 Mark Gibbons of La Salle
College High School
Named 2026 John Batley
Award Recipient
May 6, 2026 - The traditional highlight of the PAISBOA Annual Meeting is the presentation of the John Batley Award, our highest honor. A former CFO of Westtown School and recipient of the PAISBOA Visionary Award -- and the man in whose name the John Batley Award was created -- John’s legacy is one of selfless giving and inclusion in PAISBOA. We celebrate his character, competence, and consistency each year with the presentation of the John Batley Award.
For 2026, the John Batley Award goes to Mark Gibbons, CFO at La Salle College High School. He was presented the award by PAISBOA Board Chair Rob Marcantuono.
PAISBOA’s John Batley Award honors individuals who embody the vision, leadership, and commitment that defined the legacy of John Batley himself: professionals who have advanced the role of Business Officers while strengthening our independent school community through collaboration, innovation, and service.
This year’s recipient, Mark Gibbons, exemplifies John’s philosophy in every sense. Through decades of steady leadership, institutional commitment, and meaningful engagement with PAISBOA, Mark has helped shape not only his own school, but the broader network of independent schools that benefit from the shared knowledge, trust, and collaboration that PAISBOA exemplifies.
"I am not surprised that PAISBOA has chosen to honor Mark Gibbons, '92 this year,” said Brother James Butler, President of La Salle College High School. “Mark truly is well-connected professionally. He contributes his time and insight to various networks generously, and these relationships have proven a great benefit to La Salle as well. I find that whenever I have a query about a financial management, audit, or investment strategy or practice, Mark immediately comes up with the name of someone who has either the educational background or practical experience to bring clarity to the situation.”
Brother James’ remarks reflect a hallmark of Mark’s career: a willingness to engage fully in the life of the school. He is not only a financial watchdog, but a community member who understands that his work as a Business Officer and campus leader is ultimately about people — students, faculty, and colleagues — and the experiences that shape them.
Mark’s connection to PAISBOA began early in his career, encouraged by his predecessor and mentor, Brother Gerry Frendreis, a recipient of the Batley Award in 2006. “Brother Gerry would have me go to the professional development sessions that followed the board meetings,” he said. “After attending several of those meetings, I knew how important involvement in PAISBOA would be both for the best interests of La Salle and for my own professional growth.”
Those early experiences sparked a long and meaningful involvement. Mark served on the PAISBOA Board for 11 years, including four years as Board Chair from 2017 to 2021. During his tenure, he helped guide the organization through a period of continuous growth and evolving member needs, building on the collaborative foundation that defines PAISBOA’s mission.
 “I was asked to join the board years ago and was quite excited to join,” he said. “I thought it would be great to network with and get to know so many of the Business Managers I had grown to respect. We all have questions from time to time, and developing personal relationships with my peers made picking up the phone and asking a question that much easier.”
“Mark has been a wonderful peer to work with for many years, said Hal Davidow, former CFO at William Penn Charter School and past Board Chair of PAISBOA. “He has a strong moral fiber and has made many contributions to both PAISBOA and to other community organizations. Mark is always seeking knowledge and has grown enormously over the time that I have worked with him.”
In addition, Mark (along with Hal) moved over to the Health Benefit Trust Board of Trustees when his tenure ended with the PAISBOA Board, where he currently serves as Vice-Chair. This ongoing commitment underscores a defining characteristic of Mark’s leadership: service is not a phase, it’s a constant.
“This area has some of the best and most well-run private schools in the country,” he said. “Being able to network with some of these colleagues has only benefitted my school and my own professional growth, and being able to give back by volunteering a few hours a month is the least I can do.”
Mark’s professional story is one of continuity and dedication. Since 1997, he has served La Salle College High School, where he has spent more than 25 years contributing to the school’s success. For over two decades, he has held his current position, providing financial and operational stewardship with consistency, insight, and care.
He serves on the Finance & Audit Committee and the Investment Committee, helping guide the school’s financial strategy with a long-term perspective. At the same time, he has remained connected to student life, spending eight years on the Rowing Team coaching staff, supporting the school’s Investment Club, and coaching the Clay Target Team.
In today’s culture, where folks often hold many jobs over a career, Mark’s tenure at La Salle reflects not only his commitment to the school’s mission, but also the trust and respect he has earned within the community. Over the years, he has worked under three different Heads of School, maintaining a steady focus on what matters most: supporting the educational mission, the LSCHS community, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
“Where Mark is unique, though, is in his generosity of spirit, the deep sense of institutional and personal Mission that all his interactions point to,” said Brother James. “Many CFOs may seem to be focused on results, on enforcing standard operating procedures. Mark is focused on the unique needs of the person(s) in front of him at a given time and how he can help.”
“Mark very much cares about his work and is committed to contemplating various options when making decisions,” added Carolyn Hapeman, Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations at Westtown School and Mark’s successor as Board Chair of PAISBOA. “In addition, he’s always willing to lend a helping hand or be a thinking partner to anyone who asks. And last but not least, Mark has given countless hours to supporting PAISBOA and the PAISBOA HBT. I have no doubt that our profession and the PAISBOA associations are better and stronger thanks to Mark’s steadfast leadership.”
“When I began my second career with Mount Saint Joseph Academy in late 2023, I was continually amazed at the collegial relationship among the Business Officers at the various schools, said Steve Gozdan, Chief Financial and Operating Officer. “And no one was more open and helpful than Mark Gibbons.
“It was clear from my first meeting with him that he was an experienced, astute business manager. He was able to cut through unnecessary detail and quickly get to the meaningful elements of an issue. I can thank him for helping me avoid hours/days of trial and error to figure out a solution to problems that were new to me.”
Asked who had a significant impact on his career: “To single one person out, I would say Brother Gerry. He hired me and always looked out for my professional development. It took me years to realize that his mentorship was like getting another masters in school business management.”
When reflecting on the impact of PAISBOA, Mark speaks not only to its value as a professional resource, but to its role in connecting Business Officers. That connection, he notes, has benefited both his own growth and the success of his school.
“Get involved with PAISBOA any way you can,” he said. “This organization has done some awesome things for the independent school market. And once you’re involved, share your ideas. Many of our programs started – and still start today – with a Business Manager asking a simple question, ‘Have we ever thought about…?’ and look at where that’s gotten us.”
Mark Gibbons stands solidly in the tradition of the John Batley Award. Through his long-standing commitment to La Salle College High School, his leadership within PAISBOA, and his dedication to fostering relationships across the independent school community, he has made a lasting and meaningful impact.
His career reflects not only professional excellence, but also an understanding of how to serve quietly, consistently, and with purpose. In doing so, he has helped ensure that the collaborative spirit at the heart of PAISBOA will continue to thrive for many years to come.
“Mark is most deserving of the Batley Award,” said Hal Davidow. “He is an innovator who is unafraid to take risks.”
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