About

Meet the Team Behind Excel High School

Our experienced educators, coaches, and support staff are dedicated to helping every Texas student succeed — from enrollment through graduation. Get to know the people making it possible.

Leadership

Portrait of Rod Clarkson

Rod Clarkson

M.B.A., Ed.S.

President/CEO (Founder)

Founder and President/CEO of Excel Education Systems. Rod combines deep experience in business development and educational technology to lead an innovative, accredited online school focused on creating alternative paths to a diploma.

Portrait of Mark Ulven

Mark Ulven

M.A., Ed.D.

Chief Expansion Officer

A state-licensed educator who has taught math and science for many years, Mark holds degrees from Bemidji State University and St. Mary's University and leads expansion efforts across Excel's family of schools.

Portrait of Nate Herrmann

Nate Herrmann

B.S., M.B.A., SHRM-CP

Chief Operating Officer

With more than two decades in higher education administration, Nate blends academic and operational expertise. He holds an MBA from Globe University and is SHRM-CP certified.

Portrait of Heather Farmakis

Heather Farmakis

Ph.D.

Chief Strategy Officer

A leader in global education and strategic operations, Heather brings deep experience from prior roles as Chief Operations Officer and senior strategy positions in education.

Portrait of Kate Clarkson

Kate Clarkson

B.S., M.B.A.

Director of Product Strategy

Kate joined Excel in 2016 after a top-performing sales career at Life Time, Inc. She now drives product strategy and growth initiatives across the organization.

Curriculum & Academics

Portrait of Max Marsland

Max Marsland

B.A., M.A.

Director of Academics and Curriculum

Max brings ten years of teaching experience across schools ranging from a technical secondary school in Rwanda to a gifted magnet school in Manhattan and a U.S. charter school.

Portrait of Abby Berndt

Abby Berndt

B.S.

Curriculum Support Specialist

A state-licensed science teacher with five years of high school and higher-education experience, Abby holds a degree in Secondary Life Science Education from Crown College.

Portrait of Jennifer R. Ulven

Jennifer R. Ulven

B.S.

Curriculum Designer

Jennifer brings over 25 years of music education experience. She earned her B.S. in K-12 Vocal, Instrumental, and Classroom Education from Bemidji State University in 1997.

Portrait of Ty Ulven

Ty Ulven

B.S.

Curriculum Team

Ty earned his B.S. in eBusiness from Ashworth College, where he studied electronic media, marketing, and commerce.

Education Technology

Portrait of Jon Armajani

Jon Armajani

B.S.

Director of AI and Education Technology

Jon brings over 10 years of experience as an English instructor, special education case manager, and full-stack developer to Excel's AI and education technology work.

Portrait of Robert Ulven

Robert Ulven

B.M.

Education Technologist

Rob designs and continuously improves technology-enhanced learning experiences within Excel's proprietary Learn Stage LMS/SIS platform.

Portrait of Jackie Noel

Jackie Noel

B.S.

Education Technologist

Originally from Northern Michigan, Jackie holds a degree in education with a focus on mathematics and has earned a full-stack web development certificate.

Portrait of Noah Sevett

Noah Sevett

Educational Technologist

Noah holds a Kinesiology degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and taught K-5 physical education for eight years before joining the EdTech team.

Academic & Success Coaches

Portrait of Megan Balcer Lapensky

Megan Balcer Lapensky

Academic Coach

A state-licensed educator with a Psychology background and a B.S. from Saint Cloud State University, Megan has classroom experience across Kindergarten through 5th grade.

Portrait of Malini Wijesinghe

Malini Wijesinghe

B.S., B.A.

Success Coach

A Bradley University alum and former Division I tennis player, Malini holds degrees in Spanish, Philosophy, and Biochemistry, and mentors students at Excel.

Portrait of Makenna Heitman

Makenna Heitman

B.S.

Success Coach

Makenna holds a B.S. in Communications & Journalism from North Central University and is passionate about supporting students through their academic journeys.

Portrait of Kylie Viesselman

Kylie Viesselman

B.A.

Academic Coach

Kylie most recently taught 10th-grade general and honors Language Arts at White Bear Lake High School before joining Excel as an Academic Coach.

