Dr. Rob Russell, Principal
Email: russell.19@napls.us
Phone: 614-413-8300

Dr. Russell was selected as the Principal of New Albany High School in the spring of 2024 and officially began in that role in August 2024. He has served as an Assistant Principal at New Albany High School since 2021. Prior to joining the New Albany-Plain Local Schools, Dr. Russell served as an administrator, department chairperson and teacher in the Heath City Schools, Northridge Local Schools and Newark City Schools where he was recognized as an inspirational and influential district teacher. 

Rob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, a Master of Education in Science Education, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration, all from The Ohio State University.   Rob has developed research projects to understand how reflection enhances achievement and most recently studied how leadership decision-making approaches influence school culture.  His personal interests include hiking, reading, and spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and sons Rocky and Rome.
 

Mr. Michael Carr, Assistant Principal
Email: carr.16@napls.us
Phone: 614-413-8300

Mr. Michael Carr, a New Albany community member and former Johnstown Middle School Principal serves as an Assistant Principal for NAHS. He previously served as an Assistant Principal for eight years at Westerville Central High School as well as a Dean of Students, and as an Assistant Principal at Newark High School and also taught social studies.

Many in our community will know Mr. Carr through his involvement in our community and our schools. He is the parent of three New Albany students and is an alum of NAHS, class of 1990. Mr. Carr is a loyal, hard-working, relationship-oriented educator who does what it takes to get the job done.  

Michael Carr will serve as the NAHS State Testing Coordinator, among other key responsibilities. Mr. Carr has Masters in Education: Curriculum & Instruction from Ashland University and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Capital University. 

 

Ms. Nikole James, Assistant Principal
Email: 
Phone: 614-413-8300

Mrs. Nikole James joined the New Albany High School Administrative Team as an Assistant Principal in August 2024.  Mrs. James brings an extensive background in educational administration and knowledge of best practices as she joins the New Albany-Plain Local School District. 

Mrs. James most recently served as an Assistant Principal at Upper Arlington High School, where she worked daily to lead and support students, staff, and families.  In addition, Mrs. James also provided oversight for all high school operations, was actively involved in enhancing safety protocols, curricula, positive behavior and intervention supports, mental health programs and services, and discipline.  Mrs. James taught American History and Psychology for fifteen years at South Western City Schools.  Her leadership skills, professional experiences and operational knowledge will be an excellent addition to New Albany High School.  

Mrs. James earned her Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Social Studies from The Ohio State University (OSU), a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Cleveland State University, a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Ohio Dominican University and is currently enrolled in the Educational Studies Doctoral program at OSU. Mrs. James and her husband, Justin, reside in Columbus with their three children, Riley, Grayson, and Camila.
 

Mrs. Jennifer Rehm, Assistant Principal
Email: rehm.3@napls.us
Phone: 614-413-8300

Mrs. Jennifer Rehm joined the New Albany High School Administrative Team in August of 2023 as an Assistant Principal. She is a student-centered leader who believes in developing a safe and supportive school climate where all students have access to rich learning experiences that lead to multiple college and career pathways for students.

Mrs. Rehm most recently served as the Dean of Students at the Career & Technology Center (C-TEC) of Licking County.  During her last seven years as Dean of Students at C-TEC, Mrs. Rehm worked daily to lead and support juniors and seniors, faculty, staff and families.  In addition to daily responsibilities involving student attendance and discipline, Mrs. Rehm was actively involved in career pathways, curricula, positive behavior and intervention supports, mental health programs and services, food services and more.  Mrs. Rehm taught high school English Language Arts prior to becoming a Dean of Students.  Her leadership skills, professional experiences and career technical education pathway knowledge will be an excellent addition to New Albany High School. 

Mrs. Rehm earned her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with an Integrated Language Arts concentration from the University of Akron and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from The Ohio State University.  Mrs. Rehm and her husband, Jameson, reside in New Albany with their two children, Evan and Margot.

