Dear Charlotte Country Day School Community,
After 28 years of extraordinary service to Charlotte Country Day School, Chief Financial and Operating Officer David Mancos has announced his decision to retire at the end of the academic year, effective June 30, 2027.
Since joining Country Day in May 1999, David has been a trusted steward of our school's operations and an enduring leadership presence for our community. In addition to his role as CFOO, he twice stepped forward to serve as Interim Head of School, putting the needs of our school above all else in moments that called for steady leadership.
David has been one of the most consequential leaders in Country Day's history. One can detect his fingerprints on nearly every part of our campus, finances, and operations, from our endowment and our buildings to our culture of professional excellence. He has given this school nearly three decades of formidable service, and he has done it with humility, candor, and an unwavering commitment to doing right by our students and our community.
A 21-year veteran of the U.S. Army, David arrived at Country Day and brought that same discipline and integrity to his work here. Under his leadership, our endowment grew from $11 million to over $85 million, and he oversaw the construction or renovation of 12 buildings across three capital campaigns. During his tenure as Interim Head of School, he personally stewarded the transformational gift from Smoky and Margaret Bissell of our approximately 330-acre farm, the largest gift in the school’s history. In 2015, he was inducted into our Honorary Alumni Association, the highest honor a faculty or staff member can receive, in recognition of everything he has given to this school.
David never set out to be a headmaster, a builder, or an investment strategist. Yet, time and again, he became whatever Country Day needed him to be. That is the mark of a soldier—and of an ethical leader: a willingness to serve, to adapt, and to put the mission above oneself. We are profoundly grateful for his devotion to this institution. And while he may be stepping away from his office, his leadership and legacy will endure at Country Day for generations to come.
Launching the Search for Our Next Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operations Officer
This is an exciting and important moment for our school as we seek a leader who will be both a steward of David's legacy of operational excellence and a strategic partner in shaping the future of our business office at Country Day.
In partnership with Carney, Sandoe & Associates, our search advisory committee is supporting me in a comprehensive national search for a strategic, mission-aligned financial leader. This individual will build on David's legacy of stewardship and help guide the next chapter of our school's operations. Thank you in advance to the following committee members:
Ron Eliasek, Trustee and Chair of the Finance Committee
Ben Braun, Trustee and Member of the Finance Committee
Nidhi McVicar, Head of Upper School
Katharine Atkins, Director of Advancement
Tara Christie Kinsey, Head of School
The position description will be posted on our Employment Website in the coming weeks. Our goal is to complete this search and name David's successor by early 2027. This timeline will provide ample opportunity for a thoughtful transition process, allowing David to work closely with our new leader to ensure continuity in our business operations.
We are incredibly excited to build on the important legacy David has established over almost three decades. Please stay tuned for our plans to honor David's remarkable contributions to our school community in the months ahead.
Thank you for your continued support during this important leadership transition.
Bucs for Life,
Dr. Tara Christie Kinsey
Head of School