Superintendent Brian Flones Presented with GEM Award

WENATCHEE, January 18, 2018. Wenatchee School District Superintendent Brian Flones was presented with a GEM Award at today’s Leadership Team meeting. The award is given to staff members for Going the Extra Mile. 

Staff GEM award winners are nominated by their peers. Superintendent Flones was nominated by school district staff and community members. 

Brian said he was humbled and surprised by the award. “My purpose every day when I wake up is to make an open, trusting, collaborative environment focused on kids,” he said, visibly moved. “That we create hope for our kids. All kids deserve to be successful.”

While there were many nominations, here are excerpts from a few community members:

“Brian Flones deserves to be recognized for his strong leadership that encompasses the community and the needs of ALL students in the school district . . .  Wenatchee School District has a fairly deep dichotomy in incomes as well as a high percentage of Hispanic students.  Under the leadership of Brian Flones, the District has done good job of balancing those needs.”  – John McQuaig (CEO, McQuaig and Welk)
 

“What I have always appreciated about Brian is his willingness to collaborate with community organizations and leaders to better, not only the School District but this community . . . he makes us all feel like our contributions to this community are important and the opportunity to connect us to the district and kids is important . . .  He is a visionary for his district and thus has seen success in building new schools and creating an environment for creativity and growth.”.  – Linda Haglund (Executive Director, Wenatchee Downtown Association)
 

“Brian Flones is a remarkable Superintendent, and his invaluable leadership is evident in the people-first, relationship-centric, trust-and-accountability, culture that he maintains in Wenatchee.” - Dr. Sue Kane (Co-Director, Apple STEM Network)

Congratulations, Superintendent Flones.

PHOTO: Rich McBride, Linda Haglund, Dr. Sue Kane, John McQuaig and Jennifer Talbot look on as Jodi Smith reads from a plaque recognizing Brian’s leadership.