Milton Thanks Brad : A Decade of Record

Bradley M. Bloom
Member of the Board of Trustees, 2004–2015
President, 2009–2015

For 11 years, Brad Bloom has devoted himself to advancing Milton’s tradition, mission and capacity to lead.

Not ones to stand by, Brad and his wife Terri took on early roles as parent leaders in Milton’s fundraising, when their daughter Elizabeth ’08 entered Grade 4 and their son Ross ’06 joined Milton in seventh grade, the following year.

Elected to the board in 2004, Brad exposed more of his talents, and we rewarded him by electing him president of the board on January 31, 2009. He and Todd Bland, then entering his first year as head of school, began their journey as Milton’s leaders, with shared aspirations for great progress.

As board president, Brad has undertaken and realized a wide range of crucial institutional advances — from developing authentic communication channels with faculty, to completing a thorough board self-evaluation, to identifying bold strategic priorities, to launching a crucial capital campaign.

Brad’s calm and unflappable demeanor has predictably been an essential asset for himself and for all of us as Milton broke new ground. Perhaps more surprising has been how Brad’s optimism and confidence empowered us. Brad’s vision of Milton is a School with inspired direction, a will to excel, boundless energy, and the financial capacity to fully realize our best plans. He matches only Todd in his sense of imminent possibility, and we are all onboard.

Fearless and open, Brad has always endorsed transparency as the board’s working style. Eager to make sure every idea has a place in the sun, Brad routinely welcomes everyone who cares about Milton to be present at the planning table. Ever resourceful, he spins variations on a plan even as it unfolds, incorporating the great thoughts he’s just heard. Brad favors the idea that shared awareness brings shared responsibility.

Brad was among the handful of architects who developed and chartered the Faculty Council Liaison Committee, which assures direct communication among trustees, administrators and faculty. This Committee set a transformative dynamic in motion, allowing time and space at each board meeting for the groups to listen to each other, achieving understanding and new awareness.

Twenty-two of today’s trustees joined the board under Brad’s presidency, and he immediately included each of them, in turn, as full participants in all Milton matters. At the same time, he has supported key transitions, honoring Milton trustees who have provided distinguished and invaluable leadership over many years, as they conclude their service on the board. He made sure that planning to succeed his own leadership was an inclusive, well-considered process, completed with plenty of time for Lisa Donohue ’83 to work together with him and be fully versed on institutional issues as she assumes her new role. No one is more excited to welcome Lisa than Brad.

Perhaps closest to Brad’s heart was guiding a strategic planning process marked by comprehensive scope and the full participation of every Milton constituency. Driven by analyses and the educational vision of administration, faculty and staff, the Plan adopted by the board in January 2013, after 18 months of work, charts a forward course boldly and at the same time affirms Milton’s core values. Milton has already made great progress, implementing initiatives across K–12, in faculty professional development, and curriculum assessment and renewal. Trustee-led campus master planning and technology advisory groups have completed their work. Just this January, the board endorsed a faculty compensation initiative that breaks new competitive ground for faculty compensation at Milton.

Brad has been a consistent, wise and generous counsel for Head of School Todd Bland. Brad enthusiastically tells the world about Todd’s effective educational leadership. In equal measure, Todd explicitly shares his gratitude for Brad’s organizational wisdom, energy and deep appreciation of Milton. Brad’s unique mix of creativity, pragmatism and respect for people and process has helped propel Milton forward. With great anticipation for the power of the capital campaign to bring new strength to our support for faculty and students, we thank Brad deeply for an outstanding decade.

Retiring

Fred Sykes ’65
Milton Academy Board of Trustees, 1996–2015

Fred began building his trustee reputation at Milton early. He agreed to chair the Annual Fund, at a time when the Fund needed extra love and attention. That was the first of Fred’s numerous Milton responsibilities that involved plenty of honor, and not so much glory. Absolutely loyal, stable and diligent, Fred has always said “Yes,” wherever and whenever he was needed, for 21 years.

