The Big Room Blog

In Fords in Four, we ask a Haverford School alumnus four questions about his time at the School and about his life beyond. This month, we spoke to Rob Ayres ’97, the EMS Division Chief for Unified Fire Authority, which is Utah’s largest fire-based EMS organization. We spoke to him about his Haverford days and his current challenges, from memories of the past to his hopes for his legacy. 

In Fords in Four, we ask a Haverford School alumnus four questions about his time at the School and about his life beyond. This month, we spoke to Brown University assistant lacrosse coach James Chakey ’12. He joined Brown's Men’s Lacrosse staff in July 2024, coaching under Rothman Head Coaching Chair for Men’s Lacrosse Jon Torpey. An experienced coach and talented lacrosse player, he was a four-year letterwinner for Penn State's lacrosse team, earning the Big 10 Sportsmanship Award and Penn State’s True Grit Award as a senior. 

In Fords in Four, we ask a Haverford School alumnus four questions about his time at the School and about his life beyond. This month, we spoke to Batch founder and CEO Mike Petrakis ’09. Batch, the nation’s leading party-planning platform, offers a seamless way to discover and book the best experiences in popular destinations, empowering groups to create unforgettable memories effortlessly. Under Mike’s leadership, Batch expanded to now serve three million users over 3,000 bookable experiences in more than 35 cities.

In Fords in Four, we ask a Haverford School alumnus four questions about his time at the School and about his life beyond. This month, we spoke to BIG4L's owner/ operator Chris Morgan ’13. BIG4L provides moving and hauling services in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Morgan remains active in The Haverford School community, serving on the Alumni Executive Committee (AEC) and presenting to the Black Student Union (BSU). He spoke to us about good advice and long lasting relationships. 

In Fords in Four, we ask a Haverford School alumnus four questions about his time at the School and about his life beyond. This month, we spoke to ColdVest's Founding Partner/Creative Director and Folk Devils' Creative Lead Ted Royer ’85. Folk Devils is a technology-led brand creative partner, while ColdVest is an emergency heatstroke prevention device that can be used "anytime, anywhere by anyone." In our conversation, he shared reflections on his time at Haverford and advice for future entrepreneurs. 

In Fords in Four, we ask a Haverford School alumnus four questions about his time at the School and about his life beyond. This month, we spoke to artist and ecological researcher Troy Gibbs-Brown '18. Currently earning his master of science degree at Aarhus University, Gibbs-Brown investigates the human relationships to the environment in the face of global climate change. Currently, he is pursuing his research aspirations in marine and Arctic systems, investigating their interactions with remote ecosystems.

In Fords in Four, we ask a Haverford School alumnus four questions about his time at the School and about his life beyond. This month, we spoke to Jack Goldenberg '05 of Urban Roots Farm in Newtown Square, PA. After graduating from Kenyon College in Ohio, Goldenberg began working in Philadelphia restaurants as a chef. His growing passion for food led him to gardening, eventually leaving his job to farm full time. 

In Fords in Four, we ask a Haverford School alumnus four questions about his time at the School and about his life beyond. This month, we spoke to Lieutenant Jason Tabas '13. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University Of Pennsylvania in 2017, Tabas completed Officer Candidate School in Newport Rhode Island. He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy in 2020. LT Tabas’s sea duty assignments include USS KIDD (DDG 100) as the Electronic Warfare Officer, USS RUSSELL (DDG 59) as the Fire Control Officer, and USS COWPENS (CG 63) as the Combat Systems Officer. He has deployed to the western Pacific area of operation. LT Tabas’s decorations include the Navy and Marine Corp Commendation medal, Navy and Marine Corp Achievement medal (2 Awards), and various campaign awards.

In Fords in Four, we ask a Haverford School alumnus four questions about his time at the School and about his life beyond. This month, we spoke to key man Dr. Henry Maguire '75. Maguire attended Princeton University, balancing his pre-med studies with his degree in history, which enhanced his college experience. He received his medical degree from The University of Chicago. He completed residencies at Yale University and Boston Children's Hospital, and then a fellowship in neuromuscular disease at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in neurology with special qualification in child neurology. He practices under Geisinger Health System in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

We are excited to announce this year’s alumni award recipients: Jeff Swarr '73 for the Alumni Service Award and Rich Phillips '88 for the Distinguished Alumnus Award.