Asst. Superintendent Information, Technology and Security

Michael Rohwer

Michael has 20+ years of senior IT leadership experience. At Cornerstone University, he created the Information Services department from the ground up starting way back in 1996 (that’s long enough to be B.G. – Before Google). Over time and many, many IT projects (including the first private college 1:1 laptop initiative in Michigan), the Cornerstone library and IT Department merged and Michael became the youngest Vice President in Cornerstone history. In 2006, Michael joined the OAISD family and is having the time of his life working with a fantastic team on great projects such as inQwizIT and our OAWAN services.  He is a HUGE advocate of collaboration such as the Ottawa Area IT Consortium (OAITC), the Michigan Educational Technology Leaders (METL), FOG-Net, and many others.

Unlike most of his colleagues, Michael bleeds “black and gold” rather than “blue and maize” or “green and white.” Having graduated twice over from the University of Iowa (B.S. Political Science, M.A., Education), he is a Hawkeye through-and-through. When he’s not watching Iowa, he is an avid listener of podcasts, which helps with the daily commute from Grand Rapids. Often, Michael will just pick podcasts out-of-the-blue to keep expanding his horizons. To get away, he camps with his family as the main recurring summer vacation – real camping in actual tents. Except for the one year in which he had to pack up in a torrential downpour, camping has proven to be a time of relaxation – especially, when he gets to hang out in the hammock with a good book. While not exactly a “world traveler,” Michael has been to the Dominican Republic, Singapore, Malaysia, and, of course, Canada.

Application Developer

Ian Kirkpatrick

Ian grew up in Saline, Michigan. His interest in programming began in his senior year of high school when he took a computer science class. He immediately fell in love with problem solving and creating systems to do whatever he wanted, however he wanted. He received his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Central Michigan University where he began working as a web developer for the school starting in his freshman year. He eventually took on the role as lead developer there for the remainder of his time at the university. He also served two summer internships at Domino’s doing software development and also served on a summer mission trip in Chicago through the Cru campus ministry.

During his time in college, he gained an interest in the human mind and began development on an artificial intelligence algorithm to model the mind in software. Along with this in his free time, Ian enjoys programming, playing basketball, playing board-games and drinking coffee. He also enjoys spending time with his fiancé Lydia who he met through Cru at Central Michigan. They are getting married on June 28th after dating for two and a half years. She graduated with a master’s degree in speech pathology on the same day that Ian graduated with his computer science degree. Lydia loves to read and the two of them enjoy playing basketball together and taking walks.

Ian began his time at the OAISD part time during his last semester in college until he joined the team full time in May after graduation.

Database Administrator / Programmer

Rod Holman

Rod is from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1981 as a computer science major. He spent much of his younger years as an outdoorsman and enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing. He now lives in Grand Rapids with his wife and has two children living and working in the Grand Rapids area. He is currently a DBA/Developer at the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District.

Rod has spent his entire career working with computers beginning with the old IBM “dinosaurs” and punched cards. He has seen many changes in the industry and has tried to keep up to date with all the technology changes. Rod spent many years working with mainframe operating systems as a system administrator and programmer. He now specializes in database administration and different types of integration and development. He has recently headed the development of an identity access and management system that will tie to most ISD applications in the future.

Network Operations Manager

Troy Calgaro

Troy grew up in West Michigan, which is where he spent the last 25 years of his professional career helping organizations use technology. He has experience in K-12, higher education, state and local government, healthcare, banking and manufacturing technology systems.

Troy likes anything to do with the outdoors and is always looking for an excuse to be outside in the woods hunting or fishing on a lake. He dabbles with household projects and recently re-shingled his pole barn.

District Lead Ottawa Area ISD

Tyler Vredeveld

Tyler graduated from Zeeland Public Schools in 2005. He has an associate’s degree in Science from Grand Rapids Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Network Security from Davenport University. He began his IT experience at Bunte’s Pharmacy in Zeeland, where he worked for ten years (although he had been building his own desktop systems for even longer.) Tyler has five years of experience with end user support while working at Johnson Controls Industries. (JCI) in Holland. There he supported end user laptops, desktops, and some cell phones. From there, he would eventually begin to travel to other JCI facilities to help train other technicians. He also helped lead the JCI migration from Windows XP to Windows 7.

