Consultants

Mr. Joel Aune

Joel Aune, along with Tom Rockefeller, serves as Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Northwest Leadership Associates. As Executive Director of the Washington Association of School Administrators (2018–2025), he led statewide efforts to strengthen leadership development, advance student learning, enhance advocacy, and elevate the collective voice of educational leaders. Previously, Joel served for 20 years as superintendent in the Snoqualmie Valley and Colfax School Districts. With 42 years of experience in Washington public education, he brings deep knowledge of the state’s educational systems and communities, particularly across the Inland Northwest

Mr. William “Andy” Wolf

Andy Wolf brings more than 40 years of educational leadership experience to Northwest Leadership Associates. His career has included service as a teacher, counselor, principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent, and Assistant Executive Director of the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA). Throughout his career, Andy has worked closely with school boards, superintendents, leadership teams, and communities to strengthen governance, develop effective leadership practices, and support organizational success. His experience provides a deep understanding of the qualities and leadership characteristics that contribute to thriving schools and districts. Andy is a respected leader across Washington State, Andy has served as a superintendent mentor, leadership coach, adjunct professor, and advisor to educational organizations. In 2024, he was honored with WASA’s Golden Gavel Award for his exceptional service and contributions to public education. Andy is known for his collaborative approach, strong communication skills, and commitment to helping school districts identify leaders who align with their values, vision, and goals. He is passionate about guiding boards through a thoughtful and community-centered search process that results in successful leadership transitions.

Mr. Jon Peterson

Mr. Bill Motsenbocker

Bill Motsenbocker is the former superintendent of the Cascade and Liberty School Districts and recently retired after 37 years in K-12 public education. Bill has extensive experience as a middle school principal, and superintendent as well as serving as an adjunct professor to Washington State University’s Teaching & Learning Department for 11 years. Bill also led three districts in passing construction bonds and facilities planning to build four new schools all in Eastern Washington.

Dr. Bill Jordan

Dr. Bill Jordan is the former superintendent of the Kelso School District and a former Deputy Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction. More recently he has served as the interim superintendent of the Prescott and Walla Walla School Districts.

Mr. Chris Rust

Chris Rust is the former superintendent of Toledo School District. Serving as teacher, mentor, building administrator and superintendent for a total of 35 years, Chris has worked in both large and small systems in primarily rural areas of Washington State. He has supervised student teachers for Centralia College and was interim superintendent for the Griffin School District. In addition to conducting superintendent searches for NWLA, Chris is a licensed private investigator who conducts fact finding for school districts and Title IX investigations. He is on the board of a regional health care center, serves for the Oregon Judicial Department as a reviewer of foster care services and is on the board for two local non-profits

Dr. Tom Rockefeller

Dr. Tom Rockefeller is the Chief Operating Officer of Northwest Leadership Associates. He is the retired superintendent of the Mead School District and previously served as superintendent of the Pullman School District. He also is a past faculty member in WSU’s Superintendent Certification Program, and has mentored numerous new superintendents in the state and region. With more than 41 years of experience in education in the State of Washington, Tom has vast knowledge of the Inland Northwest, and in particular the State of Washington.

Dr. Dennis Ray

Dr. Dennis Ray, Emeritus. From 1996 to 2007, Dennis directed Washington State University’s Superintendent Certification Program, the largest superintendent preparation program in the country. Dennis’ experience also includes service as superintendent of the Northshore School District for four years and the Walla Walla School District for ten years. He was Washington State’s Superintendent of the Year in 1987, and the state’s nominee for National Superintendent of the Year in 1990.

Dr. Dave Novotney

Dr. Dave Novotney recently retired after serving 38 years as an educator and school administrator in Oregon.  Dave began his career as a high school history teacher and coach. He has worked as an assistant principal, high school principal, HR director, deputy superintendent, school district superintendent, and as an ESD superintendent.  In his role as an ESD superintendent, Dave was instrumental in establishing the Willamette Career Academy (a regional CTE high school) and passing legislation to create the Statewide School Safety and Prevention System in Oregon.  In retirement, Dave conducts investigations for school district, serves on the Western Oregon University Foundation Board of Trustees, and supports school districts in conducting executive searches through Northwest Leadership Associates.

