LIMESTONE, Maine — The Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) Board of Trustees announced on Feb. 23 the unanimous appointment of David Pearson as the school’s next executive director.
Officials described Pearson as uniquely qualified to carry on MSSM’s tradition as one of the top residential math and science schools in the nation due to his impressive history of leadership. He will assume the position officially on July 1.
“Mr. Pearson is an impressive individual with a depth of leadership experience that distinguished him in the search process,” said MSSM Board Chair Dr. Jason Judd. “His spirit embodies MSSM’s ambitions and we are excited for him to apply his energetic style to build on the legacy of this unique institution.”
Pearson, a native of Worcestershire, England, served as a British Army infantry officer before coming to the United States in 1999 with his wife, Mary Anne, who is a Maine native. He then had a long career at Kents Hill School, quickly rising from social studies teacher to department head, academic dean, and finally assistant head of school.
Pearson served as president of Carson Long Military Academy from 2013 to 2016.
“Throughout these experiences, Mr. Pearson distinguished himself as a person of vision, integrity, ambition, and limitless energy,” said Judd.
“I am both humbled and honored to accept the position of executive director of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics. MSSM is an exceptional school with a splendid history of accomplishment that has been powered by a faculty and staff who are dedicated to making a difference to the lives of students each and every day,” said Pearson.
“Such fidelity to an institution does not emerge overnight and takes years of devoted service to achieve in its truest sense, and it will be my heady and clear responsibility to build upon this strong community spirit in order to help shape the future direction of the school in a collaborative manner with an objective of continued academic excellence and long-term development and sustainability in a dynamic 21st-century world.
“Both my wife Mary Anne and I are committed wholeheartedly to this endeavor and are looking forward with palpable excitement and keen anticipation to joining MSSM in June and getting to know our neighbors in Limestone, making new and lasting friendships, and exploring Aroostook County and wider northern Maine in the weeks, months and years ahead,” said Pearson.
Pearson’s hiring concludes a national search that began when the current executive director, Luke Shorty, announced he would leave MSSM after the 2017-2018 academic year to join his wife, Lisa, as she completes medical school.
“Mr. Shorty has worked tirelessly to advance MSSM’s mission in Limestone and across the state,” said Dr. Judd. “We are deeply grateful for the dedication and energy he has given to MSSM over the past seven years. We wish him and Lisa all the best, and we look forward to following the success of their careers.”
