MCPHERSON & JACOBSON - Key Persons
Dr. Aaron Hosman joined McPherson and Jacobson in 2019. He began his career as math teacher and baseball coach at Cross County High School, Arkansas in 1983. Over the next 35 years, he held various positions in Arkansas public schools. Among these were middle school principal, junior high principal, high school principal, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, and superintendent of schools. Dr. Hosman has served as zone director, secretary, and president of the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Education, and in 2006 was recognized as Outstanding Alumni in Educational Leadership, Curriculum, and Special Education from Arkansas State University.
Dr. Hosman received his B.S.E. in 1982 and M.S.E. in 1983, both from Arkansas State University. He was fortunate enough to become a member of the first doctoral cohort at Arkansas State University and received his Ed. D in 1999.
Dr. Aaron Plas joined McPherson & Jacobson L.L.C. in 2019.
He currently serves as superintendent of Bennington Public Schools in Omaha, Nebraska. He also teaches educational leadership courses for the University of Nebraska-Kearney and Chadron State College.
Prior to becoming the Superintendent of schools at Bennington Public Schools in July 2023, Dr. Plas served as Superintendent at Columbus Lakeview in Columbus, Nebraska. Before this position he served as Assistant Principal/Activities Director in York, Nebraska at York High School. In addition, previous positions included teaching business education at York High School and Centennial Public Schools while coaching basketball, track, and tennis.
Dr. Plas earned his Ed.D at the University of South Dakota. His Ed.S was earned at Wayne State College. M.A. and B.A. were both acquired at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Dr. Adam Clark joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2022.
Dr. Clark joined the Mt. Diablo Unified School District as Superintendent in July 2020. Previously he was the Superintendent of the Vallejo City Unified School District. He also has served as an Associate Superintendent of Educational Services, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and has held principalships at all three levels.
Dr. Clark earned his doctorate from Saint Mary's College of California.
Dr. Carroll joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2017. After 30 years in public education in Alabama, Dr. Barry Carroll retired as Superintendent of Education 2011. Dr. Carroll's career in education consisted of serving as a teacher in the Tuscaloosa (Alabama) City Schools; Assistant Principal and Coordinator of Athletics for Central High School in Tuscaloosa; Principal of Eastwood Middle School in Tuscaloosa; Principal of Ed White Middle School in Huntsville, Alabama; Director of Secondary Education and Professional Development in the Huntsville City Schools; and Superintendent of Education for ten years in the Limestone County Schools in Athens, Alabama.
Dr. Carroll earned his Bachelor of Education Degree in 1979 from Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama. In 1980, Dr. Carroll received his first Master of Arts Degree and in 1986, he earned his second MA Degree in Educational Administration, both from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. In 1993, Dr. Carroll received his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from The University of Alabama in Educational Administration and Instructional Leadership.
Dr. Carroll has been a member of many associations and organizations including the American Association of School Administrators (AASA); the Horace Mann League; Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS); School Superintendents of Alabama (SSA); and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
Dr. Carroll has served on many national, state and local committees and served in leadership roles in many educational activities including The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Focus on Leadership for Learning Committee; the AASA Environmental Analysis Committee; the Alabama Council for Leadership Development Committee; Education Research and Development Institute (ERDI), a national organization for Superintendents; President of the North Alabama Superintendents Association; served as a School Superintendents of Alabama Mentor and Coach for new superintendents; and served on the AASA Superintendents Roundtable for the AASA Center for System Leadership.
Dr. Candis Finan joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2011.
After spending 40 years in education Dr. Candis Finan retired in 2012 as Superintendent of the Delaware Valley School District, Milford, PA. Previous positions held by Dr. Finan include Assistant Superintendent, Director of Elementary Education, Elementary Principal at Delaware Valley School District; French, Latin, English, Language Arts, Reading Specialist at Wayne Highlands School District, Honesdale, PA; Adjunct Professor at East Stroudsburg University, Wilkes University and the University of Scranton. From February 2019 until June 2023, Dr. Finan served as the Chief Recovery Officer for the Pennsylvania Department of Education assigned to the Scranton School District. Dr. Finan is presently an Adjunct Professor at Delaware Valley University and Marywood University teaching courses in the Educational Administration Department.
