McREL's Management Team
Tim Waters - President & Chief Executive Officer
Lou Cicchinelli - Executive Vice President
John Wetherington - Chief Financial Officer
Ceri Dean - Vice President of Field Services
Bryan Goodwin - Vice President of Communications & Marketing
David Frost - Vice President of New Business
Development
Cindy Jamieson - Vice President of Human Resources
Laura Lefkowits - Vice President of Policy & Planning
Services
Jean Williams - Vice President of Research & Evaluation
Tim Waters
President & CEO
Dr. Waters holds an Ed.D. from Arizona State University and has more than 20 years experience in education. He is currently the Executive Director of Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning and has been with McREL since 1993. Prior to joining McREL, Dr. Waters was Superintendent of Schools in Greeley, Colo., and led a seven-year effort of systemic reform to ensure the success of every student. This standards-based effort resulted in dramatic achievement gains for students and, in particular, for minority students and disadvantaged children. He has expertise in the theory and application of systemic change processes in educational systems and in the implementation of effective reform. Previous positions include Special Advisor for Education to the Governor of Arizona, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Principal, Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, and Teacher.
Lou Cicchinelli
Executive Vice President
Dr. Cicchinelli is the Executive Vice President of McREL and Executive Director of the Central Region Educational Laboratory. He is a cognitive psychologist with more than 25 years of experience conducting policy, research, and evaluation studies. Dr. Cicchinelli has conducted numerous program and policy studies of educational, training, and social systems across the country. He holds an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Denver, and a B.A. from Canisius College in New York.
John Wetherington
Chief Financial Officer
John Wetherington is responsible for managing McREL’s business services, including financial reporting, payroll preparation, benefits administration, procurement, facilities management, tax preparation and internal control. He holds an M.B.A. from the University of Denver and B.A. and B.S. degrees from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Prior to joining McREL, he served as Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Up With People in Broomfield, Colo. and as a Managing Member of Global Marketing Associates, LLC in Englewood, Colo.
Ceri Dean
Vice President of Field Services
Ceri Dean is responsible for the development and successful implementation of field services at McREL. She also currently serves as the director of the North Central Comprehensive Center, overseeing, developing, and conducting workshops and providing technical assistance to help states implement the requirements of No Child Left Behind. She earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut at Storrs and holds an M.S. in Atmospheric Science from Colorado State University. Prior to joining McREL, she taught science and mathematics at the high school and college levels and served as an educational consultant.
Bryan Goodwin
Vice President of Communications & Marketing
Bryan Goodwin is responsible for managing McREL’s internal and external communications, including media relations. Prior to joining McREL, he was a journalist, high school teacher, and college instructor. He holds a B.A. from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and an M.A. from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
David Frost
Vice President of New Business Development
David Frost is responsible for developing new business, business alliances and partnerships, marketing, and general management oversight at McREL. He received his J.D. from the University of Iowa and his B.A. from the University of Denver. Prior to joining McREL, he served as a Division Manager of Investors Mortgage Corp. and as a Senior Vice President of Fuller Asset Management Group, Ltd.
Cindy Jamieson
Vice President of Human Resources
Cindy Jamieson is responsible for human resources at McREL, including recruitment, compensation, and benefits, and job training. She has 20+ years of human resources experience as a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Prior to joining McREL, she worked as the Director of Human Resources at the Colorado Christian Home Tennyson Center in Denver. She holds a B.A. from Hastings College in Hastings, Neb.
Laura Lefkowits
Vice President of Policy & Planning Services
Laura Lefkowits serves as a liaison between McREL and policymakers, associations, policy organizations, and other education constituencies. She also informs and advises policymakers and McREL staff on important emerging issues in education reform. Prior to joining McREL, she served as K-12 Program Director for the Colorado Institute of Technology; Executive Director of the Colorado Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education Coalition; and as an At-Large Member of the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. She holds a M.P.A. from the University of Colorado at Denver and a B.A. from Tufts University in Medford, Mass.
Jean Williams
Vice President of Research & Evaluation
Jean Williams is Vice President of Research and Evaluation, overseeing McREL’s scientifically based research on education programs, products, and policies. Previously, she served as Director of the Center for Research in Education, as Deputy Executive Director for Programs for SERVE at the University of North Carolina, as Director of Research, Evaluation, and Testing for Indianapolis Public Schools, and as an educational consultant and elementary school teacher. She holds a Ph.D. and M. Ed. in Educational Research and Evaluation from Virginia Tech University and the University of North Carolina, respectively.