As always, summer has moved much too quickly and we are only weeks away from greeting students at the doors of our Lutheran schools. In the coming days and weeks, you will be meeting with faculty and staff to prepare them for the great opportunities they will have this year to share the Gospel message with the children in their classrooms.

Before I go any further, though, allow me to introduce myself. I was born and raised in West Allis, WI and was blessed to receive a Lutheran education in the South Wisconsin District. I attended St. Paul's Lutheran School in West Allis, Martin Luther High School in Greendale, and Concordia University in Mequon (CUW). After graduating from CUW, I taught middle school social studies at St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran School on the northwest side of Milwaukee until 2007. I accepted the Call to be Principal of Mt. Olive Lutheran School in 2007 where I served until last week. I am honored to work alongside of principals, teachers, and others in the schools of the South Wisconsin District.

I am the oldest of three children and am lucky to have an extended family in the Metro Milwaukee area. I married my wife, Megan, in 2008 and together we have a son, James, who was born in November 2013. James shows us each day that he really does not need sleep to survive. Obviously, we love him dearly and are enjoying growing together as a family. Recently, he has begun to pray (all in gibberish, of course)...maybe he is a Pentecostal?

It is my goal to serve you and your staffs as you go about preparing a new generation in the Lutheran faith. If you would like me to meet with faculty, parents, or other stakeholders, please let me know. I am also willing to lead chapels if you would like. Mark L'Heureux did an excellent job as Education Executive of the South Wisconsin District and I have "big shoes" to fill. Please be patient with me as it will take some time for me to get my bearings within this position.

I plan on continuing Mark's practice of sending out a weekly email on Monday of each week. If I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me at:
 

cody@swd.lcms.org

414-464-8100 ext. 21

414-238-1924 - Cell Phone