Dr. Finan has a Baccalaureate Degree from Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Education degree from University of Scranton, and a Doctorate from Fordham University.
Dr. Christy Sinner joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2021.
Dr. Sinner served as the superintendent of the Hayden School District in Colorado for six years. She started her educational career in Aztec, New Mexico before transitioning to the Durango School District. After several years in the classroom, she served as Supervisor of Federal Programs, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and Executive Director of Student Achievement for the Durango School District.
Dr. Sinner has served on several state and local committees that include the Commissioner's Superintendent Advisory Council and Rural Education Council, Western Slope Superintendent co-chair, and strategic plan facilitator. She has served as an adjunct professor for Adams State University teaching courses on curriculum and best educational practices.
Dr. Sinner earned her B.A. and Linguistically Different: ESL endorsement from Fort Lewis College in Humanities and History. She has an M.A. in Special Education, Mild/Moderate Needs and Educational Leadership from Adams State University, a Special Education Directors License from the University of Northern Colorado, and her Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction with School Administration from Utah State University.
Dr. David Barker joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2010.
He began his educational career as a mathematics teacher and coach at Garden County High School in Oshkosh, NE in 1996. After seven years in the classroom, he became secondary principal at Garden County, NE. Dr. Barker became superintendent of Platte County School District #2 in Guernsey, WY in 2006. After nine years in Guernsey, he became superintendent of Fremont County School District #1 in Lander, WY in 2015. Dr. Barker recently joined the faculty at the University of South Dakota where he is an Assistant Professor of Practice.
Dr. Barker has a Baccalaureate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, a Master's degree from the University of Nebraska - Kearney, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Wyoming.
Dr. David Rizor joined McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. in 2021.
Dr. Rizor has served school districts in Colorado, Wyoming, Hawaii, and North Carolina.
Dr. David Rizor holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction and a Master's in Educational Leadership. He has worked in public education for the past 31 years, teaching at the K-12 and university levels, and serving as the head of school in public charter schools and as a central office administrator in public school districts.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Superintendent of Norris School District
Dr. Derrick Joel joined McPherson & Jacobson L.L.C. in 2017.
Dr. Joel is currently Assistant Superintendent of Norris School District in Firth, Nebraska. He has served as Superintendent of Fort Dodge Community Schools in 2021-2022, and Superintendent of Raymond Central Public Schools in Nebraska from 2017 - 2021. Prior to becoming a superintendent, Dr. Joel served as the High School Principal at North Polk High School in Alleman, Iowa and Assistant Principal at Ankeny High School in Ankeny, Iowa. He began his career at Tri County Public Schools in DeWitt, Nebraska as a Social Studies Teacher and Coach.
Dr. Joel earned his Ed.D at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. His M.A. was earned through Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa and he is a graduate of Doane College for his B.A.
Dr. Douglas Nelson joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2019.
Dr. Nelson was superintendent for Bend La Pine Schools in Oregon, from 2000 to 2008, and for the Pullman School District in Washington from 1989-2000. Dr. Nelson was president of the Oregon School Boards Association from 2013-2017, and he currently serves on the School Board for the Columbia Gorge Educational Service District.
In 1994, Dr. Nelson was awarded the prestigious Christa McAuliffe Award for Outstanding Superintendent in the State of Washington. From 2009-12, he served as a District Improvement Facilitator for the Clarkston, Washington School District. Before his superintendent leadership, Dr. Nelson was an assistant superintendent in the Franklin Pierce School District near Tacoma Washington. Dr. Nelson was principal in Kent, Washington of Meridian Junior High School. While he was principal, Meridian Junior High School received the national Blue Ribbon Award. Dr. Nelson also served as a middle school principal in Kennewick Washington, a junior high assistant principal in Walla Walla Washington, and started his career as a teacher of Social Studies at the Auburn Senior High School in Washington.