Tyler enjoys helping his friends and family with their computer needs. He currently lives within the West Michigan area, and Tyler enjoys spending time with his wife and dog at various West Michigan beaches, including Holland State Park and Kirk Park.

Systems Engineer

Luke Novak

Luke grew up in South Elgin, IL, went to study Aviation at WMU.  That is where he meet his wife.  Luke married his wife Lauren in 2005. Luke has two daughter’s Mila born in 2007 and Elsie born in 2009.  Luke has been working in Technology since 2004, where he started as a student worker for School District U-46 in Elgin.  Was promoted to full time Technology Coordinator in 2005.  Then moved on to District 300 in Algonquin IL as a senior Technology Specialist in 2007.  Was promoted to Network and Telecommunications Administrator in 2010.

Luke and his family decided to move to Michigan in 2013.  Luke accepted a position as the Network Administrator for Allendale Public schools and worked there until moving on to the ISD in 2018.  Luke has multiple technology certifications and training in Microsoft, Cisco, Vmware, and CompTIA.  Luke’s current position at the ISD is Systems Engineer where he works on servers, email, accounts and other Network Operations team tasks. When Luke is not at work he enjoys playing games with his daughter’s.

Programmer / Database Administrator

Ron Oskam

Ron Oskam graduated from Calvin College with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and has over 20 years of experience developing software using a variety of development tools.  Among the systems he has developed is a tracking website for children participating in Early Childhood programs. This website monitors enrollment ensuring children are enrolled in the appropriate number of programs and making transferring of participants’ information between agencies easier.  He also developed a website for Spring Lake Public Schools allowing residents from outside the district to apply to have their children attend Spring Lake schools. This website helps Spring Lake staff manage applications and track accepted students during their time in the district more efficiently.  

While he isn’t honing his ninja-like programming skills, he enjoys reading, working in his garden and volunteering at church. He currently lives in Zeeland with his wife and daughter.

Cyber Security Operations Center Manager

William Kelly

Chief Technology Officer

Rex Thelen

Rex J. Thelen has been the Chief Technology Officer since March of 2011. Rex is a veteran of school bond projects involving technology, having successfully managed new technology projects in multiple districts totaling nearly $25,000,000, while playing a key role in the new technologies incorporated into over 30 school renovation and construction projects.

Rex is a ‘Laker for a Lifetime’ after earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from GVSU. Rex started his career in technology leadership in the private industry in 1993 and served in the role of “Tech Director” for a number of school districts in West Michigan since 1997.

In Rex’s spare time, you will find him spending time with his wife and four children, pedaling around West Michigan, bow hunting, working in his vegetable garden, volunteering at his church or enjoying a sporting event. Rex’s oldest daughter, Alexandra, has long been an inspiration as she has special needs and is one of the main reasons why he loves serving schools, teachers and students.

Application / Integration Specialist

Mark Wiegerink

Mark, a West Michigan native, started with a keyboard in his hand from birth. He fondly remembers sitting on his dad’s lap playing with both Commodore 64 and Amiga computers. He began working with the Ottawa Area ISD’s technology team in 2008 as an intern during college at Grand Valley State University. He was hired in full-time soon after and hasn’t looked back since. Mark has taken on the role of Application/Integration Specialist in 2016, but previously was the Lead Technician for the Ottawa Area ISD. While he may now be the “man behind the curtain,” he looks to put the person first when assisting anyone with any issue they may be having.

While in college, Mark met his wife, Alison, who designs playground layouts in Michigan and Indiana. While still in college Mark was invited to fly out and test an upcoming video game for two weeks during college and is fond of gaming in any form—card, board, or computer. More recently, he has started getting into geocaching–you hide it, he’ll find it.

District Field Support Specialist

Steven Wise

Prior to joining the OAITC, Steve worked in web design and managed commerce-based websites for several local area businesses. Steve has always had a knack for working with computers and other forms of technology since a very young age.

