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Al Williams - CHAIRPERSON
williams.al@marbleheadschools.org
Al grew up in New York City but has called Massachusetts home for over 15 years. In addition to being an IT executive for many years, Al has taught high school math in the Philadelphia public school system and has taught college classes at Massasoit Community College, Brandeis University and Benedictine University. Al recently retired after working for 10 years for the Commonwealth of MA. One of those roles served was in the IT department of the Executive Office of Education. Academically, Al has a BS in Computer Science from Lehigh University, an MBA from the University of Baltimore and a doctorate in education from Benedictine University. Al has been married for over 38 years and has two adult children - one who resides in Marblehead and one who lives in NYC. He also has two granddaughters who reside in Marblehead. Al and his wife Donna enjoy traveling, kayaking and pickleball. His term expires June of 2027. -
Kate Schmeckpeper - VICE CHAIR
schmeckpeper.kate@marbleheadschools.org
Kate Schmeckpeper was elected to the Marblehead School Committee in June 2025. Kate has been practicing law in Massachusetts for nearly 20 years, including as a litigation associate at Foley Hoag LLP and as Assistant General Counsel at Suffolk University. She currently works in the litigation group of a Boston area law firm.
Kate and her family have lived in Marblehead since 2014 and her four children have all attended the Marblehead Public Schools. Over the past decade, Kate has served in numerous roles on the Coffin Gerry, Brown and Village School PTO boards, including as co-president of the Brown School PTO. She also served for two years as a member of the Village School Advisory Council. In 2019, Kate was co-chair of the Vote Yes for MHD Kids campaign, which secured funding for the construction of the Brown School. -
Brian Ota - COMMITTEE MEMBER
ota.brian@marbleheadschools.org
Brian has been in the field of education for over twenty years holding a Master’s Degree in Special Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Brian early career work was in the technology industry. After working many years as a program manager in a fortune 100 company he returned to teaching as a special education teacher. Brian taught behaviorally challenged students in a middle school and he moved from the classroom to become a middle school administrator on Cape Cod. In the second half of educational career, in 2011 he became the Assistant Principal at the Village School and then in 2015 was promoted to the Principal of the Glover School. Brian is the father of three adult children who have gifted him with five wonderful grandchildren. He is a Viet Nam Veteran Marine and is a volunteer at the Marblehead Historical Commission. After retiring from education in 2022, Brian wanted to continue his involvement in education by serving on the School Committee. Brian is excited to use his experience as a teacher and school administrator and private sector program manager to help address and resolve many of the complex issues facing the School District today. -
Jennifer Schaeffner - COMMITTEE MEMBER
schaeffner.jennifer@marbleheadschools.org
Jenn was raised in Marblehead, attended Marblehead Public Schools and graduated from Wheaton College. She moved back to town in 2003 with her husband Bob and their young two children, who each attended Marblehead Public Schools and have since graduated from college. They are enjoying being empty nesters!
Jenn worked for over 22 years in the investment and banking industry. Since leaving the corporate world in 2004, she founded her own real estate business on the North Shore focusing primarily on residential real estate ownership and property management.
Jenn was an active parent leader in the Marblehead Public Schools for many years and served two terms as an elected member of the School Committee from 2016-2020. She is currently a member of the Board of Commissioners of Marblehead Housing Authority, which owns and manages affordable housing to eligible low-income elderly, families and disabled persons.
Jenn is an active parishioner at Our Lady, Star of the Sea church and member of the Clifton Heights Improvement Association. Previously she has been a volunteer at North Shore Elder Services and the City of Boston’s Office of Financial Empowerment.
