Biographical Sketches – Officers
Richard Booth, President
Mr. Booth retired from a position as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President for Finance of McAdams-Richman & Ong, Inc. He is also President of the Montgomery County Association for First-Class Townships and a Republican Committee person in Upper Moreland Township. Mr. Booth graduated with a BBA from the University of Pittsburgh and did graduate work at Fairleigh Dickinson. Richard resides in Upper Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Booth has served as Upper Moreland Township’s municipal representative since 1993. He served as the Trust’s Treasurer from 1993-2004, and as Vice President from 2005 to 2009. Mr. Booth is a member of the Executive and the Investment and Finance Committees.
Walter Van Buren, Vice President
Mr. Van Buren has been involved in the insurance industry for more than 30 years. He is senior Vice President of CBIZ, the ninth largest accounting firm and twelfth largest insurance broker in the nation. Mr. Van Buren graduated from Abington High School and then from La Salle University with a B.A. in Economics. He serves on several boards, including the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross. Walter is a life-long resident of Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Van Buren was elected to the Trust’s board in 2003, and serves on the Strategic Development and Executive Committees.
Chris Carr, Secretary
Mr. Carr is a vascular / interventional product specialist for B. Braun Medical, Inc., where he has worked since 1991 in various sales and management positions. He is a 1990 graduate of Gettysburg College and is active in many of the school’s alumni efforts, including the Copula Society. He is an avid fisherman and sportsman who has lived in Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania since 2001.
Mr. Carr has served on the Board of Directors since 2005. He serves on the Executive Committee.
Paul Rutherford, Treasurer
Mr. Rutherford, a Chartered Financial Analyst, is Senior Portfolio Manager / Vice President for PNC Advisors in Philadelphia, a position he has held for 12 years. Paul earned a B.S. degree in Finance from Pennsylvania State University after graduating from Abington High School. He has been a community leader in Upper Moreland Township for nearly a decade, having served as a School Board Director, Assistant Treasurer of the Library Fundraising Committee, member of the Police Pension Fund, Vice President of the Education Foundation, and coach for the Upper Moreland Soccer Club. Paul has lived in Upper Moreland Township, Montgomery County, for 17 years
In addition to his community service, Paul has been a member of the Pennypack Trust’s Investment and Finance Committee since 1997 and also serves on the Executive Committee. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2002.
Christopher B. Asplundh, Immediate Past President
Mr. Asplundh was elected Chief Executive Officer of the Asplundh Tree Expert Company in 2001. Mr. Asplundh is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1962 until 1964, and then joined the Asplundh Company in New Jersey. He worked in the Illinois Division from 1965 and 1966, and was then transferred to New England where he served as Division Manager from 1966 to 1968. That year, he was elected Vice President and moved to the company’s headquarters in Willow Grove where he was responsible for 12 division operations until his election as President in 1992, a position he held until 2001. Chris resides in Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Asplundh served as President of the Pennypack Trust from 2004 until 2009, and has served on the Trust’s board since 2001.
Biographical Sketches – Board Members
Dick Brickman
Mr. Brickman is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Brickman Group, Ltd. Mr. Brickman graduated from the University of Illinois with a BFA in Landscape Architecture. He has received a number of awards, including recognition by Town & Country magazine, as one of the nation’s leading landscape architects. Dick resides in Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Brickman served as President from 1996 to 1998 and has been a director since 1988. Mr. Brickman serves on the Board Development Committees.
Sherri L Cooper, Ph.D.
Dr. Cooper is an Associate Professor of biology at Bryn Athyn College. Dr. Cooper, whose research focuses on aquatic ecology in general and diatoms (a group of algae) in particular, earned a doctoral degree from John Hopkins University, a Masters degree from the University of Delaware, and a Bachelor’s degree from Duke University. Dr. Cooper taught and conducted research at the University of Maryland and Duke University before joining the faculty of Bryn Athyn College in 1999. Since joining the faculty at Bryn Athyn College, Dr. Cooper has been involved in conservation research in the Pennypack Preserve with her students. Dr. Cooper, lives in Bryn Athyn Borough, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Cooper has served as a director since 2007. She serves on the Stewardship Committee.
Dudley Davis
Mr. Davis currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Academy of the New Church and Bryn Athyn College. He has been employed by the Academy since 1967, where he has held positions as coach, teacher, Athletic Director, Director of Student Services, Director of Development, and Principal of the Boys' School. Mr. Davis was a councilman for Bryn Athyn Borough, and a member of the Pennypack Trust's board of directors from 1982 to 1990. Mr. Davis lives in Bryn Athyn Borough, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Davis was elected to the board in 2008.
