San Clemente, California, United States
I have been fortunate to serve students, staff, families, and communities in public education for more than 32 years. My career has included leadership in very different settings, including more than a decade as a high school principal and the last 12 years as superintendent of two of California’s highest-performing school districts. I have led organizations through growth, conflict, political pressure, fiscal complexity, major construction programs, labor negotiations, emergency response, and community change. Across each role, my focus has remained consistent: build strong teams, simplify priorities, improve outcomes, and create systems that help people do their best work. I believe leadership is measured not only by what happens during your tenure, but by what happens because of your tenure. One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been investing in others. As a high school principal, 10 of my assistant principals went on to become principals. Throughout my career, seven members of my teams have become superintendents. I take great pride in helping talented people see more in themselves, prepare for greater responsibility, and step into leadership with confidence. My work with CalSupts has allowed me to support superintendents across California and contribute to a professional network focused on practical leadership, honest problem-solving, and service to communities. Through SimpleWinsLLC, I continue that work by coaching current, new, and aspiring administrators who want to lead with clarity, courage, and purpose. I have always viewed leadership as a team sport. The best organizations are built by people who trust each other, tell the truth, stay focused, and keep students at the center. Whether leading a school, a district, a statewide organization, or supporting leaders through coaching, my goal is the same: help people and organizations become stronger than they were before. Once a coach, always a coach.
As Superintendent of Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD), I led a district renowned for its academic excellence and innovation, serving over 10,000 outstanding students and 1,500 dedicated employees. PAUSD has been ranked the #1 school district in California for five consecutive years, an unprecedented achievement, and is also recognized as the top-ranked district in the nation for districts with over 8,000 students. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, PAUSD partners closely with Stanford University and benefits from its proximity to some of the world's most influential technology companies. These unique collaborations enrich the educational experience for our students and position PAUSD as a leader in public education. Under my leadership, PAUSD has established unparalleled organizational stability and a clear strategic focus through the PAUSD Promise. This framework included five priority goals: Serve and Celebrate Others, Mental Health and Wellness, Equity and Excellence, Literacy, and Innovation, each tied to pre-identified performance metrics. These priorities ensure that our work is intentional, measurable, and impactful, serving as a model for other school districts nationwide. In addition to academic excellence, we have emphasized fostering a culture of inclusion, well-being, and continuous improvement. PAUSD’s success is driven by the collective efforts of our students, staff, families, and community, and I am honored to be part of a team that consistently sets the bar for excellence in education.
As Superintendent of Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, I had the honor of leading a highly regarded district serving over 11,400 students in a TK-12 setting. PVPUSD consistently ranked among the top districts in California, achieving the #6 ranking statewide which was an exceptional accomplishment given the challenges of operating within one of the lowest-funded districts in the state. Despite these funding challenges, we maintained a relentless focus on academic excellence and student success. Together with an outstanding team, we worked to meet the high expectations of a demanding and engaged community while laying the groundwork for long-term stability and success. Key initiatives included developing robust succession plans for leadership positions and implementing enduring structures that continue to support the district’s excellence today. PVPUSD's reputation for excellence is a testament to the collective commitment of its educators, students, and families. I am proud of the strides we made in supporting student achievement and sustaining the district’s standing as a leader in public education.
Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for the Huntington Beach Union High School District, serving over 16,000 students. Follow them on Twitter @HBUHSD or their website at HBUHSD.edu.
As the Doctoral Fellow for CSU Long Beach, I developed relationships between HBUHSD and CSULB. I also have the opportunity to work directly with doctoral students, research groups, and the CSULB faculty. I continue my work with doctoral students, including mentoring and working on committees.
As the principal of Laguna Beach High School, I had the privilege of working with an incredible team to create meaningful opportunities for students. During this time, Laguna Beach Unified was recognized as one of only two AP District Honor Roll districts in Orange County, earned National Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished School honors, removed barriers for students to access our most rigorous courses, and encouraged students to make significant contributions to the community. What stands out even more, though, is the way we celebrated and strengthened the unique tradition and spirit of Laguna Beach. By honoring the past while embracing innovation, we helped the school evolve in ways that resonated deeply with the community. It’s no surprise that the newspapers referred to this as "The Golden Era." Spirit was high, pride was everywhere, and the sense of connection was palpable. It was a truly special time, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part of it.