Steve’s areas of expertise include desktop computer support, audio and video, mobile device support as well as software support for applications such as Microsoft Office and Photoshop. He has also worked as part of a team to help roll out and support the various one-to-one programs across several member district schools.

When he isn’t servicing the technology needs of the clients at work or all of his friends and family who so desperately need help, Steve enjoys spending time with family including his beautiful five-year-old daughter. Steve spends his spare time hiking, boating, hunting and trying very hard to catch that one big fish that always seems to get away. On rainy days or when the winter weather is at its worst, Steve likes to watch Netflix. He also enjoys volunteering at the Kids Food Basket. Steven’s greatest inspiration in life is his parents. Both of his parents had physical handicaps yet were able to overcome and work to provide one of the best homes anyone could ever want growing up.

Application / Integration Specialist

LeAnn Szymanski

LeAnn Szymanski is a member of the Enterprise Systems Team in the OAISD Technology Department and one of the few women in the department. However, with her experience of raising six sons, the Technology Department feels just like home to her! LeAnn has over 16 years’ experience with Student Information Systems, Pupil Accounting and Michigan Student Data System (MSDS) Collections. In her role as an Application/Integration Specialist, she enjoys helping the local districts by supporting Infinite Campus and applications created by the Enterprise Systems Team such as the Early Childhood Enrollment Program and the Truancy Database. These applications help the local districts with data collection, analysis, and reports. LeAnn enjoys the challenge of investigating and solving application issues as well as creating custom solutions and reports. Getting out to the local districts and working with the staff members is also something that LeAnn looks forward to each school year. She is excited to offer training opportunities and support to the end users as well as assisting with data integrations.

LeAnn enjoys being a recent “empty nester” and when she is not working, she likes to spend time with her husband, sons, daughters in law and her five grandchildren. In the summer, you will find her on the golf course or by a pool with a good book. In the winter, you will find her dreaming about a vacation to a warm, tropical paradise.

Manager of Security Services Systems

Matt Jager

During high school, Matt attended Careerline Tech Center and received his Customer Service Specialist, A+, and Network+ certifications along with receiving the first year’s Superior Commitment Award and second year’s Excellence in Achievement Award. Matt graduated from Davenport University with an associate’s degree in Networking. Prior to joining the OAITC team, Matt interned for two summers in Hamilton and assisted with a large deployment of computers to elementary teachers. Matt was also involved with creating a new inventory process in Hamilton to help keep better track of computers. The latest projects he has been working on are replacing older projectors and setting up computer carts in Holland.

When Matt is off work, he enjoys playing card and board games with friends. His hobby is collecting coins and swords. Matt traveled to the United Kingdom to visit a friend for a week.

Technology Administration Support

Gail Mulder

Gail Mulder was born and raised in Zeeland and continues to call this her home.  Her love for plants and the outdoors led her to take over the family owned Greenhouse business.  After spending all of her life in a greenhouse, the decision to explore the “real” world would prove positive! Before coming to the OAISD Gail enjoyed her time working for Zeeland Public Schools.  While at Zeeland Public Schools Gail worked extensively with Infinite Campus, creating and running adhoc reports. During the summer Gail focused her time at the Administration building inputting enrollments for grades K-12.

Gail loves spending time with her husband and five amazing children.  In the summer you will find them at the campground, on the beach or out on the lake. During the fall months they enjoy spending relaxing time at their cabin, along with plenty of time spent watching a good game of football.

District Lead Holland Public Schools

Mike Mummert

Mike is a West Michigan native, born in Kalamazoo and residing in Holland since 1976. Mike is a Holland High School alum and is thrilled to join forces with OAISD as District Lead IT Specialist for Holland Public Schools. Prior to joining the OAISD, Mike was an employee at the Holland Sentinel for over 20 years doing everything from advertising sales to project management, to managing the IT environment. Mike enjoys working with people to create optimal solutions to problems. “When I can provide someone with a new tool or solution that makes them more productive or makes their work more enjoyable, it makes my day,” he said.

