“I think it’s a good thing that there is this level of interest of people who are willing to serve,” Henderson said.
Given the number of applicants, he said, the board should “be able to identify a great candidate out of the group” and vote by June 20.
Ambrose, 75, stepped down about two weeks ago after serving nearly 11 years.
Those applying for the job by the June 9 deadline, according to district records, include: Erik Buskard, Josh Cunningham, Jessica East, Brandi Gilbert, Bill Lautar, Justin LeBrun, Carrie Martin, Mark Mitchell, Bryan Suddith and Amanda Tirado. Here are details from their applications:
• Buskard has been in health care and counseling for nine years, and previously served 10 years as a manager. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Cornerstone University and a master’s at Cincinnati Christian University.
• Cunningham has been an insurance industry executive for more than 11 years, co-founding a business in 2018. He attended Hondros College in Fairborn.
• East has worked in graphics and marketing for more than 20 years, including 15 years in management. She earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Bowling Green State University and has served on the adjunct faculty at Sinclair Community College.
• Gilbert has worked in advertising, started a sewing business and has been the PTA president at Beavertown Elementary School since 2020. She earned an associate degree in advertising art from The School of Advertising Art in Kettering.
• Lautar has worked in education for than more than 40 years, much of it as Kettering City Schools student services director. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio University and a master’s in school counseling from the University of Dayton. He also served on Kettering City Council from 2014-21.
• LeBrun has been a project manager at Reynolds & Reynolds for more than five years and an executive of LeBrun Management Solutions since 2018. He has also volunteered in a variety of capacities, including several seasons for Kettering youth sports.
• Martin oversees a Montessori school from preschool through 8th grade. She also serves on the Enon Montessori School Board of Education, the past seven years as its education chair. She also opened a Montessori school in Illinois and has a degree in early childhood education.
• Mitchell retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2016 after 21 years and has been director of digital learning at Sigmatech Inc. since then. He earned a bachelor’s degree in information technology from the University of Phoenix, a master’s in management from Troy University and a doctorate in education leadership at Liberty University.
• Suddith is an administration officer for the Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission, and has experience in marketing, public relations and public outreach. He earned a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation administration from Murray State University and a master’s in public administration from the University of Dayton.
• Tirado has been in healthcare leadership for more than 12 years, including oversight of 110 employees as an administrator with Premier Health. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in healthcare management from Western Governors University in Utah.
All interviews will be conducted in executive sessions at the school board’s 500 Lincoln Park Blvd. offices at 5 p.m. the first two days and 5:30 p.m. on the third.
The chosen candidate also will have to run for election this November to fill the unexpired term, according to the district.
Kettering is seeking to fill a board seat for the second time this year. In January, it appointed Chrissie Richards to replace longtime member Lori Parks, who stepped down effective Dec. 31 with a year remaining in her term.
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