Executive Leadership

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Superintendent

Dan Goldman Profile Picture

Dan Goldman, 503-614-1401

Dan Goldman serves the educational communities across Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties in Northwest Oregon as the Superintendent of the Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD).

As superintendent, Dan sets the strategic vision for the organization and leads the region’s 20 school districts as a collaborator and a convener. During the 2022-23 school year, Dan was voted president of Oregon’s Association of Education Service Districts. This association tackles common statewide and regional program, management and operational issues so that all children regardless of which school district they attend have access to quality educators.

Before joining NWRESD in July 2019, he was the Superintendent of the Hood River County School District (HRCSD), leading significant improvements in student achievement, educational equity, fiscal performance, and community engagement. A below average school district prior to his arrival, HRCSD was ranked as one of Oregon's top 10 school districts by the Portland Business Journal in 2018.

Before leading in superintendent roles, Dan served as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction and Elementary Programs in the Tigard-Tualatin School District where he oversaw all K-12 curriculum, instruction, assessment, instructional technology, and school improvement efforts.

Dan has been a professional educator since 1994. He began his career as a special education teacher working with students with severe behavioral and emotional disabilities in residential settings in Washington and Oregon. Before beginning his work in education administration, he served in Portland Public Schools as an elementary principal, special education teacher and school psychologist at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Dan holds a Master of Science degree with Oregon endorsements in educational leadership, administration and school psychology. He has presented extensively at the statewide and national levels on Response to Intervention (RTI), literacy development, formative assessment, leadership for equity, Positive Behavioral Supports (PBIS), program evaluation, and action research. He co-authored Oregon's Technical Assistance Guide to Response to Intervention Programming and was awarded the "PBIS Champions Award" by the Northwest PBIS Association in 2015. Dan is a longstanding Board Member for the I Have a Dream Foundation (Greater Than) and the Hood River County Education Foundation. He chairs the boards for the Northwest Early Learning Hub and Northwest Promise.

Dan moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1991 from the New York City area and enjoys the outdoors and concert-going with his wife, Nicole, and their two school-aged daughters.


Chief Academic Officer

Megan McCarter, 503-614-3169

Megan McCarter portrait

Megan McCarter is the chief academic officer at NWRESD. She joined the organization in July of 2021 as the executive director of instructional services and served as interim chief academic officer the following year. In July of 2023, she became the permanent chief academic officer. In this position, she ensures strategic alignment and collaboration across the instructional services, early learning and K-12 special education teams. 

Before joining our team, Megan spent three years as principal of Scott Elementary School in Portland, Oregon, a Spanish language immersion program. In her tenure at Scott School, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding reading growth targets increased from 22% to 52%. Megan also rebuilt the school’s leadership team to reflect the racial diversity of the school community and initiated weekly social justice lessons with students.

In Chicago, Illinois, Megan collaboratively led a school turnaround effort moving the Dewey School of Excellence, a prekindergarten to eighth grade school, from the bottom three schools in Illinois to the top 15% in Chicago. And while teaching at Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy in Chicago, she set a historical record for math growth on state end-of-grade assessments for algebra students receiving special education services.

Megan received a Master of Education in school leadership from Columbia University. She also holds a Master of Arts in teaching and Doctor of Education from National-Louis University.


Early Learning Executive Director

Stacy Rager, 503-614-1251

Stacy Rager Portrait

Stacy Rager is the executive director of our early learning team. In this role, she oversees a team of more than 300 staff members who work in four main programs. These include Child Care Resource and Referral, Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education, Early Learning Hub and Northwest Parenting

Stacy is an experienced special education administrator and school psychologist with more than two decades of experience in education. She is well-versed in special education law and practices and has several years of experience managing budgets, programs and staff. She is passionate about inclusion and making sure every child has the opportunity to participate in early learning opportunities until they start kindergarten no matter how complex their disability. 

Previous positions at NWRESD include Columbia Service Center administrator, special education coordinator of our Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education programs (first at the Beaverton Early Childhood Center and later the evaluation team), and school psychologist. She also worked as an administrator and school psychologist for the North Clackamas School District. 

Stacy has a master’s degree in school psychology from Lewis and Clark College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from George Fox University. She received her administrator’s licenses from Lewis and Clark College and Concordia University. 


Instructional Services Executive Director

John Peplinski, 503-614-1330

John Peplinksi Portrait Thumbnail

John Peplinski is the executive director of instructional services. He joined NWRESD in July of 2023.

John oversees more than 60 staff and a dozen educational programs, including outdoor school, a variety of professional learning initiatives, the migrant education program, STEM Hub, career and college readiness initiatives, attendance services and school safety programs. The instruction team also frequently partners with NWRESD’s other academic departments, which include early learning and K-12 special education, to align and advance academic objectives throughout the region.