Dr. Nelson holds a Doctorate from Seattle University, a Master's Degree from the University of Puget Sound, and a Bachelor's Degree from Whitman College. He obtained superintendent credentials from Washington State University and the University of Oregon.
Dr. Greg Rockhold is in his 26th year as an educational leader and joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2021. He served as an Elementary, Middle, and High School principal and superintendent.
Dr. Rockhold is an Eagle Scout and former US Marine. He attended Eastern New Mexico University, earning a BS and Master of Education. Dr. Rockhold's Ph.D. is from Trinity SW.
He served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), President - of the New Mexico Coalition of School Administrators, and Executive Director - of the New Mexico Association of Secondary School Principals. In addition, Dr. Rockhold has presented to US Department of Education staff and before US Senators and Representatives regarding public education issues.
One of his many accomplishments includes working with the Pueblo of Acoma Tribal Council (Acoma, NM) to bring their oral language - Keres - into course offerings at Laguna/Acoma Middle/Senior HS Foreign Language Credit. This language offering is New Mexico's first school to do so.
His leadership style is governed by servant leadership and a transformational leadership model. In addition, Dr. Rockhold is others-minded and ensures that staff, students, and the community are served well.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder and past President of the Oregon Association of Latino Administrators
Dr. Gustavo Balderas joined McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. in 2021.
Dr. Balderas began his life as the child of migrant farm workers in Eastern Oregon and developed his love of learning and passion for education in Oregon Public Schools, from kindergarten through his doctoral degree in educational leadership at the University of Oregon.
Dr. Balderas has been an educator for 33 years. He started his career in education as a high school teacher and counselor in the Hillsboro School District. He has served in leadership roles at all school levels and in both support and administrative roles at the district office level. He served as superintendent in California Oregon, and Washington State prior to beginning his tenure in the Beaverton School District in Beaverton, Oregon.
Dr. Balderas is a co-founder and past president of the Oregon Association of Latino Administrators. He currently serves as NW regional representative and President for the national Association of Latino Administrators Superintendents. Dr. Balderas was named the Oregon Distinguished Latinx Educator of the Year, the Oregon Superintendent of the Year, and the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Kosters joined McPherson & Jacobson L.L.C. in 1998. Hank has been well prepared for his educational career. After his military service, he entered Dakota State University, where he earned a BS in Education with majors in Science, Math, and Education, with minors including Guidance and Counseling. He also has an MS in School Administration, with minors in Secondary Education and Science, from Northern State University, and an EdD. from the University of South Dakota, with major emphasis on School Administration and Secondary Education.
Hank has spent most of his adult life serving South Dakota. At the local level, he has been a teacher, a high school principal, assistant superintendent at Douglas Schools, and a superintendent. Working at the state level, Dr. Kosters has served with the State Education Agency as both an Assistant Superintendent of Schools and the State Superintendent of Schools. In 2009, Dr. Kosters retired after serving 14 years as the Assistant Executive Director of the Associated School Boards of South Dakota.
Dr. Henry Roman joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2020.
Dr. Roman retired as Superintendent of Pueblo School District No. 60 in 1999. He served as superintendent for eight (8) years and a total of 30 years in District No. 60. During that time, he served as deputy superintendent, executive director of secondary education, middle school principal, high school and middle school assistant principal, and high school math teacher among other positions. Since his retirement he has worked as Title I consultant for the Colorado Department of Education, Interim dean/principal for the Pueblo School for the Arts and Sciences (PSAS charter school), interim superintendent for Pueblo School District No. 70, and superintendent for Hanover School District, Executive Director of the two charter schools-Dolores Huerta Preparatory High and Cesar Chavez Academy and most recently, as the Executive Director of the South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services.
Dr. Roman earned his B.S. from Southern Colorado State College in 1969 in Mathematics, his M.A. in Mathematics from Louisiana State University in 1973 and his doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction and School Administration from the University of Northern Colorado in 1983.
Dr. Christman joined McPherson & Jacobson L.L.C. in 1997.
