Tony McGeorge, 62, Devon
President of Valley Forge Military Academy & College and the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States
» Books on his nightstand: The Drillmaster of Valley Forge: The Baron de Steuben and the Making of the American Army by Paul Douglas Lockhart, Boys Themselves: A Return to Single-Sex Education by Michael Ruhlman, and The Discipline of Market Leaders: Choose Your Customers, Narrow Your Focus, Dominate Your Market by Michael Treacy.
» iPod artist on repeat: I like Beethoven because it helps me relax. I love rock music, too. The Allman Brothers, the Rolling Stones and Journey are all great.
» Restaurant of the hour: Georges’ in Wayne.
» Personal heroes: Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King Jr. and George Washington.
» One thing he knows for sure: I’m certain there is a higher power.
» Very own vici: Successfully raising my sons. Ryan served as a Marine in Iraq, and Andrew was an aid to both George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld.
» Zen destination: The water—primarily on a beach or sailing.
» If he had an extra hour each day, he would: Read poetry—James Kavanaugh and E.E. Cummings, in particular.
» Pet peeve: Execution.
» Life view: chance or fate? I believe that out of adversity comes opportunity. I think it’s fate. Every job has set me up for the next one. I dropped out of college; when I got married, I went back to college. My wife was my inspiration. Then I went on to graduate school; it allowed me eventually to become president.
» Most marked characteristic: Intelligence or sense of humor.
» Quality he admires most in others: Compassion.
» Mantra: Never quit.
