What first brought you to the Sylvania School District?

Fifteen years ago, my wife and I were getting married, and we were looking for a community with a great reputation for its schools, a place where we could establish roots and start a family. Sylvania was the community we chose to call home.

Even though we have been blessed with only one child, who will be entering eighth grade, the district has far exceeded our expectations for her educational experience. Ironically, the day we closed on our house in June, 2011 was also the day of my first interview for the assistant principal position at Arbor Hills Junior High.

Regardless of whether I was offered the job, we had already decided that Sylvania was where we wanted to raise our family and where our daughter would attend school.

Fortunately, I was hired and have had the privilege of working in the same district where we live and raise our child. While the outstanding schools are what first brought us to Sylvania, we quickly learned how great our community is. We have found so much more than an excellent school district; we’ve found welcoming neighborhoods, outstanding parks and recreation opportunities, locally owned businesses, community events that bring people together, and residents who genuinely care about one another. Sylvania is a place where people take pride in their community and invest in its future. We are proud to call it home, and can’t imagine a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

What different positions have you held during your 15 years here?

I have served as the assistant principal at Arbor Hills from 2011-12 to 2013-14, the principal at Arbor Hills from 2014-15 to 2016-17, assistant superintendent from 2017-18 to 2025-26 and starting my new role as superintendent for the 2026-27 school year.

What are the challenges Sylvania Schools face?

Like many school districts across Ohio, our greatest challenge is ensuring we can continue providing the exceptional educational opportunities our community expects while facing increasing financial pressures. The cost of educating students continues to rise, while state funding has not kept pace with those needs. At the same time, we must continue attracting and retaining outstanding staff, maintaining safe and updated facilities, and preparing students for a changing world. These are challenges, but they’re also opportunities to work together as a community.

What are the school district’s strengths?

Our greatest strength is our people. We have exceptional teachers, support staff, and administrators who care deeply about students, supportive families who value education, dedicated community partners, and students who consistently achieve at high levels in academics, the arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities. The Sylvania School system has a long tradition of excellence, and that tradition exists because our community has always believed that investing in children is one of the best investments we can make.

How do you plan to work with the community for support and school funding?

Building trust starts with listening. My commitment is to be visible, accessible, and transparent with our community. People deserve to understand both the successes we celebrate and the challenges we face. When it comes to school funding, our responsibility is to clearly explain how resources directly impact students and to demonstrate that we are responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. I believe strong relationships, honest communication, and transparency are the foundation for earning community support.

What is your vision for the district?

My vision is for Sylvania Schools to remain a destination district where every student has the opportunity to discover his or her strengths and reach his or her full potential. That means continuing our tradition of academic excellence while expanding opportunities in career pathways, the arts, athletics, technology, and student well-being. It is imperative for every student to feel connected, challenged, and supported, and every employee to feel valued. Together, we’ll continue preparing students not just for graduation, but for successful and meaningful lives after their time in Sylvania Schools.

What would you like people to know about you?

First and foremost, I’m here to serve this community. Leadership is about building relationships, listening before making decisions, and always keeping students at the center of our work. I’m proud to call Sylvania home, and care deeply about the future of our schools. People can expect me to be visible in our buildings, present at student events, and engaged with our community. I may not always have every answer immediately, but I will always do the work to find the right answers. My goal is to lead with integrity, honesty, listen carefully, and make decisions based on what’s best for our students.