Our Board
The Headwaters Academy Board of Directors is responsible for the overall vision and long-term planning for the school. The Board is composed of community members interested in education and dedicated to maintaining HWA as part of Bozeman's education ecosystem. The majority of members serving on our Board have firsthand knowledge of the value of the school, as several have had students who attended the school. Board members also include community and business leaders. HWA has a well-rounded team of Board members dedicated to the school and its continued growth and success. Learn more about them from their bios below:
Horatio Potter - President
Horatio Potter, a former New York City school teacher, runs a cattle ranch with his wife Liz at the edge of the Crazy Mountains near Wilsall, Montana. He has an MFA in Fiction from the University of Montana, and has published stories in literary journals and magazines. Horatio has been a HWA Board Member since 2007, and has extensive experience in fundraising for independent schools and non-profits. Currently, he is working in Cambodia developing funding sources and program supports for school programs. Liz and Horatio’s son, Jeff, is a member of the Headwaters Academy graduating class of 2010. Jeff credits his Headwaters experience for his success in boarding school.
Horatio Potter, a former New York City school teacher, runs a cattle ranch with his wife Liz at the edge of the Crazy Mountains near Wilsall, Montana. He has an MFA in Fiction from the University of Montana, and has published stories in literary journals and magazines. Horatio has been a HWA Board Member since 2007, and has extensive experience in fundraising for independent schools and non-profits. Currently, he is working in Cambodia developing funding sources and program supports for school programs. Liz and Horatio’s son, Jeff, is a member of the Headwaters Academy graduating class of 2010. Jeff credits his Headwaters experience for his success in boarding school.
Julianne Williams - 1st Vice President
Kevin Cook - 2nd Vice President
Kevin Cook was born and raised in the Gallatin Valley and is a fifth generation Montanan. He graduated from Belgrade High School and went on to get a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from Montana State University. Growing up in the valley allowed Kevin to learn to love all the outdoor activities that our area offers and he continues to enjoy skiing, hunting and hiking in the area. Kevin has been working in the family business, Gene Cook Real Estate, since 2001. Gene Cook Real Estate is a leading local real estate company and has been a fixture in the community since 1971. Kevin oversees the development of residential and commercial properties as well as managing the family's real estate investments. Active in the community, Kevin is a member of the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce, Prospera Business Network and YPO. Currently he serves as a board member for First Security Bank, North Seventh Urban Renewal District and the Belgrade School Foundation. Kevin and his wife Heather have two children, Tori and Lindsay, both currently at Headwaters Academy.
Kevin Cook was born and raised in the Gallatin Valley and is a fifth generation Montanan. He graduated from Belgrade High School and went on to get a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from Montana State University. Growing up in the valley allowed Kevin to learn to love all the outdoor activities that our area offers and he continues to enjoy skiing, hunting and hiking in the area. Kevin has been working in the family business, Gene Cook Real Estate, since 2001. Gene Cook Real Estate is a leading local real estate company and has been a fixture in the community since 1971. Kevin oversees the development of residential and commercial properties as well as managing the family's real estate investments. Active in the community, Kevin is a member of the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce, Prospera Business Network and YPO. Currently he serves as a board member for First Security Bank, North Seventh Urban Renewal District and the Belgrade School Foundation. Kevin and his wife Heather have two children, Tori and Lindsay, both currently at Headwaters Academy.
Tanya Cunningham - 3rd Vice President
Penny Hatten - 4th Vice President
Penny Hatten grew up in Minnesota, and graduated from Northrop Collegiate School. She came to Bozeman in 1992; she is the owner of Tri-H Stables and enjoys riding, skiing and scuba diving. Penny has been a longtime, avid supporter of our school, believing that first and foremost it is important for parents to have a choice when they send their child to school. Her dedication to philanthropy shows in the many Boards on which she has served, or is currently serving, including the Museum of the Rockies, The Gunston School Board, Blake School Alumni Board, and the David Winton Bell Foundation Board, the Humane Society Board, the Heart of the Valley Board, and Thrive.
Penny Hatten grew up in Minnesota, and graduated from Northrop Collegiate School. She came to Bozeman in 1992; she is the owner of Tri-H Stables and enjoys riding, skiing and scuba diving. Penny has been a longtime, avid supporter of our school, believing that first and foremost it is important for parents to have a choice when they send their child to school. Her dedication to philanthropy shows in the many Boards on which she has served, or is currently serving, including the Museum of the Rockies, The Gunston School Board, Blake School Alumni Board, and the David Winton Bell Foundation Board, the Humane Society Board, the Heart of the Valley Board, and Thrive.
Mike Halat - Treasurer/Secretary
Mike Halat is a longtime member of the Headwaters Academy Board, joining in 1998. Headwaters was fortunate enough to have Mike’s son, David, attend the school. Since leaving, David has gone on to follow in his father’s footsteps and study chemistry, recently winning a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship.
Mike Halat is a longtime member of the Headwaters Academy Board, joining in 1998. Headwaters was fortunate enough to have Mike’s son, David, attend the school. Since leaving, David has gone on to follow in his father’s footsteps and study chemistry, recently winning a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship.
