2024-2025 Board Election Candidates

Meet the Candidates

Our 2024-2025 Board Election Candidates will meet with our own Andrea Bennett for an informational webinar to share more about who they are with CITE members.

View the 2024-2025 Meet The Candidates Webinar

Jamie Lewsadder

My name is Jamie Lewsadder. CITE has been my life for a long time now and I’m looking forward to the next level of service. Currently, I am the Associate Superintendent of Technology Services for La Cañada Unified School District in Los Angeles County. I also serve as the chair for the San Gabriel Valley regional CITE group, co-host the (in)CITE podcast, and am an instructor and graduate of the CTOM program. I live to find the intersections between tech and learning to improve the world for our students and the adults who support them. This organization has shaped my professional life as a technologist and I want to continue giving back. As a CITE board member, I hope to offer my support in the expanding educational programs, the advocacy efforts, and member engagement. The expectations for technology in education continue to grow and I want to help the CITE team provide the necessary resources for all of us and the students, staff, and families that we serve.

Jeremy Nishihara

I would like to express my strong interest in serving on the CITE Board of Directors. My extensive experience in public education, technology leadership, and governance makes me a uniquely qualified candidate for this role. Currently, I serve as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Information Systems for the Sunnyvale School District, located in Santa Clara County. As a lifelong proponent for public education and an experienced technology leader, I am deeply committed to advancing CITE's mission of “Shaping the future of education through technology.”
 
I am a graduate of the CTO Mentor program and I am currently an instructor for CITE’s TMAP and CTO Mentor programs. Prior to my 20+ year career in education, I worked for the State Legislature specializing in K-12 education policy. I have served on various non-profit boards in the social service and youth/arts sectors and have had the privilege of working as an elected school board member for 10 years. All of these experiences have taught me how to guide and support a complex organization to achieve its goals. It is my wish to bring this leadership experience and my well-rounded perspective to join the governance team of CITE as a member of the Board of Directors.
 
As school district technology leaders, we are facing new challenges as emerging technologies continue to evolve at an accelerating pace. I believe CITE will continue to play a pivotal role in creating a community that ultimately helps us serve the technology needs of our students, staff, and communities. In addition, CITE will need to continue advocating for us at the state and national level.
 
My unique blend of experiences, ranging from public education policy, technology leadership to governance, will enable me to provide valuable insights and strategic guidance to CITE's Board of Directors and continue to provide this vital service to you and your school district. I hope you will consider voting for me for CITE Board of Directors and thank you for your support.

Ben Markley

My name is Ben Markley, and I proudly serve as the Chief Technology Officer for Hemet USD in Southern California. CITE has been instrumental in my growth, development, and success as an IT professional. I’m a graduate of the CTO Mentor Program, have served as a mentor, and am currently an instructor for the program. I’m also a frequent presenter at the CITE annual conference and have been actively involved in regional groups since 2013. In 2022, I was honored to be recognized as the CITE Technology Leader of the Year.

Given the tremendous impact CITE has had on my personal and professional journey, I am seeking a position on the Board to continue giving back to the members, community, and organization that have supported me throughout my career. It would be a privilege to represent IT professionals across the state and advocate for our community with dignity, honesty, and integrity.
I would focus on strengthening our membership, with particular attention to districts that are often underrepresented due to their size or location. Thank you for considering my candidacy and for your continued support as a fellow CITE member, regardless of the outcome.

David Seabury

For over 23 years, I have had the privilege of providing technology support and leadership to students and staff across multiple roles within El Dorado County. These positions have ranged from Technology Support Specialist to Systems Administrator, Network Administrator, Assistant Director, and Director. My journey in K-12 education has given me a deep understanding of the critical role technology plays in empowering schools and enhancing learning environments. As the Director of IT for the El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE), I’ve had the honor of contributing to the work of the California County Superintendents Technology Steering Committee (TSC) and serving on the EdTech JPA board. In these roles, I am committed to advocating for the unique needs of rural and small school districts. If elected to the CITE Board, I will continue to champion the interests of these districts across our state. The CITE community has been a cornerstone of my professional development, providing essential resources and insights that have enriched my career. Like many of you, I have greatly benefited from the collaboration and shared knowledge found in community discussions and CITE’s annual conferences. I am proud to be a part of this community and would be truly honored to give back by serving on the board. If you’re seeking additional representation for Northern California and a dedicated advocate for small and rural districts, I would be grateful for your support and your vote.

Current Board Makeup

Our current Board Members are located in the following regions

• Eight in Southern California
• Two in Northern California

Our current Board Members serve organizations of the following sizes

• One serving a small organization
• Three serving medium organizations
• Seven serving large organizations

Our current Board Members serve the following types of organizations

• Three serve Unified School Districts
• One serves an Elementary District and is leaving the Board after 2024
• Two serve High School Districts
• Four serve County Offices of Education

Special Thanks to Marci Bernard

On behalf of the CITE Board of Directors and staff, we want to recognize the work that Marci Bernard did while on the Board. Marci has a wealth of experience and wisdom and contributed to CITE’s work significantly during her tenure. Marci has resigned her seat because she has been named Interim Associate Superintendent of School Leadership at the Twin Rivers Unified School District. This important work does not include overseeing the Technology Department. She will be making a difference at Twin Rivers and wants to make way for a new Director here at CITE. 

The Election will run from September 23rd to November 1st. All Educational and Retired members are eligible to vote. All eligible voters should have received a ballot link directly emailed to them. If you did not receive a ballot link, please contact election@cite.org.

Cast your vote today!