Dr. Ruth B. Patterson

Ruth is an enthusiastic leader with over thirty years of experience in education, equipping and empowering young people to become successful. She moved to Horsham in 2020 with her husband Danny, who served the nation as a veteran and government employee. They both fell in love with the strong sense of community here, especially after their neighborhood was impacted by the hurricane and tornadoes that struck the township in 2021. She was inspired by the acts of kindness she witnessed between neighbors and wanted to give back to her new community. Ruth retired as a Guidance Counselor in New Jersey Schools after 25 years. Since 2018, she has served as the President & CEO of Jobs for America's Graduates Pennsylvania, a college, career, and workforce readiness nonprofit. Together, Ruth and Danny have three wonderful adult children and five fantastic grandchildren.

John McCarty

John is a proud father and family man who has lived in Horsham Township for over 16 years. His daughter is a graduate of Hatboro-Horsham High School where his son is a current student. John has dedicated much of his time to the community as a coach and active volunteer with Hatboro Horsham Hawks Football and Lacrosse teams. He is also an avid outdoorsman who loves fishing, hunting and all wildlife. Professionally, John has worked in the construction industry for more than 25 years and currently serves as Vice President and Business Agent for Laborers Local 332. He hopes to use this experience to strengthen Horsham's development, eliminating financial waste, pushing back against construction delays, and protecting open spaces. 

Liz Thomson

Liz is a proud graduate of Hatboro-Horsham High School (HHHS) who returned to the township in 2018 to raise her family.  She and her husband Rob are active members of the community, belonging to the Horsham Library, Ambler YMCA, and Hatboro-Horsham Home and School Association. Liz also volunteers as a Room Mom at Simmons Elementary for her son’s kindergarten class. After graduating from HHHS, Liz furthered her education at Bloomsburg University, where she was a member of the varsity lacrosse team and Phi Iota Chi sorority, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Liz has worked at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife) for the past 24 years, currently serving as an employee benefits communication and enrollment expert. 

Dr. Robert Jarvis

Bob has been a proud resident of Horsham Township for the past 24 years and very much looks forward to the opportunity to contribute to and enhance the continuing success of the Hatboro-Horsham School District. He brings over forty years of distinguished experience in support to K-12 school district leaders and staff that nurtures sound equity-informed policies and practices, and the successful implementation of continuous improvement efforts. He holds MA and PhD degrees in Educational Psychology from Michigan State University.

Bob’s professional activities in K-12 and Higher Education have largely focused on supporting school district leaders and educators in building their capacities to better serve the learning and social-emotional needs of increasing numbers of challenged and underperforming diverse learners. He recently retired after 22 years as the Director of the Coalition for Educational Equity in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania.

Locally, Bob led the work of the Delaware Valley Consortium for Excellence and Equity (of which Hatboro Horsham has been an involved member), the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Departments of Education, as well as multiple regional schools and  districts in PA, NJ, DE and NY in support of their educational equity-focused improvement efforts. The shared quest has been to eliminate the historic and pervasive gaps we too regularly observe in student achievement, attainment and learning opportunity most often defined by race/ethnicity, disability, gender and poverty.

Katherine Kahn

Katy Kahn has lived in Horsham, with her family, since 2020. Prior to that, she lived in Hatboro for five years. Thus, she has had the unique experience of being a part of multiple schools: Crooked Billet, then Hallowell while Crooked Billet was being rebuilt, then Simmons and now Keith Valley. Her & her family love the district, which is why I’m running for School Board.

She places a high value on education, having taught English Literature and Advanced Placement Literature and Composition in Philadelphia for the past 20 years. Katy consider herself lucky to have worked closely with the next generation of leaders on a daily basis. "The kids who are a part of Gen Z and Gen Alpha are unique and they deserve the very best when they attend school. The challenges this current generation face are also unique, and thus part of my job every day is to help them navigate these challenges." It is this experience as an educator that she will bring to the Hatboro-Horsham School Board. 

