Administrative Staff

As son of FFS founders Tony and Betty Argiros, Mike has been part of "The Family" and The Family Foundation School for most of his life. He has served as Executive Director since 2001 and was named Director of Campus Life in 2011. An energetic and enthusiastic leader, he has overseen the dramatic growth in the school's activities, programs, and facilities over the last decade, as well as its Joint Commission accreditation. He is also active in the community, serving on the board of the Hancock Partners. Mike and his wife Cindy enjoy country living in rural Hancock raising six children, a dog, cat, and chickens.

Rita assumed her administrative duties at The Family Foundation School in 2000 when her parents, Tony and Betty Argiros, founders of the school, retired. Prior to that, she was associate professor of sociology at St. Cloud State University where her areas of expertise included research methods and statistics, social inequality, and social problems. Rita continues to teach college-level courses in sociology at FFS. As program director she is responsible for maintaining a therapeutically sound culture on campus. The directors of student health, counseling, and the kitchen manager report to her. She is responsible for staffing, Joint Commission accreditation, and Risk Management. A leader at the school in most new initiatives, she is currently focused on The Bridge. Rita founded the Dog Corps at FFS which she curently co-directs with her assistant Jenn Culver. Outside of FFS and her family, she has only one passion: search and rescue. She is the current president of Eagle Valley Search Dogs, and she and her husband, Sid Parham, share their home with search dogs Ripley, Raven and Tank.

Sid joined The Family Foundation School in 2000 as chief academic administrator and director of the school's drama department. He has also served as family leader and director of college counseling, and teaches honors English classes. Prior to FFS, he was on the faculties of Hampton University, the University of Denver, and St. Cloud State University where he was a professor of English and associate graduate dean. He also taught in Botswana for the Peace Corps. In addition to his drama and literary pursuits, Sid has worked tirelessly on behalf of the industry as a member of the board of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP).

Ann Janauer, daughter of FFS Founders Tony and Betty Argiros, was named school principal in 2009 and Dean of Students in 2011. She had been part of the FFS faculty since 2007, teaching Regents chemistry, college chemistry 1 and 2, and Science in Modern Society. She also served as Vice President, Human Resources at the school. Ann was previously assistant professor of chemistry at SUNY Delhi and Sienna College. She and her husband Gerald, who also teaches chemistry at FFS, serve as Family Leaders for Betton House. They live in the original Argiros homestead where they are avid gardeners and raise grass-fed lambs and free range chickens. Ann also enjoys kayaking, biking and hiking.

Gerald joined The Family Foundation School in 2006 as a chemistry teacher and, given his interest in photography, soon set up the school's first photography class. He was named Science Department Chairman in 2008, and became Academic Dean in 2011. Prior to FFS, Gerald taught chemistry at SUNY Delhi. He and his wife Ann, Dean of Students at FFS, serve as Family Leaders for Betton House. They live in rural Hancock where they enjoy a range of outdoor activities, from gardening and raising chickens to bicycling and hiking.

Jeff joined The Family Foundation School as a therapist in 2004. He has been the head of admissions and external relations since 2005, and in 2011 was named Dean of Admissions. The industry's growing recognition and respect for FFS over the past few years is largely due to Jeff's ongoing efforts to promote the school to consultants, educators, and counselors at numerous meetings and conferences throughout the year. When Jeff's not in the office or on the road, he can be found enjoying the great outdoors with his wife Debbie and their dogs, Jack and Jake.

Rick was named Development Director at the school in 2010 after serving three years as Executive Director of The Family Foundation, Inc.  His positions prior to FFS included executive director for non-profit organizations, school principal, and English teacher. In his current role, he guides the school's outreach efforts across the internet and is involved in community building with various school constituents. He also continues to oversee administration of The Family Foundation, and works directly with a number of students both as a sponsor and individual counselor. Rick is currently a candidate at the C.G. Jung Institute of New York where he is training to become a psychoanalyst. A father of two, he and his wife thoroughly enjoy the rural living they have found in the surrounding Catskills.