Barbara H. Haase, Dean of Admission
Barbara has been a career educator for the past 35 years. Following the completion of her masters degree in Curriculum Design and Teaching from Columbia University in 1976, her professional life has included teaching, textbook writing, independent school trusteeship, oversight of independent school offices of development, financial aid, admission and Head of School. Her long and rewarding affiliation with Blair Academy was begun during her headship at Hilltop Country Day School in Sparta, New Jersey, where a former Blair headmaster served on the Hilltop Board of Trustees. Both of the Haases’ sons, Brett ’91, and Blake ’97, matriculated at Blair Academy. Barbara joined the Blair Office of Admission in 1991 and, two years later in 1993, she and her husband, Marty, left their home in suburban New Jersey and moved into Locke Hall, Blair’s largest dormitory, where they remained as houseparents for the next decade. Now residing at the Dean’s Residence, they enjoy opening their home throughout the year for informal faculty parties and overnight stays by the School’s many campus visitors. Much of Barbara’s time these days is spent on the road as she travels, nationally and sometimes internationally, speaking at schools and professional conferences on behalf of Blair Academy and the independent boarding school experience.
Contact: E-mail

Heather M. Eckert, Associate Dean of Admission
and Director of Financial Aid
Heather Eckert joined the Blair admission team in the summer of 2005 with past independent school experience that includes serving as a faculty member at the American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR) in Italy and teaching at the Loomis Chaffee Summer Program. Following her time at AOSR, Heather resided in New York City and Boston and held positions in public relations & communications, marketing, corporate strategic planning and portfolio management/accounting. A graduate of Loomis Chaffee as well, Heather was thrilled to have the opportunity to return to boarding school life and a career in education. Following her time at Loomis, Heather went on to earn a B.A. in history from Williams College in 2000. During her collegiate years, she ran varsity track and field and was a junior advisor and house president. She continues to be an active member in the Williams community as the treasurer of her graduating class and a class agent. Here at Blair, in addition to her role as associate dean of admission and director of financial aid, Heather is a sophomore class monitor, the head girls’ track and field coach, the assistant girls’ cross country coach, and chairs the Blair Support Group. Last spring she was awarded the James M. Howard Fellowship for her “uncommon energy, leadership, significant involvement in the life of the school” and her commitment to the field of education. She and her husband Mike, a history teacher and lacrosse coach at Blair, live in and run the upperclass girls dormitory Annie Hall.
Contact: E-mail

Bowen Posner, Associate Dean of Admission
Bowen enters his third year as a member of the Blair admission team. Prior to his arrival at Blair, he worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. as well as for a non-profit specializing in international political development. No stranger to the boarding school world, Bowen attended St. Paul’s School (Concord, NH) for four years, an experience which influenced his decision to come to Blair. Bowen also spent four years at the University of Pennsylvania where he studied diplomatic history and rowed on the Penn mens’ varsity lightweight crew, competing against the top rowing programs in the country. At Blair Bowen demonstrates his commitment to the Blair community by dividing his time among a wide range of responsibilities and activities. He initially split time between the Admission Office and the History Department, teaching U.S. History 1 to sophomores. During the admission season Bowen can often be found traveling throughout the U.S. and world to promote Blair. He also serves as the housemaster of Davies Hall and the head boys’ crew coach. Having grown up in New England, Bowen would describe himself as an avid Boston Red Sox fan who also enjoys running, biking, traveling, and sampling cuisine from around the world.
Contact: E-mail

