GPS Education Partners has rounded out its newly formed leadership team with the hiring of Matthias Bollmus as director of finance and operations. President Stephanie Borowski formerly served as chief financial officer.
“Matthias has come along to support the finance and operations of what we do every day, as well as continue to look at our financial model going forward. My effort is now to really make sure that this organization and the model is at the forefront of discussions about change in education, education reform and workforce development.”
Bollmus previously served as a faculty member within the MBA program at Carroll University for seven years, including developing and delivering the coursework for management finance and accounting curriculum. Prior to joining Carroll, Bollmus worked in the mortgage industry, providing strategic direction and leadership in operations.
Bollmus’ hiring follows the previously announced appointments of Kathy Scherbarth as chief marketing and development officer and Andy Hepburn as chief innovation officer. Both positions are newly created.
Scherbarth was with Strattec Security Systems for 18 years as the vice president of operations, overseeing all aspects of operations as well as sales and marketing. Hepburn was promoted to his new role from GPS program director, a role he is still performing.
In regard to the new leadership team, Borowski said, “We really do believe that now we’ve got not only a unique and phenomenal model of delivery for education, but the team now in place is what’s going to help bring this organization, as well as this model, to more students throughout Wisconsin and beyond.”
Borowski said GPS has come a long way in the last 15 years since it began. Based in Butler, the nonprofit organization offers high school juniors and seniors a nontraditional education path that prepares them for manufacturing and technical careers through both classroom instruction and industry experience.
According to Borowski, GPS started with two employees, one business partner (Waukesha-based Generac Power Systems), one high school partner (Mukwonago High School) and five students.
Today, GPS has almost 50 employees, 115 business partners, 50 high school partners and more than 200 students.
As the organization continues to grow, Borowski said GPS will look for additional leaders and talent. It will also soon be hiring for at least half a dozen positions, including teachers and apprenticeship coordinators.
“We’re in a unique space with a unique model, and that takes a strong leadership team in order to advance that,” Borowski said. “I believe we have that now with the team that we have.”
