Two ACPS employees are among the 40 leaders and innovators being celebrated as Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 2018 40 Under 40 honorees. Congratulations to Brian Orrenmaa, principal of George Mason Elementary School and Michael Herbstman, Chief Financial Officer for ACPS for being recognized as up and coming leaders in Alexandria.
Brian Orrenmaa, better known to his students as Mr. O, joined George Mason Elementary School as the school principal in 2014 after spending his career as a school administrator and teacher in central Ohio. He is an appointed Commissioner representing ACPS on the Children, Youth and Families Collaborative Commission.
Mr. O has placed emphasis on strategic planning, professional learning communities, teacher-driven instructional/data coaching and facility improvement. He has concentrated specifically on the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and worked to make progress closing the achievement gap. He has also championed the growth of the school’s award-winning music program. Every fourth- and fifth-grade student is involved with band or orchestra. Most recently, he formed a partnership with the Alexandria library system using a ConnectEd grant, which resulted in each student taking a field trip to a local library and getting their very own library card.
Michael Herbstman plays a critical role in making sure ACPS maintains fiscally responsibility and is in good financial shape so that our students have access to the resources they need to help them succeed. Herbstman develops and oversees the annual budget development process and supervises procurement and accounting procedures.
He has an extensive background in financial management and experience that includes work with the Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Chicago Public Schools and a private risk management consulting firm. He came to ACPS from Chicago as the director of budget and financial services and was quickly promoted to chief financial officer. Herbstman is known as a thoughtful team player who handles ACPS business operations with diligent care and the highest ethical standards in line with goal six, Goal 6: Effective and Efficient Operations, of the ACPS 2020 Strategic Plan.
The 40 under 40 program was established in 2016 by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to recognize top men and women, age 40 and under, who are engaged in a variety of fields including business, technology, nonprofit management, civic life, public service, education and the arts and are shaping the future of Alexandria. Winners were chosen by a selection committee and evaluated on specific criteria including professional and scholastic accomplishments, community and volunteer impact, and their goals for future and lasting impact.
“The Chamber is proud to honor community professionals who will shape tomorrow’s Alexandria. Our honorees represent the diversity of our city and how each, in their individual way, is a unique innovator whose accomplishments are vital to our business and civic communities. By honoring their successes, we hope to inspire others to take the lead and work to ensure tomorrow’s Alexandria is a top place for business and careers,” said President and CEO of the Alexandria Chamber Joe Haggerty.
The 40 individuals will be celebrated at the 2018 40 under 40 Awards reception in July.