Ms. Laurel Browning
Specialty: Superintendent and Executive Searches
Laurel Browning is the former superintendent of the Burlington-Edison School District and has 35 years of experience in Washington education. Her professional experience includes work as an assistant superintendent, director, principal, and elementary teacher. Laurel has been extremely active in community and civic development and has established herself as a leader in professional administrator organizations and leadership training.
Mr. Dan Steele
Specialty: Fact-Finding
Dan Steele has more than 30 years of demonstrated success in the legislative arena as a grassroots organizer, legislative staffer, public agency legislative liaison, and in-house lobbyist. His particular area of expertise is K–12 education, including both budget and policy issues. He is a respected advocate for school administrators, school directors, and other educators.
Dan served as the lead advocate for the Washington State School Directors’ Association for 13 years and as the lead lobbyist for the Washington Association of School Administrators for 15 years. Additionally, he provided legislative representation for the Washington Association of School Business Officials for nine years, the Washington School Personnel Association for six years, and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association for six years. Dan is often called upon as a guest speaker for education conferences and programs and regularly serves as a guest lecturer in university education leadership and superintendent/principal credentialing programs. He currently uses his skills and extensive knowledge of education as a private consultant through his firm, Paramount Duty Solutions, formed to support Washington’s public school districts, students, and staff.Paramount Duty Solutions, formed to support Washington’s public school districts, students, and staff.
Dr. Pam Veltri
Specialty: Superintendent and Executive Searches
Dr. Pam Veltri recently retired after a 38-year career in K–12 and higher education. Throughout her career, she held roles ranging from teacher, coach, Special Services Director, principal, Curriculum and Assessment Director, and Assistant Superintendent to Superintendent. She also served 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 has assisted school districts with leadership searches through Northwest Leadership Associates.
Dr. Tom Rockefeller
Owner/Chief Operating Officer
Specialty: Superintendent and Executive Searches
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 throughout the state and region. With more than 41 years of experience in Washington education, Tom has extensive knowledge of the Inland Northwest and the state’s educational landscape.
Dr. Dennis Ray
Dr. Dennis Ray
Founder/Former Owner (Emeritus)
Dr. Dennis Ray is an Emeritus member of Northwest Leadership Associates. From 1996 to 2007, Dennis directed Washington State University’s Superintendent Certification Program, the largest superintendent preparation program in the country. His experience also includes serving as superintendent of the Northshore School District for four years and the Walla Walla School District for ten years. He was named Washington State Superintendent of the Year in 1987 and was the state’s nominee for National Superintendent of the Year in 1990.
Dr. Michael Dunn
Specialty: Fact-Finding
Dr. Michael Dunn is an experienced educational leader with a career spanning more than four decades in K–12 and higher education. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from Washington State University. He served as Superintendent of NorthEast Washington Educational Service District 101 for the final 14 years of his 43-year K–12 career, following his tenure as Superintendent of Cheney Public Schools. His earlier roles included Executive Director for Spokane Public Schools, principalships at Mt. Spokane and Shadle Park High Schools, and teaching and coaching positions in Spokane Public Schools and the Ritzville School District.
In higher education, Michael has served as an adjunct professor at Washington State University for the past 17 years and previously at Gonzaga University, helping prepare future educational leaders. He currently teaches in WSU’s Statewide Superintendent Preparation Program. Beyond his administrative and teaching roles, Michael has been deeply involved in professional and community organizations and has served and continues to serve on numerous boards. Before joining the NWLA team, he served for four years as a consultant in mediation and prelitigation with a risk management company.
Dr. Jennifer Bethman
Specialty: Strategic Planning
Dr. Jennifer Bethman retired following a 40-year career in public education, most recently serving as Superintendent of the Rochester School District. Her leadership experience also includes serving as Assistant Superintendent in the Bethel School District, planning principal and founding principal of Graham-Kapowsin High School, middle school principal, and K–12 teacher. Her experience includes board governance, labor relations, community engagement, and levy and bond planning.
Throughout her leadership career, Jennifer has been recognized for her thoughtful, collaborative approach to engaging school boards, students, staff, families, and communities in developing strategic plans focused on improving outcomes for students. She also serves as an adjunct professor in Pacific Lutheran University’s Principal and Superintendent Preparation Programs, where she helps prepare future educational leaders.
Mr. John Welch
Specialties: Superintendent and Executive Searches, Fact-Finding
John P. Welch is an experienced educational leader with more than 30 years in K–12 and higher education. He most recently served as Superintendent of the Puget Sound Educational Service District for 14 years. He previously served as Superintendent of Highline Public Schools and as Vice President for Business and Administrative Services at South Seattle College. He began his career in public education as Chief Financial Officer for Federal Way Public Schools after serving eight years as a financial analyst in the public and private sectors.
