The Board of Trustees

Trustee Biographies

Frank Apollo is in his fourth year on the board of trustees, and has been a Post Oak parent since 2001. He is the senior vice president, finance, for Hines Real Estate Investment Trust, Hines Global REIT, and Hines U.S. Core Office Fund working in commercial real estate. Frank has one child at Post Oak, in Lower Elementary. "I love the excitement and enthusiasm my daughter consistently brings home with her regarding the work she does at school.” He enjoys college football, especially attending University of Texas home and away games.

Bev Bontrager is in her fourth year on the board of trustees, and has been a Post Oak parent since 1999. She has begun a master’s degree program in social work at the University of Houston. Bev has one child at Post Oak, in Middle School. She also enjoys singing in a choir, and likes to cook. “The teachers and quality of the programs keep us here, as well as the respect for all the students. The Post Oak School has always been important to me, and I have given much of my time, particularly the two years I wasPOPA chair.”

Pam Boyar

Melissa Coleman is in her second year on the board of trustees, and has been a Post Oak Parent since 2003.  She graduated from University of Bristol, UK with a B.Sc. in physics and geology, and from the University of Birmingham, UK with a M.Sc. in geophysics. She currently manages the US Lower 48 Exploration program for ConocoPhillips, and is active in promoting women's professional development opportunities; she also supports community outreach efforts to develop an early appreciation for science. Melissa has one daughter in Middle School and one daughter in Lower Elementary at Post Oak. "The Post Oak School has reinforced my children's love of learning, something I value highly, and expect they will carry this with them and benefit throughout their lives. It is an honor to be able to support the school in any way, and serving on the board of trustees is a great opportunity."

Stuart Dow is now in his second year on the Post Oak board of trustees. He and his wife have a daughter in Primary classes at Post Oak, and they are the parents of newborn twins. While practicing law at the litigation firm Susman Godfrey in 1995, Stuart became increasingly interested in education and served on the founding board of KIPP Academy. In 2000 he was selected as Founding Head of The Emery/Weiner School, a role in which he served for nine years before stepping down last spring. Emery/Weiner is known for an unusually robust experiential program, and a distinct culture that merges informality with real seriousness of academic and ethical purpose. The school's success to date is evidenced by strong standardized test scores and college admissions, as well as exceptional enrollment and financial growth. Stuart is now consulting with a variety of organizations, and providing coaching to students ranging in age from teenagers to adult executives. He doesn't practice his saxophone enough, but he's addicted to exercise.

Leland Fondren

Adam Forman is in his second year on the board of trustees, and has been a Post Oak parent since 2004. He is a deputy general counsel at Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. He and his wife have two boys, each of whom are in Lower Elementary classes at Post Oak. “My wife and I love this school and the qualities that it develops in children. I believe it is extremely rare to find an educational institution like Post Oak that consistently produces interested and independent young people. I am grateful to be a part of the Post Oak community.” 

Melanie Gray is in her fourth year as a trustee emerita, after serving seven years on the board of trustees, and has been a Post Oak parent since 1991. She is a partner in the international law firm of Weil, Gotshal, and Manges, LLP, where she serves as co-chair of the Bankruptcy Litigation National Practice Group. She also serves on the boards of Syracuse University, the Society for the Performing Arts, Legacy Community Health Services Endowment, and the national board of Girls Inc. Melanie has one child at Post Oak, in Middle School, and two alumni: a freshman at St. Edward's University, and a junior at Syracuse University. “This school deserves substantial credit for the outstanding character I believe my children have. I want to be sure this jewel is available to Houston families for generations to come.”

Windi Grimes is beginning her first year as trustee. She is a wife and mom with one child in Lower Elementary. She enjoys interior design for friends and family. "Post Oak produces an amazing product and Alumni Night always reminds me of our mission, accomplished."

Head of School John Long and Board Chair Bob Harvey speaking with each other after a graduation ceremony.

