Leadership
Administration
Dr. Benjamin N. Powers
Executive Director, The Southport School
Founder & Executive Director, The Southport CoLAB
- BA - La Salle University
- MBA - Rochester Institute of Technology
- DBA - Grenoble Ecole de Management
- Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
- President, The Dyslexia Foundation
- Senior Scientist, Haskins Laboratories
- Director, Yale and UCONN Haskins Global Literacy Hub
- Lecturer, Yale School of Medicine; University of Connecticut
- Associate Research Professor Psychology and Educational Psychology, University of Connecticut
Years at TSS: 14
Years in Profession: 27
Julie Papp
Head of School
- BA - Boston College
- MA - Fordham University
- Classroom Educator, Academy of Orton-Gillingham
Years at TSS: 22
Years in Profession: 27
Tracey Harris
Chief Financial Officer
- BA - California Polytechnic State University
- MBA - University of Chicago, Booth School of Business
- Certified Public Accountant
Years at TSS: 1
Years in Profession: 29
Jeffrey Ruggiero
Executive Director of Academic Programs & Research
- BS - Southern Connecticut State University, Special Education
- MS - Southern Connecticut State University, Learning Disabilities
- University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University, School Administration and Supervision
- Connecticut Certification: Special Education K-12
- Connecticut Certification: School Administration
- Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 35
Years in Profession: 35
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD MEMBERS
Virginia Cargill, Chair
Andy Bria, Alum
Chester Burley
Gary Downing
Laura Grayson
David Holtze, Alum Parent
Karen Jeffers
Brian Lawlor, Alum Parent
Stephanie Turnier Mitchell, Alum Parent
Andree Palmgren, Alum Parent
Dr. Benjamin N. Powers
Paul Quinsee, Alum Parent
Jim Vose
DIRECTOR EMERITI
Janet Brogan, Alum Parent
Barbara Evans
Dick Ferguson, Alum Parent
Michael LaPorta
Hugh R. Smith, Alum Grandparent
Janet L. Steinmayer, Alum Parent
Robert W. Wright
Mrs. F. Henry Berlin, 1920-1995
Stephen D. Colhoun, 1921-1991
Lawrence Hughes, 1925-2023
Walter S. Robbins, 1928-2016
John D. Upton, 1909-2005
Frank P. Wendt, 1925-2018
Patricia Willett, 1940-2023