QUICK LINKS - Key Persons
James is the Founder of Reason & Republic. A native of South Carolina, James recognized the need for an improved educational model in his home state. Tired of hearing people "talk" about change, James took action and founded Reason & Republic in 2017. Within a few short years, Reason & Republic students were achieving top academic rankings statewide.
James is an attorney by trade, and prior to founding Reason & Republic, he was a partner at South Carolina-based law firm Nexsen Pruet and served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of South Carolina and the Supreme Court of the United States.
James earned his bachelor's degree from Furman University and his law degree from the University of South Carolina. He and his wife Jenna live in South Carolina with their five children.
Jamie is the Chief Executive Officer for Reason & Republic. She brings two decades of education experience as a classroom teacher and administrator, non-profit leader, and charter school operational leader.
Jamie comes to R&R from South Florida where she led all school operations for a six-school charter organization. She is planning on using her vast experience and knowledge of the charter school landscape to continue to enhance the mission and vision of the organization by providing strong leadership, with a focus on strategic thinking and thoughtful execution. Jamie holds a bachelor's degree from Florida Atlantic University in Sociology and a Master of Science in Education from Nova Southeastern University. In her free time, she loves spending time with her devoted husband, two daughters, and beloved pets.
Job Titles:
- Leadership School Principal
Mr. Van Hooser graduated from the University of North Carolina Charlotte with a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics Education and from Walden University with a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership. Mr. Van Hooser began his teaching career in 1985 teaching Mathematics. Over the course of his 40 years in education, he has taught Science, Social Studies and all levels of high school Mathematics from Pre Algebra to Precalculus. Mr. Van Hooser has coached a wide variety of sports but mainly focused on basketball, football, and baseball. Mr. Van Hooser has over 12 years of administrative experience as an Assistant Principal, a Director of Curriculum, and Principal. Mr. Van Hooser's wife Chrissy is a long time teacher as well in both middle school and elementary school. He has two adult children who are successful in their own careers.
Job Titles:
- Director of Educational Services for Reason & Republic
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Chief Financial Officer
Monique Bustamante is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in the State of Florida. She earned her Master's Degree in accounting from Nova Southeastern University and her Bachelors in Accounting from Florida International University.
Monique has worked in public accounting for over 15 years, specializing in educational and non-profit organizations, including performing audits of compliance with federal and state reporting and grant requirements. She is currently a partner at Verdeja, de Armas, Trujillo & Álvarez, LLP, an accounting, advisory and consulting firm in South Florida. Monique is passionate about her work with schools and non-profit organizations and volunteers on the audit committee of United Way of Miami-Dade County and is a member of Women's United. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA).
In her free time, she enjoys quality time with her husband and two children, and spends much of that time fishing, on the water, or at the beach.