Voting governance
Founding Board of Trustees
The Founding Board of Trustees is the governing body responsible for Oxford Classical’s nonprofit governance, charter application, financial stewardship, policy framework, and public accountability.
Laura Pallares, M.Ed.
Board Chair / Founding Trustee
Director of Finance & Strategy, Casa Carmen Wines
Laura Pallares works in finance and strategy at Casa Carmen Wines and has experience across education and philanthropy. She is a graduate of the College of Charleston and the Harvard Graduate School of Education and previously served as a senior consultant at American Philanthropic, supporting fundraising and strategic planning for mission-driven organizations. She brings practical experience in finance, development, and educational planning to the founding effort.
Justin J. Watkins, J.D.
Founding Trustee
Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Justin J. Watkins is a partner in the Philadelphia office of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. With a background in scientific research and university-to-business technology transfer, he advises clients in the manufacturing, pharmaceutical, health care, and health care information technology sectors on business formation, strategic combinations, venture investing, financing, and governance matters. He earned his J.D. cum laude from Temple University Beasley School of Law and his B.A. from Swarthmore College.
Joe Simmons, MBA
Board Vice Chair / Founding Trustee
Energy Executive and Transformational Leader
Joe Simmons brings more than four decades of leadership in the energy industry, including senior executive roles at Constellation Energy and Sunoco. His experience spans energy trading, upstream oil and gas, and refinery operations. At Constellation, he served as executive sponsor of a major five-year transformation to implement a new energy risk management system. He began his career as a geophysicist in exploration and production. Joe holds degrees from Harvard University and Purdue University, with additional graduate study at the University of Houston.
José J. Sáenz Crespo, M.P.A.
Board Secretary / Founding Trustee
Director of Systems, Intercollegiate Studies Institute
José J. Sáenz Crespo is Director of Systems at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, where he leads enterprise architecture, digital operations, and technology infrastructure supporting ISI’s national work in classical liberal and civic education. He holds an M.P.A. from American University’s School of Public Affairs and a B.A. in Political Science from The Catholic University of Argentina. His career spans organizational transformation and strategic communications, including work with the Inter-American Development Bank, Buenos Aires City Government, and The Walt Disney Company Latin America. A native of Ecuador now living in Southern Chester County, José brings international perspective and a deep commitment to institutions rooted in enduring ideas.
Jim Dunn
Board Treasurer / Founding Trustee
Public-Sector Partnerships and Procurement Executive
Jim Dunn brings nearly four decades of experience with Grainger, where he has worked closely with the Federal Government, the U.S. General Services Administration, and the United States Postal Service. He oversees contractual engagements that support strong and effective public-sector partnerships. Jim is also committed to the mission of National Industries for the Blind, supporting procurement from nonprofit agencies that create employment opportunities for individuals who are blind. He serves on advisory boards for the United States Postal Service and the Coalition for Common Sense in Government Procurement. Jim holds B.A. degrees in Finance and Management.
Rich Orpneck, MBA
Founding Trustee
Former President, Oxford Area School Board
Rich Orpneck has a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.B.A. from Widener University. He has more than 40 years of experience in chemical research, sales, and marketing. Rich is active in his community and church and brings governance experience to Oxford Classical Charter School, having served as President and Vice President on the Oxford Area School Board. His commitment to Oxford Classical reflects a belief that students are best prepared for citizenship through a firm foundation in the basics, strong character, and a willingness to serve.
