Meet our New Faculty

As a new school year begins, we are thrilled to welcome a talented roster of new faculty to the Govs community. We're also especially proud to welcome back a remarkable number of Govs alumni to Byfield. It is an honor to have so many former students stepping into a diverse range of roles across our classrooms, athletic facilities, counseling center, and business office. Here's to a great year ahead!

New Teaching Faculty Appointments

Caleb Adams joins the Mathematics Department after teaching AP Statistics and Algebra II at Brimmer and May School. Before entering the classroom, he spent eight years in consulting, finance, marketing, and data analytics. Caleb holds undergraduate degrees in Economics and German Language and Literature from George Washington University and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University.

Liam Benjamin joins the English Department after three years at Brunswick School, where he taught English, coached three sports, and worked in academic support. He holds a B.A. in English and Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder and is pursuing an M.A. through Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English.

Morgan Carney '07 returns to Govs to teach History after teaching Global History and coordinating the Sustainability Diploma Program at Greenwich Country Day School. He holds a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College, an M.Sc. from the University of Edinburgh, and master's degrees in Human Geography and Sustainability Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Morgan lives on campus with his wife, son, and dog, Willa.

Michael Marinella joins the English and History Departments after three years at St. Mark's School, where he taught History, served in the Dean's Office, coached basketball and tennis, and worked as a dorm parent. He holds a B.A. in Communication from Boston College and a master's degree in Sports Leadership from Northeastern University. Mike lives on campus with his wife, Anne, and daughter, Sophia.

Ward “Gray” Pierson joins the Mathematics Department after graduating from Saint Michael's College with a B.S. in Computer Science and a minor in Music. Most recently, he coached children with PANNA-USA in New York City, and his experience also includes teaching music and tutoring students in calculus and computer science. Gray plays the piano, saxophone, and guitar.

Annabelle Svahn '20 returns to Govs to teach History after earning a B.A. in History and French from Williams College. She is completing a dual master's degree in Global and International History at Sciences Po and King's College London, with research focused on World War I and memory studies. Annabelle is also a lifelong equestrian.

Sarah Thomson joins the English Department after teaching at Ithaca High School and the Lehman Alternative Community School in Ithaca, New York. She holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan and an M.A. in Teaching from SUNY Cortland.

New Administrative Faculty

Danielle Carroll '05 returns to Govs as a Counselor after ten years supporting young people through nonprofit organizations, most recently as Clinical Director of a group home for youth who had aged out of foster care. She holds a B.A. from Clark University and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a focus in Expressive Arts Therapy, from Lesley University.

Cameron Glover joins Govs as a Counselor after two years at Cushing Academy, where he supported students and led sports psychology programming for athletic teams. A licensed clinical social worker, he holds an M.S.W. from Regis College and an undergraduate degree in Physical Education from Springfield College. A former college lacrosse player, Cam continues to coach.

Kelly Harty '22 returns to Govs as Athletics Administrative Assistant after graduating from the University of New Hampshire, where she was a four-year member—and 2025–2026 captain!—of the women's ice hockey team. Kelly also coached hockey skills, held a leadership role on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and received the UNH Director of Athletics Leadership Award.

Paul Morrissey '99 returns to Govs as Chief Financial and Operations Officer with more than two decades of experience in education and school leadership. Most recently, he founded and served as CEO of Compass Rose Public Schools, growing the Texas charter school network from ninety students to more than 4,000. After graduating from Govs, Paul played junior hockey in the United States Hockey League before earning a B.A. from the University of Connecticut and a master's degree in Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin. He lives on campus with his wife, Nicole, and their three children, Harlan, Noa, and Sawyer.

Kaitlyn O'Connell '21 returns to Govs to lead Strength and Conditioning after earning a master's degree in Exercise Science from Merrimack College. A former Adelphi University basketball player, she completed a strength and conditioning internship at Adelphi and has worked as a strength and conditioning coach at Phillips Exeter Academy. She is also a HYROX competitor.

Orlando Patterson joins Govs as Associate Dean of Students with more than fifteen years of independent school experience. Most recently, he held several student-life and community roles at St. Mark's School, where he also coached football, advised students, and served as a head house parent. Orlando holds a B.A. in Sociology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and an M.Ed. in Independent School Leadership from Vanderbilt University.

James Piombino joins Govs as Digital Marketing Manager and Assistant Director of Admissions after most recently working as a Marketing Consultant and AI Content Specialist. He holds an M.B.A. from Suffolk University and a B.A. in International Business and Spanish from Alfred University. His wife, Laura, is a Govs alumna, and they have a young son, Carter.

Dale Taylor joins Govs as Associate Director of Admission after twenty years at Siena University, where he served as Assistant Director of Admissions. He holds a B.S. in Marketing and Management from Siena and an M.S. in Organizational Management from Sage Graduate School. A former Division I basketball player, Dale is the author of Adversity Is a Privilege.

New Administrative Faculty Appointments

Lindsay Batastini has been appointed Dean of Strategic Enrollment & Marketing after serving as Governor's Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications since 2017. Before joining Govs, she spent more than a decade in brand management and corporate strategy at Tom's of Maine/Colgate-Palmolive, Gap Inc., and Morgan Stanley. Lindsay holds a B.A. in Economics from Middlebury College and an M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

Mike Delay P'23,'25 has been appointed Interim Dean of Students after twenty-five years at Govs, including ten years as Assistant Dean of Students and extensive experience as a teacher, dorm head, dorm associate, and coach. He began his career at Trinity-Pawling School and holds a B.A. in Communications from Boston College, where he played hockey. Mike has worked with the boys varsity hockey program for twenty-three years and has also coached soccer, lacrosse, and track at Govs.

Faith Gargano begins her new role as Assistant Dean of Students for Community Life after working in the Govs Admission Office last year. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Sacred Heart University, where she was a four-year Division I soccer goalkeeper and helped develop wellness programming for student-athletes. Faith has coached soccer and lacrosse at all levels.
Roberta “Bert” McLain P'07,'09 has been appointed Dean of Faculty after serving Govs in teaching, coaching, residential life, and administrative roles since 1997. Before joining Govs, she spent twelve years at Kimball Union Academy. Bert holds B.S. degrees in Biology and Psychology from Union College, an M.S. in Biology from the University of New Hampshire, and an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University.

Ola Russell P'21,'23 has been appointed Director of Marketing & Communications after serving most recently as Governor's Director of Advancement Marketing & Communications. Before joining Govs in 2013, she held marketing leadership positions at The School for Field Studies and Berklee College of Music. Ola holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Rhode Island and brings more than three decades of experience in marketing, communications, and brand development.