Board of Trustees

Dr. Derek Ferguson is leading a health transformation which revolves around educating the general public on Functional Medicine, using lifestyle as medicine to support longevity, energy, mental clarity and happiness to obtain health. Dr. Ferguson serves patients here in New Jersey and Florida which focuses on patient centered care, that delivers hope and education for patients who feel lost when it comes to understanding true health. He teaches his patients not only how to obtain health, but how to sustain their health with minimal outside help.

With over a decade of recognition as a Top Doctor in NJ, Dr. Ferguson blends science, compassion, and innovation in patient-centered care. He works closely with patients across the country, empowering them to achieve and sustain health. His clinical work includes restorative and anti-aging therapies, and he has provided care for Olympic athletes while remaining deeply committed to helping families live healthier lives.

A dedicated advocate for education, Dr. Ferguson also serves on the boards of Hope Through Education which supports underprivileged and underserved children get the education they deserve and AtEase which supports firefighters, police and first responders. He is the author of Eat Like Your LIFE Depends on It and has been featured on News 12 New Jersey for his work.

Above all, Dr. Ferguson believes the greatest gift we can give children is access to health and education—and considers it a privilege to serve the Acorn community.

Acorn Montessori School celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and Chris Martinson is committed to ensuring the school continues providing high-quality Montessori education for the next 40 years. Chris and his family moved to Hunterdon County in 1994 and enrolled their three children at Acorn, with their youngest completing kindergarten in 2001. During those early years, Chris and his wife fully embraced the Montessori philosophy. He volunteered extensively, joined the Parent Advisory Board, and co-organized the construction of some of the school's earliest playgrounds to support its expansion.

Inspired by their children’s experience, Chris’s wife became a certified Montessori teacher, completing her training and internship at Acorn. She went on to serve as a head teacher at Deer Path Montessori in Hackettstown for a decade before returning to Acorn in 2014. After her retirement, Chris joined the Acorn Board of Directors, where he brings his expertise to the Buildings and Grounds Committee.

Professional Background

Chris recently retired as Vice President from The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company after 42 years of service. He began his career after earning a civil engineering degree from Penn State University in 1983. In 1993, he opened Whiting-Turner’s New Jersey office in Somerset, growing it from a small team to over 100 staff members. Throughout his career, he managed diverse projects across industries, including industrial renovations, retail expansions, pharmaceutical facilities, senior living communities, and national client programs.

Chris was actively involved in professional associations, including the New Jersey Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, NJ Alliance for Action, and the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE), where he ultimately served as President of the NJ Chapter.

Community Involvement

In addition to his contributions to Acorn, Chris has a long history of volunteer service. He served on the Board of Directors of the Hunterdon County YMCA and chaired its Buildings and Grounds Committee. He was also a member and past President of the Hunterdon Speak Easy Toastmasters Club. Currently, he serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors for the Seaview Harbor Marina, where he has been elected twice by fellow members.

Andy is currently the COO of Music Together, a company that creates early childhood music and movement programs offered in family classes and school classrooms around the world. Andy has extensive experience in finance and management from prior positions at Merck and Travelers, as well as experience with entrepreneurial ventures. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Columbia Business School, Andy lives with his wife, Liz, in Alexandria with their two sons. Both boys attended Acorn, starting with Toddler House and continuing through the Primary and Elementary Programs. Andy has held various positions on the Acorn Board and is currently the Treasurer.

Sasha Elezovski is a seasoned HR leader and career development coach with over 13 years of experience in corporate HR, recruiting, and leadership development across the banking and pharmaceutical industries. She brings deep expertise in strategy, operations, compliance, and communication. As Secretary of the Board, Sasha is responsible for maintaining accurate records, distributing meeting notices, and ensuring that all official documentation aligns with the school’s by-laws. A certified HR professional (SHRM-CP) with a Master’s degree in Human Resources Development from Villanova University, she is a systems-thinker with a passion for inclusive, values-driven leadership. Sasha lives in Clinton, NJ and is the proud mother of two Acorn students.

Mr. Taylor began his professional career in the insurance industry in 1975. In February 2012, Mr. Taylor formed Miravast, an investment management firm. As Founder of the firm, Mr. Taylor was responsible for establishing the firm’s strategy and general oversight of all the firm’s functional areas until his retirement in 2022.

Mr. Taylor has a B.S., in Applied Mathematics (magna cum laude) from Brown University and is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, as well as a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

Mr. Taylor moved to Hunterdon County in 1985 and has been an active volunteer in the community. He currently serves on a variety of nonprofit Boards, including

1. Acorn Montessori School Board (Board Member)
2. Salvation Army Advisory Board (Co-Chair)
3. Team Walker, which serves kids in Jersey City (Board member)
4. NJ Association of the United Church of Christ (Treasurer)

In addition, Mr. Taylor is a frequent volunteer for other local nonprofits, including America’s Grow A Row and the Flemington Food Pantry.

Mr. Taylor is originally from Richmond, VA and has always been active in his church, wherever he lives. He is currently a member of Grace United Church of Christ in Flemington, where he serves as their Treasurer and their mission project leader.

In 2001, Mr. Taylor started teaching the Junior High Sunday School class at the Flemington Presbyterian Church and comments that teaching kids the Bible has been his favorite weekly activity.

Lastly, Mr. Taylor is married to Professor Vassie Ware, who teaches Molecular Biology at Lehigh University. They have been married for 47 years and have a daughter, Mira.

Thomas True (Tom) resides in Bedminster, NJ with his wife Erin, and teenage daughter, Rylie. Rylie attended Acorn from the infant program through first grade.

Tom is a Principal at World Insurance Associates Home Office located in Iselin, NJ, managing a Branch of World. Tom is on the National Advisory Board for the Yankees Double A Team, the Somerset Patriots, and on the board of trustees for Hope through Education. He is active with numerous business associations and charities. Tom has served on Acorn’s board since 2012.

A lifelong resident of Hunterdon County, Byron Brisby, Jr., has served on the Board of Trustees for Acorn Montessori School for 10 years. His four children all attended the school. He is the President/ owner of Flemington BMW in Flemington, New Jersey. A veteran of the family automotive business since age 16, he started in the prep department before moving through sales and management. He is no stranger to volunteerism, as he can often be found supporting his kid’s interests and activities regularly. He is a strong believer in the Montessori method and has experienced firsthand how it impacts children during their early development in the world around them.

Derrick DeSilva and his family moved to Clinton Township in 2017 and joined the Acorn community in 2018 when their oldest son enrolled. They quickly fell in love with the Montessori method and the supportive environment at Acorn, and in 2021, they enrolled their second son. After six wonderful years at the school, the DeSilva family looks forward to 2027, when their youngest child will begin in the Primary program.

Derrick joined the Acorn Board of Directors at the beginning of 2025 as a way to give back to the school that has meant so much to his family. He is honored to support Acorn’s mission and is excited to help lead the school into the next 40 years.