At its January meeting, the Cheshire Academy Board of Trustees appointed a new chairperson and two new trustees. Jennifer Freedman P’15 replaced Richard Cerrone ’67 as chair, while William Ampofo II ’92 and Jared Pinsker ’97 joined the board as new trustees. 

Freedman (Westport, Connecticut) joined the board in June 2019. She has served in various leadership roles and on the boards of several notable organizations. Currently, Freedman is a board member of Pink Aid, a Connecticut-based organization that supports women who are being treated for breast cancer, and is president and a board member of the Birchwood Country Club. Freedman previously served as president of the Dean’s Parent and Family Council for the University of Chicago and on the Wake Forest University Parents’ Council. 

A former psychotherapist, Freedman holds degrees in psychology, including MS and MA degrees from Columbia University, and a BA degree from the University of Vermont. Her husband, Michael Freedman, served as a Cheshire Academy trustee from 2011-2016. Together, they have two children. 

“We have always been grateful to Cheshire Academy for the education that Lauren received. She was cared for and challenged, and very well prepared when she arrived at Wake Forest University,” Freedman said. “My husband and I were thrilled when Julie Anderson was appointed head of school, and the opportunity to be the chair and work with someone so incredibly smart and talented was an offer I could not turn down.” 

In her role, Freedman plans to support Anderson and Cheshire Academy’s leadership team in their efforts to maintain financial stability, ensure strong enrollment levels, and advance the school’s educational mission. 

“It is a privilege to attend a school like Cheshire Academy,” reflected Freedman. “The diverse community which enrolls students from so many different countries and states is a special environment in which to learn. Students hear about the world in and out of the classroom and have friends from near and far. I am honored to be able to give back and be part of the Cheshire community again.” 

Pinsker (Orange, Connecticut) is the CEO and president of Best Friends Pet Hotel, a national operator of 31 full-service pet hotels in 16 states throughout the United States. Pinsker received both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Boston College. He and his wife, Johanna, have two children. 

About his appointment, Pinsker said, “My experience at Cheshire Academy had such a formative impact on who I am and how I became that person. There are limitless things I learned during my time as a student at Cheshire which are a part of who I am and how I function on a daily basis today. Serving on the board gives me the opportunity to give back in another extremely meaningful way to an institution that gave me so much.” 

Ampofo (Flower Mound, Texas) is vice president of supply chain, Boeing Global Services, a division with operations in over 70 countries and more than 300 locations around the world. He spent 22 years at United Technologies Corporation before joining Boeing in April 2016. 

Beyond his role at Boeing, Ampofo serves on the board of directors for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the Dallas Regional Chamber. Ampofo graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance from Adelphi University before receiving an MBA from George Washington University. He and his wife, Kristyn, have three children. 

Reflecting on his time at Cheshire Academy, Ampofo believes the school played a critical role in his development of becoming a young man extremely well prepared for college, both academically and athletically. 

Ampofo’s appointment to the board means he has “a unique opportunity to give back in a small way to an institution that afforded me the opportunities I would not have had. I consider it a privilege and an honor to be able to contribute and pay it forward to the next generation of students as they look to forge their paths,” he said. 

The board met on Jan. 30 to appoint Freedman and Pinsker to their new roles. Other business included David Jepson, Cheshire Academy class of 1959, taking on his new role as trustee emeritus. Cerrone, who has retired after his 15 years of service to the board, is a member of the Cheshire Academy class of 1967. 

Ampofo was appointed on Feb. 5.