Ten Years of Innovation and Impact in K-12 Education

Reflecting on a Decade of Growth with Five Star Technology Solutions

Today marks a significant milestone in my career: 10 years with Five Star Technology Solutions. It’s been an incredible journey of growth, both for the company and for me personally, as I’ve evolved as a leader and innovator. Reflecting on the work, progress, and people I’ve had the honor to collaborate with, I’m reminded of the impact we’ve made together. I look forward to sharing these reflections with you, along with some visuals that capture the journey.

The Beginning: A Passion for Digital Transformation

My journey with Five Star began in December 2014 as the Director of eLearning, thanks to Dr. Jason Roseberry. In this role, I supported K-12 schools in navigating the complexities of digital transformation. Through vision workshops, Admin Academies, and Impact Analyses, I worked alongside district leaders to ensure the effective use of instructional technology.

I’m especially proud of the collaborative work with remarkable leaders like Steve Vore, Scott Deetz, Ph.D., Dr. Laura Miller, Ryan Glaze, Dr. Harold E. Olin, Anne Regnier-Arroyo, Chad Yencer, Lynn Schemel, Brad Fischer, Dan Funston, Lisa Cutshall, Kelly York, and many others. I also want to honor my friend and colleague, the late Candice Dodson, whose leadership at the Indiana Department of Education inspired much of our work, positioning Indiana as a leader in EdTech. 

Celebrating Collaboration and Impact

As Director of Innovative Learning and later as Senior Director of Transformation Services, I embraced the challenges of leading change. Helping schools integrate technology wasn’t just about deploying devices—it was about changing mindsets. From conference presentations to guiding coalitions and reflecting on data, each step reinforced the importance of collaboration and strategic vision.

These roles allowed me to roll up my sleeves and dive into the messy yet rewarding work of innovation. The images and memories from these years reflect meaningful conversations, professional learning sessions, and collective progress. While schools were evolving, so was Five Star—and I’m proud to have been part of that growth.

Evolving with Purpose

In 2020, Five Star’s journey toward operational maturity reached a pivotal point, and I transitioned to Vice President of Managed Services. Over the past four years, this role has been focused on innovation, delivering value, and driving financial results for our clients.

Together with an exceptional team, including Niall Thompson, Aaron Kovacich, Scott Richie, CETL, and Tammy Surber, we’ve brought impactful solutions to market, such as:

• Virtual Help Desk: Revolutionizing Tier 1/Desktop support with response times under 2 minutes and resolving 35% of tickets remotely.

• Cybersecurity Consulting: Providing comprehensive assessments, vulnerability scanning, disaster recovery planning, and more.

• Revamped Engineering Services: Enhancing efficiency and achieving a satisfaction rating (NPS) over 95%.
  

A New Chapter of Leadership

Two years ago, Dr. Jason Roseberry encouraged me to step into a role focused on partnerships, a challenge I was eager to embrace. With Five Star’s continued evolution and the addition of the Empower Learning team, the opportunity arrived.

Now, as Vice President of Partnerships, I’m building strategic alliances, fostering relationships, and delivering tailored solutions to K-12 schools. These efforts are guided by the experiences I’ve gained and the partnerships I’ve established over the past decade.

Gratitude for the Journey

Looking back, I wouldn’t trade the past 10 years—or even the past 30 years—for anything. The setbacks sharpened me, and the successes strengthened me. None of this would have been possible without the amazing colleagues, mentors, and partners I’ve worked with along the way. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey for your support and collaboration.

As I look to the future, I’m filled with optimism and excitement. Here’s to continuing to foster innovation, build relationships, and create positive change in education for years to come!