Andrew Pearce ’02, Associate in Admission
As a third generation Buccaneer, Andrew is no stranger to Blair. His father graduated from Blair in 1968 and his grandfather graduated in 1934. Andrew returns for his second year at Blair to be an Associate in the Admission Office. He explained, “Coming back to Blair has been a dream come true in many ways. I have the incredible opportunity to mentor the students in the same way that I was influenced by my advisors, teachers, and coaches.” After graduating from Blair, Andrew earned his B.A. in history and a minor in art history from the University of Virginia. His studies focused primarily on American history, and he completed a senior thesis on the contribution of immigrants in the Confederacy during the Civil War. While at Virginia he was a member of the men’s ice hockey team and helped lead the Cavaliers to two ACC championships. Andrew brings a passion for hockey and travel as well as a lifelong love of History to Blair. He added, “To live, work and play in this community is a life-changing experience, and something I am grateful to be a part of every day.” In addition to his responsibilities in the Admission Office, Andrew currently serves as the assistant housemaster of Davies Hall and coaches hockey and lacrosse. In his free time Andrew enjoys playing tennis, skiing, traveling and visiting art museums.
Contact: E-mail

Alexis Machabanski, Associate in Admission
Alexis not only joins the admission team this fall, but she is also recent addition to the Blair community. Raised in an Argentinean family, she grew up in Chicago and eventually moved to the East Coast in order to attend Williams College in 2003, where she earned a B.A. in psychology and art history with a minor in Spanish. In addition to working in the Admission Office, Alexis is a teacher of Spanish 3, assistant housemaster in Ivy Hall, and coach for JV girls’ soccer. Having traveled to various countries throughout the last several years, including Mexico, Nicaragua, and Spain, where she lived for a semester, Alexis brings a strong sense of cross-cultural understanding and commitment to Blair. Prior to coming to Blair, she spent time working in education at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and at the Illinois Masonic Pediatric Developmental Center.
Contact: E-mail

Paul Clavel ’88, Associate in Admission
Having been a student at Blair from 1984-1988, Paul was excited to return to Blair in 2004 along with his family. During his time as a Blair student, he served as a prefect in East Hall, participated on two athletic teams and was elected captain of the wrestling team. Paul matriculated to Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia where he earned his B.S. in secondary education and obtained his mathematics teaching certification. While at Old Dominion, he was a three-year member of the wrestling team. After graduating from college, Paul taught mathematics in Virginia for Norfolk Public Schools for two years and nine years for Chesapeake Public Schools. In addition to his teaching responsibilities at Chesapeake, he served as athletic director and wrestling coach. In 2004 Paul received his M.Ed. in school administration from Cambridge College of Cambridge, Massachusetts. At Blair Paul holds a variety of responsibilities throughout the community. In addition to his role in the Admission Office, he serves as a mathematics teacher, assistant wrestling coach, and housemaster of Mason Hall, an upper class boys’ dormitory. Paul lives in Mason Hall with his wife, Erika, and their two beautiful daughters, Avery and Emma. During his spare time Paul enjoys quality time with his family and the occasional round of golf on the Blair course.
Contact: E-mail

Alma Costantino, Assistant to the Dean of Admission
This year marks Alma’s 37th year in the Blair Admission Office. With such tenure, she is not only one of the longest standing members of the Blair faculty or staff, but she is also among the most beloved members of the Blair family. From her desk in the historic Blair Room, Alma has greeted thousands of prospective students and parents, welcomed alumni returning to their alma mater, and managed the day-to-day operations of an increasingly busy admissions office with a warm smile, precise attention to detail, and her quintessential touch of class. In addition to Alma’s oversight of the Blair Room, she schedules personal interviews, manages the admissions master calendar, coordinates financial aid, and handles the extensive travel schedule for the admissions office staff.

Tammy Findlay, Admission Database Manager
In addition to working in the Blair Admission Office for over 10 years, Tammy is also the proud mother of three Blair graduates (Heidi ’01, Meghan ’03 and Scott ’05) and one current Blair student (Morgan ’08). Having experienced Blair as a staff member and parent, Tammy is uniquely qualified to speak with prospective families about the Blair community. In addition to handling all initial inquiries and overseeing the various admission office mailings, Tammy manages the office database and assists in the coordination of Open Houses. Tammy resides in Hardwick, NJ with her husband, Scott.

return to top