Occupation
CEO
Qualifications for office
Board service, business, and academic experience.
Education
Ph.D. Stanford University
As both a current CEO and a Stanford graduate with a Ph.D., I understand the importance of quality education at all levels. My academic journey, which started in public school, taught me the value of perseverance and innovative thinking, skills I've applied throughout my career.
My wife, Rebecca and I, have two children and it was the North Allegheny School District that brought us to this area. Our son is currently a West Point Cadet and our daughter is a NA junior who plays volleyball and studies sports medicine.
In my professional life, I've had the privilege of serving on multiple boards including the board of Resorts West, that managed properties for over 10,000 vacation owners.
Sufficient school funding has always been one of public education’s greatest challenges. Maintaining and improving the established strength and success of our schools through whatever financial challenges may come will take innovative thinking and thoughtful, qualified, kind leadership. We want to select leaders who will most effectively leverage the district’s limited resources to support every child. When facing any challenge, our board members need to be collaborative, responsive, logical, and data-driven–all traits that have served me well through my career. As a father, CEO, researcher, textbook co-author, and former assistant professor I bring a unique set of skills and a passion for both education and innovation to my candidacy.
As a former assistant professor and a co-author of an award-winning textbook, I have a unique understanding of curriculum and a passion for education. Having served as a member of other boards, I also have an understanding of high-level governance vs. day-to-day management. Years of science and the pursuit of innovation has taught me the value of free thought and diverse opinions. I will approach any decision before me with the goal of being effective, kind, fair, and balanced. NA has a rigorous selection & review process for curriculum and books, as well as an established process for addressing community concerns. As a Board member, I would support and review those processes and work to avoid blanket book bans.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Occupation
Current School Board VP, constituent services advisor, former data analyst
Qualifications for office
Current VP of North Allegheny School Board, extensive district volunteer experience before serving on board including co-president of the Marshall Elementary PFA, 10 years experience as a public health data analyst before children
Education
BA: Psychology & English Literature, University of Colorado, Boulder; MA: Psychology, University of Melbourne
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/TogetherForNA
I have been a parent, a volunteer, and a board member within NA. Serving on the board, particularly as the current VP, has been an honor. When my daughters were at Marshall Elementary, if there was an opportunity to help I said yes: as the co-president of the PFA, helping weekly in the library, as a mystery reader, giving TAG presentations, at field day, & helping coordinate after school programs, room parents & parties. As a proud public schools graduate, I have an MA in psychology & worked for 10 years as a public health data analyst. On the board I strive to make reasonable, data-driven decisions that prioritize students, families, & excellence in education. And as a board member, I still say yes whenever I can spend time in our schools.
As the only incumbent running I know every school district’s biggest issue is ensuring they’re meeting the needs of all students while maintaining reasonable millage rates. North Allegheny has a proud tradition of stretching every dollar and making the most of what we have; as a result we’re one of the most competitive districts in the region, with one of the lowest millage rates in Allegheny County. Preserving the tremendous value NA provides our community, through whatever financial or social challenges may come during these turbulent times, will take thoughtful leadership and board members who can use a transparent, data-driven approach to make practical, student-centered decisions that prioritize our needs over our wants.
North Allegheny must not get mired down in book bans and culture wars like neighboring districts; they’re a distraction from teaching students. I’m proud of our robust curriculum selection process guided by our experienced educators. On NA’s website you can find full details on curriculum selection along with lists of novels students read. Our policies mandate books be available for public review for 30 days before they are purchased, and allow families to opt for alternate texts if they prefer. Beyond classroom materials, ensuring access to a variety of books matters, which is why I worked to restore NA’s library staffing in 2024. If students have time in their school day to go to the library, the library should be open for them.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Occupation
Professional Administrator
Qualifications for office
15+ years as a professional administrator for a local congregation
Education
MA, Applied Sociology, Loyola University Chicago
Facebook
www.facebook.com/TogetherForNA
When my son was in school, I gladly volunteered as much as I could even as a working mom. I was a room parent, volunteered for field trips and book fairs, helped in the classroom, & worked on the yearbook & the Make-A-Wish program. It was a great opportunity to forge relationships with administrators and amazing to see our teachers in action. As a Professional Administrator for a large, local congregation, I work with a community to ensure budgets are balanced and buildings are functional, safe, and secure while still being warm and welcoming. My job also includes work with boards whose members change often. I pride myself on getting things done while working with anyone. I’m excited to use my skills to benefit our students and staff.
There is a great deal of uncertainty at the national level regarding public education and how our schools may be affected. It’s unclear how big of a shortfall NA may face; the solution may require several strategies to close the funding gap. This could include searching for additional grants, being creative with currently available funds, finding ways to cut costs without impacting overall programming, etc. Everyone on our slate brings a unique perspective & expertise to the table. My entire career has been in the nonprofit sector. Bridging gaps in budget shortfalls while maintaining or even improving the outcomes is not new & I appreciate the opportunity to use my experience to benefit a school district that has given my family so much.
North Allegheny already prioritizes keeping curriculum dynamic, up-to-date, and challenging. They evaluate and make changes as needed with an extremely professional staff to oversee the process. This isn’t an area the Board should micromanage.
I do not support blanket book bans. My aunt, now retired, was the head librarian at Carson Middle for most of her professional career. We rely on educational experts like her to guide us in making the proper book selections for our children because that is what they are trained to do. We let them do their job so we as Board members can focus on maintaining the high bar we’ve set at North Allegheny.
Occupation
Grant Writer
Qualifications for office
Marshall Elementary PFA Co-President; Brad Mar Pine Baseball and Softball Association Board Secretary; 15+ years of nonprofit experience including serving on and consulting with numerous Boards of Directors; active community volunteer and youth softball coach.
Education
BA: English, Allegheny College; MFA: Creative Nonfiction, Sarah Lawrence College
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/TogetherForNA
Public education and community service have always been part of my life. My mother worked in a public elementary school for 35 years, and my father coached community baseball and softball—both showed me the value of investing in young people. Today, I’m a parent of two in the North Allegheny School District and Co-President of the Marshall Elementary PFA. I coach youth softball and serve on the Brad Mar Pine board. Professionally, I bring 15+ years of experience in nonprofit grant writing and financial consulting—skills in budgeting, planning, and collaboration that are key to effective school board leadership.
To address funding shortfalls, I’d advocate for needs-based budgeting and pursue diverse funding sources—grants, community partnerships, and state-level advocacy. My 15+ years of nonprofit experience give me insight into navigating complex financial landscapes. Transparency is key: families should understand the rationale behind budget decisions. I’d also support long-term planning for facilities to ensure sustainability. My background in grant writing and financial consulting equips me to balance fiscal responsibility with the need to maintain educational quality and student services.
I do not support banning books. Access to diverse perspectives helps students build empathy and think critically. NA has established processes—both for selecting new curriculum and for responding to challenges. These processes are thorough, transparent, and rooted in educational expertise. Teachers and administrators—the people most qualified to make these decisions—take the lead, and the school board only steps in as a final layer of accountability. I trust these systems to ensure materials are age-appropriate and aligned with educational goals, while respecting community voices. My priority is always to center student learning. To do that, we need to protect access to thought-provoking content—not restrict it based on fear or politics.
