Graham Frey
Head of School
Graham D. Frey was appointed Head of School by the Board of
Trustees in July 2006. The appointment of Frey concluded a two-year search by
the Academy for a talented young leader who brings along-term commitment to
build and strengthen Crested Butte Academy.
Mr. Frey led Crested Butte Academy through the partnership with IMG Academies in the spring of 2007. IMG Academies, a division of IMG, is the world’s largest and most successful multi-sport, training and education camp/academy business. IMGA made immediate and significant resource improvements. These items were desperately needed and enabled CBA to better accomplish our mission.
Mr. Frey states, “The chance to learn from and work closely with Greg Breunich, Ted Meekma and their world class team at IMG Academies—well, it is truly a dream come true. Together we will take the CBA full time and weekly camp programs to heights we had never imagined possible.”
Mr. Frey, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, was a member of the faculty at University School from 1999 to 2004, teaching English, history and mathematics. He coached varsity football, and was the head varsity track and field coach. He also served on the admissions committee and filled numerous counseling roles with student groups. For four summers, he ran special sports camps at University School that focused on teaching running speed to high school athletes from many sports. In the summers of 2001 and 2002, Frey was director of the Young Scholars Program at Woodbury Forest School in Virginia, hiring and managing the summer faculty, designing coursework and extracurricular activities, and managing the daily operations of the program including dormitory life.
From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Frey was the Senior Vice president of Operations for The Herman Group, in Denver, a real estate services company, managing more than 100 people who produced $2 billion in annual sales. He pursued this two-year business opportunity to better prepare himself for managing the business side of school leadership.
Mr. Frey is a graduate of Washington and Lee University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy with concentrations in economics, political theory, and English. He was a four-year letter winner in track and field, and was captain of the team in his senior year. He played two years of varsity football as a defensive back.
Warren Witherell, CBA’s retiring head, has been instrumental in identifying Graham as an extraordinary candidate to lead the school. Witherell reports, “Graham Frey totally understands the sports academy concept and is committed to strengthen CBA’s goal of being a ‘world-class school.’ Graham has been surrounded by world-class athletes since he was a young child. He had extensive access to both the players and coaches of these outstanding professional teams. He understands the importance of high goals and a strong work ethic for people of all ages. He will set high standards for the students and staff of Crested Butte Academy.”
Mr. Frey lives in Skyland with his wife Cristie and two boys, Colter and Sawyer.