Ellisville Resident Among Rockwood Board Candidates

Editor's Note: This story was last updated at 4:32 p.m. to reflect the withdrawal of board member Geoff Rigabar from the April elections.

An Ellisville resident is among four candidates seeking election this spring to the Rockwood School Board.

Victor Hieken, who works as a certified accountant and fraud examiner, said when filing that he hopes to serve as a professional resource for the board and voters.

Two seats on the Rockwood School Board will be determined by the April 3 elections. Incumbent board member Geoff Rigabar was appointed to the board in December, when he was voted in by board members to complete the term set to expire in April of Matthew Fitzpatrick, who resigned citing "personal reasons." The Rockwood School District announced late Wednesday, however, that Rigabar was withdrawing from the race.

“I am enjoying my service on the board," Rigabar said in a statement issued by the school district. "I continue to learn, and I continue to be impressed with the great work taking place for students in this outstanding district.” Rigabar still is expected to complete the remainder of his term.

The other seat up for election is that of Peggy Devoy, who indicated last year that she .

Editor's Note: See candidate bios as provided by the Rockwood School District below. Names are listed alphabetically and do not reflect ballot order nor endorsement.

William (Bill) Brown 
Eureka, MO
wbrown0151@gmail.org

Personal Information:
A proud Rockwood graduate, I earned a bachelor's in Secondary Education from Southeast Missouri State and a master's in Education from Southwest Baptist University.  My wife, Cindy and I have four children who graduated from Rockwood.  Presently, our two grandchildren attend Rockwood schools.

Experience:
I taught for more than 30 years in the Missouri Public School system and served Rockwood on numerous committees and other volunteer positions.  Currently, I teach at Saint Louis University High School and I serve as a Question Leader at the Advanced Placement/U.S. Government and Politics Grading.

Personal Statement:
I have a deep appreciation for what Rockwood has done for my family and me.  As a teacher of Government and Politics, I have encouraged my students to become involved citizens in the community.  By seeking a position on the Board, I am trying in some small way to repay Rockwood for what it has done for me.  These are difficult economic times, and I feel I can help Rockwood successfully continue to provide the same quality educational foundation for my grandchildren that it provided for my children and me.

Victor Hieken
Ellisville, MO
vhieken@uhy-us.com

Personal Information:
A life-long resident of Missouri and a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, I am a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Fraud Examiner.  I have six children, two of which are Rockwood graduates and four who currently attend Rockwood schools. I am the managing director for UHY Advisors, a national tax and business consulting firm.  

Personal Statement:
As a K-12 attendee and graduate of the Missouri public school system, I have an appreciation of the never-ending influence such experience has on an individual’s life. I realize Rockwood has a responsibility to everyone it touches.  Through interactions with hundreds of families in the district, I see there are varying views on issues.  However, one common sentiment is for Rockwood to not only provide a well-rounded education for its students, but an overall enriching experience for everyone.  

Past Experience:
My experiences as a student, parent and business professional will add a resource to the Board.  The integrity I have developed through my upbringing and my profession will allow me to act with confidence and a clear conscious, and my actions will be directed toward allowing Rockwood to be the best it can be, while providing a great experience for everyone it touches.

Jennifer Kelly
Chesterfield, MO
jljkelly@gmail.com

Personal Information:
My husband, Michael and I have four children, three of which attend St. Alban Roe. Our oldest child will be a freshman at Lafayette High School next year.  We relocated from Cleveland, Ohio to Chesterfield, Missouri three years ago.  This was a homecoming for me as I am a St. Lawrence the Martyr and Pattonville High School alumnus. I completed my undergraduate degree at MU in 1995 and a MBA from the University of Akron in 2000.

Past Experience:
I served as an Army officer and worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs for 10 years.  I resigned as a division level manager last summer to focus on my family and volunteer in the community. 

Personal Statement:
As a Rockwood School District Director, my goal is to represent all stakeholders.  I will strive to make the most fiscally sound budget decisions for the entire district with a long term vision in mind. 

Sherri L. Rogers
Chesterfield, MO
votesherrirogers@gmail.com

Personal Information:
My husband and I have lived in Rockwood for 12 years with two children enrolled in the district.  I earned a B.S.B.A. from Southeast Missouri State University and a MBA from Saint Louis University with emphases in Finance and Accounting.

Experience:
I have more than twenty years of experience working in finance, accounting, operations management, human resources, and employee and customer relations.  I spent more than ten years in small business and five in corporate finance.

Personal Statement:
Rockwood has a long history of success, but we should always strive to improve.  Student success, teacher support and fiscal responsibility will be my priority as a Director on the Rockwood Board of Education. I have a broad professional background and experience working with diverse individuals; this uniquely positions me to work with all concerned parties to accomplish Rockwood’s mission to “do whatever it takes to ensure all students realize their potential”.