Landon Alumni Board
The purpose of the Landon School Alumni Association is to engage the Alumni in meaningful ways, provide opportunities for Alumni to connect to Landon and one another, and invest broadly in Landon and its future. Please see the profiles below to learn more about the current members of the Alumni Board.
- Peter Arnold '82 - President
- Cameron Coursen '99 - Secretary
- David Chakola '09 - Treasurer
- Steve Abraham '76
- Ali Al-Attar '91
- Steve Amitay '83
- Michael Day '94
- Spencer Flajser '07
- James E. Gilbert '81
- Andy Goldstein '04
- Stephen L. Gordon, Jr. '07
- Patrick L. Guarnieri '00
- Brian J. Haney '99
- Mark Knebel '88
- Dave Thomas '80
- Ty Blue, Jr. '10
- George Wenchel '65
- William T. Jolley '03
Peter Arnold '82 - President
A former White House speechwriter and Congressional press secretary, Peter Arnold is president of Arnold Consulting Group, a lobbying and communications company he founded in 1998. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and a law-business executive education program sponsored by the structured settlement industry at the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza Business School.
Peter spent 10 years at Landon. He is vice president of the Dartmouth Club of Washington and has two daughters at the National Cathedral School.
Cameron Coursen '99 - Secretary
Cameron is a corporate communications executive with more than 15 years of experience counseling Fortune 500 and trade association clients on communications and public affairs issues. While at Landon, Cameron helped his fellow Bears win multiple IAC championships while on the Varsity Football and Varsity Tennis teams. Cameron lives in Chevy Chase, MD with his wife and son.
David Chakola '09 - Treasurer
David Chakola ’09 joined the board in 2014. After his time at Landon, he attended Hobart College in Geneva, NY. Upon graduating in 2013 with disciplines in environmental science and economics, and after playing as a four-year letterman on the varsity lacrosse team, David settled back in Maryland to join his father managing the family’s North American manufacturing business headquartered in Williamsport, Maryland. He is the vice president of Operations across their manufacturing portfolio. He is currently attending the 2-year Advanced Finance Program at The Wharton School, at the University of Pennsylvania. David, his wife, Ali, and their dogs, Lola and Woodstock, live on a small sheep farm in Middletown, Md.
Steve Abraham '76
Steve is honored to serve as President of the Landon Alumni Association. Please let him or others on the Board know if you have Landon or Alumni related questions or issues you would like to bring to the board's attention.
While at Landon, Steve started on the Varsity Football team for three years, was co-captain of an IAC Champion Football team, served as class president, and worked on the Yearbook and Dance Committees.
He is a proud General, having graduated from Washington & Lee, where he was President of the Executive Committee (the Student Body), and the Washington & Lee School of Law.
In 2003, inspired by his 2001 National Outdoor Leadership School program, he left his law firm where he was a trial attorney to establish Wilderness Leadership & Learning, Inc. (WILL) a holistic 12-month program to enhance the educational, leadership and life skills of DC high school youth from underserved/under-resourced neighborhoods.
Go Bears!
Ali Al-Attar '91
Ali Al-Attar is a member of Landon's Class of 1991 and completed his undergraduate and medical education at Georgetown University. He remained at Georgetown for his residency training and was in Manhattan for fellowship training. He is currently in private practice as a plastic surgeon in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Steve Amitay '83
For the past 25 years Steve has been a lobbyist in DC representing a wide variety of clients. In 2003 he started his own firm and since 2012 he has served as the Executive Director and General Counsel for his client the National Association of Security Companies (NASCO). He also has worked over the past decade as part of a team of lobbyists to enact legislation that has provided billions of dollars in compensation to victims of terrorism. Previously he worked in the U.S. Senate, and graduated with a B.A. from Columbia University and a J.D. from Georgetown University.
Michael Day '94
Michael Day is Vice President of Francis O. Day Company, a fourth generation family business serving the Washington DC Metropolitan area. F.O. Day is a full service heavy highway and site work contractor as well as developer and home builder under the name Greentree Homes. F.O. Day is one of the largest asphalt producers in the State of Maryland.
A lifelong resident of Potomac/Bethesda, Michael began his Landon career in 3rd grade and graduated in 1994. He then went on to Loyola College in Maryland where he graduated with a bachelor of business management in 1998. At Loyola he continued his lacrosse career where he lettered all four years, was selected as team captain, and achieved Honorable Mention All American. Shortly thereafter, he returned to Loyola and completed his master of business administration in 2002.
Michael joined the Landon Board of Trustees in 2009 and served through 2015. He then joined the Landon Alumni Board in 2015 to continue his service to the school.
Spencer Flajser '07
James E. Gilbert '81
I am proud to serve on the Landon Alumni Board. Landon was such an important part of my education and development. My best friends in life continue to be my Landon Brothers.
My journey after Landon Class of 1981 took me to Amherst College. I graduate Amherst College Class of 1985 with a BS in Biology and Political Science. I played on the tennis team and the rugby team and fell in love with the martial arts, which has been an important part of my life ever since. Landon always taught me to try new things and don’t settle for the easy road.
After Amherst, I spent a year at Princeton University on a work/study scholarship. I was fortunate enough to assist the team doctors in the care of the student athletes at Princeton. That was where I realized sports medicine was the goal.
I completed Georgetown University Medical School in 1990, and then worked my way further south to Duke University where I completed my residency in orthopedic surgery in 1996. Landon had opened my mind and taught me the discipline that I needed to navigate this path.