Louis “Tripp” Davis III
Louis ("Tripp") Davis III rose through the ranks to become the third-generation owner and president of L.D. Davis Industries, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of adhesive products. Tripp is a high-energy business executive who earned an MBA from Pennsylvania State University in 1991; his experience has made him in high demand for positions on the boards of business and nonprofit organizations, three of which he continues to serve. Mr. Davis enjoys participating in a wide variety of outdoor and racquet sports, playing guitar and piano, and traveling. Tripp lives in Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Davis was elected to the Board of Directors in 2007.
Jeffrey Elsing, Municipal Representative
Mr. Elsing has served as Bryn Athyn Borough’s representative to the Trust’s board since 2010.
Gail Faulkner
Ms. Faulkner graduated from Upper Moreland High School, Kutztown University (BS, 1971) and Lehigh University (MA 1975). She taught high school English for six years before marrying and starting a family. A member of the Women’s Board of Abington Memorial Hospital, she began serving as its president in 2006. Following her husband, Hank’s, death, Gail became CEO of the Faulkner Automobile Organization and is an active member of the Pennsylvania Automotive Association and the National Automobile Dealership Association.. Gail resides in Upper Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Ms. Faulkner joined the Trust’s Board of Directors in 2003.
Linda Friedrich-Fogel
Linda Friedrich Fogel is a lifelong resident of Huntingdon Valley who graduated from Abington Friends School in 1963 and received her BA from Bucknell University in 1967. Ms. Fogel retired from the Defense Department in 1999 with the Distinguished Career Service Award. In 1985-86 she was selected to attend a Mid-Career Fellowship program at Princeton University. She resides in Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Ms. Fogel was elected to the board in 2000.
Gilbert High, Jr.
Mr. High is an attorney with the Norristown (PA) firm of High, Swartz, Roberts and Seidel, concentrating his practice in municipal law, land use, zoning, and estate planning. He is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He has been a frequent lecturer with Pennsylvania State University’s Agricultural Extension School on the liability of municipalities and arborists with respect to maintenance of street trees. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Abington Memorial Hospital Foundation and is an elder at Abington Presbyterian Church. Mr. High resides in Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. High was elected to the Board of Directors in 2005.
Hyland Johns
Mr. Johns was employed by the Asplundh Tree Expert Company, serving as Senior Vice-President and Director when he retired after 50 years. He attended Academy schools in Bryn Athyn and, after service during World War II (including several years overseas) he graduated in Forest Management from Purdue University, followed by a Masters degree from Michigan State University in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry. He has been a life-long volunteer in numerous organizations, continuing to serve on boards and committees of Holy Redeemer Health System, the Tree Research and Education Fund, various church organizations and the Borough of Bryn Athyn, where he served as President of Council and as Mayor for 38 years.
Mr. Johns served as Bryn Athyn Borough’s representative to the Trust’s board from 2002 until 2009, and then was elected to the board in 2009. He is a member of the Finance and Investment Committee.
Dirk Jungé
Mr. Jungé is President of Pitcairn, a financial management company headquartered in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. He graduated with honors from Lehigh University with a BS in Finance. He currently serves on the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Bryn Athyn Church and is a Board Member of the Academy of the New Church. Dirk resides in Bryn Athyn Borough, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Jungé has served as a director since 1974. He is Chair of the Board Development Committee.
Jill Kyle
Ms. Kyle is Vice President of Fund Development at Abington Memorial Hospital. She is an honorary member of the Women’s Board of the hospital and served as its president from 1993-1997. She is also an honorary member of the Jenkintown Day Nursery’s board and is currently serving a second term on the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Jill is a cum laude graduate of Tulane University with a BS in Psychology. She is a lifelong resident of Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Ms. Kyle was elected to the Board of Directors in 2004. She serves on the Strategic Development Committee.
Gregory Odhner
Mr. Odhner is a Regional Manager for the Brickman Group, Ltd. Mr. Odhner graduated from the Academy of the New Church High School and College. He serves on the Bryn Athyn School Board and the Board of Directors of the Bryn Athyn Marksmen’s Association. He resides in Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Odhner has served as a director since 1997, and is Chair of the Stewardship Committee.
Robert Peterman
Mr. Peterman is President of Peterman Company and Affiliated Insurance Service Corp. He graduated from Grove City College in 1962 and then joined the U S Marine Corp where he served from 1965 to 1971. His service included a tour in Vietnam where he held the position of Combat Platoon and Company Commander with the 2nd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment. Upon discharge from the Marine Corp. he entered the family insurance business where he has been working for the past 41 years. He lives in Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Peterman has served as a member of the board since 2008.
