EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF JACKSONVILLE - Key Persons
The Episcopal campus contains a significant historic building, the Acosta-Schmidt House, built in the late 1800s. Purchased by St. Elmo W. Acosta, a influential Jacksonville businessman and City Council member, in 1911 the property included an orange grove. It then became part of the ESJ campus after the founding of the school. Its wide porch is used for numerous school events, including Commencement ceremonies. It was rededicated in 2021 in honor of Founder and Trustee Emeritus Gert H.W. Schmidt, and houses the Advancement and Alumni programs.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Admission and Enrollment
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Services, Counselor
Job Titles:
- Head of Lower School, St. Mark 's Campus
Bill Gist served as the Director of Tennis at Jacksonville Golf and Country Club from 1990-2017, where he was recognized as both the Northeast Florida Pro of the Year and the USPTA Region 3 Pro of the Year. As a player, Bill played collegiate tennis at Delta State University before graduating from Mississippi State University. He is married to his wife, Kara of 28 years, and they are proud parents to two Episcopal alumnae, Abby '13 and Anna '16.
Job Titles:
- Dean of Student Life, Mathematics Instructor
Job Titles:
- Director of Safety and Security
Job Titles:
- Director of Campus Operations and Logistics
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Finance Committee
Dede Allen has been coaching for more years than, as she says "I care to remember." This year, 2021 will be her 12 th year at Episcopal. In her time at ESJ, the team has won ten district championships in a row, five regional semi-finals, four regional championships, and made it to states as a team, four times (along with three years of individuals going to states). She is a recipient of the John Ryan Award for Excellence in Coaching and was named the USPTA/FL Coach of the Year. Before joining the Eagles, Coach Allen served as the coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. While there, she finished second in the ACC and received the ACC Coach of the Year award. Coach Allen attended the University of Missouri where she played in the "one" spot in singles and doubles. She is the author of several USTA Sectional and National articles regarding college tennis recruiting and the author of the original USTA Tennis Guide for Prospective College Players. Coach Allen also spends time as a training coach for the USTA U10 Tennis program.
Job Titles:
- Lacrosse Program Director and Head
Lacrosse Program Director and Head Coach Glenn Carter has more than two decades of coaching experience. In 2015 he led the lacrosse team to a district championship and a district runner up finish the following two years. Coach Carter attended Neumann University in Pennsylvania where he played lacrosse and football. During his time on the Neumann lacrosse team, Coach Carter was a two-time first team all-conference team member and the recipient of the Neumann Knight Award, given to the school's top student athlete. Coach Carter went on to be the assistant coach at Neumann University, the head coach at the University of Richmond, the head coach at Ursinus College and the assistant coach for the Philadelphia Barrage. As a coach with the Barrage, he helped lead the team to three world championships. Coach Carter is also a founding member of the Florida State Lacrosse Coaches Association (FSCLA) and the North Florida Lacrosse Coaches Association
Job Titles:
- Head of Lower School, Beaches Campus
Job Titles:
- Director of College Counseling
Krista Grabher was a head varsity coach for St. Edward's School in Vero Beach prior to joining ESJ. As a player, Coach Grabher was a four-year varsity letter winner for the University of Florida women's lacrosse team. She served as a team captain for the Gators and earned conference academic honor roll all four years.
Job Titles:
- Alumni Board President, Ex - Officio
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Trustees Chair, Ex - Officio
Job Titles:
- Chief Advancement Officer
Job Titles:
- Head of School, Ex - Officio
Job Titles:
- Rector of St. Mark 's, Ex - Officio