Katy believes that what our children need now -more than ever- is community. As a part of the school board, she will seek to help Hatboro-Horsham build upon its already robust community environment. "Our children deserve to feel a part of something special, and my goal is to listen to the ways we can grow this community and work with the rest of the school board to make it happen." Her experience as a teacher can bring a special lens to this body, and if given the opportunity, she promises to work hard for our community.

Madison Pease

Maddy has lived in Hatboro, PA, for 19 years and is a Hatboro-Horsham High School graduate of 2023. She is a current student at Delaware Valley University with a major in Zoo Science. She strives to contribute to the community that she was raised in, by volunteering with the Hatboro Chamber of Commerce - Holiday Parade and Car Show. She is also active in fighting food insecurity with H.A.T. Packs. Maddy works as a dog gym trainer at DogVenture and enjoys teaching her dog new tricks.  

Maddy is an advocate for safety, equal opportunities, community involvement, and high-quality learning experiences. She stands with the belief that students deserve a school that is maintained as a safe space for everyone within its walls. She believes that for an effective learning environment, students need to not just be engaged in the classroom, but also feel that their voice is heard and taken into consideration regarding school matters. She encourages the continuation of emotional, mental, and social learning in schools as some of the most important lessons to learn in life. Maddy will continue to be an advocate for her community and make sure that even the smallest voices are heard.

Ashley R. Pierson

Ashley Pierson has been a proud resident of Horsham since 2010. As a single parent of twin 5th-grade sons at Blair Mill Elementary, Ashley is deeply invested in the success of the Hatboro-Horsham School District and the well-being of its students, families, and educators.

Professionally, Ashley serves as the Associate Vice President of Client Success at Verisma Systems Inc., where she leads high-impact projects that drive operational excellence and innovation in healthcare technology. With a background in strategic planning, systems thinking, and organizational leadership, Ashley brings a practical and solutions-oriented mindset to every challenge.

She holds a Master's of Business Administration from LaSalle University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Logistics from The Pennsylvania State University. This strong academic foundation informs her thoughtful approach to governance, policy, and collaboration.

In the Hatboro-Horsham community, Ashley is an engaged volunteer. She currently serves as a homeroom parent, is an active member of the Fifth Grade Graduation Committee, and contributes to the Home and School Association—demonstrating a hands-on commitment to supporting students and school programs.

Ashley's candidacy is grounded in the core values of transparency, equity, and accountability. She believes in creating inclusive, safe, and high-achieving schools where every student has the opportunity to thrive and every family feels heard and supported.

Jennifer Wilson

Jen is a candidate running for re-election to the school board of the Hatboro-Horsham School District. A thirteen year resident of Horsham, Jen is a devoted wife and mother of two daughters. Her oldest daughter graduated from HH in 2023 and her youngest will graduate this year. 

She graduated from West Chester University, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in biology. She currently works as a Sr Specialist in Lean Manufacturing at Merck, where she effectively leads teams to solve complex problems and improve processes. 

Over the last 8 years of service on the board Jennifer has worked to continue to ensure that the school is serving the needs of all students, regardless of their abilities and backgrounds. 

She has also worked to make sure that the taxes we pay are being used in a responsible manner and that the increases do not overburden our community. Recognizing the difficulty of those living on fixed and limited incomes to pay property taxes on their homes Jennifer pushed for the implementation of a property tax rebate program. 

“I believe, unequivocally, in the value of public education and in the democratic process. I understand that my role will be to act strategically, in line with the interests of the entire school community.”

Brandon Neuman

A Judge in his 8th year on the Washington County Court of Common Pleas, Judge Neuman currently presides primarily over Civil and Veteran’s Specialty Court, along with prior experience presiding over Criminal and Family Law matters. 

Prior to taking the bench Judge Neuman was elected to four terms to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. During his service to the people as a State Legislator, he authored legislation to reform the processing of rape kits, which would end the backlog. This protects victims and ensures criminals are quickly brought to justice.

Before being elected to the state legislature, Neuman was a trial lawyer handling complex civil litigation and representing victims who have been neglected or abused in nursing homes.

