Council Mission Statement The Governor’s Academy Alumni Council seeks to promote and support the Academy by connecting alumni with each other and engaging Academy students in their senior year and beyond, creating opportunities for alumni to contribute talent, time, and treasure to initiatives supporting Academy-related events and programs, and by serving as a link between our alumni community and the Academy.
Alumni Council MembershipAt the heart of the Alumni Council, the spirit of non sibi sed aliis (not for self but for others) lives on. Alumni Council members strive to inspire every alumnus to give back to the Academy, to spread the spirit of kinship among our alumni, and to secure the future of our great school. Our success depends upon you—we enthusiastically invite you to join the Alumni Council! Nominations are due by April 15, 2026.
Alumni Council Member Listing 2025-2026:
John Heald '64, President
George Freimarck '72, Vice President
Carol Salloway '73, Secretary
Shawn Backus '17
Namita Bhattacharya '15
Rob Curran '02
Tianyu Fang '20
Patrick Farrell '14
Samara Gallagher '16
John Leonard '03
Dan Shea '07
Pam Toner '74
Chris Webster '09
Holly Zheng '18
Amy Rosales '24, Collegiate Representative
Eva Bockoff '25, Collegiate Representative
Alumni Council Committees:
Outreach and Engagement - Holly Zheng '18 and Patrick Farrell '14, Co-Chairs
Annual Giving - Chris Webster '09 and Dan Shea '07, Co-Chairs
get involved
Help Guide the Next Generation of Govs Alumni!The Alumni Council is seeking volunteers to support our younger alumni as they navigate their early career paths through two exciting new initiatives:
1. Career Coaching and Interview PreparationAre you skilled at writing cover letters and resumes?
Can you offer advice on building a strong LinkedIn profile?
Could you help a recent graduate prepare for an upcoming interview?
Join a dedicated group of alumni focused on helping college-aged Govs alumni sharpen their professional skills and confidence as they enter the workforce. These mentoring connections can take place over email or Zoom—so no matter where you are, you can make a significant impact on helping our younger alumni navigate their professional development.
2. Career Conversations and Networking EventsWe’re also planning small, career-specific gatherings where alumni can connect in person. These events—held over lunch or at your workplace—will be customized to fit your schedule and area of expertise. The Academy's Advancement Office will handle all outreach and logistics to make participation easy.
If you’re interested in exploring these opportunities, please complete this brief form to start the conversation.
Stay in the Know
Ensure you receive invitations to events and stay up-to-date with the latest news. We look forward to staying connected with you!
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