John currently serves as a Field Supervisor with City University of Seattle in the Superintendent Certification Program. He holds an M.B.A. from Pacific Lutheran University and a B.A. in Business Administration from Eastern Washington University. He is a graduate of Yale’s Broad Urban Superintendent’s Academy and has completed executive development programs at Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of Denver. John is a past recipient of the Robert Handy Administrator of the Year Award for Large School Districts and WASA’s Student Achievement Leadership Award. He has served on numerous boards and is currently an Emeritus Board Member with the College Success Foundation and an Advisor to the Institute for Education Innovation.
Mr. Sergio Hernandez
Specialty: Superintendent and Executive Searches
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 includes work in K–16 settings. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Washington Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and as a trustee for Walla Walla Community College.
Ms. Helene Paroff
Specialty: Strategic Planning
Helene Paroff served as an Assistant Executive Director at the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) from 2014 through 2019. She then became Director of WASA’s OSPI-funded, district-supported Inclusionary Practices Project before retiring in 2023. From 1996 to 2014, Helene served in a variety of capacities, including Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning and Support Services at NorthEast Washington Educational Service District 101, based in Spokane, Washington.
While working at Erie I BOCES in New York State from 1989 to 1996, Helene was actively engaged with districts throughout the Buffalo area, providing systems-level and instructional support. She began her career as a teacher of students with disabilities in Baltimore County, Maryland, and Kenmore, New York. Throughout her career, Helene has assisted school districts with systems improvement and strategic planning efforts.
Mr. William “Andy” Wolf
Specialty: Superintendent and Executive Searches
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. He 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. Joel Aune
Owner/Chief Operating Officer
Specialty: Superintendent and Executive Searches
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 from 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 of 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.
Throughout his career—and especially during his seven years leading WASA—Joel developed strong professional relationships with superintendents and educational leaders throughout Washington and beyond. Those relationships provide an extensive network of experienced and emerging leaders and allow him to personally connect with individuals who may be well suited for superintendent and executive leadership opportunities. His statewide relationships, knowledge of school districts and communities, and understanding of educational leadership inform his work with boards as they identify the qualities they seek, recruit strong candidates, and select a leader whose experience, leadership style, and values align well with the district and community they will serve.
Mr. Mark J. Venn
Specialty: Superintendent and Executive Searches
Mark J. Venn retired in 2013 from his position as superintendent of the Sedro-Woolley School District after a 37-year career in education. Throughout his career, he held positions ranging from teacher, coach, athletic director, and CTE director to assistant principal, high school principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent, serving in the superintendent role from 2004–2013.
Mark has served on the ESD 189 Board for 12 years, has been an active Rotary Club member for more than 22 years, and has volunteered for Meals on Wheels, the Skagit County Civil Service Commission, and the SMART Team. He helped facilitate the establishment of the Northwest Career and Technical Academy (Skills Center), as well as the planning and construction of the Skagit County Community Justice Center. As a way of giving back to education, Mark has assisted school districts in finding and hiring candidates for principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent positions. For the past 12 years, he has been a member of the Northwest Leadership Associates team and has been involved in more than 50 searches.
Ms. Dana Rosenbach
Ms. Dana Rosenbach
Specialty: Fact-Finding, Leadership Coaching
Dana G. Rosenbach is an accomplished educational executive with nearly three decades of
dedicated service in public education in Washington, California and Florida highlighted by an
eleven-year tenure as Superintendent of North Mason School District. Throughout her
administrative career she has focused on advancing social justice, building community and
cultivating collaborative district cultures. Her extensive executive portfolio is backed by a
Master’s degree in Educational Administration California State University, Northridge, doctoral
work at Washington State University, and active participation on statewide governance bodies,
including the WASA Board of Directors and the SIRS Board. Throughout her career, Dana has
been an active participant in community organizations, supporting students and their families
meeting life’s challenges including mental health, housing instability, food insecurity and
substance abuse.
Beyond her central office experience, Dana brings rich, hands-on expertise as an instructional
mentor, superintendent mentor and system-wide leadership coach. A certified instructional
coach, she has served as an adjunct instructor for Western Washington University’s Principal
Credential Program, guiding emerging administrators through the nuances of evaluation
systems, professional development, and reflective practice. Her commitment to mentorship
spans every level of the educator pipeline—from supporting early-career educators through the
Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) framework to designing comprehensive
instructional coaching models that empower principals and school leadership teams to building
systems supporting staff supporting multi language learners.