As an ex officio trustee, Fred repositioned the Annual Fund — heightened its profile and drove up the pace of year-over-year gains — from 1994 through 1996, when he was elected to the board. He continued as the Annual Fund champion, raising awareness and building commitments — from trustees, in particular. A fearless fundraiser, Fred always asked the hard questions about how, why, how much, and perhaps more importantly, he followed the “How much?” question with “From where?” Fred is an institutional conscience, seeking and finding accountability, challenging assumptions that many might take for granted. He pursues answers until he fully understands the stakes involved in any project and can explain the issues to others. Fred’s leadership and stamp of approval helped give the board the confidence to seize key initiatives, such as building the Athletic and Convocation Center and the Pritzker Science Center.

Fred was a perfect bridge between the business office and the development office, two key departments that often speak different languages but, in the end, need to present the same results. That immersion into Milton data gave Fred a rare and valued background in operational finances. He was the obvious choice to lead the Ad Hoc Abatement Committee, and represent the board as liaison to the Faculty Compensation Committee. We can safely say that every trustee committee that focused on long-range financial planning — formal or informal — included Fred as an active member. His numbers expertise wasn’t his only highly desirable attribute, however. Fred is reliably cheerful and unassuming, and a willing worker. He always moved seamlessly between setting the high bar — doing the right and noble thing — and calmly meeting the tough challenges with a smile and a self-deprecating chuckle.

A graduate of Milton’s first comprehensive capital campaign steering committee (The Challenge to Lead), Fred also serves on today’s campaign steering committee. Before the era of ubiquitous conference calls, Fred regularly spanned the distance between Milton and New York to serve on numerous search committees, including those for Milton’s CFO and for two successive heads of school. Fred’s guidance and insight were always rock solid; he asked candidates direct questions about issues that matter for faculty, staff and students at Milton.

Milton has been the focus of Fred’s attention, intense care and incalculable contribution of time. A keen listener, Fred was always willing to learn, especially about the world of education: “I never realized that,” he’d say after yet another analysis of some aspect about how Milton works. He was present, for Milton, at every significant moment or event, in Boston or in New York, an unwavering and genuine spokesperson for Milton to the rest of the world. His philanthropy toward Milton bears witness to his gratitude and his confidence in Milton’s future. We are most grateful for Fred’s faithful stewarding of his School, and hope he will share in the life of the School for years to come.

George C. Alex P ’17 ’21
Milton Academy Board of Trustees, 2007–2015

With his ready smile and warm affect, George Alex has devoted himself for more than a decade to being an advocate for K–8 and a parent volunteer for all things Milton. George was elected to the board of trustees in 2007. George’s wife, Marlena, is a key communicator for parents about Milton’s Lower and Middle Schools. George and Marlena are the proud parents of two Milton Academy students: Ginny, in Class II, and Isabel, in Grade 7.

From the start, George has been committed to a lively K–12 structure and experience. During his many years of Milton activism, George has been particularly focused on strengthening communication and increasing engagement among students, families, faculty and staff, administration and trustees. His sincere interest in getting to know people and bringing them together has made Milton a more connected and stronger School. Those interests and skills of his come to the forefront in his role on the Faculty Council Liaison Committee. George’s consistent focus on the faculty, students and families in K–8, and how K–8 relates to Milton’s mission, has brought appropriate and appreciated dimension to our discussions and planning for the future. In particular, the board recognizes and appreciates George’s desire to strengthen institutional efforts to recognize and support faculty.

As chair of the Audit Committee, George played a vital role in the oversight of Milton’s audit process and in improving our financial reporting practices. Especially in recent years, as the financial performance of schools, nonprofits and businesses have experienced high scrutiny and public accountability, every audit function has evolved and significantly increased in importance. A clear and successful audit is critical to our demonstrating financial strength and organizational integrity. A positive audit report is essential to maintaining Milton’s financial positioning, and it enables Milton the power and flexibility to use financial planning to continually improve students’ educational experience. The Committee recognizes and appreciates George’s skills and commitment to a key enterprise.

George also has been an active participant in the work of the Budget and Finance Committee and the Buildings and Grounds Committee. These committees carry forward core responsibilities of the board, and their work greatly affects the extent of Milton’s success. Always ready with a solid question and a strong opinion, George also worked diligently toward building a consensus that included and reflected all perspectives. Ed Donahue, Milton’s comptroller, who worked closely with George, notes, “George has an undiscouraged outlook and a strong voice. His ability to raise tough questions has contributed to the success of our work, helping us to be more clear, transparent and forward-thinking. He has given his heart and soul to Milton.”

