Meet Ike

I’ve been married to my college sweetheart for over 25 years, and together we’re raising four incredible children who have either graduated from or are currently enrolled in Adams 12 schools. For over a decade, we’ve proudly called Thornton home, and we’ve grown deeply rooted in this community.

I’m also the proud son of a remarkable single mother who spent 36 years teaching in the Philadelphia Public School System. She passed away 15 years ago, but the values she instilled in me of hard work, pride, and compassion continue to shape who I am as a parent, professional, and community member.

Professionally, I’m a mechanical engineer with both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Dartmouth College and the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College. I’ve built a 30-year career solving complex problems through systems’ thinking, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative leadership. My work has taken me across the globe—living in Japan, Canada, and Denmark, and working extensively in Mexico, Germany, the UK, Portugal, India, and China—giving me a deep appreciation for working across cultures and perspectives.

My experience spans two dynamic sectors: the automotive industry, primarily with Ford Motor Company, and the renewable energy sector both with Vestas Wind Systems and Renewable Energy Systems (RES), both based here in Colorado.

What I Value As A Candidate

I believe strong schools are built through collaboration, trust, and accountability. I lead with a hands-on approach—engaging directly, listening actively, and treating every voice with respect. I’m passionate about building inclusive environments where people feel seen and heard, and where outcomes truly reflect the strength of the community behind them.

As a father of four—ages 21, 16, and 13-year-old twins—I’ve experienced firsthand the importance of responsive, equitable education. Our kids have grown through Silver Creek Elementary, Rocky Top Middle School, and Horizon High School. I understand what it means to “shift gears” to meet the evolving needs of children, families, and schools—and I bring that same adaptability and empathy to leadership.

In times of division, I believe in building bridges—not walls. Bridges between parents and educators, schools and neighborhoods, and across diverse communities. I’m committed to ensuring Adams 12 remains a district that values academic excellence, equity, and inclusion.

My platform based on my values and experience and includes three central pillars:

  1. Mental health support improvement

  2. Academic performance improvement

  3. Using data to drive informed decision making in spending priorities

My Community Experience

From the moment we arrived in Colorado, I’ve sought to be actively involved in our schools. I started out volunteering with the “Watch D.O.G.S.” program at Silver Creek Elementary, supporting staff, tutoring students, and building relationships with families and educators. Over the years, my children have participated in swimming, rugby, and gymnastics in Brighton, where we’ve found another welcoming community.

Before the pandemic, I joined a group of volunteers reading with 4th graders at South Elementary in the 27J School District. That experience reinforced my belief in the power of early literacy, especially during the critical transition from learning to read, to reading to learn.

More recently, I’ve become deeply engaged in Adams 12 District Accountability Committee (DAC). I currently serve as the DAC Secretary and participate in the School Accountability Committees at both Rocky Top and Horizon. I enjoy working alongside parents, educators, and administrators to analyze performance data, contribute to the Unified Improvement Plan (UIP), and provide input on district budget and spending priorities.

I’m proud of the work we’ve done and even more excited about what we can accomplish together. I believe in showing up, listening well, and working hard to ensure every student in Adams 12 has the tools, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.