Board Biographies

Dr. John Fredericksen Superintendent

Dr. John Fredericksen began serving a four-year appointment as superintendent of Wicomico County Public Schools on July 1, 2008. During a national search for superintendent candidates, Dr. Fredericksen emerged from a field of 34 candidates from across the country due to his focus on student achievement and expertise in community engagement, finance, technology and instruction. In the Osseo Area Schools (a district with 22,000 students, 3,600 staff, 35 buildings and an operating budget of $211 million) in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minn., he served as an assistant superintendent. After more than 35 years in Minnesota public schools, Dr. Fredericksen, 57, and his wife, Renee, who holds a doctorate in public administration, were ready for a move east to be closer to family. He was attracted to the mix of urban and rural demographics that Wicomico County offers. Wicomico County's school system has 25 schools, an enrollment of more than 14,500, more than 2,700 staff members, and a $156 million unrestricted current expense budget. Dr. Fredericksen received a bachelor's degree in music education from St. Cloud, Minn., and a master's degree in community education from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. He received his doctorate in education administration, with a minor in public policy, from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He began his career in education as a music teacher in St. Michael-Albertville, Minn., from 1972-1978. From 1978-1982 he served as the community services director for ISD 138 in North Branch, Minn. He was superintendent-principal of ISD 262 in Barrett, Minn.,from 1982-1985. He then became superintendent at progressively larger Minnesota school districts: The 600-student district in Gaylord (1985-1989), the 1,050-student district in Jordan (1989-1995), and the 1,650-student district in International Falls (1995-2001). In 2001, he was named assistant superintendent-administration for Osseo Area Schools, where he led a number of successful campaigns, including the state's second-largest school bond project. He also improved the school district's operations, equipment and facilities, transforming the system from 30 percent air-conditioned facilities to 100 percent, making districtwide improvements in student learning and technology tools, and creating teams of financial experts from the community to advise the school system.

Mark S. Thompson President

Mark S. Thompson was appointed to the Wicomico County Board of Education in July, 2005 and currently serves as its president. He received his BS degree in Industrial Management from Gannon University in Erie, PA. Following graduation, he was employed by Federal Express Corporation as a courier, then promoted and moved through the ranks quickly as manager in Pittsburg, PA, Washington, DC and Salisbury, MD where he was responsible for the entire Eastern Shore. In 1996, he accepted the call to the ministry at the First Baptist Church in Salisbury and serves there in many capacities. In August of 2004 he was appointed the Executive Director of the Richard Hazel Youth Center. In April 2008, he was assigned director at the eastside Salvation Army. He also serves as a volunteer Chaplin for Coastal Hospice, president of the West Salisbury Revitali-zation Partnership Committee, and is a former board member of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore. He and his wife, Felicia, reside in Salisbury with their two children, David and Joshua.Term expires 2010

L. Michelle Wright Vice President

L. Michelle Wright was appointed to the Wicomico County Board of Education in 2006 and serves as its vice president. She is a 1998 graduate of Wilmington College where she majored in Business Management. She also holds an associate's degree from Wor-Wic Community College. Michelle graduated from Delmar Junior-Senior High School and worked for Perdue Farms Inc. for fifteen years holding various positions including purchasing/buyer, quality assurance/ packaging coordinator, foodservice division/sales representative and account team supervisor. While at Perdue, she took various night classes to further her education. In 2000, she joined her family's farming retail business to allow flexibility in order to spend more time with her children. She is happily married to Charles Wright IV and has two children who attend Wicomico County Public Schools. Mrs. Wright attends Snethen Methodist Church and stays active in school PTAs. In 2005, she served as president of the Wicomico County Council of PTAs. She is director of the Wicomico Area Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Delmar VFW, and serves on the Advisory Committee for the Wicomico County Extension Office. Michelle has served on the Superintendent's Facilities Task Force and the Master Plan Oversight Committee for the Wicomico County Board of Education. Term expires 2011

Donald L. Fitzgerald

Donald L. Fitzgerald was appointed to the Wicomico County Board of Education in 2009. He is a Vietnam Veteran, drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966 and served with the 227th Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry in Vietnam. In 1967, he served as Platoon Sergeant for the Signal Corps at Fort Knox, Kentucky and in 1968, he was honorably discharged. In 1965, Mr. Fitzgerald was employed by E. I. DuPont where he worked as a service operator and mechanic. From 2000 to 2002, he served as president of SNEC, an independent worker’s union, retiring from DuPont as a mechanic in 2002. He is a 1964 graduate of Wicomico High School and a member of Grace United Methodist Church. His community memberships include the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #194, the Moose Lodge #654, Salisbury Elks Lodge #817, Princess Anne’s American Legion Post #94, Wicomico County War Memorial Committee, the Optimist Club of Salisbury, and a life member of the Tony Tank Tribe #149 Improved Order of Redmen. He also coaches girls’ varsity softball and is a member of the Wicomico County Softball Federation. Mr. Fitzgerald is a resident of Salisbury. He is a member of the North Salisbury Elementary School PTA.Term expires 2014

