Teresa Gavigan and Larry Besnoff

"We are consistently amazed at the effect the Academies has on students and society. Through quality programs such as the practice interview project, we are able to easily involve so many others in this mission to support youth in our city."

As a long-time Sunoco, Inc. employee, Teresa Gavigan was first introduced to the Academies through the company's support of the Automotive Academy, co-founded by Sunoco at West Philadelphia High School in 1974 and supported since that time.

Ms. Gavigan has been a steadfast partner of the Academies since becoming a member of the Auto Academy's Board of Governors in 1986, which she joined to fulfill her interest in community service. She also became a member of the Philadelphia Academies, Inc. Board of Directors in 1988 and now serves as an officer and a member of the Development Committee.

In 2003, Ms. Gavigan was instrumental in gaining top management's interest in, and ultimately funding for, a Petrochemical Science and Technology
Academy, designed to train potential entry-level employees for local refineries and chemical plants.

Her role at Sunoco has evolved since first joining the Academies family, from in-house attorney to her current position as Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations. She has even turned her Academies' involvement into her own family affair by recruiting husband Larry Besnoff, an attorney at Obermayer, Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel, to work with the Development Committee in planning the Academies first-ever gala event. Mr. Besnoff played an integral part in developing the event called "The Prom" in 2001 and 2002, and continues his involvement and support today.

Teresa Gavigan and Larry Besnoff are stellar examples of the many business professionals who give of themselves to help inner city youth and our city's public schools. While they have been presented the opportunity to serve other organizations, they remain committed to the Academies because of its profound success in affecting the lives of our young people.