High School Chemistry Class - 1961
Joseph Allen Phillippi was Mark Joseph Cappone's maternal grandfather and is one of the foremost leadership role models in his life. A high school physics and chemistry teacher for over 40 years, ‘J. Allen’ as he was known to those close to him was a true servant leader, facilitating the learning and growth of thousands of young adults throughout his life. His work ethic was unparalleled as he not only taught school, but also managed a large farm, volunteered with local 4-H clubs and served as a leader in his church. When Mark was a young man, people in J. Allen’s hometown of Cameron, West Virginia would often stop him and exclaim, “I can tell by the way you carry yourself that you’re J. Allen Phillippi’s grandson!” Nothing made Mark prouder than to hear that and decades later, he could think of no better way to honor his grandfather’s legacy than to found an organization in his name with a mission of helping others become better leaders and make a difference in the world.