Dr. Brian Jordan, a longtime Kansas education leader, has been named executive director of KASB.
Jordan, who has been with KASB for nearly 10 years and served as deputy executive director for the past four years, moved up to the top KASB position on a unanimous vote Thursday by the KASB Board of Directors.
“I have seen Dr. Jordan’s skills at work and know that KASB is in great hands moving forward,” KASB President Lori Blake said.
Jordan said, “First, I’d like to thank the KASB board of director for this amazing opportunity. I am looking forward to serving all the boards and educational leaders across the state.”
Jordan will replace Dr. John Heim, who has served as KASB’s leader for the past 11 years and has taken the position of executive director of the NSBA. Jordan’s former position as deputy executive director will be filled by Angie Stallbaumer, who heads the KASB Legal Services Department.
Jordan will soon embark on a statewide tour to hear from local school board members on how KASB can support their efforts. In addition, KASB will conduct a member survey to determine how the association can improve serving boards’ needs.
“As always, KASB will continue to look towards the future as we strive to embody our vision to lead, serve and advocate for student success,” Jordan said.
KASB is dedicated to serving members of governing boards for 286 school districts and 42 community colleges, technical centers, service centers, cooperatives and interlocals.
In his 21 years in education, Jordan has served as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent before coming to KASB. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education at Kansas State University; a master’s in education administration at Emporia State University, and his doctorate in education leadership at K-State in which his dissertation focused on school funding and accreditation.
Jordan said his love for education formed early while attending public schools in Beloit USD 273.
“I always had great mentor-teachers going through Beloit High School,” he said. When he decided to major in education in college, Jordan said he wanted to help improve education leadership because “I knew that if you created good systems for kids, positive things would happen to them.”
In his time with KASB, Jordan has worked with schools across Kansas, helping train thousands of board members on effective leadership, planning and operations. He is frequently called upon by districts to help in transitions, such as hiring a new superintendent or bringing on new board members and has worked closely with leaders at the Kansas State Department of Education. Jordan also has had a major hand in two leadership programs within KASB — Leadership for Tomorrow and the Business Operations Leadership Development program.
Jordan said he looked forward to developing long-range strategic plans for KASB as school boards face major issues on funding, staff shortages and declining enrollments.
“We are going to hit the ground running because of the great team we have,” he said.
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