School Board
Father Jeffrey Kegley, Pastor and School Director
Rev. Jeffrey Kegley is the pastor of Saint Mary, Mother of God Church and School. Before entering the seminary, Father Kegley built a successful career in finance as vice president of Bankers Trust Company. Responding to a profound call from God, he entered the seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in 1996. At Saint Mary, Father Kegley has overseen the growth of a thriving parish community that includes a Catholic Classical Liberal Arts school, a perpetual Adoration Chapel, and dynamic youth and young adult ministries. His vision is rooted in the renewal of the Church through prayer, sacramental life, hospitality, and missionary discipleship. Through his priesthood, Father Kegley shares the joy of the Gospel and the love of Jesus Christ with the people entrusted to his care.
Stephen J. Nicholl, Board Chair
A seasoned public affairs and foundation professional, Stephen J. Nicholl is the president and owner of NICHOLL & Associates, which provides public affairs solutions to address the complex challenges of corporate, community, governmental, and not-for-profit organizations. Mr. Nicholl most recently served as director of development and stewardship for the Diocese of Trenton, retiring in 2023 after 12 years. In that role, he was responsible for the oversight of all fundraising, donor cultivation, major gifts, events, and philanthropy, including the Annual Catholic Appeal and Faith to Move Mountains. He also oversaw advancement and development activities on behalf of diocesan ministries, 98 parishes, and 35 schools. Mr. Nicholl earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration—Management from Monmouth University.
Jennifer Bumbico, Board Member
A graduate of Saint Mary School, Jennifer Bumbico brings over a decade of experience in Catholic education to her current role on the school’s board. As a Saint Mary teacher for more than a decade, she is passionate about forming students in truth, beauty, and goodness. In 2024 she expanded her leadership responsibilities, assuming the role of assistant to the administration. Guided by her belief in service to others, Ms. Bumbico has participated in mission work in the Dominican Republic and at Saint Mary’s sister parish in Guatemala. Deeply committed to Catholic education, she is the mother of three current Saint Mary students. Ms. Bumbico holds a Master of Arts in Administration and Leadership from Georgian Court University.
Robert Horwath, Board Member
With over 25 years of engineering and management experience, Robert Horwath has demonstrated expertise in technology and budget management. His vast professional experience includes overseeing the US Submarine Cable Engineering and Operations Division for Vodafone, a European-based corporation. Mr. Horwath has coached soccer at Matawan High School and at Saint Mary School, where he served as boys varsity soccer coach. He and his wife, Ellen, are parishioners at Saint Mary Mother of God Church and became fully invested in Catholic education after transferring their oldest son from public school to Catholic school and seeing an instant transformation in him. Today, all four of their sons are enrolled in Catholic school, a financial sacrifice the Horwaths consider well worth the benefits.
Jack Kurkemelis, Board Member
An attorney with a deep commitment to Catholic education, Jack Kurkemelis is the business manager for Saint Mary Mother of God Church, where he has also served as a trustee. During his career, Mr. Kurkemelis was a partner at Wingate Kearney & Cullen, LLP, where he represented the Catholic schools affiliated with the Diocese of Brooklyn. He and his wife, Monica, are active Saint Mary parishioners and alumni parents—their two daughters are graduates of the school—and both remain active with the parish. A graduate of Fordham University, Mr. Kurkemelis earned a juris doctor from Hofstra University and has been a lawyer in New York since 1983. His legal background in educational matters and his strong ties to the parish community are an asset in advancing the mission of Saint Mary School.
Patrick Mullen, Board Member
With over 30 years of educational experience in both urban and suburban schools as a teacher, program coordinator, school board chair, vice principal and principal, Patrick Mullen brings a wealth of knowledge to the Saint Mary School Board. Mr. Mullen participated in many educational training and reform programs as a public school system employee, as well as several administrative committees as a principal within the Archdiocese of Newark. A product of Catholic education, Mr. Mullen understands its life forming ability and is passionate about providing a strong, deeply Catholic educational experience for the students at Saint Mary School. As he delves deeper into the Catholic Classical Liberal Arts educational philosophy, he sees its value and necessity in truly forming students for both holiness and success in this life and the life to come.
