Head of School Search

Introducing Landon's Seventh Head of School

Dear Landon Community,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Head of School Search Committee, we are excited to announce that Dr. Andrew "Andy" Martire will join Landon School as our next Head of School beginning July 1, 2026. Following a thorough, robust, and strategic search process that yielded outstanding candidates across the country, Dr. Martire was recommended by the Search Committee and enthusiastically confirmed by a vote of the Board of Trustees to be Landon’s seventh Head of School.

"I'm truly honored to have the opportunity to lead Landon School. It is a school that has rich and meaningful traditions, and at the same time a commitment to excellence in educating boys."

- Dr. Andy Martire, Landon's Seventh Head of School

The Board and Search Committee were impressed by Dr. Martire’s deep understanding of boys’ education, strong appreciation for the teacher-coach-mentor model that is central to Landon, exemplary moral character, and extensive experience strategically leading schools.

Dr. Martire is rooted in experience with and a commitment to all-boys education. A graduate of Gilman School in Baltimore, Dr. Martire's first teaching job was at his alma mater, where he exemplified Landon's "teacher-coach-mentor" philosophy; he taught fifth grade as well as Upper School History and English, coached football and basketball, and also served as Dean of Students, worked in the admissions office, and directed the school's financial aid and summer programs.

"Boys' schools create an ideal environment for boys to develop and reach their full potential," Dr. Martire said. "My own experience, as a student and a teacher, really shaped who I am as a person and as an educator."

After Gilman, Dr. Martire began a 20-year career as a Head of School, first at Calvert School in Baltimore, where Dr. Martire dramatically improved student retention and advanced significant enrollment growth following the 2008 recession. At The Kinkaid School in Houston, he developed the school's comprehensive strategic plan, transformed daily life through major campus construction efforts, and led two capital campaigns that raised a combined $40 million. Currently, Dr. Martire is the Head of School at The Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware, where he launched the school on a positive growth trajectory through a comprehensive repositioning: energizing the academic program, renovating facilities, and adding a grade for two-year-olds.

"As Head of School, my goal will be to preserve Landon's core values and the essence of what makes it such a special place while also moving the school forward to provide the best possible experience for the boys," Dr. Martire said.

Dr. Martire graduated cum laude from Princeton University, where he majored in politics and played football. He earned a Master's of Liberal Arts degree at Johns Hopkins University and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Pennsylvania. A leader among leaders, Dr. Martire has chaired several school accreditation teams and has served as the President of the Association of Independent Maryland and D.C. Schools (AIMS) Board of Trustees. He is now the President of the Delaware Association of Independent Schools (DAIS).

"Andy’s warmth and vision are truly inspiring," said Stevie Brown, one of two Landon teacher-coach-mentors who served on the Search Committee. "We’re excited for everyone to experience the energy and connection he’ll bring to our boys, our faculty, and the entire community."

David Holm, Landon’s Athletic Director from 2011 to 2017 who worked with Dr. Martire at The Kinkaid School, said, "You want to find someone with the right ‘fit’ for the school. I know and love Landon. I know the Landon culture and its values. There is no doubt in my mind that Andy is a great fit for the school.”

The Search Committee and Board are confident that Dr. Martire will build upon Landon's storied history and advance our high aspirations for its future, all while nurturing the intellectual, moral, physical, and personal growth of the boys and leading a dedicated, talented community of faculty and staff. As we begin the next school year, we will share more about Dr. Martire’s plans for visiting the White Rocks and getting to know our community. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Martire and his family - his wife Eva; his children Belle (25), Tyler (23), and Max (17); and his dogs Bailey and Scout, plus his "grand-dog" Moose - to Landon.

Thank you again for your steadfast support of Landon's mission; it is your confidence in and pride for the school that allows us to begin this next exciting chapter.

Go Bears!

Debra Graham, P'18 P'20
Chair, Head of School Search Committee

Bill Magruder '92
Chair, Landon Board of Trustees

After years of dedicated service, Head of School Jim Neill has decided to step down following the 2025-2026 academic year, marking the end of a significant chapter in Landon’s history. This page will serve as a central resource for updates on the search process, key milestones, and opportunities for the community to engage.

Commonly Asked Questions

Who is leading the Search Process?

What is the role of the Search Committee?

Who is on the Search Committee?

Stevie Brown P ’16, Faculty
Debra Graham P ’18 ’20, Board of Trustees
Lisa Hertzberg P’21, Board of Trustees
Burnell Holland III ’01, Board of Trustees
Ted Lamade ’00, Board of Trustees
Inger Rosner P ’20 ’23 ’27, Board of Trustees
Bill Magruder ’92, Chair, Board of Trustees
Nii Amaah Ofosu-Amaah ’00, Board of Trustees
Paul Padalino P ’15, Faculty
Brooke Seawell ’65, Board of Trustees
Peter Ventimiglia P ’26, Board of Trustees

What were the criteria for selecting the members of the Search Committee?

What is the role of Spencer Stuart, the search firm?

Spencer Stuart is the national search firm selected by Landon’s Board of Trustees. Mary Gorman, Aaron Mieszczanski, and Katie Stellato will partner with the Search Committee to ensure a successful process and outcome. Working closely with the Search Committee, they will gather input from conversations at the school and an online survey; finalize the position description; and conduct extensive outreach into the desired candidate pools, seeking to identify leaders whose experience, backgrounds, attributes, and characteristics align with Landon’s aspirations for the next Head of School. The Spencer Stuart team will support the Search Committee through the interview and recruitment process, ensuring that the candidates’ and committee’s need for information, diligence, and confidentiality are met.

How will faculty, staff, parent, student, and alumni input be considered throughout this process?

The Search Committee is committed to incorporating all perspectives from the Landon community when making this important recommendation to the Board. There are several ways in which members of the Landon community can share their thoughts and advice. First, all community members will be sent an invitation to participate in an anonymous e-survey. Second, the team at Spencer Stuart will be on campus in mid-March, gathering insight from many different groups within the Landon community. Finally, community members are encouraged to email the confidential search inbox (LandonHoS@SpencerStuart.com) at any point throughout the search process to submit advice to the search committee as well as to nominate individuals who they think would be a good fit to serve as Landon’s next Head of School.

What is the timeline of the search process?

The Search Committee will take the time it needs to identify and recruit the next Head of School for Landon. The Search Committee has a draft timeline that results in an appointment by the fall, but if at any point the Search Committee feels that the candidate pool is not up to our community’s expectations, then the search will continue its work to engage additional candidates.