Larry W. Dodd

Lieutenant Larry W. Dodd was appointed to the Wicomico County Board of Education in 2009. Lieutenant Dodd is a firefighter and paramedic with the City of Salisbury Fire Department where he has worked since 1994. He is also an MFRI EMT instructor and fire instructor at the University of Maryland. From 2002 to 2006, he served as a member of the Wicomico County Council and from 2001 to 2005, he served as president of the MIEMSS Region IV E.M.S. Council. Lieutenant Dodd received his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at Salisbury State University in 2000 and his Masters of Science in Applied Health Physiology from Salisbury University in 2004. He attended the University of Maryland Institute for Governmental Services Academy of Excellence from 2001 to 2005. Mr. Dodd is a resident of Salisbury and has two children attending Wicomico County Public School. He is a member of the Beaver Run School PTA.Term expires 2013

Robin H. Holloway

Mrs. Holloway, a graduate of Wicomico County public schools (James M. Bennett High), was appointed to the Wicomico County Board of Education in July 2001. She holds a bachelor's degree in finance and marketing from the University of Richmond and is a graduate of the Maryland Bankers School at the University of Maryland College Park . Mrs. Holloway has extensive experience working in the private and public sectors. She worked locally in the banking industry for 12 years in branch management, human resources and marketing and spent seven years working with Perdue Farms as a member of the management development team. Currently, Mrs. Holloway is a member of the Board of Directors of Holloway Funeral Home, and she serves on the Board of Directors of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore and on the Board of Ordained Ministry for the Peninsula Conference of the United Methodist Church . She volunteers as an elementary school mentor with the Wicomico Mentoring Partnership, serves on the Perdue Kresge Committee for the Delmarva Education Foundation and recently completed the inaugural class of the Civic & Government Leadership Academy through the Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement at Salisbury University . She and her husband, John, live in Salisbury. Term expires 2011

Ronald O. Willey

Mr. Ronald O. Willey was appointed to the Wicomico County Board of Education in July 2007. He graduated from Salisbury University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and holds a master's degree from West Virginia University. He is a former teacher and principal having retired in 2006 after 44 years of service in the Wicomico County Public School System. Mr. Willey is currently a member of Phi Delta Kappa, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the Maryland Retired School Personnel Association, and the Cross Pointe Nazarene Church where he serves as a member of the Church Board. He has served as a volunteer at the Salisbury Nursing Home and the John B. Parsons Home. Mr. Willey is past-president of the Alumni Association at Salisbury State College, the Fruitland Lions Club, and the Association of Public School Administrators and Supervisors of Wicomico County. Mr. Willey and is wife, Joyce, live in Wicomico County and have one married daughter and two grandchildren. Term expires 2012

Tyrone A. Chase, Ph.D.

Dr. Tyrone A. Chase was appointed to the Wicomico County Board of Education in July 2007. He graduated from Salisbury University with a bachelor's degree and holds a master's degree from the Siedel School of Education, Salisbury University, and a doctorate of philosophy from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He is the administrator of the Office of Community and Family Development for SHORE UP, Inc. and is an adjunct instructor for Sojourner-Douglas College in Salisbury. Dr. Chase is a Sensei (instructor) with Bushin Kai Martial Arts Academy and holds 4 Black Belts in 4 styles of Japanese martial arts. His current organization affiliations include the National Board of Directors for Bushin Kai Martial Arts, Inc., the Board of Directors for Second Chance Help, Inc., the Charles H. Chipman Foundation, Shore Housing Resource Board, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and the Wicomico Mentoring Project. Dr. Chase is a member of the Cathedral of Love African Union Methodist Protestant Church where he serves on the Steward Board. He and his wife, Patricia, have three children and 2 grandchildren. Term expires 2012.

Fulton P. Jeffers Board Attorney

Mr. Jeffers, born in Salisbury, Maryland and educated in the Wicomico County Public School System, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Maryland with a degree in Business Administration and from Duke University with a Juris Doctor degree. Mr. Jeffers' thirty-eight years of experience representing boards of education began in 1968 with the Wicomico County Board of Education, which he continues to represent. Mr. Jeffers also represents the Somerset County Board of Education, the Worcester County Superintendent of Schools, and the Talbot County Board of Education Ethics Panel. Mr. Jeffers has served as the State's Attorney for Wicomico County, a member of the law firm of Hearne & Bailey, his own law firm, and now practices with the law firm of Reese & Carney, LLP. Mr. Jeffers is a member of the Maryland Bar Association, the Wicomico County Bar Association, National School Board Association Council of School Attorneys, and the Maryland Council of Local School Board Attorneys. He has served and is still active in many community organizations. He received the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Award for outstanding community service and contribution to the advancement of the Salisbury-Wicomico area in 1997.