Following a comprehensive national search, Dr. David Wright, who currently serves as the headmaster of Subiaco Academy in Arkansas, was selected to replace outgoing president Dan Meixner ’84. Meixner announced in April 2025 that he would be stepping down at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year after 22 years in the role.
“In addition to being boldly Catholic, the next president needed proven leadership experience, strong strategic vision, operational excellence, relational leadership, and sound financial acumen,” said Jennifer Theibert, ’92, chair of the search committee. “Equally important was the ability to build trust, communicate clearly, and work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees, school leadership, teachers and staff members, families, alumni, and benefactors to advance CJ’s mission with confidence, clarity and purpose.”
In Wright, who has served as the chief executive officer for the private, Catholic college preparatory school for grades 7-12 in Arkansas since 2018, they found that leader.
“David is a relational and inspirational leader who builds authentic connections by listening, quickly assessing and executing on long-term visions and plans,” said Kevin Weckesser, ’93, chair of the Board of Trustees. “David embodies the values of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the Marianists. The feedback from interactions he had with our teachers, staff members, leadership team, parents, alumni, coaches, and our founders was absolutely off the charts. He truly resonates with and embraces the sense of CJ family spirit.”
CJ principal Greg Mueller appreciates Wright’s ability to make connections and form relationships.
“He is a proven bridge-builder who has a deep sense of faith and looks for opportunities to use his faith and find creative solutions for challenges,” Mueller said. “David’s energy and passion for students is clear and evident and his support of teachers in their roles within schools is authentic.”
Sarah Stone, a CJ teacher who served on the search committee, was struck by Wright’s commitment to relationship building.
“I think people will feel heard and valued and thus be more motivated than ever to continue investing their time, talents and energy into our school community,” Stone said.
Prior to Wright’s tenure at Subiaco Academy, he served in multiple capacities at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, including assistant vice president and development officer and director of athletics. He completed his undergraduate work at the State University of New York and received a master’s degree from Brigham Young University. Leadership development was the topic of his dissertation for his doctoral degree from The George Washington University.
“Dr. Wright’s experience and leadership style aligned closely with what the search committee, Board, Marianists, and Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur believed was essential to lead CJ into its next chapter,” Theibert said.
The next chapter is one that begins with a solid foundation as, during Meixner’s tenure, CJ’s campus expanded to encompass 21 acres with new facilities including the CJ STEMM Center, Roger Glass Stadium, Skelton Family Community Center, CJ Tennis Center, and Founders Center. The school’s endowment has quadrupled over that time and enrollment has steadily trended upward over the last decade. Much like he did with the search committee, Wright made an immediate impression on the outgoing president.
“From the first moment that I met David and his wife, Cindy, I sensed their excitement about the possibility of becoming members of the CJ community,” Meixner said. “His experience with the Benedictine monks at Subiaco Academy has given him a deep appreciation for the manner in which the religious founders of a school shape the mission of the school today – and for the responsibility of leadership to be grounded in the mission of those founders. He will do everything to absorb and appreciate what it means to be a steward of the Catholic, Marianist, and Notre Dame legacy at Chaminade Julienne.”
Members of both founding orders, the Marianists and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, were active participants in the presidential search.
“I join our assistant for education, Bro. Jesse O’Neill, in gratitude for Dr. David Wright’s leadership in continuing to nurture the faith, community, and inspiring service that are pillars of the Marianist charism found at Chaminade Julienne,” said Fr. Oscar Vasquez, Provincial of the Marianist Province of the United States. “Our prayers and congratulations to the CJ community as he prepares to lead the school into this hopeful new chapter.”
The Sisters expressed their enthusiasm about the new president in a statement from the Province Leadership Team, “Dr. Wright sees the gem that both Dayton and the Chaminade Julienne communities are. His experience, faith-filled enthusiasm,and appreciation of the charisms of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the Marianists will serve CJ well. We are excited to collaborate with him as we continue the journey forward with Chaminade Julienne.”
Wright’s appointment received unanimous approval from the search committee, Board of Trustees, the Sisters and Marianists. His tenure will begin in July and Wright is excited to join the collaborative and collegial culture on the corner of Franklin and Ludlow streets.
“I will encourage a cooperative spirit of service, promote holistic student growth, and hope to inspire the community by embracing both tradition and our vision for the future,” Wright said. “For me, leading Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School will entail caring about others, never asking anyone to do anything I am not willing to do myself, loving my fellow constituents, and humbly serving the institution.
“It is with great enthusiasm and gratitude that I accept this opportunity to serve as president, and I am eager to contribute to the rich tradition of Catholic education at Chaminade Julienne. My wife Cindy and I are thrilled to join the CJ family and the Dayton community.”