Dr. Christman began his education career teaching secondary social science at Galena High School, Galena, Kansas, after receiving his Baccalaureate degree from Missouri Southern State College. He continued teaching and served as administrative assistant at Webb City High School in Webb, Missouri.
In 1981, Dr. Christman received his Master's degree in Secondary School Administration from Pittsburg State University. He then served as Clerk of the Board and assistant superintendent for Galena U.S.D. #499 in Galena, Kansas.
Dr. Christman earned his Doctorate degree at Oklahoma State University in 1995. Dr. Christman served as the Superintendent of Schools for Galena U.S.D. #499 from 1988 to his retirement in 2002.
Dr. Christman served at the Department Chair of Leadership Studies at Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS from 2002-2009. He also served as the Interim Dean at Pittsburg State University, KS from 2009-2010. Since 2002 he has been serving as the Educational Leadership Faculty and Administration for Pittsburg State University, KS.
Dr. James Hutto joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2013. He began his career in public education in 1969 as a social studies teacher in the Lincoln County, Mississippi Schools. In January of 1969, James was transferred to Eva Harris Middle School in Brookhaven, MS where he served as assistant principal. This began his long tenure in public school administration.
In 2009, James retired after serving eleven years as superintendent of the Petal Schools and began his work as a consultant with McPherson & Jacobson.
Education
Brookhaven High School, High School Diploma, 1965
Copiah-Lincoln Community College, A.A., 1967
University of Southern MS, B.S., 1969
University of Southern MS, M.Ed., 1974
University of Southern MS, Ed.D., 1982
Dr. Jed Bowman joined McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. in 2022.
Dr. Bowman has served in a variety of roles in public education in Colorado (32 years) and Arizona (5 years) where he has worked in 4 large suburban, 1 urban, and 1 rural school district. He taught high school mathematics and science (10 years), served as a school administrator (6 years), central office administrator (13 years), and superintendent (8 years). Dr. Bowman was honored by his peers in 2015 where he received the prestigious Colbert Cushing Award for Exceptional Service as a Superintendent in Colorado. He served in significant leadership positions to include President of the Pikes Peak Area Superintendent Association, Chairman of the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Colorado Association of Superintendents and Senior Administrators, to name a few.
Dr. Bowman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and a secondary science teaching certificate from Colorado State University. He earned a Master of Basic Science degree focused on Kinesiology and Astronomy from the University of Colorado. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Education and Human Resource Studies from Colorado State University where he focused on Educational Leadership. Additionally, he earned his Principal License and Administrator (Superintendent) License from the University of Colorado. Dr. Bowman also served as an adjunct professor (8 years) at the University of Colorado where he was the sole instructor for candidates earning their Administrator (Superintendent) License in Colorado. He enjoyed coaching various sports from youth to high school. His hobbies include fly fishing, hiking, golfing, and spending time with his family.
Job Titles:
- Superintendent for Oceanside Unified School District
Dr, Julie Vitale joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2023. Dr. Vitale currently serves as the superintendent for Oceanside Unified School District.
Job Titles:
- Superintendent of Schools for the Garfield 16
Dr. Kenneth Haptonstall joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2020.
Dr. Ken Haptonstall has served as the superintendent of schools for the Garfield 16 school district in Parachute, Colorado from 2008 - 2017 and for Mesa County School District No. 51 for the 2017-2018 school year and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Colorado River BOCES. Prior to becoming the superintendent, he served one year as the assistant superintendent in Garfield 16. Dr. Haptonstall served as a principal and teacher in the Mesa County School district prior to working in Garfield 16. Dr. Haptonstall has a B.A. in History from Mesa State College, an M.A. in Leadership, Assessment and Curriculum Development from Colorado University Denver, and a PhD. from Capella University in Educational Leadership.
Dr. Haptonstall has served on several state and national level committees, including the commissioner's rural council, accountability 1.0 SB-163 committee, the RelCentral board of directors, the Innovation Lab Network as part of the CSSSO, and the capital construction board (BEST).
Dr. Haptonstall has also served as an adjunct professor for Colorado Mesa University, Western State University, and Adams State University, teaching courses on school improvement, facilities management, curriculum and accountability, and 21st century schools.
