Executive Cabinet

Dr. Jala Olds-Pearson - Chief Academic Officer

Dr. Jala Olds-Pearson serves as Chief Academic Officer of Pittsburgh Public Schools. She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, attended Pittsburgh Public Schools during her elementary/middle school years, and graduated from Penn Hills High School in Penn Hills Township. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph's University, and a Doctorate in Educational and Organizational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Olds-Pearson is a former assistant superintendent and principal with extensive experience in curriculum development, organizational leadership, and educational leadership at the school, district, and state levels. In addition, she has been a Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership (PIL) facilitator for over ten years.

Her professional interests and passions derive from a belief that children can reach their highest potential when the educators who serve them have the essential resources, skills, and determination to implement relevant research and evidence-based practices.

Dr. Ted Dwyer - Chief of Data, Research, Evaluation and Assessment (DREA)

As an evaluator, researcher, and appreciator of data, Dr. Ted Dwyer serves as the District’s Chief of Data, Research,  Evaluation, and Assessments (DREA). DREA supports Teachers, Principals, and District leaders by providing reporting and data necessary to make appropriate educational decisions for our students.  DREA also works to ensure data are accurate in the information systems and are being shared with the public through the district website in a manner that does not violate student privacy. In his role, Dr. Dwyer supervises the: Office of Research and Evaluation, Office of Assessment, Office of Data & Accountability and the newly formed Office of Charter Schools.  Dr. Dwyer experience spans K-12 education, forensics, therapeutic intervention delivery, and the military.  Dr. Dwyer’s degrees include: a Bachelors in Psychology from University of Florida, a Masters in Psychology from University of South Florida (USF) and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from USF. Dwyer specializes in Measurement (assessment & testing), Evaluation Designs, Research Design, Qualitative & Quantitative Methodologies, Grant Evaluation & Reporting.

Errika Fearbry Jones – Chief of Staff

A nationally-recognized leader, trainer and public speaker, Errika Fearbry Jones serves as the Superintendent’s Chief of Staff.  Mrs. Jones works directly with the Superintendent in all areas of general administration for the District and directly supervises the departments of Family, Youth & Community Engagement, Community Schools, and Strategic Initiatives.  Mrs. Jones acts as the key liaison between the Superintendent’s Office and the Board of Directors, facilitates the Superintendent’s weekly Executive Cabinet meetings.  Prior to her current role, Mrs. Jones served as the Executive Director of Internal and External Affairs (2014-2018),  Special Assistant to the Superintendent (2013-2014), Coordinator Parent & Community Engagement (2011-2013), and Coordinator Teaching & Learning Environment (2009-2011). Throughout her career, Mrs. Jones has demonstrated her passion for designing and implementing large-scale collaborative projects.  She has served as Co-Administrator for the Westinghouse/Wilkinsburg Partnership, developed the Pittsburgh Youth Intervention Project recognized by the US Department of Justice, and became the first woman and African-American appointed by the Governor to serve as Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.  Mrs. Jones has her BS in Business Management from Point Park. 

Michael McNamara – Chief Operations Officer.

Beginning as a PPS substitute teacher in 2009, Mr. McNamara found his niche within the District’s facilities department, leading dozens of multi-million dollar construction projects and the development of the Capital Budget. In his latest role as Assistant Director of Construction, Mr. McNamara supervised Construction Supervisors and Building Inspectors on multi-prime projects, including the current $10 million renovations at Pittsburgh West Liberty. During his tenure at PPS, Mr. McNamara has notably led the Philip Murray Renovation Project ($12.5M) to prepare Pittsburgh Arlington PreK-8 for the 2016-2017 school year. In 2015, he managed the creation of Pittsburgh Westinghouse’s Public Safety Lab ($1.6M) to support the Emergency Response Technology Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.  Mr. McNamara holds a bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in project management from Pennsylvania State University.  The Erie native also gives back to PPS students through the United Way of Southwestern PA’s Be A Middle School Mentor program, where he has served as a mentor at Pittsburgh King since 2011.

Ronald Joseph - Chief Financial Officer

Ronald Joseph received his bachelor’s degree in policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University.  Upon graduation, he worked at the Bank of New York Mellon, where he managed more than $20 million in client assets each month.  He left the banking industry to join Pittsburgh Public Schools as a budget analyst  in 2008.  As the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Josephsupervises the District’s Budget Development, Finance, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Procurement, and Risk Management departments.  Mr. Joseph manages the development of the budget to ensure alignment to the District’s strategic plan and that resources are distributed equitably to support the needs of students.  

In 2018, Mr. Joseph was selected as a winner of the Pittsburgh Business Times CFO of the Year Award.  The award honors financial professionals in Western Pennsylvania for outstanding performance as corporate financial stewards.   

Margaret Rudolph – Chief Human Resources Officer

Ms. Rudolph began her HR career in 1999 for the City of Huron, Ohio as the Director of Human Resources. Since then, she has managed human resources for the City of Sandusky, Ohio and Board of Erie County Commissioners. In her latest post at Heidelberg University, Ms. Rudolph managed the Office of Human Resources, Office of Safety & Security, and Campus Title IX Team, served on the President’s Senior Leadership Team, and Co-Chaired the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio University, and a Master’s degree of Labor and Human Resources from Ohio State University.

Mark Stuckey – Chief Technology Officer

No stranger to Pittsburgh Public Schools, Mr. Stuckey most recently served as Interim Chief Technology Officer and Director of End User Services. Before PPS, Mr. Stuckey worked as Operations Specialist, Deputy CTO, and Interim CTO for Allegheny Intermediate Unit #3. He earned a Bachelor of Science- Information Technology and a Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in IT from Point Park University.