Board Member Bios

Heidi E. Thomas, Board President

thomas
Region Three
Term Expires in 2027
 
Mrs. Heidi Thomas is a long-time resident of the West Shore School District and a graduate of Red Land High School. She and her husband Joey have two children who also graduated from the District.
 
Mrs. Thomas was employed by West Shore for 10 years as a bus driver and cafeteria staff member before embarking on a new career as a registered nurse (RN) in 2001. Throughout her nursing journey, she has gained experience in cardiac care, surgical procedures, and pre-and post-anesthesia care.
 
Currently, Mrs. Thomas is a nurse educator at Philips Bio-Tel, where she shares her knowledge and expertise with aspiring healthcare professionals. Additionally, she works in Community Health Nursing for Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Outreach services in Allison Hill, Harrisburg.
 
Alongside her professional pursuits, Mrs. Thomas served the school community as a room parent and volunteered in various capacities while her children attended the District. She has also dedicated her time to several community organizations including spending six years as a past Board Member and RN educator for At the Cross Recovery through the Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church and two years as an RN volunteer at the Bethesda Mission Medical Clinic. Additionally, Mrs. Thomas and her therapy dog Oliver who passed in July 2022, spent nine years working with the Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services (KPETS), providing support to at-risk youth reading programs, drug and alcohol recovery programs, and to individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
 
Beyond her involvement in these various organizations, Mrs. Thomas was a contributing member of the Lewisberry Borough Council and volunteered for two years on the steering committee of Recovery Community Services Program (RCSP). She is also a member of Christ Community Church.

Kelly J. Brent, Board Vice President

brent
Region Two
Term Expires in 2025

Mrs. Kelly Brent is a 1982 graduate of Bald Eagle-Nittany High School and 1984 graduate of Central Penn College where she earned an associate’s degree in Allied Health.  Mrs. Brent continued her education at The Pennsylvania State University where she majored in Communications. Later, she earned her teaching certificate and was an adjunct instructor in the Allied Health Division at Central Penn College.
 
Mrs. Brent’s professional achievements also include establishing her own medical transcription service, earning a Federal Contract License, and receiving certification from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).  
 
Mrs. Brent and her husband have lived in Lewisberry since 2014 and have two sons, both alumni of Cumberland Valley High School. Her oldest son is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University where he majored in Economics. He now works in the Information Technology (IT) industry. Her youngest son is an Army Veteran who, after completing his tour of duty in South Korea, earned his degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of New Hampshire. He conducts stem cell research for a pharmaceutical manufacturer.  In addition to her two children, she is the grandmother to twins.
 
During elementary, middle school and high school, Mrs. Brent was a volunteer in her children’s schools and active in their extracurricular activities including the EPLW Soccer League, Chess Club, and Ski Club.  
 
Mrs. Brent’s hobbies and interests include scuba diving, underwater photography, golfing, skiing, cooking, baking, gardening, and raising chickens.  

David R. Brinton, Board Member

brinton
Region Two
Term Expires in 2027
 
Mr. David Brinton is a lifelong resident of the area who attended Hillside and Fairview Elementaries, New Cumberland Middle School, and graduated from Red Land High School in 1986. 
 
After graduation, he attended Shippensburg University where he earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Public Administration. Mr. Brinton also served in student government and worked as a Graduate Assistant in the Government Department while in college.
 
Mr. Brinton’s work experience includes nine years as Legislative Aide in the General Assembly, six years as Chief of Staff to Congressman Scott Perry while he was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and eight years as a Local Government Policy Manager/Specialist for the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development.
 
Mr. Brinton currently volunteers his time on the York County Industrial Development Authority and Red Land Senior Center Boards. He also enjoys going to concerts, pop culture, professional wrestling, and politics.
 

Brenda L. Cox, Board Member

cox
Region Three
Term Expires in 2027

Mrs. Brenda Cox is a retired educator who previously taught at Red Mill Elementary and Crossroads Middle School. She holds a degree from The Pennsylvania State University where she graduated "With Distinction."

Alongside her husband, Dr. Larry Cox, Mrs. Cox has been an active member of the West Shore community for over 30 years. All four of their children, Terra in 1996, Michael in 2004, Luke in 2006, and Matthew in 2007, are Red Land High School alumni who continue to reside in the school district. Terra earned her Doctorate from Temple University where she pursued her passion for physical therapy; Michael and Luke distinguished themselves academically at The Georgia Institute of Technology before making names for themselves in the NFL and becoming accomplished businessmen; and Matthew gained recognition as a Division II All-American in football at Bloomsburg University before finding success as an entrepreneur. Dr. and Mrs. Cox also have ten grandchildren.

Mrs. Cox has volunteered in various capacities during her children’s time in the district including offering her assistance in classrooms, on field trips, and in other capacities as needed. Mrs. Cox's engagement extends beyond her own children. She can frequently be found at District events actively supporting students participating in sports, music, drama, and other extracurricular activities.

Mrs. Cox's faith is an integral part of her life. She is a member of New Life Church in New Cumberland where she works in a variety of capacities in addition to serving as secretary of the Missions Team and devoting her time to teaching in the AWANA program.

Mandy L. Davis, Board Member

davis
Region Two
Term Expires in 2027
 
Mrs. Mandy Davis grew up in northeastern Pennsylvania where she graduated from Tunkhannock Area High School. After graduation, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Clarks Summit University and subsequently worked for the Scranton School District for two years as a behavioral counselor. Mrs. Davis lived briefly in Denver, Colorado before moving back to the Harrisburg area in 2007 and to the West Shore School District in 2021. 
 
