.jpg)
2022-2023 Advisory Board
The mission of the Saint Joseph Regional School and Our Lady of Mercy Academy Advisory Board is to collaborate with the principal to define the vision, and to promote and sustain the mission of the schools. The Board meets six times per year (every other month beginning in September plus the annual meeting in June, on the third Wednesday at 6:00pm) and is tasked with providing sound advice and support to the principal, reviewing the schools' financial documents, recommending policies in the interest of the schools, and engaging in on-going strategic planning to ensure the long-term viability of the schools.
Advisory Board Members
Troy Chaput -- Vice Chair
Troy Chaput has been a Nurse for 11 years, and currently works as an Applications Systems Analyst for Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health System and as a Staff Nurse at the Cheshire County Department of Corrections. He and his wife, Amber, have two daughters (Addison and Alayna) who currently attend St. Joseph Regional School.
Kate Cushing
Katherine Cushing is a 2011 SJRS graduate. She continued her education at Tabor Academy, graduating in 2015. She received her Bachelors of Science from Clarkson University in 2019. Currently she works at Cushing and Sons, a local Water Well installer and stays active within the local community of Keene.
Ashleigh Hutwelker
Ashleigh Hutwelker is a resident of Swanzey and attended SJRS. She is a Realtor with BH&G The Masiello Group and has two children, one of whom is in 3rd grade at SJRS.
Jaynah Johnson
Jaynah Johnson is from Swanzey and employed at C&S Wholesale Grocers. She and her husband, Aran, have two children -- Taylor, who attends Our Lady of Mercy Academy, and Spencer, who is at St. Joe's.
Randolphe 'Tyke' Lavigne
Tyke grew up in North Swanzey and attended MRHS. During summers and college breaks he worked part-time at Kingsbury Machine Tool in Keene. Upon graduation in 1969, he was employed at Kingsbury full time, starting off in Manufacturing, the assembly floor
and then into engineering for which my degree was in. He was transferred to the Sales department in the mid-70's holding various positions. In 2009, he left Kingsbury as Vice-President of Sales. In 2010, he joined McClellan Automation, manufactures of custom assembly systems for the Medical device industry, in Bedford N.H., retiring in 2015 as Director of Custom Automation. He and his wife, Gail have been members of Saint Bernard's Church their entire lives. Three of their children attended Saint Joseph's during the 1980's and 90's. Presently, they have five grandchildren attending Saint Joseph's and Our Lady of Mercy Academy.
Derek Scalia
Derek Scalia currently serves as the Director of Retention and Diversity at Franklin Pierce University. Through his position, he works directly with community members to assist in the academic success and achievement of the students. In addition, Derek serves as the Archdeacon of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire. Derek and Alison's daughter Natalie is in the 5th grade and has been with St. Joseph's Regional School since Pre-K.
Karen Stanish -- Chair
Karen B. Stanish is an assistant professor of mathematics at Keene State College. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics/Computer Science from Stonehill College in 1996 and her Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics from the University of Virginia in 2002. Karen is also the proud mother of a Saint Joseph Regional School alumna, Elizabeth, who attended grades K-8 at SJRS and graduated in 2018. In her spare time, Karen enjoys spending time with her family, reading, gardening, and attending Red Sox games.
Deacon Ken Swymer
Deacon Ken is a retired insurance training and development professional. He was ordained a Catholic Deacon in May 2014 and assigned to the Parish of the Holy Spirit in Keene, NH. He taught elementary and middle school classes at Saint Joseph Regional School from 2014 to 2020 and holds Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Education.
Ex Officio
Christopher Smith, Principal
Fr. Alan Tremblay, Pastor, Parish of the Holy Spirit
