Longwood Gardens makes Board appointments

Posted by Press Release on January 5, 2018

Longwood Gardens today announced the appointments of Michael Bontrager of Chatham Financial and Jason Pride of Glenmede Trust Company to its Board of Trustees. The appointments are effective January 1, 2018.

“We are very fortunate to have Michael and Jason joining Longwood’s Board of Trustees,” said President & CEO Paul B. Redman. “Their financial expertise and global perspective, combined with their deep commitment to our community and passion for our mission will be of tremendous benefit to Longwood in the future.”

Mr. Bontrager founded Chatham Financial in 1991 and serves as the company's Chief Executive Officer.

Chatham Financial is an independent financial risk management firm specializing in solving common yet complex capital markets challenges. Chatham serves over 1,800 clients globally, providing advisory and technology solutions to Corporations, Financial Institutions, Private Equity and Real Estate companies, helping them understand and control debt and derivatives as a critical piece of their financial strategy.

Chatham is a purpose driven company seeking to gain trust over profits as it positively serves markets, clients, communities, employees, and investors.

Mr. Bontrager and his family are deeply committed to the Kennett Square community and strive to improve the quality of life for all who work, live, and visit the town. His 25-year track record includes building community programs for youth and families, enhancing properties, and creating cultural experiences like The Creamery, a successful pop-up gathering space and garden. He also serves on the Sidewalk and Trails Committee for the Kennett Township.

Mr. Bontrager has been an active member of the Longwood Gardens Capital Projects & Planning Committee since January 2016. He holds a BA in Economics from Wheaton College, Illinois and received an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jason Pride is Glenmede Trust Company’s Managing Director, Director of Investment Strategy. He is responsible for formulating investment policy and strategy, and serves as a leading member of the Investment Policy Committee, which monitors and manages the firm’s allocation strategies for more than $25 billion in client assets. In this role, Mr. Pride has led efforts to develop and enhance Glenmede’s proprietary economic, valuation, and portfolio optimization tools. Mr. Pride is also responsible for investment strategy communications, including Glenmede’s Market Insights, Investment Strategy Notes, and Economic and Market Outlook presentations. He is a regular commentator for local, regional and national media outlets, including: CNBC, Bloomberg, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Associated Press, Dow Jones and Reuters. Previously, Mr. Pride was Director of Research at The Haverford Trust Company and a leading member of the Investment Committee overseeing more than $5 billion in assets.

He is also a member of the Philadelphia Council for Business Economics, the National Association for Business Economics and the Global Interdependence Center.

Mr. Pride has served on the Longwood Gardens Investment Committee since December 2016. He earned a B.S. in chemical engineering and management science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

About Longwood Gardens
In 1906, industrialist Pierre du Pont (1870-1954) purchased a small farm near Kennett Square, PA, to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Throughout his life, Mr. du Pont indulged his passion for gardening, turning his farm into a magnificent horticultural showplace. Today, Longwood Gardens is one of the world’s great gardens, encompassing 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, and a 4-acre conservatory. Longwood continues the mission set forth by Mr. du Pont to inspire people through excellence in garden design, horticulture, education and the arts, through programming that includes exhibitions, performing arts, renowned horticulture education programs, horticulture research, environmental stewardship and cultural and community engagement. Longwood Gardens is on US Route 1 near Kennett Square, PA, 30 miles west of Philadelphia. Details at www.longwoodgardens.org.