Joseph Maione was announced as Kenston Forest School’s (KFS) new athletic director in a recent letter addressed to the Kavalier Community from KFS Headmaster Paul Zanowski.

Bart Bellairs, who has been the athletic director at Kenston Forest for two years, will be leaving the school to return to Kentucky.

In his letter, Zanowski said that “in Joe Maione we have someone who embodies the highest ideals of the scholar athlete and leader. He is an outstanding role model and mentor. He has a proven track record of success as a coach, as a leader of coaches and as a visionary leader of independent school athletic programs.”

Zanowski noted that Maione brings with him 20 years of experience and leadership in all facets of independent school athletics. He has coached baseball, basketball, cross country, football, soccer and softball. At Kentucky Country Day School, he served as assistant athletic director, middle school athletic director and as a teacher. Currently, he serves as athletic director at Ridgecroft School in Ahoskie, North Carolina.

Many athletes Maione has worked with have earned athletic scholarships at Division I, II and III schools, with some even advancing to the professional level, Zanowski said.

“Joe’s devotion to the highest ideals of the scholar athlete has created cultures in which students excel on the field and in the classroom,” Zanowski said in his letter. “At Ridgecroft, his athletes compete for honors such as ‘Highest Team GPA’ and ‘AD’s Academic Honor Roll’ just as hard as they compete for conference championships. He has created study hall and tutoring programs for athletes, as well as strength and conditioning classes. He brings to life the power of the Latin words, ‘Mens sana in corpore sano’ — a healthy mind in a healthy body.”

He included a statement from Maione in his letter to the Kavalier Community.

“I am eager to bring my experience and expertise in athletics to Kenston Forest, and I look forward to working closely with and getting to know all of you,” Maione said. “Together with Kenston Forest’s exceptional community and supportive administration, I am confident we can build upon the strong foundation already in place and take Kavalier Athletics to new heights! Kelly and I are very excited to find a place that I can follow my passion professionally and offers a first class education for our children Nicholas and Taylor. Go Kavaliers!!!”

Maione and his family will move to the area this summer, and he will begin his new job July 10, Zanowski said.

The headmaster noted that the search process for a new athletic director began in February, “when our partners at Southern Teachers Agency, Jamie Estes and Jason Wise, led focus groups of parents, coaches, students, teachers, administrators and board members. Together, we identified and articulated the things we value the most — about our school, our community, our vision for the future and what we seek in a new athletic director.”

“The portrait that emerged of our school and the exciting opportunities we share attracted over 30 highly-qualified applicants from around the nation,” Zanowski continued. “The breadth and depth of the applicant pool is a powerful testament to the strength of our school, the warmth of our community and the bright future we envision.”

Maione led off his comments with praise for Kenston Forest.

“I am very impressed by the school’s high standards in academics, athletics and the arts,” he said. “All of my interactions with the school community during the hiring process only solidified these impressions. A true family atmosphere and love of the school was evident in every person we met on our visit.”

Zanowski said, “We are blessed to welcome Joe and his family to our Kenston Forest family. I am proud that our school attracted so many outstanding candidates and that our first choice feels the same way about us.”

The headmaster added that the Kavalier Community will have the chance to meet Maione and his family at the community’s May Day Celebration.