OLMSTED FALLS BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTS JUSTIN FUNK TO FILL VACANT SEAT

Funk Sworn in as Newest Board Member at January Organizational Meeting

Olmsted Falls, OH ‒ January 11, 2023 ‒ The Olmsted Falls Board of Education voted unanimously this week to appoint Mr. Justin Funk to fill the vacant seat left by the resignation of a board member last month.  Mr. Funk was formally sworn into office to officially begin his service at the annual organizational meeting of the Olmsted Falls Board of Education on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.  He was one of 14 applicants interviewed last month for appointment to the vacant seat. 

“The board is very pleased to welcome Mr. Funk,” said Board of Education President Holly Neumann. “Justin’s background and experience are a great fit that we are confident will bring added value to our board.”

“As a project manager at NASA Glenn, Mr. Funk knows how to collaborate well within groups and is able to work effectively to move initiatives forward to consensus and success,” said Neumann.  “He has the ability to understand whole scope initiatives and work within that broad spectrum, which will be especially beneficial as a board member.” 

“Justin is also a bulldog alumni and already very active in the community serving on his HOA and coaching various youth sports teams,” added Neumann.  “He has a desire to help out and serve. You can truly see by his actions he is an “all in" bulldog, and we look forward to working with him as the newest member of our board.” 

The Board of Education followed a very specific format and timeline dictated by Ohio Revised Code as well as its own board policies to fill the vacant seat, which was created by the mid-term  retirement of long-time board member Mrs. Cynthia Tomasch last month.  A total of 14 community members submitted letters of interest outlining their qualifications following the published deadline of December 7, 2022.  Interviews of all 14 candidates took place during the week of December 12, 2023.  Deliberation on the candidates immediately followed the conclusion of all interviews, with the board unanimously voting to appoint Mr. Justin Funk to fill the vacant seat at the January 11, 2023 Annual Organizational Meeting. 

"I'm proud and excited for the opportunity to represent Olmsted Falls schools as a member of the Board of Education,” said Mr. Funk.  “As an Olmsted Falls alumni ('01), I have always been proud to call Olmsted Falls home, and as a parent, I couldn't imagine enrolling my children anywhere else. I look forward to doing my part to ensure that Olmsted Falls Schools continue to provide an excellent education for future generations.”

Mr. Funk holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from Ohio University, and a Master of Business Administration degree with a Finance specialization from Cleveland State University.  He is a Project Management Professional and licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio.  Mr. Funk currently serves as a senior project manager at NASA Glenn Research Center, and is a recipient of the NASA Silver Snoopy Award - a special honor awarded to NASA employees and contractors for outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success. Prior to his current position at NASA Glenn, he ran the manufacturing department at ZIN Technologies, a NASA contractor.

Justin grew up in Olmsted Falls.  He is an alumnus of Olmsted Falls High School (‘01) and a member of the OFHS 2000 state championship football team. His father Greg is also a Bulldog alumnus (‘70) who still resides in the community.  Justin and his wife Amanda reside in Olmsted Township with their three children Hailey (5th), Ethan (4th) and Julia (1st), and their dog, Beau.  They moved to the community the summer before his eldest child started kindergarten, returning for the schools! 

Justin is active in the Olmsted community including serving on the Woodgate Farms HOA, volunteering with Olmsted All Pro Dads and various Olmsted PTA units, coaching multiple youth sports teams in the community and serving as a member of the Olmsted Township Board of Zoning.

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