Clair Raubenstine
Mr. Raubenstine graduated from Rider University with a BS in Commerce in 1963. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Management Accountant, and a Certified Financial Planner, and was a partner with PriceWaterhouse-Coopers LLP until his retirement in 2002 after 39 years of service. Mr. Raubenstine is a member of the Board of Directors of Stonebridge Financial Corporation and of the Accounting Advisory Council of Rider University. He is also the volunteer president of the Bucks County Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Raubenstine is very active in his local parish and in the Catholic Charities Appeal of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He lives in Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Raubenstine, a member of the Investment and Finance Committee and the Audit Committee, has served on the Trust’s board since 2005.
Alison Rudolf
Ms. Rudolf served as the manager of Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, from 1982 until her retirement in August 2008. She earned a Master's degree in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University and an undergraduate degree from Ursinus College. Ms. Rudolf began her public service career in Teaneck, New Jersey, and subsequently held positions in Rutherford, New Jersey, and Bristol Township, Pennsylvania. She has been active in numerous community and professional associations, including the International City and County Management Association (ICMA), where she served a term as Regional Vice President of the Executive Board. She currently is a member of the Board of Directors of the ICMA Retirement Corporation. Alison resides in Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Ms. Rudolf was elected to the Board of Directors in 2008.
Katie Sullivan
Mary “Katie” Sullivan is an employee of Holy Redeemer Health Systems in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. She enjoys participating in a variety of active sports including tennis, golf, and paddle tennis. Ms. Sullivan resides in Lower Moreland Township.
Ms. Sullivan has served on the Trust’s board since 2007.
Sam Valenza, Municipal Representative
Mr. Valenza, an Upper Moreland Township commissioner, has served as the township’s representative to the Trust’s board since 2007.
William B. Weihenmayer
Mr. Weihenmayer is a self-employed real estate investor and developer. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Golf Association of Philadelphia and the Property Committee of Abington Memorial Hospital. Mr. Weihenmayer graduated from William Penn Charter School and received a BS in accounting from the University of Delaware. Bill resides in Lower Moreland Township.
Mr. Weihenmayer served as President of the Pennypack Trust from 1998 – 2004, and as 1st Vice President from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Weihenmayer is Chair of the Land Acquisition Committee and a member of the Executive and Board Development Committees. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1992.
William Greenhouse, Jr.
Mr. Greenhouse is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with an Architectural Engineering degree and is associated with the firm of Larry Snyder, Inc., Realtor. Bill resides in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Greenhouse, a director from 1973 to 2000, served as the Trust’s Treasurer and Vice President.
Bruce B. Henderson
For many years, Mr. Henderson served as the Editorial Page Editor of the Bucks County Courier Times, during which time he twice received the Golden Press Award for editorial writing. He left the Courier Times to become the Director of Development for Bryn Athyn College. Mr. Henderson is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, and is a member of Sigma Delta Chi, the professional journalistic society, as well as a member of the Bryn Athyn Church Board of Trustees and Board of Directors of the Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn. He lives in Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Mr. Henderson, one of the original incorporators of the Pennypack Trust, served on the Trust’s board from 1970 until 1997. For many of those years, he served as the board’s secretary.
J. Ross Pilling II
Mr. Pilling is owner of the Conservation Development Partnership. He serves as Board Secretary of the Montgomery County Lands Trust. Mr. Pilling is a graduate of the University of Denver and has a Masters degree in regional planning from the University of Pennsylvania. Ross resides in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Mr. Pilling served as a director of the Trust from 1989 to 2002, and served as Chairman from 1990 until 1999.
Feodor U. Pitcairn
Feodor Pitcairn was one of the original founders of the Trust. He served as the organization’s president and “guiding light” for the two decades between 1970 and 1990. During that same period, Mr. Pitcairn served on the Bryn Athyn Planning Commission and the Montgomery County Planning Commission, including one year as its chair. Mr. Pitcairn is an accomplished photographer with two books of underwater photographs to his credit. More recently, he has been pioneering the use of digital videotape in undersea photography. A series of five films that he produced, The Ocean Wilds, were seen on PBS ion 2001. Mr. Pitcairn photographed the Pennypack Preserve for two yeas to produce the images in Dreaming Wild in the Heart of the Pennypack, a photographic essay about the Pennypack Preserve published by the Pennypack Trust in 2003.
Raymond Synnestvedt
Mr. Synnestvedt is the former president of the George Synnestvedt Company, a position from which he retired to practice as a private consultant. He graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Mr. Synnestvedt lives in Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Synnestvedt, an original incorporator of the Trust, was Vice President for many years, was a member of the Trails Committee, and was responsible for planning and developing the Crossroads Marsh at the intersection of the Creek Road and Papermill Road Trails. He was elected an Honorary Director following the completion of his term in office in 1984.