Portrait of Rachael Hernandez

Rachael Hernandez

B.S.

Success Coach

A native Minnesotan with a passion for language and culture, Rachael helps students achieve academic goals while building confidence along the way.

Portrait of Lisa LaBeau

Lisa LaBeau

B.A., M.Ed.

Academic Coach

Lisa earned her bachelor's from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in Spanish Liberal Arts and Global Studies, with study abroad in Valladolid, Spain.

Portrait of Shannon Trimberger

Shannon Trimberger

B.S.

Academic Coach

Shannon spent 13 years as an award-winning honors and AP English teacher in grades 9–12 after graduating from Indiana University in 2011.

Portrait of Kendra Grothmann

Kendra Grothmann

B.A.

Success Coach

Kendra brings 10+ years of middle/high school ELA/ELL teaching experience across domestic and international settings.

Portrait of Jack P. Lund

Jack P. Lund

B.A.

Lead Success Coach

A University of St. Thomas graduate in Education and STEM instruction, Jack taught K–8 and coached athletics for seven years before joining Excel.

Portrait of Chris Hill

Chris Hill

B.S., M.B.A.

Success Coach

Chris brings 13 years of higher-education experience as a professional tutor, academic advisor, and admissions advisor, and is a credentialed college business instructor.

Portrait of Christine Salm

Christine Salm

B.S.B.A., M.S.Ed., PMP

Success Coach

Christine taught Spanish for 13 years in New York and has worked across education, business, finance, and museum sectors before joining Excel.

Student Support

Portrait of Kelly Bredesen

Kelly Bredesen

B.A., M.B.A.

Student Services Manager

Kelly is a higher education professional with 11 years of admissions and university management experience focused on creating opportunities for every student.

Portrait of Erin Shevchenko

Erin Shevchenko

B.S.

Student Services Specialist

Erin holds a B.A. in Intercultural Youth Development from Crown College and brings leadership and cultural curiosity to Student Services.

Portrait of Sloane Hager-Plahn

Sloane Hager-Plahn

Office Administration Specialist

With over a decade of experience in childcare and education roles, Sloane began her career as a YMCA Site Director leading after-school programs.

Enrollment & Partnerships

Portrait of Jodi Alama

Jodi Alama

B.A.

Account Manager

Jodi discovered her love for supporting students early in her career and previously worked in school-based roles before joining Excel.

Portrait of Nancy Hoff

Nancy Hoff

B.S.

Account Manager

A Minnesota native, Nancy earned her bachelor's in Paralegal Studies from Winona State University and previously worked in hearing health.

Portrait of Adam Kiefer

Adam Kiefer

B.S., M.S.Ed.

Enrollment Services Manager

Adam brings nearly ten years of higher education and recruiting experience across the Midwest, including collegiate athletics coaching roles.

Portrait of Hannah Chisham

Hannah Chisham

B.S.

Enrollment Services Manager

Hannah earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Crown College and served as Regional Director for early childhood schools before joining Excel in 2024.

Portrait of Noah Buggs

Noah Buggs

B.A.

Operations Training Lead

A Minnesota native, Noah holds a bachelor's in Digital Video and Media Production from IPR-College of Creative Arts.

Registrar & Records

Portrait of Aaron Baker

Aaron Baker

B.A., B.Ed.

Registrar

Aaron brings more than a decade of education and student-support experience, with a dual bachelor's in Education and Arts (English major).

Portrait of Nicole Drilling

Nicole Drilling

B.S.

Student Records Manager

Nicole leads one of Excel's busiest offices, managing student records, graduation processing, and transcripts with over a decade of registrar experience.

Portrait of Brittanie A. Kruegel

Brittanie A. Kruegel

B.A., M.A., MSOL

Registrar

Brittanie brings 20 years of K-12 teaching experience across PA, NJ, and VA. She holds degrees in English, Spiritual Theology, and Organizational Leadership.

Portrait of Mike Bohme

Mike Bohme

Auditor

Mike has been with Excel High School since its founding in 2005, bringing over two decades of operational expertise to the team.

Have a question for our team?

Our advisors and support staff are here year-round to help Texas students and families.

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