Today, Founding Forward proudly concludes its multi-day civic celebration, uniting chapters, partners, and donors in a series of America250 commemorations, dynamic interactive programs, thought-provoking panel discussions, immersive historic tours, the awarding of the Charles Kurz, II Prize for Civic Leadership, and a landmark groundbreaking ceremony for a new $25+ million classroom and administrative building.
Our momentum has never been stronger, and as we accelerate this trajectory, we are thrilled to announce the promotion of Joseph Fay from Founding Forward’s Chief Operating Officer to Chief Executive Officer. In this role, Joey will lead Founding Forward, champion its mission, and build on the strong foundation established by Founding Forward’s leadership and team – ensuring that Founding Forward continues to inspire, empower, and expand our reach nationwide.
Jim Dunigan, Chair of the Founding Forward Board of Trustees, shares, “Joey brings a deep commitment to Founding Forward’s mission, a thorough understanding of our organization, and the leadership skills needed to guide us into the future. The Board has great confidence in Joey’s ability to build upon our momentum, lead our talented team, and expand the reach and impact of our civic education programs. He understands both Founding Forward’s proud history and the opportunity ahead of us. He is the right leader to unite our community around a shared vision and ensure that Founding Forward remains a national leader in civic education for generations to come.”
We invite you to celebrate Joey’s exciting new chapter with us and learn more about his inspiring journey below.
Meet Chief Executive Officer Joseph Fay
As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve, I have lived one creed: service before self. That same creed now carries me into a new set of orders. On September 16, our Board entrusted me as Chief Executive Officer of Founding Forward. I am honored and energized to lead from the grounds where our nation was forged.
The path here has been consistent. Parkland High School, the Naval Academy, then the Marine Corps, where I was commissioned in 2003 as a Second Lieutenant. I deployed to Fallujah with 2/7 Marines in 2005 and later trained new Marines at MCRD San Diego. I have served in the Reserve since 2009 and currently command the Headquarters Group of the Marine Innovation Unit. Those experiences, plus joint planning, NATO, and command-and-staff training, still shape how I lead.
In civilian life the mission stayed the same: execute hard projects well. I managed more than $300 million in capital work at Penn Medicine, including the Level 1 Trauma relocation; built a Healthcare + Life Sciences practice at CBRE; and in 2018, after getting my MBA at Penn State, I founded Quatrefoil, an SDVOSB that served the Union League of Philadelphia, the 76ers, and Penn State Health. After the 2024 merger with MCFA, I was President of Diversified Markets and already working on the Founding Forward campus master plan when the opportunity to join full-time arrived. I reported as COO on March 16. Six months later, I am proud to serve as CEO.
I first walked this campus more than a decade ago as a Travis Manion Foundation volunteer at the 9/11 Heroes 5K, Medal of Honor Grove, Washington at Prayer, the ground itself. Returning in 2024 to help modernize the facilities, I found an organization that does not merely teach civics, character, service, and stewardship. It lives them. That alignment with the values I try to practice every day—Likability, Excellence, Accountability, Dedication, and my love of mentoring young people made the decision simple.
Christine and I, with Gabriella (18), Michaela (15), Sienna (11), and Skyla (5), are all in. We want our daughters on these same trails, in these same programs, learning what it means to be informed, engaged American citizens. With the support of family, friends, colleagues, and this community, we will help keep the American founding and the American dream alive for the next 250 years.
Three things you will learn quickly: People know me as Joey. I still love beating Army. And I am a Girl Dad before anything else.
-Joseph Fay, CEO, Founding Forward
In case you missed it, we encourage you to watch the video for a great showcase of the multi-year Valley Forge campus revitalization initiative to create a place worthy of the mission.