A lifelong resident of Washington County, he is a proud class of 2000 graduate of Canon McMillan. Judge Neuman earned his Undergraduate Degree at the University of Richmond and Juris Doctorate at Duquesne University Kline School of Law. Judge Neuman credits much of his success to the foundation built in Washington County.

Judge Brandon Neuman and his wife Carrie continue to live in Washington County, where they are raising their four children, Josephine, Abraham, Claire, and Violet, and their two dogs, Macie and Daisy.

Read more about Brandon here.

Stella Tsai 

I’ve dedicated my career to upholding justice and ensuring fairness within Philadelphia’s legal system. Currently serving as a Judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas since August 2016, I am honored to run for election to the Commonwealth Court in 2025. My extensive experience across the Criminal, Civil, Orphans’ Court, and Family Court Divisions has equipped me with the skills and insights necessary to address the complex social, economic, and governmental issues facing our Commonwealth.

Learn more about Stella's campaign here.

Lauren Hughes

Lauren has dedicated her life to public service. Currently, she serves as Senior Solicitor in the Montgomery County Solicitor’s Office, acting as legal counsel for the County's Health and Human Services departments. In this position, she focuses on managing complex litigation, negotiating contracts, and advocating for service accessibility. 

Previously, Lauren had the privilege of working as a Public Defender in Montgomery County, advocating for justice, protecting the rights of individuals and ensuring fairness in the legal process. Most recently, Lauren served as a member of the Norristown Municipal Council. 

Learn more about Lauren's campaign here.

Raymond McGarry

Ray has practiced law for more than 35 years, with particular experience in commercial litigation, employment law, labor law and construction law. He served as Solicitor of Montgomery County from 2012 - 2017 under then-Commissioner Josh Shapiro, drafting the county's first ethics policy and the Responsible Contractor Policy. 

For more than two decades, Ray has been an active leader in Abington, serving on the School Board for 24 years, including 13 years as Board President. Ray was proud to play a historic role in the fight for equality, representing Bruce Hanes and Montgomery County in the legal battle that helped bring same-sex marriage to Pennsylvania. 

Learn more about Raymond's campaign here.

Mary Pugh

Throughout her legal career, Mary has taken on roles that demand empathy, diligence, and a firm grasp of complex legal issues. From defending healthcare professionals in medical malpractice cases to advocating for abused and neglected children, her breadth of experience sets her apart. She’s argued cases before appellate courts, worked closely with community boards, and built a reputation for integrity. This rare combination of legal skill and compassionate advocacy is exactly what’s needed on the bench.

Learn more about Mary's campaign here.

Andrea Baptiste

A lifetime Montgomery County resident, Andrea Baptiste grew up in Norristown, attended local schools and earned a BA degree in History from Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio. She holds a Series 7 Financial Securities License and an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from Johnson & Wales University, in Providence. RI. She is a member of the Montgomery County PA Democrats State Committee delegation, Southeast Caucus Secretary, and a member of the Executive Committee. Andrea is the Board Chair of Montgomery County Democratic Women’s Leadership Initiative and the Municipal Chair for Collegeville Democrats.

Andrea has over 20 years’ experience in the commercial real estate, retail sectors and financial sectors, providing her with the valuable skills of understanding and anticipating peoples’ needs, forecasting, and balancing budgets, understanding of the financial markets, assessing fundraising needs and developing plans to do so.

Andrea ran for and won a seat as the only Democrat on the Collegeville Borough Council in 2007. She served a four-year term and worked tirelessly using her knowledge of business, construction, and commercial real estate industries to chair the Borough’s Business Liaison Committee, chair the Parks and Recreation Committee and was a member of the Finance Committee.

In 2017, as Municipal Chair of Collegeville Democrats, she guided a successful campaign for Borough Council to taking a four-seat majority of Council and secured the mayor’s office for a Democratic candidate for the first-time ever since the Borough was incorporated in 1896. The next Borough Council election cycle in 2019 brought another three-seat victory for Collegeville Democrats flipping Borough Hall to the current seven-seat majority.

Andrea has years of experience in both the private and public sector, which has provided her with an array of skills that make her uniquely capable of serving Montgomery County.

Learn more about Andrea's campaign here.