After graduating from Mother Seton School in 1993, Jefferson attended Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, MD. He then attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, graduating in 2001 with a BA in International Business and Management and a minor in German. After Dickinson, Jefferson worked in the Oil & Gas and Commercial Nuclear Power industries as a Supply Chain professional. From 2001 – 2018, he worked on various projects in the countries of Australia, Japan, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and the former Soviet Union (Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia). He also completed an MS in Global Supply Chain Management at the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, ME in 2007.

But after all that world traveling, in 2018, Jefferson found himself back in the US and on familiar grounds. Together with a Dickinson classmate and friend, he is working to expand the competitive footprint of Jack’s Hard Cider, which is hand-pressed on-site in Gettysburg. Jefferson shared some information about Jack’s, and his enthusiasm for this product is evident. According to Jefferson, Jack’s Hard Cider, which is pressed, fermented, and packaged at its production facility at the Gettysburg Outlets, offers carefully hand-crafted ciders featuring fresh, crisp flavors and never from concentrate. Attached to the brand-new Jack’s Hard Cider production facility is Mela Kitchen, which takes a clean, fresh, and rustic approach to food. Making use of ingredients and products sourced from local suppliers, Mela’s menu consists of brick oven pizzas, Italian inspired small plates, and family-style offerings. Its mission is to offer a thoughtful, comforting menu in a social atmosphere. Jack’s Hard Cider is distributed up and down the East Coast, as far north as New York and as far south as Georgia and Alabama. Jefferson is responsible for expanding the brand in the Southeast region. We’re glad to know that Jefferson is back working for a local company.

Jefferson remembers with fondness Sister Charles (8th-grade teacher), Barbara Fitzpatrick (7th-grade teacher), Sister Mary Gilbart (Principal), Tina Fogle (Administration), as well as Candy Lookingbill and Linda Webster (bus drivers). He also remembers EVERYONE in his graduating class of 1993 and has very fond memories of the Walk-A-Thon.

Jefferson lives just north of Atlanta, with his wife Laura and their two children, Stella (11) and Skyyden (9).

And speaking of family, Jefferson’s brother Adam is also an MSS alum! Due to a family move, Adam left MSS after 7th grade, but he has very fond memories of his years there from Kindergarten through 7th grade. Like Jefferson, Adam attended Georgetown Prep and he graduated in 1999 with fellow MSS alum Bob Kalas. Having attended elementary, middle, and high school together, Adam and Bob remain friends to this day. Adam and Jefferson have also remained close to the Winpigler family, and their sons Shawn (MSS 1993) and Chase (MSS 1997).

After graduating from Virginia Tech in 2003, Adam served seven years in the Marine Corps as a Special Reconnaissance and Intelligence Officer, with deployments to Iraq and the Asia Pacific.

Following his military service, he consulted as a strategic advisor to senior members of the Executive Branch and the Pentagon in the areas of counterterrorism and bilateral security cooperation. Adam also served the State Department as a Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent, where he managed protection operations for high-profile diplomats such as the Secretary of State and the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations as well as global dignitaries such as the Dalai Lama and senior members of Foreign governments including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Jordan.

Adam currently serves as a private consultant in global enterprise risk and strategic security policy. In the past two years, he has led protection and intelligence operations for ultra-high net worth corporate clients and celebrities on four continents.

Adam is grateful for his time at Mother Seton and recalls the guiding examples set by teachers and staff, most notably his Kindergarten teacher Mrs. MacKenzie, Sister Ann Claire, Sister Mary Catherine, Doris (Ridenour) Ott, Tina Fogel, Candy Lookingbill, and Linda Webster.

Adam lives in Richmond, VA, and can frequently be found in Washington, D.C. as well as in Gettysburg visiting Jack’s Cider House.

Congratulations to Tyler Mentzer (MSS 2002)! His Transitional Diaconate Ordination took place on Jan 2, 2021, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Tyler, a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, is currently preparing for his ordination to the priesthood, hopefully taking place this summer. Tyler is the son of Valerie Mentzer, former Advancement Director at MSS. His brother is Zach (MSS 2000).

Congratulations to Layla Metts for receiving High Honors for the 2nd semester at Gettysburg High School. Layla is currently a Sophomore. Congratulations, Layla! We are proud of you!