Bob Harvey is in his eighth year on the board of trustees and his second year as chair. He and his wife, Vicki, were Post Oak parents from 1993 through 2008. A retired corporate executive and management consultant, he also sits on the boards of United Way of Greater Houston (as chair), Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, TRC Companies Inc. (NYSE: TRR), and the Association of Former Students at Texas A&M University. In his spare time, he enjoys ranching at his place near Brenham. 

John Howenstine

Andrew Kaldis is in his second year on the board of trustees, and has been a Post Oak parent since 2003. He is the president of Kaldis Development Interests, Inc., and also serves on the board of the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance. Andrew has two children at Post Oak, both in Primary. He also enjoys snow skiing, water skiing, boating, fishing, and classic cars. “The school’s passion for the development of the self in the child keeps us coming back. I am very honored to participate on the board where my children are being educated.”

Lloyd Kirchner

Renée Locklar is in her first year on the board of trustees, and has been a Post Oak parent since 2006. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in industrial & systems engineering and received her M.B.A. from New York University.  Renee’s son attends Post Oak in Primary. She also enjoys travel and volunteering. "These are exciting times for The Post Oak School. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the institution of which my husband, son and I have become so fond."

John Long came to Post Oak in 1995 and has been an educator for more than thirty years. In Montessori schools he worked first as a classroom assistant, then as a lead teacher in Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School. He has served as head of two large Montessori schools for a total of 20 years, written for professional journals, and spoken at national conferences and workshops.

John graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in English literature and earned an M.Ed. from Cleveland State University in curriculum and instruction. He received his AMI Elementary certification from the Washington Montessori Institute. He and Kathy Long have been married for thirty-seven years and have two adult sons. John is an avid bicycle rider and artist.

Pat Mitchell is in her fourth year as a trustee emerita, after serving six years on the board of trustees (two as chair), and has been a Post Oak parent since 1991. She is senior vice president for the Texas Medical Center, and also serves on the compensation and benefits committee of a Medical Center institution. Pat’s daughter (Post Oak Middle School class of 1997) will finish her master’s degree in computer science at Stanford University this year. Pat also enjoys travel and reading. "I joined the board after Sara graduated; I felt it was a way to give back to The Post Oak School. We had received so much from the school, and I wanted to be sure Post Oak would be here to serve many future generations.”

Vikas Mittal

Jenny Murphy

Manuel "Manolo" Sánchez is in his first year on the board of trustees. He has been a Post Oak parent since 2008 when his wife Daniela and their two boys moved to Houston from Laredo, Texas.  He is the president and CEO of BBVA Compass Bank and also serves on the board of the Houston Symphony. "What my wife and I love about The Post Oak School and the Montessori model is their wholistic approach on children's education. We see how teachers live by that vision and we are grateful that they focus on the many facets of the childrens' development."

Marilyn Wilson is in her fourth year on the board of trustees, and has been a Post Oak parent since 1999. She is the president of H.J. Gruy and Associates, Inc., an oil and gas consulting firm. Marilyn has served on several boards, including the Texas A&M Petroleum Engineering Industry Board, the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (past president), and the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Marilyn has one son at Post Oak, in Middle School, and also enjoys photography and hiking in the mountains with her family. “Our son is thriving—independently, in maturity, educationally, and socially. Post Oak is such a wonderful nurturing environment. It has given him such a positive outlook on learning.”

Russell Windham is in his third year on the board of trustees, and has been a Post Oak parent since 2002. A principal and partner at Curtis & Windham Architects, Russell also sits on the advisory board for the Julia Ideson Library Preservation Partners and (as vice president) the board of the Texas Institute of Classical Architecture. Russell has two children at Post Oak, both in Lower Elementary. He also enjoys fly fishing, snow skiing, and farming. "The greatest strength of the school is the mission—teaching a well-rounded child—and the teaching faculty.”

John Wallace