The Landon community celebrates and honors the exceptional contributions of its members every year at the annual Alumni Holiday Luncheon. Meet the 2024 honorees: Peter "Chip" FitzGerald Jr. ’83, P ’13; Stephen H. Abraham ’76; and Cindy Peters, P ’12 ’13.

Peter "Chip" FitzGerald Jr. ’83, P ’13 is the recipient of the prestigious W. Landon Banfield ’50 Award for Outstanding Service to Landon.

There are few members of the Landon community with as much deep‑rooted family history at the School as Chip FitzGerald ’83. His father Jerry FitzGerald ’50 was good friends with Dr. W. Landon Banfield ’50 – the man after which the annual Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to Landon is named. His mother, Jeremy, pioneered the Holiday Green Sale and the Landon Antique Show, and was the Chair of the Azalea Festival in 1978. His wife, Martha Blair, was the Chair of the Azaela Festival in 2013, and the volunteer interior design consultant on the Banfield Alumni Room and Farmhouse renovations.  

His son, PJ FitzGerald ’13, graduated as a ten-year Bear and continues to help Landon in his role as class agent. Even his daughter, Blair, has worked at the Landon Summer Camp for several years, including this past summer. In addition, the Shrimp Bowl Trophy which is dedicated to Dr. Banfield was created from a picture of PJ as a fourth-grade football player. Further, Chip’s brother, John FitzGerald ’86, and nephews Vernon Holleman ’19 and Mason Holleman ’21 are also Landon graduates. Chip FitzGerald ’83 has worn many hats on campus. His roles have included student, class agent, parent, volunteer, Alumni Board President, Board of Trustee Member, and Buildings and Grounds Chair. In the latter role, he oversaw the construction of The Freeman Center for Athletic Achievement and major renovations to the Barton Athletic Center, the Farmhouse, and Triplett Field at Bordley Stadium.  

One of his final Board responsibilities was serving on the Financial Sustainability Committee, guiding decisions on enrollment, tuition, and financial aid. Recently, Chip participated in the dedication of the Scott-Lamade Veterans’ Memorial, a project initiated by his father, Jerry, before his passing in 2021. Chip directs the business activities at FitzGerald Properties, managing a portfolio of investment properties throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area. He is proud to oversee the company his father founded as it celebrates 65 years in business. 

Stephen H. Abraham ’76 is the recipient of the Anthony E. Kupka ’64 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Steve Abraham is the CEO and Founder of Wilderness Leadership & Learning, Inc. (WILL). In 2003, he made the bold decision to leave a successful law career to pursue his passion for creating positive change in the lives of young people from underserved communities in the Washington, DC area. Under his leadership, Steve has built WILL into a transformative, yearlong program that provides social and emotional support and unleashes the potential of DC youth, giving them the skills, confidence, and experiences to overcome the challenges they face. 

WILL’s comprehensive 12-month experiential learning program is built on four core pillars: Leadership & Self-Empowerment, Critical Life Skills Development, Environmental Awareness & Stewardship, and Cultural Awareness & Appreciation. Participants complete over 335 hours of programming, including financial literacy education, wellness and nutrition training, diversity and inclusion workshops, community service projects, and a rigorous 7-day wilderness expedition. This holistic approach not only enhances academic and personal growth but also instills a sense of purpose and the tools needed to thrive in every area of life.  

The impact of Steve’s work resonates deeply with those he serves. WILL youth gain more than new skills—they discover self-worth, confidence, and a belief in their limitless potential. As WILL alum Sam shared, “In WILL, I learned so much about myself, about leadership, about respect, and about dignity. I am a different person now than I was when the WILL year began.” In addition to his work with WILL, Steve is a dedicated leader in the broader community. He serves on the boards of The Aaron Straus & Lillie Straus Foundation and The Camp Airy and Camp Louise Foundation. His previous board service includes roles with the Multicultural Intern Program, the Landon Alumni Board (where he served as President from 2018 to 2020), the Washington and Lee University Alumni Association, the Decade Society, and the Straus Foundation Investment Committee. 

Cynthia “Cindy” M. Peters, P ’12 ’13 is the recipient of the Honorary Alumnus Award, with the title of Honorary Alumnus in recognition of her dedicated service to Landon. 

Cindy retired from Landon in June 2024, after 16 successful years as the Director of Special Events and Parent Programs. During her tenure, she was instrumental in organizing and executing major annual events, including Azalea Festival, Alumni Holiday Luncheon, Greens Sale, Homecoming, Oyster Roast, parent visiting days, and student socials. She held a pivotal role in the planning for all receptions throughout The Campaign for Landon.  

Her favorite events were Commencement and Senior Week celebrations! As mother to Dr. Cord J. Peters ’12 and Mr. Marshall A. Peters ’13, Cindy also assumed many volunteer roles during their ten years at Landon. These experiences aided in the functional organization of the Landon Parents’ Association. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Cindy for her unwavering dedication to our mission and her profound impact on our community. She humbly accepts this award in honor of the hundreds of Landon volunteers with whom she worked, who generously gave their time and talents to make Landon’s special traditions possible.