Meet the Admission Team

List of 4 members.

William McMahon

Director of Enrollment and Planning

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Bio
As director of enrollment and planning, Bill says his favorite part of the day is talking with families about Thacher's unique approach to helping teenagers become their best selves. His favorite week-long Thacher camping trip entails sea kayaking down the leeward side of Catalina Island and spending the afternoons snorkeling in the kelp forests. After earning his BA at Colgate University and his MBA at Columbia University, Bill worked in advertising in NYC before serving as director of marketing and planning at The Northfield Mount Hermon School. All four of his sons attended Thacher and then went on to Colgate University.
Kim Bastian

Sr. Associate Director of Admission, Director of Financial Aid

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Bio
Kim came to Thacher in 2011, after many years working in admission and financial aid at a Boston area day school where she was immersed in all aspects of school life. A native of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, she studied English, with an emphasis on journalism, at Providence College and later went on to earn a master’s degree in education, with a focus on race, class, and gender, from Tufts University. Close connections with students and peers make Thacher’s community a natural home for Kim, who especially loves the many opportunities to get to know students informally. Kim and her daughter live on campus.
Becky Krueger

Admission Office Assistant

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Christian Garris

Associate Director of Admission, Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Bio
Christian moved to Ojai from Massachusetts with his wife Erin and newborn son, August. He spent the last four years working in admissions at Tabor Academy where he is also an Alumnus. Christian also comes to us with a strong background in diversity, equity, and inclusion work and looks forward to continuing that at Thacher. In addition to working in admissions, Christian will be coaching football and basketball this year and advising sophomore boys in Los Padres. He will be cheering on all student teams and achievements this year, but you'll be sure to catch him in a Patriots jersey on Sundays.

List of 5 members.

Anne Gregory

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Bio
Anne joins the Admission team after studying and working in Maine for seven years. She graduated from Thacher in 2015, going on to major in Africana Studies and Education at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. After graduating, she completed her teaching certification through Bowdoin’s Teacher Scholars program. She taught history to 9th, 10th, and 12th graders in Maine’s public schools until moving to Ojai in August 2022. She is thrilled to be rejoining this special community as a faculty member this year. Along with her work in Admissions, she advises 9th graders and coaches girls’ varsity lacrosse. Anne lives in the Los Padres dormitory with her fiancé Riley and their two cats.
Yung Roman

Director of Admission Operations, School Information Specialist

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Bio
Yung manages the daily office operations as well as maintaining the admission database. She is the point of contact for prospective students and their families. She also helps them navigate through the admission process. Her favorite part of the job is meeting new people from around the world. Before joining Thacher, Yung taught Microsoft Office products with New Horizons Computer Learning Center. Prior to New Horizons, she worked with Unisys Corporation as a database administrator. Yung has two children, Michael and Jasmynn CdeP 2013. In her free time, she and her husband, Michael, enjoy running, hiking, listening to music, cooking, and spending time with family.
AJ Yates

Sr. Associate Director of Admission, Co-Director of Multicultural Outreach, Major Gifts

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Bio
AJ spent his middle and high school years in Seal Beach, California, after stops in the Bay Area, Chicago, and upstate New York. After initially enrolling at Princeton University, he worked in software and sports media. AJ completed his bachelor's degree at Antioch University with a major in African American studies and a minor in mathematics. Upon graduation, AJ had a drastic career change and began teaching, coaching, dorm-heading, etc. at Suffield Academy in Suffield, Connecticut. During his ten years at Suffield followed by his five years at Flintridge Preparatory School in La Cañada, AJ taught math, advised the students of color organization, did admissions outreach, served as a class advisor, and coached football, wrestling, track & field, soccer, cross country, and snowboarding. At Thacher, AJ is a senior associate director of admission and co-director of multicultural outreach, is the head coach of the girls' varsity soccer team, advises the Black Student Union, and advises junior boys as a dorm associate in Upper School. AJ lives on campus with his wife, Carin, daughters, Sydney CdeP '19 and Jordan '23, and dog, Ollie.
Ann Merlini
Raul Soto

Meet the Team

List of 4 members.

William McMahon

Kim Bastian

Becky Krueger

Christian Garris

List of 5 members.

Anne Gregory

Yung Roman

AJ Yates

Ann Merlini

Raul Soto