02/21/2026
On February 17, Senior Seminar students participated in mock interviews with the individuals listed on the graphic and below. Thank you to everyone for volunteering your time.
~ Rich Pinsk - Strategic Education Inc. ~
Rich Pinsk is a digital learning and education-technology leader with deep experience helping organizations design, improve, and scale high-quality learning experiences. He currently serves as Vice President of Digital Learning and Emerging Technology at Strategic Education, Inc., bringing a practical focus on instructional design, learner engagement, and emerging technology to modern education and workforce preparation. Previously, he held senior roles in instructional technology and curricular innovation at Strayer Education. Rich earned a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
~ Valerie Rutherford - East Penn ~
Valerie Rutherford is a proud graduate of Kutztown High School, class of 2000. I have deep roots in the community, still living just outside of Kutztown, and my daughters now attend the district as well — something that keeps me closely connected to the area that shaped me.
I recently celebrated 25 years with East Penn Manufacturing, also known as Deka Battery. Throughout my career, I’ve grown within the Personnel Department, where I take great pride in supporting our employees and helping them navigate their career paths. One of my primary responsibilities is coordinating our internal mobility process. East Penn’s internal bidding system gives employees the opportunity to move between plants, departments, and shifts, creating meaningful pathways for advancement. Being part of that process — and helping people find roles that fit their goals — is something I truly value.
In addition to internal mobility, I also coordinate our Co‑op Program, Internships, and Scholarships. These initiatives allow me to work with students and emerging talent, helping them gain hands‑on experience and explore future career opportunities. It’s rewarding to support both current employees and the next generation entering the workforce.
~ Thomas Bendetti - Fleetwood Bank ~
Thomas Bendetti serves Fleetwood Bank as a Commercial Lending Relationship Manager. In this capacity, he works with local businesses with needs to borrow to support their day-to-day operations and to fund inventory, equipment or real estate purchasing. In addition to Fleetwood Bank, Bendetti has worked in Wealth Management at TD, PNC, and Univest Banks.
Fleetwood Bank is the only bank doing business in Berks County, that is headquartered in Berks County. The bank has been in continuous operation since 1907. The seven branch offices of Fleetwood Bank are located in Kutztown, Fleetwood, Oley, Lyons, Shoemakersville, Blandon, and Wyomissing.
~ Dr. Philip Cavalier - Kutztown University ~
Philip Cavalier, Ph.D., began his tenure as the 13th president of Kutztown University on July 6, 2025.
Cavalier came to Kutztown after serving as the provost and senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM), a regional public university with more than 7,000 students in northwest Tennessee. His tenure included five months as interim chancellor in 2023. During his seven years at the university, he led the creation of UTM's 2025-30 strategic plan and two strategic enrollment plans and developed or enhanced eight academic programs aligned with student interests and local workforce needs.
He also played a key role in boosting student retention and graduation rates, managed the university's largest budget, and forged new partnerships with community colleges and regional employers, including a major collaboration with Ford Motor Co.
Before joining UT Martin, Cavalier held several faculty and senior leadership roles in higher education, including provost at Lyon College, provost and dean of the college at Eureka College, and dean of general education at Catawba College. He was a Fulbright Scholar at Kyiv International University and Kyiv Slavonic University in Ukraine and a tenured faculty member in English at Catawba College.
Cavalier holds a doctorate in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo, a master’s degree in English from Northeastern University, Boston, Mass., and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pa.
~ Leah Ross - Fleetwood Bank ~
Leah Ross, Multi-Site Manager at Fleetwood Bank. I currently manage the Kutztown and Lyons Branches. I have 12 years in the financial services industry. I serve as the treasurer of Friend Inc, a member of the Kutztown Lions club and volunteer on the Kutztown Day committee.
~Gregory Kuhn - Omega Protective Services Inc. ~
Gregory Kuhn is a Kutztown native and KASD parent who serves as President & CEO of Omega Protective Services Inc., which delivers private security guard services across education, industrial, retail, and nonprofit sectors. He also manages multiple real estate investment companies throughout Eastern and Central PA and serves as an investor and advisor to Not Your Buddy’s Trailer LLC. Passionate about giving back, Greg founded the Gregory J. Kuhn Family Foundation and actively supports his community through nonprofit board service, volunteer firefighting, and youth soccer coaching.