Mr. Jon Peterson
Specialties: Superintendent and Executive Searches, Fact-Finding
Jon Peterson retired in July 2024 after 41 years in K–12 public education in Oregon. Jon is the former superintendent of the Pendleton and Ione School Districts. He has extensive experience in K–12 education, having served as a mathematics teacher, counselor, assistant principal/athletic director, elementary principal, and middle school principal. Most recently, he served as Deputy Superintendent of the InterMountain Education Service District in Pendleton, where he mentored and coached eleven administrators. Jon also has extensive experience with school facilities projects, including leading the Pendleton School District in passing a construction bond in 2013 to build three new schools.
Dr. Bill Jordan
Specialty: Superintendent and Executive Searches
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 interim superintendent of the Prescott and Walla Walla School Districts.
Mr. Chris Rust
Specialties: Superintendent and Executive Searches, Fact-Finding
Chris Rust is the former superintendent of the Toledo School District. During his 35-year career, he served as a teacher, mentor, building administrator, and superintendent, working in both large and small systems, primarily in rural areas of Washington State. He has supervised student teachers for Centralia College and served as interim superintendent for the Griffin School District.
In addition to conducting superintendent searches for Northwest Leadership Associates, Chris is a licensed private investigator who conducts fact-finding for school districts and Title IX investigations. He serves on the board of a regional health care center, serves as a reviewer of foster care services for the Oregon Judicial Department, and serves on the boards of two local nonprofits.
Dr. Wayne Robertson
Specialty: Superintendent and Executive Searches
Dr. Wayne Robertson has more than 40 years of public school teaching and leadership experience, including 23 years as superintendent of three districts ranging in size from 400 to more than 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 at Western Washington University.
Ms. Jada Rupley
Specialties: Superintendent and Executive Searches, Fact-Finding
Jada Rupley is the former superintendent of Clackamas Educational Service District in Oregon and former Associate Superintendent of Educational Service District 112 in Washington. She also served as Oregon’s Director of Early Learning and currently works as a consultant for PointNorth Consulting in strategic planning. Jada has more than 35 years in education, with a wide range of experience in teaching and administration. She has also served on the Board of Trustees for Clark College in Vancouver and as a member of the Portland State University Education Department Advisory Board.
Dr. Gene Sementi
Specialties: Superintendent and Executive Searches, Fact-Finding
Dr. Gene Sementi brings more than three decades of public education leadership experience to Northwest Leadership Associates, including eight years as Superintendent of the West Valley School District in Spokane, Washington. During his 31-year career in West Valley, he served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, elementary, middle, and high school principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. He earned his Ed.D. in Education Administration from the University of Idaho and has also taught aspiring educators and school leaders at Washington State University, Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, and Whitworth University. His career has been recognized with numerous honors, including Washington State Middle Level Principal of the Year and the Washington Association of School Administrators Barbara Mertens Legacy Award.
Since retiring as superintendent, Dr. Sementi has continued to serve Washington school districts through executive leadership searches, organizational and management reviews, fact-finding and personnel investigations, strategic planning, leadership development, school construction project management, and school bond planning. He is a founding member of the Eastern Washington Quality Schools Coalition and has served on numerous professional, university, community, and nonprofit boards. With experience spanning classroom instruction, district leadership, higher education, governance, facilities, and executive recruitment, Dr. Sementi brings a practical understanding of the challenges facing school boards and superintendents. His specialties with Northwest Leadership Associates include superintendent and executive searches and independent fact-finding.
Dr. Ellen Perconti
Specialty: Fact-Finding
Dr. Ellen Perconti has more than 40 years of service in public education. She began her career as a music teacher and music therapist, later serving as a Teacher on Special Assignment, Assessment Coordinator, and Director of Curriculum. She brings 14 years of superintendent and superintendent/principal experience in small, rural communities. Ellen is recognized for her expertise in adult learning, strategic planning facilitation, and professional development. She deeply understands the diverse roles and responsibilities of small school leadership. Having successfully navigated the complexities of board-superintendent relationships, she offers unique insights into building strong boards and respectful meeting structures. Ellen’s passion lies in learning and supporting others in their educational journeys. She has researched and implemented a whole-child approach to instruction, assessment, and organizational improvement—work that successfully transformed teaching, assessment, and data use to better meet student needs. In addition to consulting, Ellen currently serves as a part-time Program Manager and Professor for City University of Seattle
Mr. Bill Motsenbocker
Specialties: Superintendent and Executive Searches, Fact-Finding
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 for 11 years as an adjunct professor in Washington State University’s Teaching & Learning Department. Bill also led three districts in passing construction bonds and facilities plans that resulted in the construction of four new schools in Eastern Washington.