Rick Esche, Ed.D., Treasurer

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Treasurer Dr. Rick Esche is the principal at Paradise Elementary School in the Pequea Valley School District in Lancaster County.

Mark Ziegler, Secondary Representative

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Mark Ziegler serves as the Secondary Representative on the board of directors. He is the principal at Camp Hill High School in the Camp Hill School District.

Donna Rose, Elementary Representative

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Donna K. Rose is the Elementary Representative on the board of directors. She is principal of Clark Elementary School in the Harbor Creek School District, Erie County.

Dr. Benjamin Feeney

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Dr. Ben Feeney is the principal of Lampeter-Strasburg High School in the Lampeter-Strasburg School District. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the PA Principals Association, and also served as the Central II Secondary State Director. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors of the National Principals Association (NPA).

Christopher Gegaris - East I Secondary

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Christopher M. Gegaris is a veteran administrator currently working in the Wyoming Valley West School District, where he serves as assistant principal at Wyoming Valley West Middle School. (East 1 Region). Prior to his current role, he served as high school principal at Tri-Valley High School (7–12) in the Tri-Valley School District (2021–2023). Earlier, he was dean of students at Shenandoah High School (7–12) in the Shenandoah School District (2019–2020). From 2017 to 2019, he served in the Crestwood School District central office as Chief of District Operations after 15 years as the district’s high school principal (2003–2017). In addition to his school leadership roles, Gegaris has served as a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Commission for Standards and Practices since his appointment in 2017. He also served on the PIAA District II Committee from 2011-2019 and as East I State Director from 2012-2019, prior to his appointment as assistant principal-at-large in 2025.

Robert Palazzo - East II Elementary

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Robert Palazzo is Supervisor of Curriculum, Student, and Community Services at Panther Valley School District and serves as the East II Regional State Director for elementary members. Mr. Palazzo previously served as a school psychologist and an elementary school principal over the course of his 18 year career in education. He was the 2022 NAESP National Distinguished Principal for Pennsylvania. Mr. Palazzo earned a Masters of Education in School Psychology from Oswego State University; his Master of Education in Educational Administration from Wilkes University, and his Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility from Kings College.

Dr. Peter Mayes

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Dr. Peter Mayes, Principal of Whitehall High School in the Whitehall-Coplay School District, Whitehall, Pennsylvania, is currently serving as the East II Secondary representative on the Board of Directors. Dr. Mayes has been a member of the association for 20 years. Over these years, he has served as an elementary assistant principal and principal, middle school principal, and high school principal. Dr. Mayes earned a B.S in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University, a Masters in Secondary Curriculum and Instruction from Kutztown University, a Masters in Educational Leadership and Principal Certification from Wilkes University, and a Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership and Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from East Stroudsburg University. Dr. Mayes resides in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with his wife, who serves as an elementary teacher. Dr. Mayes’ daughters are also training to be elementary teachers.

Matthew Moyer - East III Elementary

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Matthew Moyer serves as the East III Elementary State Director. He is Pennsylvania's 2020 National Distinguished Principal. With more than 28 years of experience in education—and over 23 years in school administration—he brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and passion to the field of public education. Currently serving as the principal of Rupert Elementary School in the Pottstown School District, Mr. Moyer is also a published author, national speaker, adjunct professor, and educational consultant. His work centers on equity, school culture, instructional leadership, and empowering teachers to reach every learner. Mr. Moyer began his career as a fifth-grade teacher in the Spring-Ford Area School District. He later earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, his Principal Certification, and a Letter of Eligibility for Superintendent. He served as an assistant principal at Schuylkill Valley Elementary School in Leesport, Pennsylvania, before assuming his current role in Pottstown—a diverse, high-poverty district where he has led with distinction for more than two decades.

Edward Roth, Jr. - East III Secondary

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Edward Roth, Jr., represents the East-III Region as the Secondary State Director, and the PA Principals Association as the representative on the PIAA Board of Directors. Mr. Roth also serves as the chair of the Principal of the Year Selection Committee. He has served on the PA Principals Board of Directors since 2022. Mr. Roth is the Principal of Penncrest High School in the Rose Tree Media School District. Mr. Roth has been a high school principal since 2013 and a school administrator since 2010. Mr. Roth earned his bachelor's degree from Temple University and his master's degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph's University.

Dr. Sommer Garman - Central I Elementary

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Dr. Sommer Garman is the Middle School Principal for the Bellefonte Area School District and Coordinator of Professional Learning for the Bellefonte Area School District. Dr. Garman has been a member of the association for more than 12 years. She recently joined the Board of Directors in August of 2025. Dr. Garman earned a BS in Elementary Education with a Minor in Spanish from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She earned her Master of Education and Principal's Certificate from California University of Pennsylvania. She earned her Doctorate and Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility from California University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Amy Brown - Central I Secondary

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Dr. Amy Brown is the Jr./Sr. High School Principal of the Northeast Bradford School District and assumed the role of Central I Director for the Pennsylvania Principals Association in 2025. She brings 13 years of experience teaching high school mathematics and holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University. Dr. Brown is committed to collaboration, professional growth, and fostering inclusive, high-quality education while supporting the integrity and excellence of Pennsylvania schools.

