As a resident of Five Mile Prairie, and with my children attending multiple schools within the Mead School District, I have a strong interest in the success and continued improvement of the district. I believe my background and experience, along with my interaction with the district through my children, give me a unique perspective that would be helpful as the school board strives to fulfill the mission of providing Vision, Structure, Accountability, and Advocacy for all kids.
My educational background in engineering has given me an innovative and analytical way of approaching life. Through my studies in mathematics, I have a strong background in statistical analysis and the ability to understand and use numbers to help analyze problems and opportunities. Engineering provides a structured way to examine problems and help find solutions that are optimized for all stakeholders. It is also an area where decisions must be approached with all the information and all viewpoints heard to ensure the best outcome is achieved. I would look to bring this background to the school board.
My position as Executive Vice President of Quality and Information Systems at Keytronic Corporation has given me an opportunity to set the vision for an organization, see the outcome of initiatives, and push for continuous improvement in an organization. It has also helped to highlight the importance of having the right policies and procedures to guide the organization. Policies need to be considered from the viewpoint of each party that is impacted, ensure that the expectations and responsibilities are clearly articulated, and they must be evaluated after implementation to ensure the impacts of the policy achieve the desired outcome. Furthermore, as the district continues to modernize and support our students through technology, I have a broad background of knowledge that will help oversee and advocate for smart technological investments.
My wife volunteered in our children’s classrooms at Prairie View Elementary School in their younger years. Through the support and encouragement of an amazing teacher there, she went back to school to get her teaching certificate and is now a teacher at Highland Middle School. Seeing her love for students and the other teachers’ care for their kids and community, reveals a strong foundation in our schools.
Finally, my position as a parent of children in the Mead School District will help guide and provide a strong sense of advocacy. My family includes two special needs children who are utilizing the resources available through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), as well as two student in advanced classes at various grade levels. This dual view of the services the district offers and the impacts of those services, will ensure a well rounded perspective when evaluating how to set the direction of programs and the vision of the district.