George, thank you for the energy and talents you have shared with Milton. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the Annual Fund and your support for the K–8 Fund. Your passion has motivated us all. We, along with many K–8 students, parents and faculty in particular, are most grateful for your consistent, visible efforts on Milton’s behalf.

The Honorable V-Nee Yeh ’77 P ’14
Milton Academy Board of Trustees, 2008–2015

V-Nee Yeh, who was elected to the board in 2008, has always struck us as independent and fearless, and with good reason. At age 16, V-Nee became one of Milton’s first students from Hong Kong, traveling from Kowloon to join Class III. He began at Milton in January, acclimating to New England weather, a new school, and a new culture all at once. V-Nee’s advisor, Leo Maza, commented that V-Nee made it immediately clear that he was intent upon succeeding, and he did so. He blazed a trail at Milton, as capable and focused as he was polite and considerate. Excellence was V-Nee’s standard outside the classroom as well as inside. As Leo Maza said then, “Everything V-Nee does, he does well and intensely, and at the tennis courts it is no different. His serve and fast forearm have been a source of fear and have been responsible for several restrung tennis racquets.”

After graduating, V-Nee went on to Williams College and then Columbia Law School. He returned to Hong Kong, where he founded Cheetah Investment Management Limited. V-Nee was always a core activist among Milton’s Hong Kong alumni, helping galvanize the support and enthusiasm for Milton in Asia. In 2007, V-Nee established the Yeh Family Scholarship Fund, which supports students from China. V-Nee was also among the charter philanthropists who established Milton’s Hong Kong Distinguished Speakers Series, and the Hong Kong Chair in Asian Studies, both of which have successfully built awareness among Milton students about many aspects of Asian culture.

The miles and hours between Hong Kong and Milton never hindered V-Nee from participating at board meetings. Dependably alert and focused, despite the nearly half-day time difference, V-Nee was always perfectly on point at board meetings and offered insightful perspectives and relevant expertise when either could really make a difference. Calm, clear and compelling on all matters, financial and organizational, V-Nee furthered the work of the board as a whole, and of the Investment Committee and the External Relations Committee in particular.

Long an admission ambassador for Milton in Hong Kong and China, V-Nee has been a consistent member of the Enrollment Committee, more recently in its new, expanded configuration that includes academic affairs and student life. As a spokesperson for Milton, V-Nee always made it his business to be well informed and up to date. Along with his wife, Mira, V-Nee embraced with graciousness and warmth many students and families who chose Milton. Their same generous attention to Milton alumni has helped create a vibrant alumni community in Hong Kong. We are grateful to V-Nee, Mira, and their daughter Nadya, who graduated from Milton in 2014, for their loyal and caring roles as the ultimate hosts.

We have all witnessed V-Nee’s integrity, quiet confidence and sense of responsibility. He has mobilized not only himself, but also his family in service to his School. We hope we can match V-Nee’s enterprising and pioneer-ing spirit, meet the bar that V-Nee has set, and with his continued help, achieve Milton’s most ambitious goals.

Thank you, V-Nee.

Joining

Charles Cheever ’86

Charles Cheever ’86 is co-managing partner at Choate, Hall and Stewart. Charles represents and advises generations of domestic and international families on wealth management, developing legal and trust structures for efficient transfer of wealth, as well as establishing and advising private family foundations. Charles serves as professional trustee for many of his clients. He is a member of the Massachusetts Charitable Society and the John Milton Society for the Blind. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and his J.D. from the University of Virginia.

At Milton, Charles was a boarder in Forbes House. Since then, he has served Milton in many capacities — as class agent, 1798 Circle chair, Orange and Blue volunteer, reunion committee representative, and as a member of the Head of School Council. Charles lives in Concord, Massachusetts, with his wife, Susan, and two children.

Douglas Crocker II ’58

Doug Crocker ’58 is a senior advisor for Pearlmark Multifamily Partners; Pearlmark is a real estate investment firm investing in commercial real estate. Prior to this role, Doug was vice chairman of Equity Residential and served as its CEO from 1992 to 2003. Doug is a member of the board of directors of the National Multifamily Housing Council, the Urban Land Institute, the National Apartment Association Education Institute, and the Real Estate Advisory Committee at DePaul University. Doug earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University. He has served on Milton’s Head of School Council and has established, with wife Cynthia, a scholarship fund to support students in need of financial assistance.