Dr. Kimberley Markus joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2023.
Dr. Wallace joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2011. In 2012, she retired after serving as an Administrator/Superintendent for 35 years as the Executive Director of an Intermediate Unit comprising 17 school districts in Northwest Pennsylvania. One of her duties was to serve as the connection between the state education agency and the school districts. She served on the National Board for Educational Service Agencies, working with the Federal Government on policies and issues in education.
Dr. Wallace received her Doctorate in Educational Administration from Columbia University with an emphasis on Urban Superintendents. She has extensive experience in recruiting and hiring administrators and has conducted many searches and workshops for Superintendents during her career.
Dr. Mike McCoy joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2017. He has 40 years of experience as a teacher, coach, high school principal, state director, assistant superintendent in human resources and has served as a district superintendent for nine years. Mike grew up in Bakersfield and has a Masters in Educational Admin from Chico State and a Bachelors and Ph.D. in Education both from U.C. Santa Barbara.
Mike has been recognized for his work with Career Technical Education, facilities development, instructional improvement and labor negotiation. He currently serves on the Executive Board for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges allowing him to work with schools in Asia, Hawaii, California, the Middle East and Western Pacific.
He serves as an adjunct professor and on several community foundation boards.
Job Titles:
- Superintendent of York Public Schools
Dr. Mike Lucas joined McPherson & Jacobson L.L.C. in 2006. He currently serves as superintendent of Westside Community Schools in Omaha, Nebraska. He also teaches educational leadership courses for several colleges and universities in Nebraska and Kansas.
Throughout his educational career, Dr. Lucas has served as superintendent of York Public Schools in York, Nebraska, superintendent/high school principal in Franklin, Nebraska, elementary principal in West Point, Nebraska and K-8 Principal/Activities Director in Labette County, Kansas.
He began his career at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where he served as a 3rd grade teacher and high school football and basketball coach from 1994-1998.
Dr. Lucas earned his Ed.D at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His M.A. and B.A. were acquired at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
Dr. Norm Ridder has been with McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. since 2018. He purchased McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. in 2022.
Dr. Ridder, a native of Nebraska, has worked his entire career in education beginning as a teacher followed by 41 years as a school administrator in public, Catholic and at-risk programs (Father Flanagan Boys Home in Omaha, Nebraska). Dr. Ridder served most of his administrative years as superintendent. Most recently, he served as interim-superintendent in the Academy District 20, superintendent of Colorado Springs School District 11 (five years), the superintendent of Springfield Public Schools (nine years), interim-superintendent of Mehlville Public Schools (one year) and interim-superintendent of Joplin Public Schools (two years) in Missouri.
Dr. Ridder has degrees from St. Thomas College in Denver, Colorado, the University of Nebraska, and Creighton University.
Dr. Walt Cooper joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2021.
Dr. Cooper started his public education career as a high school teacher and coach in Hill City, Kansas in 1984. He later served as middle school principal in Hill City before returning to Colorado as principal of North Valley Middle School in LaSalle. Following a two-year term as Assistant Superintendent in Weld County, Colorado, he was named superintendent of the Ellicott, Colorado School District in 1998. He served in this role for four years before moving to the Cheyenne Mountain School District as assistant superintendent for business operations in 2002. Dr. Cooper was selected by his peers across the state as the 2018 Colorado Superintendent of the year. He retired in 2021 after serving 15 years as superintendent of the Cheyenne Mountain School District in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Dr. Cooper is a native of Lakewood, Colorado. He holds a bachelor's degree in physical education from the University of Northern Colorado, a master's degree in educational administration from Ft. Hays (Kansas) State University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Mr. Antwan Wilson joined McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. in 2021.
Mr. Wilson has worked 26 years as an educator, serving 18 years as a leader in K-12 public schools. He has served as a middle and high school teacher, middle and high school principal, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent working in North Carolina, Kansas, Colorado, California, D.C., and Nebraska. Mr. Wilson has a BA in History Social Science Education (Nebraska Wesleyan University), a Masters in School Leadership (Friends University), and an Honorary Doctorate of Pedagogy (Nebraska Wesleyan University).
