Brian Bontempo, Ed.D.
Superintendent
bbontempo@lakeesc.org
(440) 350-2563, Ext. 701

Dr. Brian Bontempo was appointed superintendent of the Lake County Educational Service Center (LCESC) in the fall of 2009. He joined the LCESC in August 2005 as assistant superintendent. Dr. Bontempo served as principal at Willoughby South High School, a suburban school of over 1,200 students. His background also includes working as assistant principal for both middle and high schools, director of technology, classroom teacher, and head wrestling coach. In addition, he has served on numerous levy, labor management and dispute committees, and has considerable experience in curriculum and program development. During his time as a building level administrator, Dr. Bontempo was awarded the Ohio Assistant Principal of the Year from the OASSA and the Educator of the Year from John Carroll University. Dr. Bontempo is well-versed in school law, special education, leadership, and has a wealth of knowledge and a strong background in school finance. He has served on numerous state committees and has presented at state conferences.   Dr. Bontempo is most recognized for his coaching and developing talent as well as leading organizations through change. Most recently he has served on the Ohio Department of Education Regional LPDC Support Team and provided the groundwork for the document, Organizing for High Quality Professional Development. Dr. Bontempo holds a B.S. in Business Education, an M.Ed. in Computer Education, an M.Ed. in School Administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership as well as Administrator, Treasurer, and Superintendent Licenses.

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Sherri Samac
Treasurer          
ssamac@lakeesc.org
(440) 350-2563, Ext. 707

Sherri Samac was appointed treasurer of the Lake County Educational Service Center in the fall of 2006.  She handles the finances for the LCESC along with the Lake County Financing District.  Formerly she was the assistant treasurer at Willoughby-Eastlake City School District.  In addition, she was the treasurer of the Lake County Schools Council.  She has served on numerous committees including LPDC and NEO Treasurer’s Professional Development.  Sherri Samac holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Franklin University and an associate's degree in Accounting from Lakeland Community College.

Debra Burke, PHR
Director of Human Resources and Operations
dburke@lakeesc.org
440-350-2563 ext. 727  

Debra Burke is the Director of Human Resources and Operations at the Lake County Educational Service Center in Painesville, Ohio. Her human resources career has led her to work in the manufacturing, education, construction and technology industries. Deb holds Bachelors of Arts in Accounting and Business Administration from Malone University and she obtained her PHR in 2005.

Tippi Foley
Director of Early Childhood
tfoley@lakeesc.org
440-350-2563 ext. 711

Tippi Foley joined the Lake County Educational Service Center as the Director of Early Childhood in 2008. Prior to her joining the Lake County ESC, she was a teacher, Career Pathways Specialist, and Enrollment Specialist for Auburn Career Center since 1996. During her tenure at Auburn Career Center, she developed new programs for students throughout Lake and Geauga Counties. Her background also includes working as a teacher at the Porter Science Center, high school softball and soccer coach. She also serves on the Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) for the Lake County ESC. She earned her Masters Degree in Instruction and Educational Administration in 2002.

Jovette Hiltunen
Director of Teaching and Learning
jhiltunen@lakeesc.org
440-350-2563 ext. 791 

Mrs. Jovette Hiltunen was appointed Director of Teaching & Learning of the Lake County Educational Service Center in the fall of 2010.  She joined the LCESC in the summer of 2009 after 22 years in the Mentor Exempted Village School District where she most recently served as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction Pre-K-12.  Her background includes 10 years as a building administrator and 7 years as Title 1 Coordinator.  She has served on numerous committees including strategic planning, portfolio assessment, district technology, Family Civic Engagement, and Race to the Top.  Mrs. Hiltunen has been an adjunct instructor for Notre Dame College and has presented at state conferences in the areas of authentic assessment and instruction, reading instruction, Reading Recovery, and using tuning protocols to improve instruction.  In her past positions Mrs. Hiltunen has overseen several large federal and private grants and is currently working with several districts in the Ohio Improvement Process.  Her current work involves staff development in aligning standards, curriculum, and assessments as well as helping building administrators use data to improve their building’s instruction.  Mrs. Hiltunen holds a B.S. in Education, an M.S.Ed in Curriculum and Supervision as well as Administrator and Superintendent Licenses.

Julie O’Neil
Director of Special Education
joneil@lakeesc.org
440-350-2563 ext. 746

Julie O’Neil is the Director of Special Education for the Lake County Educational Service Center.  Julie is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and was employed by the Ashtabula County Educational Service Center as the SLP for the Jefferson Local School District and the Ashtabula County Preschool Program for 5 years, as well as, the Kenston Local School District for 3 years as the SLP for the middle and high schools.  Just prior to coming to the Lake County Educational Service Center, Julie served the Perry Local Schools in Lake County for nine years as the district’s SLP and the Director of Student Services.   Throughout her career, Julie has been involved in program development at the district and local levels.  Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University in Speech and Language Science and a Masters of Arts from Cleveland State University in Speech Pathology and Audiology.  In addition, she holds licensure as a Pupil Services Administrator.

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Merrie Darrah
Director of State Support Team Region 4 (SST4)
mdarrah@lakeesc.org
440-350-2563 ext. 752

Ron Victor
P-16 Coordinator
rvictor@lakeesc.org
440-350-2563 ext. 736

With more than thirty-seven years of practical experience in education and consulting,
Ronald L. Victor, Ed. D. understands the complex challenges faced by communities and school districts today. Dr. Victor’s experience includes work as an adjunct professor, consultant, guidance counselor, assistant principal, business manager and a highly successful school district superintendent. Dr. Victor’s vision is to improve public education by inspiring leadership, achieving commitment and celebrating success through sustainable change so that schools bring hope and value to their communities.

Leadership Ideas provides communities, businesses, school districts and organizations with personalized leadership models that will continuously improve academic achievement, financial health and overall performance.

Leadership Ideas provides continuing education & training opportunities for teachers and school district leaders through Ashland University, where Dr. Victor serves as an adjunct professor.

In addition to his consulting, Dr. Victor is employed by the Lake County Educational Service Center to coordinate P-16 programs for the Lake, Geauga and Portage County Educational Services Centers. Dr. Victor is also an Adjunct Professor for Ashland University, providing both on-line and direct contact workshops and professional development. Most recently, he served as Chief Business Manager for the Toledo Public Schools, responsible for a 600 million dollar building project. From 1992 to 2004 he served as superintendent of the Garfield Heights City Schools. He began his career as a physical education instructor at Hobart Middle School in Painesville, Ohio. He then served as a guidance counselor at Thomas W. Harvey High School in Painesville; assistant principal at Riverside High School in Painesville; head area coordinator for the Ohio Department of Education; and business manager for the Euclid City Schools. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Akron and holds a Masters and Educational Specialist degree from Kent State University. He earned his doctorate degree from the University of Akron.

Dr. Victor received the Buckeye Association of School Administrators Exemplary Superintendent Award for the northeast Region in 1993. He was named Administrator of the Year by the Ohio Thespian Association in 1998 and was given the honor of Ohio's Superintendent of the Year by the Ohio PTA in 2000. In August of 2003, Dr. Victor was honored by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, being the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Performance Award for his work with Leadership Garfield Heights. He was awarded a $20,000.00 grant for continued work with Leadership Garfield Heights. Dr. Victor is a graduate of the Ohio School Leadership Academy and has three times attended the Harvard University Institute for School Leadership.

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