John’s administrative experience includes more than 10 years in principal positions, three years as Beaverton’s administrator for instructional innovation, and five years as administrator for K-12 curriculum, instruction and assessment. 

Highlights from John’s 19-year tenure as an administrator for Beaverton School District include:

  • Increasing career and technical educational opportunities for students by adding programs and removing barriers.
  • Providing leadership for the implementation of the Future Ready Schools initiative including the 1:1 student device programs.
  • Managing a $58 million bond budget for Future Ready technology.
  • Achieving the Oregon Department of Education's Model School Status as a turnaround Title I school in years three and four as principal at Raleigh Hills K-8 School.

John also worked for more than 10 years as a classroom teacher. He has a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Oregon University and master's degree in education from the University of Washington.


K-12 Special Education Executive Director

Cathleen Jensen, 503-614-1335

Cathy Jensen profile photo

Cathy Jensen is the executive director of K-12 special education. She has been in this role since July 2018. Cathy oversees several programs, including regional inclusive services, contracted special education staffing, and social emotional learning school programs. She previously worked as a special education coordinator.

Cathy first joined the NWRESD team in 1997 as a school psychologist. She worked in various roles while assigned to Tigard-Tualatin School District over the course of 17 years, including offering supports to behavior classrooms, providing professional learning for educators supporting students with complex behavioral needs, and coordinating a district behavior support team. She is particularly interested in improving outcomes for students with complex needs through culturally sustaining practices, evidence-based interventions and multi-tiered systems of support.

Cathy earned a master's degree in school psychology at Lewis and Clark College in 1997. She completed her administrative licensure through Lewis & Clark College. 


Equity and Family Partnerships Director

Sharif Zakir Liwaru, 503-614-1491

Sharif Liwaru

Liwaru brings over 26 years of leadership in equity and education—including as the equity and diversity office director for Omaha Public Schools, the attendance collaborative director at the University of Nebraska, and the president of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation.

In his role as the equity and family partnerships director, Liwaru partners with ESDs, school districts, community-based organizations and elected officials to advise on strategic actions that will expand opportunities and improve outcomes for historically marginalized students.

He holds a master's degree in public administration for nonprofit management and a bachelor's degree in Black studies from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He joined NWRESD in 2019.

 


Chief Human Resources Officer

Debbie Simons, 503-614-1407

Debbie Simons portrait

Debbie Simons joined as chief human resources officer in the fall of 2021. In this role, she oversees personnel processes, including hiring, labor relations, benefits programs, substitute management and wellness. Debbie also advises human resources staff at the 20 component school districts in our region. 

Debbie worked as the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning at Medford School District in southern Oregon prior to coming to the ESD. She also worked as the director of human resources at Medford and the Three Rivers School District. Other previous positions include principal at Lincoln Savage Middle School and Evergreen Elementary School.

Debbie served on the Oregon School Personnel Association (OSPA) board for eight years, including as president and has taught classes for human resources professionals. 

She began her educational career during her senior year of high school when she worked halftime in Mrs. Peacore’s second grade classroom. She received her undergraduate degree from Western Oregon State College (now Western Oregon University). She earned her master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Southern Oregon University and administrative license through Portland State University.


Chief Information Officer

Stuart Long, 503-614-1412

Stuart Long portraitStuart Long is the chief information officer of the Cascade Technology Alliance, a collaboration of technology teams from Northwest Regional and Multnomah ESDs. In his role Stuart is responsible for the overall execution, deployment and support of technology to the 30 school districts directly served by the members of CTA. He has worked in this role since July of 2020.

As a certified information systems security professional, Stuart has been on the forefront of cybersecurity efforts in K-12 in Oregon. He established cybersecurity teams at all three Portland metro ESDs in order to help school districts improve their cybersecurity readiness.

Before joining Northwest Regional ESD, he worked as the chief information officer at Clackamas ESD. During his 11-year tenure there, Stuart partnered with Clackamas County to bring high-speed, affordable internet connectivity to more than 130 school buildings in Clackamas County through the Clackamas Broadband eXchange and more than tripled the ESD’s role as a regional service provider.

Stuart has a master’s degree in applied information management from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in history from Virginia Commonwealth University. He also serves on the board of directors for LinkOregon as one of two directors representing K-12 in the effort to expand broadband access in the state of Oregon.


Chief Financial Officer

Jordan Ely, 503-614-1253

Jordan Ely portraitJordan oversees NWRESD’s budget and works with Superintendent Dan Goldman to set the financial vision for the agency. He oversees a team of 20 people who provide accounting, budgeting, payroll and other fiscal services to NWRESD and to several school districts in our service area. He joined as chief financial officer in July of 2023. 

