Alumni of the Year

Sally (Landis) Derstine graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and Ashford University, earning degrees in organizational management and psychology. She joined the Delaware Valley Family Business Center in 1992 to launch the Family Business Learning Community, which has grown into a vibrant leadership community of more than 60 business-owning families. Today she serves as Managing Partner and Owner, leading a team that equips families to navigate the complexities of leadership, ownership, governance, succession, and relationships.

Having grown up in a third-generation family business, Sally understands firsthand the unique opportunities and challenges facing families who own and manage businesses together. Drawing on more than three decades of experience, she has helped hundreds of families strengthen relationships, navigate difficult transitions, establish effective governance structures, and prepare future generations for leadership.

Sally is the creator of the 5 MOUNTAIN® Model, an integrated framework that helps business-owning families develop a shared language for understanding the interconnected roles of family, management, ownership, governance, and advisors. She also holds a Certificate in Family Business Advising from the Family Firm Institute, where she is a member, reflecting her continued commitment to serving families with excellence and wisdom.

Sally and her husband, Doug ('76), live in Telford and are active members of Salford Mennonite Church. Together they enjoy investing in their children, grandchildren, and extended family, believing that legacy is ultimately about faithful stewardship and “doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God.”

Brad McCarty graduated from Messiah College in 1993 with a degree in health and physical education before earning a master's degree in sports administration from Wichita State University. Following graduation, he played four seasons of professional soccer with the Charlotte Eagles of the United Soccer League while beginning his coaching career at both the high school and collegiate levels.

Brad served as head men's soccer coach at Hesston College for six seasons before leading the women's soccer program at Erskine College. In 2001, he returned to his alma mater as the top assistant coach for the Messiah men's soccer program, helping guide the Falcons to five NCAA Division III National Championships and establishing one of the nation's premier collegiate soccer programs.

In 2009, Brad was named the seventh head coach in Messiah men's soccer history. Under his leadership, the Falcons have continued their tradition of excellence, capturing multiple NCAA Division III National Championships while he has twice been named National Soccer Coaches Association of America National Coach of the Year. His teams have consistently ranked among the nation's elite, continuing Messiah's legacy as one of the most successful programs in Division III soccer.

In addition to his responsibilities as head coach, Brad serves as Associate Athletics Director for Facilities at Messiah University. He has also directed and led numerous youth soccer camps and clinics, investing in the development of young athletes while mentoring generations of student-athletes both on and off the field.

Brad and his wife, Jodi, live in Dillsburg and have four children: Madison, Morgan, Ian, and Finnley.

Marlene (Moyer) Frankenfield devoted her career to youth ministry, spiritual formation, and connecting people through relationships. She served Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and Franconia Mennonite Conference in a dual ministry role, where she encouraged and equipped youth pastors, advocated for the recognition of youth ministry through licensing and ordination, and helped plan Mennonite Church USA youth conventions that created meaningful faith experiences for thousands of young people. In 2007, while serving in these roles, her own call to ministry was affirmed through ordination.

During her years at Dock, Marlene planned chapels and partnered with students to create opportunities for spiritual growth and service. She also led several Senior Experience Week trips to Honduras in partnership with Healthy Niños Honduras, experiences that sparked a lifelong commitment to the organization. She continues to serve on the Healthy Niños Honduras Board of Directors, helping advance its mission of supporting children and families.

In 2013, Marlene founded MarConnections LLC, an organization dedicated to connecting international students with host families and helping students find a welcoming community while studying in the United States. That same year, she completed her training as a spiritual director. Today she continues to offer both in-person and virtual spiritual direction, walking alongside individuals as they seek to recognize God's presence and guidance through every season of life.

Marlene and her husband, Dean ('75), have three children, all Dock alumni, and are the proud grandparents of four grandchildren.

David Kratz graduated from Cairn University in 2010, earning a bachelor's degree in Bible and in 2018 a master's degree in organizational leadership. Following seven years as a professional motocross racer, he answered God's call to ministry, serving as youth pastor at East Swamp Church while seeking new ways to reach young people in his own community. In 2008, he founded Free Fall Action Sports, where he now serves as Executive Director.

Recognizing the potential of a struggling local skate park, David and a team of volunteers invested in relationships with young people, helping transform a space once known for vandalism and drug activity into a safe, welcoming environment where students experience belonging, mentorship, and hope. Through regular gatherings, competitions, community events, and consistent presence, Free Fall has become a place where countless students have developed confidence, leadership skills, and a deeper sense of purpose.

David also helped establish a student leadership team known as the "Goodlums," empowering young people to take ownership of the culture of the park while serving others in their local community and beyond. Under his leadership, Free Fall has grown into a ministry recognized not only for its positive impact on youth, but also for strengthening the broader Quakertown community through collaboration, service, and outreach.

David's commitment to serving others has been recognized through numerous community honors, including an honorary diploma from Quakertown Community High School for his lasting impact on local youth and the 2025 "Good Job Award" presented by the Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Society and Good for PA. Through his ministry, he continues to demonstrate how faith, presence, and authentic relationships can transform lives and communities.

Kate Landis graduated from Eastern Mennonite University before entering a combined master's and doctoral program in clinical psychology at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida. Inspired by her own experience with PANDAS, a pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder, she has dedicated her academic and professional pursuits to improving the lives of children and families affected by PANDAS/PANS through research, advocacy, and education.

Kate currently serves as Research Committee Lead for the National PANDAS/PANS Youth Alliance, where she collaborates with other young people to advance awareness, promote research, and advocate for legislation supporting those impacted by PANDAS/PANS. She also serves as Youth Advisory Council Lead for the Brain Inflammation Collaborative, helping ensure that the lived experiences of young people are incorporated into research initiatives, education, and advocacy surrounding neuroinflammatory disorders.

Kate's passion for serving others began during her own journey with PANDAS and has continued to shape both her academic goals and volunteer leadership. She hopes to combine her graduate training with research and advocacy to improve diagnosis, treatment, and support for future generations of children and families facing these challenges.

Alongside her academic studies and volunteer leadership, Kate remains deeply engaged in her local church community through worship, Bible studies, and fellowship. Her life reflects the Dock Graduate Profile through a commitment to lifelong learning, compassionate service, resilient faith, and using her own experiences to bring hope and healing to others.

Wes Strickland graduated from DeSales University's Physician Assistant Program in 2017, where he received the program's Director's Award in recognition of his leadership and professional excellence. He began his career in general and vascular surgery at Grand View Health before joining the University of Pennsylvania Trauma Program in 2019 as its first Physician Assistant. During his time at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, he became the first Physician Assistant to first assist in operative trauma and received institutional recognition for his contributions to the University of Pennsylvania Health System's surgical residency program.

While continuing his work at Penn, Wes was one of the first staff hired for the Level II Trauma Center at Grand View Health before transitioning to Reading Hospital in 2022 to pursue additional opportunities in medical and surgical critical care. Today, he serves as a Physician Assistant at Reading Hospital, where he is the trauma stepdown unit liaison and serves on the Tower Health Medical Records Committee, while also working additional shifts with St. Luke's University Health Network.

Beyond caring for patients during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, Wes is committed to developing the next generation of healthcare professionals. He has lectured for DeSales University and the University of Pennsylvania, presented to local school districts, and regularly mentors high school, undergraduate, and graduate students pursuing careers in medicine through clinical education and preceptorships.

Wes and his wife, Olivia ('12), live locally with their two young children and are active in their church community. Whether caring for patients, mentoring future medical professionals, or investing in his family, Wes exemplifies the Dock Graduate Profile through servant leadership, lifelong learning, and a commitment to using his gifts to serve others.