Asserting the importance of serving as “a clear channel” of communication between the citizens and San Marino Unified School District, John Gabriel, a consultant and father of three children attending local schools, declared himself a candidate for one of three open seats on the San Marino School Board at the November 6 election.
“My number one priority is to maintain our students’ ability to go on to 4-year colleges of their choosing, as this district has historically enabled them to do,” Gabriel said “In order to achieve that goal, we first have to stop the flow of students leaving the SMUSD for surrounding private schools and districts. Our focus should be on practical matters first, such as expanding course offerings at the high school level so that our seniors are prepared to enter the UCs [University of California public university system] and Ivy League schools and renovating worn out facilities a tour middle and elementary schools. All other matters, such as the district’s health and wellness program and bond measures need to be reviewed and re-assessed with that one overarching goal in mind.”
Gabriel considers himself “a problem-solver.”
“I come to this position as a concerned San Marino parent, but also as a proven leader,” Gabriel told The Tribune. “I have more than 19 years of experience developing impactful solutions for a variety of organizations, in both public and private sectors.”
Gabriel is a senior director at one of the top international consultancies.
“In that position, I’ve guided multiple businesses and governmental groups in their transformations into more efficient and productive entities,” Gabriel said.
He also spent six of those years on active duty as a non-commissioned officer and paramedic in the United States Army.
“That experience gave me the chance to create and implement protocols and training methods that exceeded Army standards,” Gabriel continued.
While in the Army, Gabriel earned the Expert Field Medical Badge, or EFMB, one of the most advanced Army special skills badges. The EFMB requires that candidates pay strict attention to detail to successfully complete the combat simulation. While serving in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Gabriel was selected for a rigorous 72-hour evaluation process involving tests of both knowledge and technical competency. Gabriel successfully passed the evaluation and was inducted into the “Order of the Spur,” which recognizes the Army’s elite.
Gabriel is married to Dr. Jameela Chen Gabriel, who graduated from Huntington Middle School in 1990 and San Marino High School in 1994. John graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Finance before earning an MBA in Finance and Organizational Development from Pepperdine University.
Gabriel has been an active volunteer at Carver Elementary School via participation in fundraising events and Carver’s Safety Committee. He is also in his second year coaching the school’s Lego League team.
“I believe that my ability to arrive at creative yet practical solutions, combined with my business acumen, makes me uniquely suited for a position on the school board,” Gabriel said. “I want to make the San Marino Unified School District the #1 choice for San Marino by bringing to the position my experience making organizations thrive.”
Gabriel, Corey Barberie, Jane Chon, Mike Killackey and Steve Sommers are challenging incumbents Shelley Ryan and Joseph Chang on the Tuesday, November 6 ballot for three opens chool board seats. Incumbent Nam Jack did not seek reelection. The terms of Board Members Lisa Link and Chris Norgaard expire in November 2020.
Following certification of the election, the successful candidates will be sworn in at the school board meeting on Tuesday, December 11.
