Our Leadership Team
Dr. John B. Gordon III
Superintendent
Serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Suffolk Public Schools and works with all staff to support the division’s strategic plan and overall success of the school division.
Email Dr. Gordon • (757) 925-6752
Dr. Okema Harper
Chief Academic Officer
Oversees the Department of Teaching and Learning, and provides strategic leadership for the division’s academic programs, student support systems, and professional learning. By aligning policy, research, and instructional practices, this role advances educational equity, promotes high-impact instructional frameworks and rigorous learning experiences, strengthens staff capacity, and drives continuous improvement to prepare every student and educator for academic achievement and future success.
Email Dr. Harper • (757) 925-6760
Dr. Rodney Brown
Chief of Administrative Services
Oversees the Department of Administrative Services and provides executive leadership for student support and divisionwide operations. This position guides school safety and crisis management, student attendance and truancy, student discipline, school resource officer coordination, services for students experiencing homelessness, and other initiatives that support safe, orderly, and welcoming learning environments.
Email Dr. Brown • (757) 925-6761
Mr. Anthony Lebron
Chief Financial Officer
Oversees the Finance Department and provides executive leadership for the division’s financial and operational resources. This position guides budget development, accounting, payroll, purchasing, employee benefits, financial reporting, and fiscal compliance to promote transparency, accountability, and the effective use of resources in support of student success.
Email Mr. Lebron • (757) 925-6754
Dr. Stenette Byrd
Chief of Schools
Oversees the Department of School Leadership and Innovation and provides executive leadership and support to school administrators. This position guides school improvement and accreditation efforts, develops and coaches school leaders, promotes innovative practices, and works to ensure positive learning environments and consistent operational excellence across all schools.
Email Dr. Byrd • (757) 925-6760
Dr. Katelyn Leitner
Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Oversees the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, including core academic disciplines, advanced instruction and world languages, English learner instruction, fine and performing arts, STEM education, instructional resources, assessments, interventions, and professional learning designed to strengthen teaching and improve student achievement.
Email Dr. Leitner • (757) 925-6760
Dr. Catherine Pichon
Director of Elementary Leadership
Provides leadership, coaching, and operational support to the division’s elementary school principals. Through the Department of School Leadership and Innovation, this position supports school improvement, accreditation, leadership development, innovative practices, and positive school climates across all elementary schools.
Email Dr. Pichon • (757) 925-6760
Dr. Ronald Leigh
Director of Secondary Leadership
Provides leadership, coaching, and operational support to the division’s middle and high school principals. Through the Department of School Leadership and Innovation, this position supports school improvement, accreditation, leadership development, academic achievement, and positive school cultures across all secondary schools.
Email Dr. Leigh • (757) 925-6760
Mrs. Kimberly Warholak
Director of Special Education
Oversees the Department of Special Education, including specialized instruction, related services, transition services, adaptive physical education, assistive technology, behavioral support, and family resources. The department ensures that students with disabilities, ages 2–21, receive a free and appropriate public education in accordance with state and federal requirements.
Email Mrs. Warholak • (757) 925-6764
Dr. André Skinner
Director of Career & Technical Education
Oversees Career and Technical Education programs that prepare middle and high school students for college, careers, and the workforce. Responsibilities include career exploration, technical and employability skills, industry credentials, work-based learning, career pathways, and partnerships with colleges, employers, and community organizations.
Email Dr. Skinner • (757) 925-6760
Dr. Jessica Estrada
Director of Human Resources
Oversees the Department of Human Resources, including employee recruitment, hiring, retention, professional learning, employee relations, staff recognition, licensure assistance, classification and compensation, substitute services, and support for current and prospective employees.
Email Dr. Estrada • (757) 925-6758
Mrs. Anthonette Dickens
Communication & Community Engagement Officer
Oversees the Department of Communication and Community Engagement, including divisionwide and emergency communications, media relations, website and social media management, brand management, family and community engagement, community partnerships, and Virginia Freedom of Information Act requests. This position helps ensure that students, families, staff, media, and community members receive timely, accurate, accessible, and transparent information.
Email Mrs. Dickens • (757) 923-5244
Mr. William Hallwig
Director of Technology
Oversees the Department of Technology, including the division’s technology infrastructure, network and device management, instructional and administrative technology systems, cybersecurity, data privacy, technical support, and access to approved digital resources. This position helps ensure that students and staff have secure, reliable technology to support teaching, learning, communication, and division operations.
Email Mr. Hallwig • (757) 934-6200
Mr. Vernon Jackson
Director of Facilities & Planning
Oversees the Department of Facilities and Planning, including the planning, construction, renovation, maintenance, and community use of school division facilities. This position works to ensure that all buildings and grounds remain safe, functional, and aligned with enrollment needs, instructional priorities, and the division’s long-term goals.
Email Mr. Jackson • (757) 934-6206
Mr. Derrick Bryant
Director of Transportation
Oversees the Department of Transportation, including student transportation, bus routing and scheduling, dispatch operations, fleet and garage services, driver and monitor training, transportation safety, and communication with schools and families.
Email Mr. Bryant • (757) 925-5572
Mr. James Riddick
Director of Food & Nutrition Services
Oversees Food and Nutrition Services, including school breakfast and lunch programs, menu planning, nutrition standards, food safety, federal and state program compliance, meal benefits, summer meals, wellness initiatives, and daily cafeteria operations throughout the division.
Email Mr. Riddick • (757) 925-5789