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Our Executive Team understands what it takes to create the
perfect camp experience.
We expect a lot from our Team: knowledge, creativity, passion,
wit, and style. All members of the Executive Team are specialists
who are highly qualified, expertly trained and committed to one
goal: to create the perfect camp experience. We work year-round
and constantly raise the bar for personal development and service.
Together, we continue to keep the dream alive and bring limitless
adventures to people of all ages.
ESF’s year-round headquarters is in a creative “Think
Tank” located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. This is where we
field calls from parents, campers, and team members; write itineraries
and develop curriculum; handle the enrollment process; recruit,
select, and train staff members; balance the books; manage the logistics;
and dream up new programs. From in-depth research to last minute
tweaks, the ESF team is committed to perfectionism so that camp
will run flawlessly.
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Michael Rouse is the President, Executive Director, and co-founder of ESF, Inc. and oversees all camp operations. Michael created the camp programs at The Haverford School, Norwood-Fontbonne Academy, The Lawrenceville School, Greenwich Academy, Gilman School, The Episcopal Academy, Moorestown Friends School, Trinity College, Rosemont College, Girard College, Montgomery School, and The Phillies Baseball Academy. Michael also competed on the professional tennis circuit for two years as an amateur, and achieved an ATP world ranking. Michael is a graduate of Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Arts and Communication. Michael is a graduate of the Disney Institute’s People Management, Customer Service, and Creative Leadership Programs. He is a member of the YPO, holds a Black Belt in Tang Soo Do karate and competes in the Tang Soo Do Mo Doo Kwan Federation. Michael is a Board member at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy and Gesu School and was inducted into the Villanova University’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Michael's goal is for every camper to have a camp experience that they will remember for a lifetime. .
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Bill
Rouse is the Director of Operations and co-founder of ESF Summer
Camps. Bill, along with Michael, created the camp programs at The
Haverford School, Norwood-Fontbonne Academy, The Lawrenceville School,
Greenwich Academy, Gilman School, The Episcopal Academy, Moorestown
Friends School, Trinity College, Rosemont College, and The Phillies
Baseball Academy. Bill was a Finance Major at Villanova University
and attended the School of Commerce and Finance at Villanova. Bill
is also a graduate of the Disney Institute's People Management Program
and is a member of the American Camping Association.
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Greg Ackerman
is a graduate of Villanova University where he earned a Bachelors
of Arts degree in History and served as the co-captain of the Varsity
Tennis Team with Michael Rouse. Before joining ESF full-time, Greg
had 5 years prior experience in camp and in lifeguarding. He also
worked for four years in sales and customer service with the Sprint
Corporation. Greg has 9 years of camp experience with ESF and 8
years experience as Site Director of ESF Summer Camps at Gilman
School in Baltimore, MD. He is certified to teach Red Cross Lifeguarding,
CPR and First Aid Courses. Greg is a graduate of the Hurricane Island
Outward Bound School and The Disney Institute's People Management
Program. He is also a member of Habitat for Humanity.
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Lucille
Santo During the summer of 1996, Lucille Santo worked as an
Administrative Assistant at ESF's Haverford School Day Camp and
then joined ESF full-time as Administrative Director. Before joining
the ESF Team, Lucille worked with the Haverford Township School
District for 20 years as a teaching assistant in the high school's
alternative program called Allgates and then, as the secretary at
Manoa Elementary School. Lucille is a graduate of The Disney Institute's
People Management Program.
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Debbie Russo
is a graduate of St. Joseph's University with a double degree in
Elementary Education and Management. Debbie was a science teacher
and Department Chairperson at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy for six
years. She joined ESF's Executive Team in 1990 and was on the opening
teams at the Norwood-Fontbonne Academy site as well as The Lawrenceville
School site, where she continues to fulfill the role of Site Director.
During the winter months, Debbie has served as the head of Programming
and is presently the Director of Communications, where she heads
up the Marketing Department. Debbie is a graduate of the Hurricane
Island Outward Bound School and The Disney Institute’s People
Management Program.