Dr. Scott Lindsey - Central II Elementary

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Dr. Scott Lindsey is a Principal at Ben Franklin Elementary School in the Harrisburg City School District. Before coming to Harrisburg City School District, Dr. Lindsey was the Assistant to the Superintendent at the Middletown Area School District. There, he was a part of creating the Career Pathways program with Harrisburg Area Community College, implementing Restorative Practices district wide and helping to restart and fund a backpack program called Raiderpacks that served over 200 families weekly. Early in his career, he was the Director of Student Services at Cumberland Perry Career and Technology Center and the Assistant Principal at Susquehanna Township High School. Dr. Lindsey resides in Harrisburg with his wife, two dogs and two cats. He enjoys Penn State football and golf. In addition, he is a college and high school wrestling official and a high school lacrosse official.

Dr. Joshua Weitzel - Central II Secondary

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Dr. Joshua Weitzel joined the Manheim Central High School administrative team in April of 2013 as an Assistant Principal/Assistant Athletic Director. In 2018, Dr. Weitzel was named Principal of Manheim Central High School. Before arriving at Manheim Central, he was a high school social studies teacher at Oxford High School in Oxford, PA and Norman High School in Norman, OK. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Weitzel has served as co-sponsor for the Global Awareness Club and as a head assistant wrestling coach. Educationally, Dr. Weitzel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education and Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Dr. Weitzel resides in Lancaster with his wife and two daughters.

Edward Alexander - Central III Secondary

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Edward Alexander, Junior-Senior High School Principal for the Blacklick Valley School District, has been a member of the PA Principals Association for 19 years. He became the Central III Secondary Board Representative in August 2025. Mr. Alexander earned his B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Master of Education from St. Francis University, K-12 Principal Certification for California University of Pennsylvania and his Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility from St. Francis University.

Dr. Veronica Will - West I Elementary

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Veronica Will, Ph.D., is an educational leader and scholar committed to equitable, high-impact learning for all students. She serves as the Principal of Iroquois Elementary School in the Iroquois School District, leading data-driven improvement, student leadership development and community partnerships. A former music educator, her work reflects a strong commitment to creativity, student voice and whole-child education. Dr. Will holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, a post-master’s certificate in School Administration, and a Ph.D. in Public and Educational Policy from Liberty University. She serves on the Pennsylvania Principals Association Board of Directors and the Wattsburg Area School District Board of Directors.

Dianntha McCaughtry - West I Secondary

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Dianntha McCaughtry has served as Assistant Principal at Westlake Middle School in the Millcreek Township School District since June 2021. In August 2026, she began serving as the West 1 Secondary State Director for the Pennsylvania Principals Association Board of Directors. Committed to fostering a positive school culture, she believes every interaction is an opportunity to guide, teach, and support students while helping them develop a strong sense of belonging within their school community. Her leadership emphasizes building meaningful relationships, supporting high-quality instruction, and using data-informed decision-making to help all students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Prior to joining Millcreek, she served as a teacher, instructional coach, and principal at a charter school in the City of Erie. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Educational Psychology at Liberty University to deepen her understanding of how students learn and how schools can best support their success. A proud Millcreek resident, she values the opportunity to both live and serve in the community she calls home.

Melanie Rosenberger - West II Elementary

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Melanie Rosenberger serves as the West II Elementary State Director and as the Federal Relations Coordinator on the PA Principals Association Board of Directors. She earned her Elementary/Early Childhood Education degree from Duquesne University and continued there to obtain her Reading Specialist certification. She later completed a master’s degree in Online Education at Franciscan University and earned her Principal Certification from California University. She has served for 12 years as a K–5 Assistant Principal at the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School and have been part of the PA Cyber community for nearly 17 years.

Pierre LaRocco - Diversity At-Large Representative

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Pierre LaRocco serves as Assistant Principal at Springfield Township High School. He has been a member of the PA Principals Association since 2022 and serves on the Board of Directors as the Diversity At-Large Representative. He leads the Special Education Department and serves as Director of Student Activities at Springfield Township High School. In his role with PA Principals, he advocates for inclusive leadership practices, equity-focused policies and the development of school communities where every student and educator feels valued and supported. Mr. LaRocco earned a Bachelor of Science from DeSales University, a Master of Education from Widener University and his Principal Certification from Temple University.

Dr. Monica Ouly-Uhl - Professional Development Representative

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Dr. Monica Ouly-Uhl serves as principal of Orefield Middle School in the Parkland School District. She has been a member of the Pennsylvania Principals Association for 21 years and serves as Professional Development Representative on its Board of Directors. Dr. Ouly-Uhl holds a B.S. in Nutrition and an M.Ed. in Home Economics Education from Penn State University, principal certification from Lehigh University and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility from Temple University. She was recognized by the International Bullying Prevention Association in 2018 and named Pennsylvania Assistant Principal of the Year in 2020.

Mariah Rackley, Ed.D. - Supervisor At-Large Representative

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Mariah Rackley is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Cornwall-Lebanon School District. She served 13 years as the principal at Cedar Crest Middle School. Mariah has been a member of PA Principals for 18 years. Mariah earned her B.S. in Elementary/Special Education from Lebanon Valley College, her M.Ed. in Teaching and Curriculum and Principal Certification from Penn State University, a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility from California University of Pennsylvania, and an Ed.D. from Drexel University in Educational Management and Leadership. Mariah was named an NASSP Digital Principal of the Year for 2018 and received the 2022 June Herr Educator of the Year Award from LVC.