Staff

Jacob Allen

Department: Human Resources, Payroll & Benefits
Position: Director of Payroll
Joining the Choice Finance team in 2013, Jacob lends his expertise as Director of Payroll. He works closely with the finance department, implements the SDS software, and assists our new Choice employees with any payroll needs. Jacob also assists finance and payroll with special projects, and is committed to perfecting audits for Choice Schools and its Academies.

Jacob graduated from Central Michigan University, receiving his B.S. in Business Administration and Economic Theory. A former U.S. Marine, he enjoys spending his time outdoors kayaking, hunting, and gardening. He also spends time on the weekends working on his family’s tree farm in Lake Isabella.

Kerri Barrett

Department: Executive Leadership, Area Superintendents
Position: Area Superintendent
Kerri Barrett joins the Central Office team as an Area Superintendent. She is responsible for supporting our Montessori model schools. Kerri earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Michigan. A year later, she joined the Choice family at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science as a high school social studies teacher. While teaching, she earned her master’s at Michigan State University in educational leadership. In October of 2012, she was given the opportunity to lead the elementary at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science. 

Kerri is eager to partner with school leaders and boards to achieve their visions for their schools. Kerri lives in the West Michigan area with her husband Colin and their two beautiful children.

Brian Beaudrie

Department: Finance & Operations
Position: Director of School Finance
Brian Beaudrie is the Director of School Finance at Choice Schools Associates. He has been a member of the Choice family since 2014. Prior to joining Choice Schools, Brian worked with charter schools as an auditor and finance director. Brian graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in accounting. He became a CPA in 2003.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, volunteering in his community, playing golf and watching sports, especially football.

Jessica Carey

Department: Academic Excellence Team
Position: Academic Excellence Support Specialist
Jessica works at Choice Schools Associates as the Administrative Assistant for the Academic Excellence Team. Jessica has years of administrative experience in the finance, higher education, and technology sectors. Prior to Choice, Jessica worked at Grand Valley State University, providing administrative support to planned giving, endowments, scholarships, and major gifts.

Abby Cervone

Department: Human Resources
Position: HR Generalist
Abby joined Choice Schools Associates in 2021 as a Human Resources Generalist. She came to us from another large charter school company, where she worked as a Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant. Abby received her Bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University in Human Resources Management with a minor in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

She has worked in the education industry of HR for over five years and truly enjoys having a positive impact on our employees and students. Abby enjoys cooking, golfing, and spending time with her husband and two dogs Niko and Nora!

Ali DuBois

Department: Executive Leadership, Area Superintendents
Position: Area Superintendent
Ali Dubois joins the Central Office team as an Area Superintendent supporting our Environmental model schools! Ali comes to us from Muskegon Montessori Academy for Environmental Change where she served as the School Principal for 6 years. Ali was instrumental in growing the school as well as improving their test scores. Because of the MMAEC team’s efforts, the school is one of the highest-ranking schools in Muskegon County! Ali is a two-time Michigan Charter School Administrator of the Year finalist. 

Amey Dryer

Department: Academic Excellence Team
Position: Director of Scholar Education and Development
Amey Dryer joined the Choice family in May of 2019. She previously worked as a Montessori teacher, Montessori school leader, and then Curriculum Consultant for charter schools throughout the state of Michigan. Amey has a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University and a Master’s in Education with a Montessori Emphasis from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is excited now to join the Academic Excellence Team at Choice and support all of our wonderful office staff in the many processes and procedures they have in place.

Amey and her husband Todd live in Brighton, MI with their two energetic boys Cole and Noah and their mischievous dog, Ruby. The boys keep them both very busy with baseball, ninja warrior, swimming, and gymnastics.

Nice to meet you!

Paul Ezel

Department: Academic Excellence Team
Position: Director of Technology, Online Solutions and Data
Paul will partner with each school to support their technology and data needs. Paul earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Central Michigan University and began teaching at Dove Academy. During his 17 years at Dove, he served as a teacher in multiple grades, including second, third, fourth, fifth grade, and the media center teacher before launching into leadership as the Dean of Students and most recently a Vice Principal. Just last year, Paul earned his master’s degree in teacher leadership from Oakland University with an education specialty. Paul lives in Grosse Pointe Woods and is married to his wonderful wife Carey and has two dogs.

Michael Gorham

Department: Executive Leadership Support
Position: IT Helpdesk Technician
Michael joined our Central Office team in 2021 as the IT Helpdesk Technician. He has nearly 18 years of experience in an educational setting, his most recent role being the Network Specialist at ​​Saint Johns Public Schools where he managed the technology support for everyone in the district. Michael has a strong talent of tailoring his way of communication with users which not only helps them with their respective issues, but develops a rapport with staff that will easily streamline technology support and communication.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, consisting of his wife and five sons, as well as pursuing his passion for music. He sings and plays the guitar and loves the joy creating music brings to other people.