Throughout his career Mr. Wilson has focused on excellence and equity for all students through his work as an educator and leader. Achievement highlights include improving student achievement, reducing academic opportunity gaps, reducing discipline disproportionality, leading educator cultural proficiency development, leading social emotional and academic development districtwide implementation, and increasing college and career readiness in diverse school districts throughout the country. Mr. Wilson remains very passionate about educational excellence, equity, and helping every student reach their goals.
Mr. Damian LaCroix joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2013.
Mr. Daniel Zeisler joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2019.
Dan Zeisler is a retired educator who served as a teacher (13 years), and an administrator (Superintendent/Principal 21 years) in Northern California. He obtained his Master's in Education and Administrative credential from St. Mary's College of California.
Mr. Michael Scott joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2022.
Mr. Mike Scott is currently a coach for educational executives. He served for 14 years as the superintendent in the Hillsboro School District. With over 30 years of educational experience, he has held the positions of classroom teacher, counselor/advisor, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent of Human Resources. Mr. Scott has been active as an executive committee member for the Oregon Association of School Executives. Additionally, Mr. Scott is a member of the executive board for the Oregon School Activities Association with a focus on providing opportunities for all kids. Mr. Scott is a past recipient of the Oregon Middle School Principal of the Year award and was previously awarded Oregon State University College of Education's Trendsetter Award.
Mr. Scott earned his bachelor's degree at Oregon State University and his master's degree at the University of Oregon. Mr. Scott is actively engaged as an executive educational coach and enjoys assisting others in improving their leadership skills.
Mr. Mitch Walton joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2017. He enjoyed a 30-year career with the Sloan-Hendrix School District in Imboden, Arkansas serving as a social studies teacher (9 years), high school principal (16 years), and superintendent (5 years). After retiring in 2014, he worked for the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators as Director of Professional Development. During this time, he also served as executive director of the Arkansas elementary, middle level, and secondary principals associations. Mr. Walton served as the Director of the Harding University - North Little Rock campus and Assistant Professor in the College of Education from July 2017 to July 2020. In August 2020, he became the Director of the Office of Graduate & Professional Support at Harding University. He is currently a recruiter/liaison for the College of Education at Harding University.
Mr. Walton completed the Associate of Arts degree from Crowley's Ridge College in 1977. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science from Harding University in 1979. In 1985, he completed a Master of Science in Education degree in Secondary Administration from Arkansas State University and his District Administrator Certification in 1992.
Mr. Stephen Murley joined McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. in 2022.
Mr. Murley served as Superintendent of Schools for the Green Bay Area Public Schools from July, 2020 through June 2022, the Iowa City Community School District from July, 2010 through June, 2020, and the Wausau School District from July 2005 through June 2010. He has also served as a teacher, coach, athletic department administrator, building administrator, and director of human resources and employee relations. Each of the three districts he served as superintendent of school represented metropolitan communities including schools with urban, suburban, and rural profiles. The students in these districts brought an enormous range of diversity to the classrooms including issues related to poverty, navigating life as black/indigenous/students of color, adjusting to life in the United States, learning English as a second language, and meeting their unique needs in special education programs.
Mr. Murley has a deep and abiding commitment to public education and developing the next generation of leaders who will serve our students. He was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the College of Education in the Educational Policy and Leadership Studies Department at the University of Iowa in July of 2022. He has been active as a graduate school faculty member since 2001 having taught at the University of Iowa in the Educational Policy and Leadership Studies Department, the University of Wisconsin - Superior in the Educational Administration Department, Marian University in the Educational Leadership Department, and the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh in both the Department of Human Services and Professional Leadership and the Department of Educational Foundations. Beginning in 2012 Steve has also served as the lead instructor for the American Association of School Administrators National Superintendent Certification Program - Midwest Cohort.