Mike recently oversaw a major technology upgrade in Holland Public Schools during the summer of 2015. The upgrade involved adding 2,400 new student Chromebooks, 183 new MacBook Air computers for staff, 105 new projectors, as well as repurposing older equipment to enhance education at the K-2 level. Mike was also actively involved in planning the summer

2015 HPS Technology Sale, selling off surplus and outdated technology to raise over $110,000 for the district.

Mike enjoys family life with his wife RuthAnn; and their two Chinese-adopted children Elizabeth, finishing her degree as an education major at Hope College and currently student-teaching at Holland West; and Gabby, who will be at GRCC soon learning residential electrical work. Mike volunteers as a KIDS HOPE mentor to a 5th grade student at Holland West an hour each week.

Mike is also an avid percussionist, a member of the Christ Memorial Church worship band, and plays in various other venues whenever he can find a gig!

Network Engineer

Kyle Sorensen

Kyle Sorensen joined the OAISD Technology Department in 2003 and is currently a Network Administrator. Kyle graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Computer Information Systems. His role at the ISD includes supporting wired and wireless networking infrastructure, content filtering, and telecommunication system support. Kyle is also responsible for leading the project that brought virtualized desktops into the OAISD.

In addition to his work at the OAISD, Kyle also enjoys brewing, beekeeping, and backpacking. This has been the first year of keeping bees but the familiarity with complex systems in the technology world has been great preparation.

Enterprise Data Systems Manager

Greg Shepard

Greg has over 20 years of experience on the Technology Services Team from its original inception. The World Wide Web and the Internet were just evolving into the mainstream. There is no area of Technology that he has not been involved at some point. His focus as Enterprise Systems Manager is now in data systems and customized solutions. Greg finds great satisfaction in helping people develop solutions to make their jobs more efficient or enhances their current workflow to improve the educational process and ultimately our student’s education.

You can usually find Greg out exploring the Lake Michigan lakeshore by bike or by foot. It feels like vacation most of the time to him. Sports of all kinds are a favorite pastime, but football is the most awesome. Greg also enjoys watching movies, especially Pixar and Superhero films. At one time, he ranked #1 in the world in Quiz Up in the Pixar category.

Network Administrator

Dane Machiela

When Dane heard about an open position from someone who already worked within the OAISD, he applied and readily accepted the job offer! The OAITC’s commitment to their staff and the community as a whole really resonated with Dane and he knew that this was going to be a different culture than what he was used to working in.

Prior to the OAITC Dane had worked in a number of manufacturing jobs while attending school.

Most of his knowledge about computers comes from hours of hands-on experience serving in schools districts, helping friends and family, and constantly seeking out information on new technologies.

He enjoys spending time with his three children and wife Rebekah and on weekends during the summer they are often spent roaming the local farmers market. Whenever he is not spending quality time with family, he can often be found second shooting weddings, or catching up with yet another episode of The Office.”

District Field Support Specialist

Bryce Boonstra

Bryce’s interest in computers began in high school when he built his first computer from parts as a senior project. Since then, he has helped assemble several more computers for friends, family, and himself. Bryce attended Grand Valley State University where he worked on campus as a student IT technician from 2010 to 2014. There he worked with university faculty and staff to set up new technology as well as maintain electronics used in the office and the classroom. After graduating in 2014, the OAISD hired Bryce to apply his experience as a field technician to go between the districts of the OAITC and provide on-site assistance to school employees when they have technology related troubles.

Outside of work, Bryce enjoys a variety of activities and hobbies. Video games, board games, television, and music are some of his favorite things. When it is warm out, he also pursues outdoor interests such as geocaching and hiking in parks and trails around West Michigan. Bryce owns a small collection of Star Wars-themed Lego sets that he enjoys adding to when possible.

Asst. Chief Technology Officer

Adam Le

Adam grew up in Grand Haven, went on to study at Grand Valley State University, and spent a short time traveling throughout China. While in China, he studied various forms of tai chi in Shanghai and found his passion for hiking. Soon after college, he moved to Kansas and worked in various roles within the education and government systems. He gained experience as a Systems Operator during his days and taught English to immigrants and refugees in the evenings.