Most recently, Jordan worked as the CFO for the Gresham-Barlow District where he oversaw an annual operating budget of more than $165 million and an overall budget of $260 million. Gresham-Barlow employs more than 1,200 people and serves more than 11,000 students. 

In addition to his work in Gresham-Barlow, Jordan worked as a director of budget and analysis for Portland Public Schools. He also held various roles in Ashland School District, including CFO, director of finance and operations and director of business services. Before working in school finance, Jordan worked as a consultant and supply chain planner for energy companies in Alaska. 

Jordan has a master’s degree in business administration from Southern Oregon University and a bachelor’s degree in operations and project management from Southern New Hampshire University. He serves as a board member for the Oregon Association of School Business Officials in zone 5, which covers Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties, and as a board member for the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.


Communications Director

Kelsey (Cardwell) Soltysiak, 503-614-1469

Kelsey Cardwell profile photo

Language and storytelling are powerful tools to convey a purpose, shape our worldviews, foment empathy and mobilize progress. Kelsey joined Northwest Regional Education Service District in October 2019 to harness communications toward building trust in and support for a socially just public education system. She oversees both communications and Spanish-language interpretation/translation, where she and the rest of the team strive to make information accessible for diverse audiences.

Prior to NWRESD, Kelsey worked as the strategic communications officer for Clackamas Education Service District where she curated a student art show, convened local school communicators, and consulted for Hood River County School District. Kelsey was also the communicators director at Stand for Children Oregon where she worked on the Measure 98 campaign. Other prior professional and volunteer experiences include: President of the Northwest Trail Alliance, a volunteer-run mountain biking stewardship organization; AmeriCorps VISTA at Hacienda CDC; communications associate at JML Marketing + Communications; mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters and Higher Achievement programs.

Kelsey graduated with a bachelor's degree in foreign language and visual media and a minor in graphic design from American University. She has also lived and studied in Heredia, Costa Rica, and Cartagena, Colombia. In her free time, she enjoys windsurfing, foraging, and practicing Polish.


Service Center Administrators

Clatsop County

Lynne Griffin, 503-325-3358

Lynne Griffin portraitLynne manages NWRESD’s early intervention and early childhood special education programs in Clatsop County and oversees a youth transition program that prepares students with disabilities for post-graduation opportunities. In addition to this work, she is responsible for convening school districts and facilitating collaborative initiatives. She joined NWRESD in the fall of 2021.

Lynne has more than two decades of experience in education, including a decade as a speech-language pathologist, seven years as an administrator and three years as a teacher on special assignment. Previous roles include work as the director of special services for the Seaside School District, assistant coordinator of teaching and learning for the Corvallis School District and special education director for the Brookings-Harbor School District. 

Lynne is passionate about listening to families and making sure policies are written so that students from all backgrounds can succeed, especially those from historically marginalized communities.


Columbia County

Matt Doyle, 503-366-4124

Matt Doyle

As the administrator of our Columbia Service Center, Matt Doyle oversees our early intervention and early childhood special education programs in Columbia County, which includes the communities of St. Helens, Scappoose, Rainier, Clatskanie and Vernonia. He also partners with the county’s five school districts to help coordinate the K-12 special education, instruction, technology or payroll services they are receiving. 

During Matt’s eight years in school administration, he has served as head of school at two international schools in the Middle East. Most recently, he was St. Helens School District’s director of academic programs. During his time with the St. Helens School District, he secured about $1 million in grants for the purpose of building a college-going culture and providing culturally relevant after-school programming. He also managed more than $10 million in funding and served on the superintendent’s cabinet. 

Matt launched his education career as a middle school teacher in the Beaverton School District. He earned a master’s degree in education from George Fox University and has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Widener University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Matt and his family love backpacking, biking, snow sports, and are active with their local church.  


Tillamook County

Kim Lyon, 503-815-4457

Kim Lyon portraitKim Lyon serves as the Tillamook Service Center Administrator. In this role, Kim oversees the early intervention and early childhood special education programs in Tillamook County.  Additionally, she facilitates the work of the Tillamook Education Consortium, which is a collaborative effort between the Tillamook County school districts, Tillamook Bay Community College and NWRESD with the purpose of supporting the advancement of PreK-15 education in Tillamook County.

Kim has over two decades of experience in education. She worked as a special education teacher and served as the Tillamook High School activities director prior to moving into administration in 2012.

Kim graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Oregon State University and worked in agricultural marketing and sales before deciding to pursue a career in education. She has a master’s degree in special education from Western Oregon University and completed her administrative licensure program at Lewis & Clark College.

A lifetime Tillamook resident, Kim is passionate about providing children and families equal access to a high-quality learning environment where every child belongs and has the opportunity to thrive. Kim is active in the community and regularly seeks opportunities to collaborate on projects to enhance the experiences available for young children.