About the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
Executive Cabinet at NWREL
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Executive Director:
Dr. Carol F. Thomas / Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: 503-275-9501
e-mail
Carol Thomas is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and management of the laboratory. Prior to becoming the CEO in 2001, Dr. Thomas served as the Associate Executive Director of NWREL and supervised the directors of the laboratory’s 12 programs. Before coming to NWREL, Thomas held leadership positions at several other educational laboratories throughout the United States: the Southwest Regional Laboratory, the Midwest Regional Exchange, the Center for the Study of Evaluation at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Far West Laboratory for Educational Research and Development. Thomas received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley and has over 30 years experience in education.
Deputy Executive Officer:
Dr. Bob Blum / Deputy Executive Officer
Telephone: 503-275-9507
e-mail
Bob Blum oversees the programmatic work of NWREL through direct supervision of the directors of its four Centers of Excellence. In addition, Dr. Blum facilitates the work of Executive Cabinet and Management Council, the two top management structures within the organization. Before assuming the DEO position, Dr. Blum was Director of the Center for School and District Improvement. Over nearly 25 years, he led NWREL principal work in support of schools and districts as they undertook research-based improvement efforts. Prior to joining the staff at NWREL, Dr. Blum taught at junior high, high school, and university levels, was a junior high assistant principal, and served as career education coordinator in the Jefferson County (Colorado) Public Schools.
Center Directors:
Center for Classroom Teaching and Learning
Kit Peixotto, DirectorTelephone: 503-275-9594
Kit Peixotto directs NWREL’s Center of Excellence for Classroom Teaching and Learning. The Center provides research-based resources and services to enable educators to implement high-quality curriculum, instruction, and assessments that foster improved learning, performance, and achievement for all students. Prior to this position she served as director of NWREL’s Mathematics and Science Education Center as well as the Northwest Eisenhower Regional Consortium. In these capacities Peixotto provided leadership for the development of two models for teaching and assessing mathematics problem solving and science inquiry and a series of publications and videos. A former middle school science teacher, she completed doctoral coursework and exams in supervision at the University of Louisville.
Center for Research, Evaluation, and Assessment
Dr. Robert Rayborn, Director
Telephone: 503-275-9587
e-mail
Center for School and District Improvement
Dr. James Kushman, Director
Telephone: 503-275-9569
e-mail
James W. Kushman is the director of the Center for School and District Improvement. He directs a staff of 25 in the area of school organizational change to develop school change models, district improvement processes, methods for using data for decision making, and useful print and Web products for practitioners. His 20+ years of experience includes applied research, program development, consulting, training and university teaching, and management. He has conducted studies and evaluations of whole-school reform models, including Onward to Excellence and Accelerated Schools, and completed a three-year study of rural systemic reform in Alaska. His doctorate is in organizational behavior from Claremont Graduate University with undergraduate work at the University of Illinois.
Center for School, Family, and Community
Dr. Eve McDermott , Director
Telephone: 503-275-0757
e-mail
Eve McDermott is the director of the Center for School, Family and Community. Her work experience includes a decade of community college administration and two decades of work with volunteer community-based organizations. In her work at NWREL, she has participated in numerous evaluation projects. Dr. McDermott’s areas of expertise are in qualitative and quantitative research; after-school programs; and community college administration, organization, and program development.
Administrative Directors:
Development & Communications
Dave Wilson
Telephone: 503-275-9517
e-mail
Dave Wilson joined NWREL in 2002 after 18 years with similar responsibilities at Southwest Educational Development Laboratory in Austin, Texas, where he was Director of Institutional Communications and Development and then Vice President for Institutional Development. His responsibilities as Director of Development and Communications embrace oversight of communications, funding development, marketing, Web site, intellectual property, and professional library functions. Mr. Wilson began his career with educational R&D organizations in 1967 as a writer/editor for the R&D Center for Teacher Education at the University of Texas at Austin, where he advanced to Director of Communications before resigning to pursue business interests in New Mexico. In 1980 he was Director of Communications for the Research Division of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. He holds a bachelor’s degree in news/editorial journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.
Finance Office
Rich Alford
Telephone: 503-275-0690
e-mail
Rich Alford has managed financial systems for the past 24 years. He has served NWREL as the Director of Finance and Support Services since January 1998. Alford has improved financial reporting and the accounting department’s receivables and revenue recognition while NWREL has enjoyed a 70 percent increase in business over the past seven years. He has enjoyed success in a variety of environments by improving accounting systems and creating a positive, team-oriented work environment for staff. Alford has a BS in Business Administration from Portland State University. He has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1986 and has been a member of the Oregon Society of CPAs since 1993. He received his information technology and systems analysis training at Boeing Computer Services.
Office of Planning and Service Coordination
Dr. Steve Nelson, DirectorTelephone: 503-275-9547
Steve Nelson is NWREL’s administrator for the office of planning and service coordination. He serves as the executive director of the institution’s regional educational laboratory contract. Since 1973, Dr. Nelson has supported NWREL’s efforts by providing high quality third-party evaluation services, conducting research and development for improving educational outcomes in rural and Native American communities, and carrying out planning and quality assurance activities. Prior to joining NWREL, he worked as a research associate for the National Center for Leadership in Vocational Education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Western Washington University, as well as both master’s and doctorate degrees in educational research from Ohio State University.