 

Mr. Chris Stiel, Assistant Principal
Email: stiel.1@napls.us
Phone: 614-413-8300

Mr. Chris Stiel brings a wide range of experience to the Assistant Principal position through his work at Pickerington Local Schools. Mr. Stiel is a passionate student advocate that is eager to support creating opportunities for New Albany High School students using his experiences as an administrator and school counselor. He recently served as a Lead Assistant Principal at Ridgeview STEM Jr. High School and was formerly an Assistant Principal at Toll Gate Middle School. Chris has seven years of prior experience as a school counselor working to improve the academic, emotional, and mental health needs of students which will align with our District statement of purpose; to create a culture of accountability that achieves the best academic and developmental outcomes for each student. He is a passionate student advocate who works tirelessly to develop student programs which put Students First.

Mr. Stiel received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Walsh University and his Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. He grew up in the Central Ohio area and currently resides in Pickerington with his wife, Jessica and their four children, Cameron (age 8) and triplets, Emmy, Connor and Riley (age 3). He is a former college athlete that loves to support student athletes in their athletic and academic growth. 

Mr. Stiel will support the AP program at NAHS, as well as the school counseling program and the Noble Academy Among other key responsibilities. He is looking forward to continuing to grow the comprehensive school counseling program at the high school level, and has extensive knowledge of the implementation of school wide social emotional learning programs and restorative practices that he will bring to New Albany High School.

Mr. Geron Tate, Assistant Principal
Email: tate.3@napls.us
Phone: 614-413-8300

Mr. Tate brings a wide range of experience to the Assistant Principal position through his work at Windsor STEM Academy and the private sector. He has successfully demonstrated expertise in bridging the gap between school and community, in creating student centered opportunities for academic achievement as well as social emotional learning growth.  His colleagues praise his interpersonal relations and his ability to motivate others as an extreme strength. Mr. Tate will support the brand new Nest program, which will focus on SEL and mental health.  Mr. Tate is also a huge fan of the “R” factor and ensures that the outcome is always positive.

Mr. Tate earned his Executive Master of Business Administration from The Ohio State University and his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Capital University, where he was also inducted into the athletic hall of fame for basketball in 2016. He resides in Westerville with his children Geron Michael (14) and MacKenzie (10).

Mr. Patrick Samanich, Dean of Students
Email: samanich.3@napls.us
Phone: 614.413.8300

Patrick Samanich transitioned to the role of Dean of Students for the District in the summer of summer 2021 after serving as Dean at NAHS. Mr. Samanich steps into his new role after spending the last 25 years coaching football at the collegiate and high school levels. He will also begin his 25th year in the classroom serving as a Technology Teacher. 

"Coach" Samanich is committed to student achievement, student growth, and student well-being as evidenced by the FINISH program that he championed during his tenure as football coach for NAHS. He is currently on the district R Factor Team where he is committed to helping students "Own Their R(esponse)" to the events they encounter in daily life. Coach Samanich is interested in empowering all students to develop their potential as leaders. He firmly believes that leaders create culture, culture drives behavior, and behavior produces results.

Mr. Samanich holds a Master’s degree in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration degree from Ashland University. He lives in New Albany with his wife Tracy and daughters Evelyn and Caroline.

Mr. Richie Wildenhaus, Athletic Director
Email: wildenhaus.1@napls.us
Phone: 413-8325

Mr. Richie Wildenhaus joined the New Albany High School leadership team as Athletic Director on August 1, 2016. He came to New Albany after serving as the Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Erie High School in Erie, Colorado. His extensive background and experience brings a unique perspective to the Athletic Director role. Examples of his professional impact include the development of a coach’s professional development program, the implementation of a Student-Athlete Leadership Team, establishment of an online-based TV station for broadcasting athletic contests and other events, the development of an athletics mobile app to increase student and family engagement, and overseeing multiple facility upgrades/capital improvement projects. Among his many accolades and experiences, he was named Colorado 4A Athletic Director of the Year in the spring of 2016 as well as the OIAAA Central District Athletic Director of the Year in 2020.

A native of Kettering, Ohio, Wildenhaus is excited for the opportunity to lead the athletic programs at New Albany High School. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada - Las Vegas where he holds a MS in Athletic Administration and a BS in Physical Education with a Minor in Athletic Coaching. He also holds an Educational Leadership Endorsement from Adams State University - Alamosa, CO.