Marybeth Walz Pritzlaff, Board Member
A longtime Middletown resident, Marybeth Walz Pritzlaff enjoyed a successful 20-year career in the IT industry, working in global sales before choosing to dedicate her life to her family and philanthropy. She is the co-founder and executive director of Hope for Children Foundation New Jersey and also serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the Colin P. Casey Foundation. In honor of her late sons, Jude and Thad, Ms. Pritzlaff has been especially committed to pediatric cancer causes, while also focusing on uniting nonprofits to maximize their impact. Her leadership and dedication have been recognized by several organizations. Ms. Pritzlaff’s family, faith, and community remain her greatest sources of strength and inspiration. At the center is her family—she and her husband, Ode, are blessed with their daughter, Carrington Grace, and her stepdaughters, Talia and Tiana.
Eric Youncofski, Board Member
A seasoned professional in the sports marketing industry, Eric Youncofski brings years of experience to Saint Mary School. During his career, Mr. Youncofski has held leadership roles at both the University of Connecticut and the University of Rhode Island. A proud native of Middletown, he has deep ties to the Saint Mary community. He is inspired by the Catholic Classical Liberal Arts Education offered at the school, where his son is currently enrolled. Mr. Youncofski is committed to helping the school grow and advancing the parish mission.
Craig Palmer, School President & Director of Advancement
An experienced educator with more than 35 years of experience, Craig Palmer was appointed president of Saint Mary School after serving as the school’s principal for a decade. He strongly believes in the school’s educational approach to lead students to discover beauty, goodness and truth, while preparing them for life after graduation. During his career, Mr. Palmer has worked in both Catholic and public schools as a teacher, coach, and administrator. At Saint Mary, Mother of God Parish, he and his wife, Gina, have been active members for 37 years, with Mr. Palmer serving as a youth minister for 17 years. They are the parents of four adult children, three of whom attended Saint Mary School and Mater Dei Prep, as well as proud grandparents. Mr. Palmer earned a bachelor’s degree in finance, and master’s degrees in the art of teaching and educational supervision & administration.
Glen Holck, Board Member
Glen and his wife Diane are long time parishioners of Saint Mary Church and Parent Alumni of Saint Mary School. Their three, now adult children, attended Saint Mary School and Mater Dei High School. Glen is well liked and respected by the parish community. He currently serves on the Parish Finance Council, Vice Chair of the Fairs, and a member of That Man Is You! Men’s Ministry. Glen recently retired from Shop-Rite where he managed seven stores. He brings a wealth of managerial experience to the parish and school.
Barbara Mullaghy, Board Member/Teacher Liaison
Longtime educator Barbara Mullaghy brings 28 years of dedicated teaching experience, all within Catholic education, to the Saint Mary School Board. Since joining Saint Mary School in 2012, she has shared her passion for learning and faith with her students, currently teaching 5th grade—a role she deeply loves. Barbara’s commitment to Catholic education is also reflected in her family life; she and her husband, Tom, are proud parents of three children, all graduates of Saint Mary School. Her deep understanding of the school community and her devotion to fostering both academic excellence and spiritual growth make her a valuable voice in guiding the school’s mission and future.
Jeffrey Johnson, Head of School
Patrick Mullen, Assistant Head of School
With over 30 years of educational experience in both urban and suburban schools as a teacher, program coordinator, school board chair, vice principal and principal, Patrick Mullen brings a wealth of knowledge to the Saint Mary School Board. Mr. Mullen participated in many educational training and reform programs as a public school system employee, as well as several administrative committees as a principal within the Archdiocese of Newark. A product of Catholic education, Mr. Mullen understands its life forming ability and is passionate about providing a strong, deeply Catholic educational experience for the students at Saint Mary School. As he delves deeper into the Catholic Classical Liberal Arts educational philosophy, he sees its value and necessity in truly forming students for both holiness and success in this life and the life to come.