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Kim Keiper is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Before joining the ESF Team, Kim worked for six years as a CPA for Goldenberg/Rosenthal and Deloitte & Touche. Kim joined Simon & Schuster Publishing, A Viacom Company, in 1994. During her nine years with S&S, Kim enjoyed learning about the publishing business and managed various departments within the Controller’s organization. In 2003, Kim returned to the Philadelphia area and worked for a construction company as the Controller. Kim became acquainted with ESF as a parent when her son attended ESF. She was so impressed with the staff and program at ESF, that when the opportunity of becoming ESF’s Controller came her way, she jumped at the chance to join the ESF Team! Kim balances her work responsibilities with that of wife and mother of two. |
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Chris
Landosky was a Day Camp Sports Specialist at ESF's Lawrenceville
Day Camp in 1995 and then joined the Executive Team as the Production
Director. He has six years of camp experience with ESF; 4 years
as Director of Baseball Operations for the Phillies Baseball Academy
and 2 years as Site Director at Moorestown Friends School. Originally
from Toms River, NJ, Chris was a catcher on his High School Varsity
Baseball team. He has over 10 years experience coaching youth baseball
and was a two-time All-Star Head Coach. Chris also played on the
All-Marine Corps Softball Team in Okinawa, Japan. Chris was an Architecture
major in college and is a graduate of the Disney Institute's People
Management Program. Chris was on the 1997 Opening Team of ESF's
Phillies Baseball Academy.
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Will Forbes was hired by ESF in the fall of '05 to be the Coordinator of Technology. He has previously worked at both the Moorestown Friends and Norwood Sites. He is married to a beautiful woman named Alison and have a young daughter named Sarah. Will grew up in Saranac Lake, New York. For three years prior to joining the executive team, he taught science, mathematics, and technology at Princeton Charter School in Princeton, NJ. Previously, he worked as a systems administrator for the DOD, and as a technical trainer for CSC. Will attended St. George’s School in Newport, RI. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, and a Master of Science in Teaching from the State University of New York at Potsdam, New York. Will's passions are his family, golf, paddle tennis and downhill skiing.
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Rob
Dieckert grew up in South Jersey and graduated from Cherry Hill
West High School in 1979, where he played football and baseball.
He then went on to Rutgers University to study Business Administration,
graduating in 1984. He worked for three major companies, working
his way up to General Manager for Office Max. Needing to spend more
time with his family, he left business to pursue the Mortgage Industry.
He worked for Aurora Financial, Household International, and Cendant
Mortgage before starting with ESF in the summer of 2000 as an Archery
Specialist. Rob then joined the Executive Team in April of 2001
in the Admissions Team. His hobbies include coaching soccer and basketball,
playing golf, and listening to music. Rob currently works in the Team Development Department at ESF.
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Joanne
Le Veque Before joining ESF full-time in November 1999, Joanne
Le Veque, worked as an Administrative Assistant at The Haverford
School Camp. She also reviewed many camper health forms for ESF.
Joanne worked with the Haverford Township School District for almost
12 years as the Medical Assistant at Manoa Elementary School. In
addition, she worked part-time in a retirement community in Rosemont,
PA as the Charge Nurse. Joanne also taught nursery school at St.
George's for 1 1/2 years before joining the Haverford School District.
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Nick Landosky a former varsity baseball player, graduated
from Toms River South High School in 1998. He attended Catawba
College where he majored in math education. In 1997 and 1998, Nick
worked at the Phillies Baseball Academy, winning the PBA Ichiban
Award in 1998. His previous job experience includes working with a
construction group renovating kitchens and bathrooms, as well as
building new houses. He worked for five years at Home Depot. Nick
joined ESF’s Operation Team full-time in 2007.
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Susan Gambescia joined ESF in October of 2006 as the
Executive Assistant to Bill Rouse. She brings over twenty years of
administrative experience for executive level management. Susan is a
graduate of Peirce College where she received her Associates in
Science degree in 1980. Susan is a resident of Haverford Township and
lives in Havertown with her husband Stephen and two children,
Stephanie and Steve.
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Danielle Taylor joined ESF in April as Michael Rouse's executive assistant. She has a Masters of Science degree in Political Theory from the London School of Economics and a Bachelors degree in Political Science from Shippensburg University. Her previous experience includes assisting Executives with Advanta and Century 21. Danielle is very excited to be part of ESF's Executive Team.