Mrs. Davis and her husband Dan have been married 19 years and have five children. Their eldest, Faith, is a freshman at Word of Life Bible Institute in New York and their younger children Cherith, grade 10; James, grade 8; Jack, grade 6; and Joseph, grade 3; are homeschooled. Mrs. Davis has been homeschooling for 14 years and is currently on the leadership board of their homeschool co-op, West Shore Christian Educational Community. For several years, Mrs. Davis’ children have been active in athletics. Cherry plays for the Red Land High School girls soccer team and James is on Red Land High School’s wrestling team.
 
Mrs. Davis has supported both local and global missions work including participating for several years in the Running Water for the Living Water fundraising campaign. Through this fundraiser she ran in the Harrisburg Marathon and helped raise funds needed to provide clean water to communities in South Asia and Uganda.
 
Before her family moved to Lewisberry, Mrs. Davis served for six years as Borough Secretary for Mount Wolf Borough. She and her family attend New Life Church in New Cumberland where she is an active part of the church community and serves as Women’s Ministry Director.

Brian K. Guistwhite, Board Member

guistwhite
Region Three 
Term Expires in 2025
 
Mr. Brian Guistwhite is a lifelong resident of the Harrisburg area and graduated from East Pennsboro High School. After graduation, he attended West Virginia University where he studied Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering and was a member of the WVU Marching Band. Mr. Guistwhite enlisted in the US Army as a Combat Engineer and is a combat veteran of the Gulf War. Mr. Guistwhite also holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and a master’s in Business Administration from the The Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Guistwhite has been employed with St. Onge Company in York for the past 20 years.
 
Mr. Guistwhite has served the District in various capacities over the years. He has been an assistant coach for the Lemoyne Middle School wrestling program, participated in the Junior Achievement Program at Red Mill Elementary School, and has been a guest speaker for the COPE program at Crossroads Middle School.
 
Mr. Guistwhite and his wife Kelly (Red Land High School Class of 1988) have been residents of the District for more than 20 years. They have one son, Alex.

Christopher J. Kambic, Board Member

kambic
Region One
Term Expires in 2025

Mr. Christopher Kambic is a retired teacher from the West Shore School District. Prior to retiring, he taught for 22 years at Cedar Cliff High School, 11 years at Red Land High School, and three years at James Buchanan High School in the Tuscarora School District. Mr. Kambic graduated from Millersville University and is dually certified in Technology Education and Social Studies. During his career in education, he coached varsity and freshman football, was the head track and field coach at Red Land (girls) and Cedar Cliff (boys), and has managed the Cedar Cliff Relays for eleven years.

Mr. Kambic grew up in New Cumberland, graduated from Cedar Cliff High School in 1981, and has lived in the District with his wife Joanne since 1988. Mr. and Mrs. Kambic have four children, all of whom attended the West Shore School District and graduated from Cedar Cliff (Matthew, Class of 2011; Ryan, Class of 2016; Lauren, Class of 2016; and Nicholas, Class of 2016). Mr. and Mrs. Kambic also have two grandchildren, Ava and Rhys.

Mr. Kambic has been involved in his community for many years. He was a volunteer coach in the New Cumberland Youth Baseball program, a volunteer coach and board member of the New Cumberland Saints football program, a volunteer coach with West Shore Soccer, and was involved in Cub Scouts as a Pack Leader and in Boy Scouts as a Scoutmaster for Troop 82. All three of Mr. Kambic’s sons earned the rank of Eagle Scout through projects they completed in New Cumberland.

Abigail A. Tierney, Board Member

tierney
Region One
Term Expires in 2025
 
Mrs. Abigail Tierney has lived in the West Shore School District since 1996. She has a bachelor's degree from Rollins College and graduated magna cum laude from The Dickinson School of Law of The Pennsylvania State University where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Dickinson Law Review. Mrs. Tierney served as Assistant Counsel assigned to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for nearly 16 years. She is a trained mediator and has presented education-related topics at continuing legal education offerings sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and Lehigh University Education Law Conference.
 
Mrs. Tierney and her husband John are parents to three adult children who attended West Shore schools. Mrs. Tierney has served as Vice-President of the school board as well as PTO President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. She has also chaired the Board Policy and Board Facilities Committees.  
 
Mrs. Tierney is an active member of the West Shore Foundation Board of Directors, serves on the Fredericksen Library Board of Trustees, and has served on the Board of Directors of Open Stage of Harrisburg.  She has also served as a deacon and elder at Camp Hill Presbyterian Church.
 

Adam M. Trone, Board Member

trone
Region One
Term Expires in 2027

Mr. Adam Trone has spent his entire career in public education. For 18 years he has taught high school social sciences in the Dallastown Area School District while serving as an economics adjunct professor at York College of Pennsylvania. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Millersville University in 2006 and his master’s degree in United States History from the same university in 2010.

Throughout his time in education, Mr. Trone has volunteered in a variety of capacities including most recently participating on a committee established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to evaluate and revise the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for economics and personal finance.

Mr. Trone also volunteers his time on the New Cumberland Planning Commission where he helps provide recommendations to Borough Council relating to comprehensive planning and economic development.

Mr. Trone and his wife Erin moved into the District in 2013 and have two children currently attending Hillside Elementary, Teddy and Libbie.

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