Brooke Anderson - Director
Ambassador Brooke Anderson is an accomplished diplomat, negotiator and strategist. She has served as a U.S. Ambassador at the United Nations and as a senior advisor to U.S. Presidents, Cabinet Secretaries, Members of Congress, presidential candidates, philanthropists and business leaders, navigating high stakes challenges, carrying out sensitive diplomatic missions and working on the most complex global and national issues. Brooke is a visiting professor at Montana State University and a partner at the Hyalite Group, a strategic consulting firm.
Christopher Angel - Director
Christopher R. Angel was born and raised in Bozeman. He is a partner in the law firm of Angel Coil & Bartlett. Chris joined the U.S. Navy at 18 and served four years active duty as a Mess Specialist (cook) attached to the USS Denver, LPD-9. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1985, he attended Northern Arizona University graduating with a BSBA in Economics followed by attendance at Gonzaga School of Law graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 1994. Chris first practiced law in Scottsdale Arizona, then returned to Bozeman to practice with his father. Chris and his wife Heather have two children who have attended HWA -- Tyler, who graduated in 2013, and Samantha, who graduated in 2015. Tyler and Samantha gained enormous insight, confidence, and enlightenment through their HWA experience, and it is their HWA experience and growth that motivated Chris to serve on the Board of HWA when initially asked.
Christopher R. Angel was born and raised in Bozeman. He is a partner in the law firm of Angel Coil & Bartlett. Chris joined the U.S. Navy at 18 and served four years active duty as a Mess Specialist (cook) attached to the USS Denver, LPD-9. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1985, he attended Northern Arizona University graduating with a BSBA in Economics followed by attendance at Gonzaga School of Law graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 1994. Chris first practiced law in Scottsdale Arizona, then returned to Bozeman to practice with his father. Chris and his wife Heather have two children who have attended HWA -- Tyler, who graduated in 2013, and Samantha, who graduated in 2015. Tyler and Samantha gained enormous insight, confidence, and enlightenment through their HWA experience, and it is their HWA experience and growth that motivated Chris to serve on the Board of HWA when initially asked.
Larry Bartel - Director
Larry Bartel has been involved in education in a variety of capacities. He was the Director at Knightsbridge Schools International in Porto Montenegro, Physics Instructor at Colegio Menor in Ecuador, previous Head of School at Headwaters Academy, Principal at Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy, Physics Instruction at W.J.Palmer High School, and summer block instructor at Colorado College. He is excited to be part of the outstanding HWA educational community again. Larry likes the outdoors and traveling the world, and he now resides part-time in Montana and Colorado.
Larry Bartel has been involved in education in a variety of capacities. He was the Director at Knightsbridge Schools International in Porto Montenegro, Physics Instructor at Colegio Menor in Ecuador, previous Head of School at Headwaters Academy, Principal at Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy, Physics Instruction at W.J.Palmer High School, and summer block instructor at Colorado College. He is excited to be part of the outstanding HWA educational community again. Larry likes the outdoors and traveling the world, and he now resides part-time in Montana and Colorado.
Nina Jaeger - Director
Nina Jaeger and her family have called Bozeman home since 2003. They were fortunate to join the Headwaters community in 2009 when son Bryan entered 6th grade. With a background of direct experience with independent schools as a student years ago in New England and more than 14 years of fundraising as a development professional, Nina is pleased and honored to give back to the school community through service on the Board.
Nina Jaeger and her family have called Bozeman home since 2003. They were fortunate to join the Headwaters community in 2009 when son Bryan entered 6th grade. With a background of direct experience with independent schools as a student years ago in New England and more than 14 years of fundraising as a development professional, Nina is pleased and honored to give back to the school community through service on the Board.
Dave Provost - Head of School
Dave brings great experience across the capacities that are important to Headwaters—educational excellence, growing schools while maintaining and improving the quality of the educational experience, admissions, marketing and fundraising. Dave was a Klingenstein Fellow at Columbia University’s Teachers College and holds a graduate degree in education from Lesley College in Cambridge, MA and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from Oxford University, England.
Dave brings great experience across the capacities that are important to Headwaters—educational excellence, growing schools while maintaining and improving the quality of the educational experience, admissions, marketing and fundraising. Dave was a Klingenstein Fellow at Columbia University’s Teachers College and holds a graduate degree in education from Lesley College in Cambridge, MA and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from Oxford University, England.
Sayer Wickham - Director
Sayer grew up exploring the streams and forests of Vermont. He graduated from Hampshire College in Massachusetts where he studied science and sculpture. Before moving to Montana, Sayer worked as an educator in a program that focused on place based, hands-on learning for at-risk students. Most recently, he spent the summer as an instructor for the Montana Outdoor Science School. Sayer enjoys getting children outside to share his passion for exploring and understanding the natural world. He spends his free time hiking, fishing, and rock climbing.
Sayer grew up exploring the streams and forests of Vermont. He graduated from Hampshire College in Massachusetts where he studied science and sculpture. Before moving to Montana, Sayer worked as an educator in a program that focused on place based, hands-on learning for at-risk students. Most recently, he spent the summer as an instructor for the Montana Outdoor Science School. Sayer enjoys getting children outside to share his passion for exploring and understanding the natural world. He spends his free time hiking, fishing, and rock climbing.
To contact our board: hwaboard@headwatersacademy.org