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Mike
Trachtenberg received his degree in Business and Insurance from
Syracuse University and worked in the family insurance business
until he considered a career change. His passion for baseball led
him to the Phillies Baseball Academy (PBA). Since the winter of
1998, Mike has worked in a variety of capacities with both ESF and
PBA. He spends the summer months with our West Team of Phillies
coaches working to create incredible camp experiences for budding
baseball enthusiasts and players. In some ways, PBA has become a
new "family business" for Mike; his son, Ross, has worked
at our camps, and his wife, Symme, helped to establish a very memorable
week for campers with special needs at one of our PBA sites. Mike
has coached with the Upper Merion Baseball Association for the past
15 years where he continues to share his expertise and love of baseball
with children of all ages.
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Pete McHale is a graduate of Villanova University where he majored in Political Science and Communications. While at Villanova, Pete worked in the Admissions Office, led Habitat for Humanity Service Trips, and was on the Steering Committee for the New Student Orientation Program. After graduating from Villanova, Pete spent three years as an underwriter for an insurance company in Philadelphia. Pete is currently enrolled in a Master's Degree Program in Higher Education Leadership. Throughout college, Pete spent five summers working for ESF in Moorestown, NJ; three as a Senior Camp Counselor, one as an Archery Specialist, and one as a Senior Camp Sports Specialist. Pete returned to ESF full-time in January 2006 and currently works in Team Development.
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Caitlin Boyle became a full-time Executive Team member in November 2007 as an Enrollment Coordinator. She is a graduate of Colgate University, where she earned degrees in English and Theater. While at Colgate, Caitlin was heavily involved in the music and drama department and taught several acting programs for The Earlville Opera House and the Hamilton School District. Prior to joining ESF, Caitlin was the Program Director for a multi-arts center in upstate New York. Caitlin was a Creative and Performing Arts Specialist at our Moorestown Friends site for the summer of 2007. Caitlin is also Moorestown Friends’ 2007 Master Teacher.
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Elaine
Burr Elaine Burr graduated Peirce Business School in Philadelphia.
Prior to joining ESF, Elaine worked as an administrative assistant
for a marketing company. She also did transcription typing for physicians
from home while raising her family. Elaine joined ESF in 2002 on
a part-time basis and just recently became a full time Team Member
as an Enrollment Coordinator.
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Clare
Doherty Clare is a full-time member of the ESF Marketing
Team. She
has a degree in Graphic Arts from Camberwell College of Art in
London, and a degree in Social Anthropology from the London School of Economics.
Experienced in both print and web graphics, Clare has
worked for a number of years as both a freelancer and an in-house designer. Prior to joining as a full-time employee, she worked for ESF in a freelance capacity. She
is the proud mother of three children.
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Melissa Soroka is a graduate of Moravian College where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and her Certification in Elementary Education. During her time at Moravian, Melissa was a member and captain of the Varsity Softball Team who received their first-ever bid to the NCAA Division 3 World Series where they finished second in the nation. Her love for learning and dedication to children is what has drawn Melissa to ESF. She has been an ESF Team Member for two summers at Trinity College working as a Coach and Sports Specialist. At the conclusion of her teaching certification from Moravian College, in December, Melissa joined the ESF Executive Team as Program Director for the Dream Camp Mentoring Program at Trinity College.
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Jenny Kulick is proud to join the Executive Team after nine amazing summers at the Norwood-Fontbonne Site. She has worked as a counselor, a TLA and Quest Specialist, a Senior Camp Director, and most recently as an Assistant Site Director. Before joining ESF full-time, Jenny was an adjunct professor in the Communication Department at Villanova University and in the Theatre Department at West Chester University. She also worked as an actor and director in and around the Philadelphia area. She is a two-time graduate of Villanova University, earning her Master of Arts in Theatre in 2003 and her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts (Education, English, and Theatre minors) in 2001. She is a 2003 Ichiban winner and a member of the inaugural class of ESF Boot Camp. Jenny is thrilled to join the Talent Acquisition Team as a Recruiter!
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Matthew Alario attended Blair Academy and then Drew University, where he was a Political Science and Religious Studies major. While at Drew, Matthew was a member of the Varsity Lacrosse Team, Student Government Association, Orientation Committee, and the school mascot. For the past three summers, Matt has worked at the ESF Dream Camp at Trinity College. He started as a swim instructor before moving up to Assistant Aquatics Director. Matt will be working in Operations and Admissions.
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Amy Blescia is a graduate of Albright College, where she earned a degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and Art. After graduating from Albright, she taught Elementary School for seven years in schools throughout the Philadelphia area and northern New Jersey. While teaching, Amy directed and choreographed several school plays and taught evening classes for adults within the school community. Amy has been an ESF team member since 1997; beginning as a counselor at The Haverford School and most recently as the Assistant Site Director at Greenwich Academy. Amy was a member of the inaugural class of ESF Boot Camp and joined ESF full-time in September as a Recruiter in the Talent Acquisition Team.