Dr. Pam Veltri

Dr. Pam Veltri recently retired after a 38-year career in K-12 Education as well as higher education.
Throughout her career, she held roles ranging from teacher, coach, Special Services Director,
principal, Curriculum/ Assessment Director, Assistant Superintendent, to Superintendent, while serving as an adjunct professor in education leadership programs at Washington State University, Whitworth University and Eastern Washington University. Most recently, Pam has worked with principal interns through EWU’s principal preparation program and aiding school districts in leadership searches through Northwest Leadership Associates.

Mr. Mark J. Venn

Speciality: Superintendent Searches

Mark J. Venn retired in 2013 from the Sedro-Woolley school district superintendent position after a 37-year tenure in education. Throughout his career he held many positions ranging from teacher, coach, athletic director, CTE director, assistant principal, high school principal, assistant superintendent to superintendent (2004-2013). Mark has served on the ESD 189 board for 12 years, has been an active Rotary Club member for over 22 years and volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Skagit County Civil Service Commission and SMART team. He helped facilitate the establishment of the Northwest Career and Technical Academy (Skills Center) as well as planning and building the Skagit County Community Justice Center. As a way of “giving back” to education, he has assisted school districts in finding and hiring candidates in leadership searches for principals, assistant superintendents and superintendents. For the past 12 years he has been a member of the Northwest Leadership Associates team; involved in over 50 searches.

Ms. Jada Rupley

Jada Rupley is the former superintendent of Clackamas Educational Service, OR, and the Associate superintendent of Educational Service District 112, WA. She was also the former Oregon Director of Early Learning for Oregon State and currently works as a consultant for PointNorth Consulting in strategic planning. Jada has more than 35 years in the field of education with a wide range of experience in teaching and administration. She has also served on the Board of Trustees for Clark College, Vancouver, as well as a Portland State University Education Department Advisory member.

Dr. Wayne Robertson

Dr. Wayne Robertson has over forty years of public school teaching and leadership experience, including 23 years as superintendent of three districts ranging in size from 400 to over 20,000 students. In addition to his superintendent search work for Northwest Leadership Associates, Wayne is currently a faculty member in the Education Leadership Department of Western Washington University.

Ms. Laurel Browning

Laurel Browning is the former superintendent of the Burlington-Edison School District with 35 years of experience in Washington education. Her professional experience ranges from work as an assistant superintendent, director, principal and elementary teacher. Laurel has been extremely active in community and civic development as well as establishing herself as a leader in professional administrator organizations and training.

Mr. Sergio Hernandez

Sergio Hernandez retired as superintendent of the Freeman School District after 45 years in education. His experience has taken him across the United States and he has worked in K-16 settings. Currently he is Executive Director of the Washington Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and also serves as a trustee for Walla Walla Community College.

Mr. Dan Steele

Dan Steele has over 30 years of demonstrated success in the legislative arena, as a grassroots organizer, a legislative staffer, a public agency legislative liaison, and an in house lobbyist. His area of particular expertise is K-12 education, both budget and policy issues. He is a respected advocate for school administrators, school directors, and other educators. He served as the lead advocate for the Washington State School Directors’ Association (13 years) and as the lead lobbyist for the Washington Association of School Administrators (15 years). Additionally, he provided legislative representation for the Washington Association of School Business Officials (9 years), the Washington School Personnel Association (6 years), and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (6 years). Dan is often called upon to be a guest speaker for education conferences and programs, and regularly serves as a guest lecturer in university education leadership programs and superintendent/principal credentialing programs. Dan currently uses his skills and extensive education knowledge as a private consultant in his firm, Paramount Duty Solutions, formed to support Washington’s public school districts, students, and staff.

Dr. Gene Sementi

Dr. Gene Sementi recently retired after a 31-year tenure with West Valley School District. Throughout his career, he held roles ranging from teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal to superintendent, while serving as an adjunct professor in Education Leadership at Washington State University for 18 years. Gene co-founded the Eastern Washington Quality Schools Coalition, advocating for public education statewide, and continues to contribute by teaching at Gonzaga University, managing the Almira School Rebuild project, serving on a Charter School Board, serving on nonprofit boards, and aiding school districts in leadership searches through NorthwestLeadership Associates.