DoDEA

PEACHTREE CITY, GA — August 31, 2010 — Dr. Bruce W. Jeter, Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) and Department of Defense Dependents Schools, Cuba, (DoDDS-Cuba) announced today that Mr. Stephen F. Hovanic has been named Chief of Staff for the organization.

Hovanic is currently an Instructional Systems Specialist (ISS) at the DDESS Area Service Center (ASC) where he is responsible for the curricular areas of AVID and Career Technical Education, School Improvement and other related duties. He joined DoDEA in 1996 as an Assistant Principal at Quantico Middle-High School. He was named Principal of Dahlgren Unit School in March of 2001 and served in that capacity until July of 2008, when he came to the ASC. He began his career in education in 1982 as a high school vocational teacher and coach in the Virginia public schools.

“I am very excited about Steve becoming the DDESS Chief of Staff. Steve brings a wealth of knowledge from his experiences as an administrator and teacher coupled with his devotion for military kids and families,” said Jeter. “Steve is a "can do‟ person and he will rise to the occasion. He has excellent communication skills and a great work ethic.”

Hovanic attended the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., and received his Bachelor‟s of Science Degree in Technology Education at East Tennessee State University where he also earned his Master‟s of Art Degree in Education. He earned his school administrator‟s licensure from the University of Virginia and holds a Superintendent‟s License in Virginia and DoDEA. He is a U.S. Army veteran.

Hovanic grew up in a military family. He was born in Tokyo, Japan, and lived all over the world as the son of a career Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer. Hovanic and his wife, Ana, reside in Newnan, GA. He has two sons, Joseph and Seth, and a step-daughter, Ileana Morrison.