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Kath Cloran joined ESF in April of 2005 as an Event Coordinator. She Graduated from Seton Hall University with a degree in Communications in 1995. Kath began her career as an intern working for the Atlantic 10 Conference in 1995, where she later became the Assistant Commissioner for Championships until 2002. She took on the role as Director of the Atlantic 10 ShootOut from 2002 to 2005. She now works hard to organize various events for ESF. When away from the office, Kath enjoys spending time with her husband, Stephen, and her three sons Jack, Sean, and Duke.
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Polly Medved joined the ESF Executive Team in March 2005 as the Team Development Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Region. She is a graduate of Bloomsburg University where she majored in Communication Studies. Throughout college, Polly spent her summers working for ESF at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy as a Senior Camp counselor. She was on the opening team for ESF’s overnight camp at Brewster Academy in 2004, where she returned for her second summer in 2005. She spent her fifth summer at ESF as Assistant Day Camp Director at The Haverford School in 2005.
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Dani Mezzino joined the Executive Team full-time in
September of 2006 as the Program Director for Dream Camp
Philadelphia. Dani attended the University of Scranton where she
earned her degree in Counseling and Human Resources. Following
graduation, she volunteered for one year in Chicago at Mercy Home for
Boys and Girls as the Education Coordinator for the program. Dani
returned to the area and enrolled in the EPICS (Educational Partners In
Catholic Schools) Program at Seton Hall University. She earned her
Masters Degree while teaching at St. Michael’s Catholic School. In the
summer of 2006, Dani was a Day Camp Support Specialist at our camp
at The Haverford School.
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Mary Franco joined the Executive Team in September 2007as the After-School Program Coordinator at Dream Camp Trinity. Mary has worked with Dream Camp since the summer of 2003 and has served as a counselor, activity specialist and, most recently, Day Camp Director. Additionally, she was the recipient of the 2005 Ichiban Award at Dream Camp Trinity College for her extraordinary commitment to making a difference in the lives of our campers. Since 1994, Mary has held various positions in her career as an educator and has worked with special needs children and children from diverse cultural backgrounds. Mary is the proud mother of two children, Jillian and Darien, and a lifelong resident of Hartford, CT. In 2007, Mary graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a degree in English.
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Janelle Post joined the ESF Team in December 2006 as the
Events Manager. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau
Claire, where she received a BS in Elementary Education. Janelle
worked with YMCA Camp Speers-Eljabar in the Poconos for six years,
eventually leaving as the Assistant Camp Director. She most recently
worked with the YMCA of Camden County for seven years as the Youth
and Day Camp Director where responsibilities included operating a 36-
acre day camp facility and organizing sports leagues and instructional
classes. During her time with the YMCA, Janelle was a YMCA National
Trainer and a Consultant to other New Jersey YMCA Day Camps.
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Jenn Prendiville, an ESF team member since 2000, attended
both Ursinus College and Cabrini College and graduated from Cabrini
in 2005 with a degree in Liberal Arts. At school she was a member of
the softball team where she earned league honors all four years. She
also had the opportunity to travel to Aruba in 2005 to be part of the USA
Athletes International Team. Jenn is currently the Logicistics
Coordinator for the Operations Team. During the summer Jenn has
worked at the Episcopal Academy as a Senior Camp Counselor, Sports
Camp Coach, as well as an Instructional Specialist. In 2004 Jenn was a
recipient of the Ichiban Award as a Support Specialist at Episcopal.
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Patti Hall joined the Executive Team in June of 2006 as a fulltime
member of the Enrollment Team. During the summer of 2006, Patti
was an Administrative Assistant at our site at The Haverford School.
After returning to Headquarters in the fall, she became the Regional
Coordinator for both of our Dream Camp locations. Patti attended The
University of Pennsylvania where she majored in Psychology. Prior to
joining ESF, Patti was a Business Manager for two private Friend’s
Schools, a Marketing Coordinator for an environmental agency, a
Supervisor at The Home Depot and she owned her own basket making
company. Patti brings a wide range of experience and knowledge to
Team Development. She is always striving to help improve our
interviewing and hiring efforts.
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