As a Superintendent of Schools Mr. Murley has been active in professional organizations at the national level including the Alliance for Education Impact, the American Association of School Administrators, the American Association of Community Colleges Commission on College Readiness, the District Administration Leadership Institute, the District Management Group, the Education Advisory Board, the Futures 21 Council, the Horace Mann League, the Institute for Education Innovation, New Era Superintendents, the National Superintendents Dialog, the National Superintendents Roundtable, the Superintendents Environmental Education Collaborative, the United States Department of Education Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, and the Urban Superintendents Association of America.
Mr. Murley earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan with a triple major in Economics, History, and Communications. He has also completed a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin in Educational Administration and an Education Specialist degree from the University of Wisconsin in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.
Mr. William Huyett joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2013 and was on the Board of Directors. He is a retired educator who served as a teacher and administrator for 38 years in Northern California. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering and Masters in Teaching from the University of Virginia. In 1974 Bill started his career as a math and physics teacher at Elk Grove High School. As a site administrator in Elk Grove Unified, he was a vice principal for four years and a principal for ten years at Rutter Middle School, Elk Grove High School and Florin High School.
Bill continued his career as an assistant superintendent for secondary schools in Elk Grove and then served as a superintendent for 16 years in Dixon, Lodi, and Berkeley Unified School Districts.
Mrs. Kim Antisdel joined McPherson and Jacobson in 2018 after enjoying a 39-year career in education in Iowa. Her work included teaching special education for 18 years before serving as a secondary administrator in Bedford, Clarke Community, and interim positions in Johnston and Ankeny Community schools.
Mrs. Antisdel has served on numerous boards including School Administrators of Iowa, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association, and Area 14 CTE.
Kim was chosen as a finalist for the Iowa Middle Level Administrator of the year in 2006 and a finalist for the Iowa High School Level Administrator of the year in 2007.
Mrs. Antisdel received her BS, MS, and Ed. Specialist degree from NWMSU in Maryville, Missouri.
Mrs. Nicole Anderson joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2018.
In 25 years of service in education, Nicole serves as an educational consultant and professional development facilitator focused on building capacity of site and district leaders as well as school boards around the state of California.
She held the position as the first Equity Executive in the history of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) for four years. In this role, she led work focused on equity and diversity including the facilitation of statewide professional learning for ACSA leaders and state board, coordination of the California Equity Leadership Alliance, as well as the Equity Network for CSBA members. She has locked arms with a team of consultants, whose work continues to leave a lasting imprint on the landscape of education.
As an educational practitioner, Nicole served as an Elementary Principal in Vallejo, California where she held numerous positions as a site administrator for 10 years, which included High School Assistant Principal/Dean and Vice Principal in Vallejo City Unified School District.
She is honored to stand on the shoulders of her grandfather, Jesse M. Bethel, the namesake of the high school in Vallejo, California who also was the first African American President for Vallejo City USD as well as CSBA. She continues to inspire organizational leaders, practitioners, and community stakeholders across multiple industries who have partnered on the journey to systemically close equity gaps in the data through building effective school boards as well as school and district leaders.
Mrs. Sharla (Shar) Anderson Johns joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2019.
Throughout her educational career Mrs. Johns has served students as a classroom teacher, site administrator, and central office administrator. She recently retired as the Associate Superintendent for the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools in Grass Valley, California where she provided instructional leadership and guidance in the areas of curriculum and instruction, professional development, assessment, student growth, and state accountability requirements to the nine school districts and eight charter schools in the County. Additionally, Mrs. Johns has experience assisting local districts in Superintendent searches and understands the importance for districts in finding and maintaining quality leadership with a "students first" focus.
Ms. Tanner joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2018. She has served on the Dysart Unified School District, Surprise, Arizona, Governing Board since 2008. During her tenure on the board, Ms. Tanner has worked to build relations and encouraged partnerships to benefit the community by working as liaison between the district and the City of Surprise and the City of El Mirage.
Ms. Tanner has experienced Superintendent searches within her own district and understands the importance of utilizing a firm who will work with the board in seeking and securing the best Superintendent fit for a district.