After Duke, I did a sports medicine fellowship in Dallas with the Dallas Cowboys ( don’t worry, I am still a loyal Washington fan), Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars and PBR (my favorite). It was incredible opportunity to learn from the worlds best team physicians.
I arrived back in DC in 1997 and started in private practice as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine with Metro Orthopedics and Sports Therapy ( known to many as MOST). I have been with MOST ever since. I am now the President and CEO. It goes without saying that the leadership skills were taught to me by my teachers and coaches at Landon. Many still remain my closest mentors and advisors in life.
I have worked with US Soccer, DC United, the Washington Spirit, the PBR, the Special Olympics and Duke Athletics. My favorite athletes to care for are still the Bears.
Landon taught me to never be satisfied and to always strive to get better. That is why I will be pursing shortly a second side career in the Navy Medical Reserve as orthopedic trauma surgeon. Definitely, looking forward to the challenges.
As we do at Landon, I have been involved in many after work activities. I have earned a second degree black belt and the martial arts has given me the inner balance that i needed to stay on course. I also enjoy golf, skiing, hiking and reading anything.
My beautiful wife Suzy keeps me straight and has given me three beautiful Holton girls Parker, Kate and MC. No Landon Boys here , but my heart is always there.
Bears for Life
Andy Goldstein '04
Andy Goldstein is a member of the Class of 2004. While at Landon, he was on the varsity diving team starting freshman year, going undefeated his sophomore year. He joined the Alumni Board in 2019.
A graduate of American University, Andy began working for Potomac Pizza in his senior year and has been with the company ever since. He is general manager of their Potomac location and oversees the Rockville location.
Stephen L. Gordon, Jr. '07
Stephen L. Gordon Jr. is a Senior Professional Staff Member for the United States House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform. Prior to his role on the Oversight Committee, Stephen served as the Director of the Office of Public Engagement & Environmental Education at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Patrick L. Guarnieri '00
After graduating from Landon, Patrick earned a degree in finance from the University of Virginia where he played on the men's tennis team. He is a long-time Landon class agent and in his fourth year as a member of the Alumni Association Board. He works for a large Swiss bank in Bethesda, as a vice president & portfolio manager in their wealth management division, and enjoys time with his family, tennis, and cooking.
Brian J. Haney '99
Brian Haney class of 99 is a Certified Family Business Specialist, which is a la-de-da way of saying he works with business owners to help them maximize their growth and profitability. Founder of his firm, The Haney Company, he is passionate about educating and empowering consumers to achieve financial success. A national speaker, author, podcast host and mentor, Brian operates his independent family-owned practice with his father Allen and brother Scott, Landon class of 02, outside of Washington DC. At Landon he played soccer, wrestling and lacrosse and was a proud member of Landon’s first #1 Nationally ranked championship lacrosse team.
Mark Knebel '88
Mark owns and operates Clemens Builders, a residential development and construction company focusing on the luxury market. He lives in Bethesda with his wife and three children. Their two boys will finish their 10-year runs at Landon in ’21 and ’22. Their daughter graduated from Holton and is now in college.
While at Landon, Mark played varsity soccer for four years, won one IAC championship and was their captain his senior year. He played varsity lacrosse, won three IAC championships and was a proud member of Rob Bordley’s first undefeated team his senior year. He was also the editor of the Brown and White, held various student council positions and was active in several community service programs. Mark played lacrosse at the University of Virginia where he earned a degree in architecture.
Mark has been their class agent since graduating and joined the Landon Alumni Board in 2019.
Dave Thomas '80
Davy Thomas is a member of the Class of 1980. Too uncoordinated and distractible at the time to excel in sports involving a ball, Davy ran cross country and track and is a proud member of the 1978 IAC Cross Country Championship team, the last year the Bears won the IAC in that sport. Davy is the Washington, D.C. managing partner of an international law firm. He and his wife of 29 years, Laurie Breslin Thomas, and their dog Martha, split their time between their (mostly) empty nests in Bethesda and Maine, having (mostly) raised their three kids, Emma, Charlie and Noah (Landon, Class of 2016).
Ty Blue, Jr. '10
Joining the Landon Alumni Board in 2020, Ty Blue is a member of the Class of 2010 as well as the 10 Year Club. Following his time at Landon, he attended the University of Virginia, where he graduated with a B.A. in History in 2014. Returning to the Washington DC area following graduation, he has worked at Berkadia Commercial Mortgage for the past 5 years, assisting clients with their Debt and Equity needs on all Commercial Real Estate asset types. He currently resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland with his wife, Gavin (Holton-Arms ’10), and Yellow Lab, Mason.
George Wenchel '65
George is a member of the class of 1965. Upon graduation, he attended the Naval Academy, graduating in 1969. He spent the subsequent 23 years on active duty, retiring in 1992. He then was a consultant to the Navy, Department of Justice, and several Department of Defense activities. Finally retiring in 2017, he is entering his ninth year on the Alumni Board. He has worked on the Annual/Landon Fund since 1990.
William T. Jolley '03
Will Taylor Jolley is a seasoned attorney who has worked across the non-profit, private, and federal government sectors in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, California and New York City.
Currently, Will works with Washington DC’s office of Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining as an attorney advisor. Previously, he worked as General Counsel for Dynasty Capital Ventures, a real estate development corporation.
Mr. Jolley is a graduate of the Howard University School of Law and The College William and Mary. He is also an active member of the Washington Bar Association, the National Bar Association, and the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. He enjoys spending time with his family and expanding his experience-base through travel, relationships and reading.