Story, photo credit Vicki LaFave
Holy Name Catholic School has named Jeffery Sierpien of Escanaba as interim administrator. Sierpien will assume his new role on June 30.
Holy Name’s current principal, Joseph Carlson, announced his resignation in April to assume the role of principal at St. Francis High School in Traverse City.
Sierpien has had a distinguished career in United Stated Marine Corps and the private sector, bringing a wealth of managerial and executive experience to the role. He feels that serving the school is a calling for him in assuring that area families will be able to provide their children with an exceptional Catholic education.
“Holy Name Catholic School is a tremendous asset to our local community,” Sierpien said. “It is clearly evident that this school has positively impacted generations of local families. We all must do everything we can to see that this school succeeds into the future.“
As the school’s interim administrator, Sierpien sees this role as “an opportunity to serve the Church, our students and the local community.” He will initially focus on spearheading the search for a new full-time principal, overseeing faculty and staff at Holy Name, making policy decisions, and assisting in strategic planning. He will also spend time building relationships with the teachers, staff, students, families and the many supporters who have all helped Holy Name thrive.
“I look forward to working with the staff and helping build the next chapter of Holy Name. We can do this by responsibly allocating our resources to those specific priorities identified by our school council and the supporting parish priests. We are aiming to ensure that Holy Name continues to be a proud beacon of quality Catholic education in the Central U.P.”
Sierpien’s career started in the United States Marine Corps where he eventually rose to the rank of Major before his retirement in 2017. His last duty station was serving as Commanding Officer for the Detroit Military Entrance Processing Station located in Troy, MI. He also served in billets within Special Operations Command, Headquarters Marine Corps and multiple others.
Sierpien deployed a total of seven times during his military career, which included places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Japan and Europe.
From Nov 2018 to Nov 2019, Sierpien served as the Delta County Airport Manager, a position he left in 2019 to dedicate more time to his family and to pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity.
Sierpien holds two master’s degrees—an MBA from Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey Bay, CA, and a Master’s in Human Resources Management from Webster University in St. Louis, MO. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Wayne State University in Detroit, and an associate’s degree in Law Enforcement from Macomb Community College in Warren, MI.
Holy Name’s Pastoral Delegate, Father Rick Courier, pastor of St. Thomas Church in Escanaba and St. Anthony’s Church in Wells, says he looks forward to working with Sierpien in helping move Holy Name School forward.
“We are excited to welcome Jeff Sierpien as Holy Name’s interim administrator,” Father Courier said. “Jeff brings to this position an impressive resumé, a great deal of executive experience, and a new perspective to Holy Name. His passion for the school will make him an asset through this transition to a new principal. His exceptional communication skills and leadership abilities will be crucial in empowering staff members and connecting them with students and their families.”
Sierpien currently lives in Escanaba with his wife Rachel and their three sons. All three boys have attended or still are attending Holy Name. He said that he is eager to share his experiences and devote his time to benefit Holy Name. He encourages others in the community to join him, Holy Name staff and stakeholders in securing the school’s next chapter of excellence.
Comments