However enjoyable the community in Kansas was, the eighteen-hour drives back to Michigan in fair weather to visit family convinced his wife and him to move closer back. They moved to Ohio and Adam continued his work with the federal sector in Cleveland. His curiosity often had him working side by side with technicians, studying various x-ray machines or detection devices down to the details. In Adam’s spare time, the wife and he would take along their dog, Granite, for daylong hikes out at the local parks. Again, as enjoyable as Ohio was, the couple found themselves looking to be just a little bit closer to the family. During Adam’s pursuit for a challenge, he accepted the position as a District Lead Tech at the OAISD.

In Adam’s travels he has hiked Mt. Huashan and has been stranded and lost in the Gobi desert, but was obviously found.

Network Specialist

Tyler Avink

Tyler was born in Grand Rapids on a cold, snowy night in February. He spent the first two years of his life in Wyoming and has spent the rest of his life growing up in Grandville. Tyler recently graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Biomedical Science, an emphasis in Microbiology and a minor in Chemistry. During his time at Grand Valley, Tyler worked as an AV Technician for the IT Department on campus. He fell in love with his position which supplied him with the knowledge to become employed by the ISD as a District Field Support Specialist.

In Tyler’s spare time, you will find him cleaning or working on his cars, watching sports, exploring different breweries and spending time with his family. Tyler’s favorite season is summer because he enjoys camping, fishing, boating, and playing cornhole.

District Lead Spring Lake Public Schools

Brent Gustafson

Brent has helped support technology in schools since 1999. Both of Brent’s parents were educators, so he was indoctrinated young. Brent is an opinionated person (as his tech colleagues will probably attest to), but he always tries to keep focused on how to help move the conversation or project forward, towards a successful conclusion. As technology and systems get more complex, Brent loves to find ways to make it as simple as possible for everyone. Sometimes that means just finding a simple way to communicate a complex topic. He looks forward to helping everyone find new and better ways to use their tech.

District Lead Hamilton and Saugatuck Schools

Jared Saucedo

Jared has always had an obsession with electronics in general. He began tearing apart TVs and audio equipment when he was younger than 10 and built his first PC when he was 13. After that he began doing car audio systems and home AV systems while in High School. Eventually, he went to Baker college where he received an Associate’s degree in Electronic Systems and later began working for a local AV Integration company where he received a dozen certifications and became a Senior Tech and a Lead Programmer.

When he is not obsessing over electronics, he is learning and working with animals. For a few years, he worked and volunteered for the Harbor Humane Society. There he worked with daily cleanup, training of volunteers, and working with dog behavior including dog training. He even had members of the ISD crew help him install speakers in every cat room of the Humane Society. He lives at home with his fiancé and 2 cats. His favorite things to do are to golf, disc golf, work with animals, and of course technology. Fun fact: He also has a PDGA # and competes in disc golf tournaments and leagues.

Security and Safety Director

Bob Tease

I am originally from the Holland area, but I have lived in several southern states during my childhood do to my father being in the military, I returned to the Holland area and graduate from West Ottawa High School. I retired from the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office on September 30, 2020. I started my career with the Sheriff’s Office in 1992 as a reserve deputy while I attend college. During my career I served community policing deputy, juvenile deputy, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and I was able to serve on several specialty teams.

I have been married to my wife Christy for 27 years who is a special education teacher at Jenison High School. We have two Children, my daughter Madyson who attends Grand Valley State University, and my son Andrew who is a junior at Jenison High School.

I enjoy spending as much time as possible with my family, I also like to hike, hunt and spend as much time outdoors as I can outdoors.

Application Developer

Tanner Dunn

Tanner was born and raised in the Grand Rapids area. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Michigan in December of 2020 without a ceremony. Tanner began as a technology intern at the Ottawa Area ISD in 2017, where he assisted with the one-to-one programs in the various districts for 3 summers. In 2021, he transitioned into an application developer role at the ISD.

Tanner first became interested in coding as a junior in high school when he took a Java programming class. In his free time, he enjoys all types of games from playing board games and video games with friends to developing VR games.