Focused Education Resources is a not-for-profit, shared services organization dedicated to supporting excellence in K-12 education in British Columbia.
Leadership
Focused Educations’s Board of Directors provides strategic leadership and K-12 expertise to guide our pursuit of delivering on our mission, achieving our vision and living our values every day.
| Name | Position on Board | Job Title | District/Organization Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Pearmain | Chair | Superintendent | SD 36 Surrey |
| Angus Wilson | Vice Chair | Superintendent | SD 75 Mission |
| Teresa Downs | Director | Superintendent / CEO | SD 42 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows |
| Trina Cassidy | Director | Secretary-Treasurer | SD 73 Kamloops Thompson |
| Ray Velestuk | Director | Secretary-Treasurer / CFO | SD 34 Abbotsford |
| Jennifer Wray | Director | A/Assistant Deputy Minister & Ministry Chief Information Officer | Ministry of Education and Child Care |
| Melanie Stewart | Director | Associate Deputy Minister | Ministry of Education and Child Care |
Mark Pearmain
Staff
The Focused Education team has honed our K-12 expertise to provide members with focused, value-driven benefits. We are always pleased to connect and welcome members’ feedback, insights and questions.
| Name | Job Title |
|---|---|
| Kelly Pollack | CEO |
| Lynne Bouchard | Evaluation Services Lead |
| Andy Canty | Director of Technology Services |
| James Chang | Senior Cybersecurity Analyst |
| Maureen Ciarniello | Director of Education Services |
| Heather Daly | Associate Director of Education Services |
| Michael Frost | Director of Procurement Services |
| Laura Grant | Education Services Coordinator |
| Asad Haidari | Sourcing Lead |
| Rajiv Kariman | Sourcing Lead |
| Jasmine Lee | Manager of Privacy Services |
| Peter Powell | Technology Lead |
| Rakesh Thobhani | Controller |
| Michael Yu | Manager of Member Services |
Kelly Pollack
Advisory Committees
Focused Education’s Advisory Committees consist of K-12 sector leaders who provide strategic insights and feedback on policies, processes and procedures.
Learning Resource Advisory Committee
Our Learning Resource Advisory Committee provides guidance around policies, procedures and projects to Focused Education’s Education Services team. This includes identifying opportunities for evaluation and licensing of learning resources, as well as professional learning offerings.
| Name | District/Organization Name | Job Title |
|---|---|---|
| Jarrod Bell | SD 60 Peace River North | Director of Instruction |
| Trent Dolgopol | SD 06 Rocky Mountain | Director of Instruction, Indigenous Education, Technology and Innovative Learning |
| Joseph Jeffery | BCTF liaison | District Teacher Librarian, SD 57 Prince George |
| Matthew Monkman | SD 92 Nisga'a | Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer |
| Kathy Puharich | SD 36 Surrey | Director of Instruction, Priority Practices |
| Rudy Terpstra | SD 69 Qualicum | Director of Instruction |
| David Vandergugten | SD 42 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows | Assistant Superintendent, Chair LRA |
| Nick Poeschek | Ministry of Education and Child Care | Director, Curriculum and Classroom Assessment |
Procurement Services Advisory Committee
Our Procurement Services Advisory Committee provides guidance on Focused Education’s sector-wide joint procurement services. The Committee assesses the current environment and advises on strategies and initiatives to optimize our spectrum of procurement services.
| Name | District/Organization Name | Job Title |
|---|---|---|
| Simon Ayres | SD 36 Surrey | Assistant Secretary-Treasurer |
| Ray Miller | SD 73 Kamloops-Thompson | Purchasing Manager |
| Heather Simm | SD 20 Kootenay-Columbia | Director of Operations |
| Dave Swystun | SD 23 Central Okanagan | Learning Technology Manager |
Technology Advisory Committee
Our Technology Advisory Committee provides expert insights into new and emerging K-12 technology-related needs and opportunities. The Committee’s guidance helps ensure Focused Education’s member offerings leverage the latest technologies and support best practices.
| Name | District/Organization Name | Job Title |
|---|---|---|
| Cody Henschel | SD 63 Saanich | Director of Information Technology |
| Karman O'Brien | SD 34 Abbotsford | Director Information Technology, Chair TAC |
| Ted Owens | SD 54 Bulkley Valley | Supervisor of Information Technology Services |
| Wayne Pinette | SD 73 Kamloops/Thompson | Director of Information Technology Services |
| Jennifer Roberts | SD 46 Sunshine Coast | Assistant Superintendent |
| Morris Scarpino | SD 57 Prince George | District Technology Support Coordinator |
| Stephen Whiffin | SD 43 Coquitlam | Assistant Superintendent & CIO |
| Matt Williams | SD 35 Langley | Director of Information Technology & CIO |
| Stacey Wilkerson | Ministry of Education and Child Care | Executive Director Student Information, Data & Education Network Services |