Dr. Brian Bontempo was recently named Executive Director of Career Pathway Support Networks for the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce.
Bontempo brings a wealth of leadership and educational expertise to his role as Executive Director. With a career spanning classroom teaching, district administration, and statewide leadership, Brian has consistently worked to advance opportunities for students and educators across Ohio.
His experience includes serving as a middle school technology teacher, director of technology, and assistant principal, high school business and accounting teacher, assistant principal, and principal in a compact school district. He went on to serve as an assistant superintendent overseeing human resources, operations, grants, and program development, and later as a superintendent of an Educational Service Center, where he also held the role of president of the Ohio Educational Service Center Association.
Most recently, Brian served as superintendent of Auburn Career Center and president of the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education. In addition, he has earned a treasurer’s license, contributed to the Kent State University Geauga Regional Campus advisory board, and instructed in a K12 administrator licensure program. A former wrestling and football coach, Brian has always been committed to building pathways for growth, teamwork, and success.
In his role, Brian will guide the implementation of a statewide initiatives designed to expand access to Career-Technical education (CTE) and prepare Ohio students for in-demand careers. Backed by a two-year, $7.1 million investment from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Higher Education, CPSNs will serve as a vital support system for local districts, community schools, STEM schools, career centers, and higher education partners and well as workforce partners Under Brian’s leadership and direction, the networks will work with stakeholders regionally to expand middle CTE participation, high quality career planning and mentoring, regional planning , and expand career pathway opportunities for students across Ohio’s JobsOhio regions. With his vision and experience, CPSN’s will play a transformative role in strengthening regional CTE infrastructure and ensuring every student has the guidance, direction, and opportunities needed to succeed in today’s workforce.