Meet the Administrative Team
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Jack James, Chief Operating Officer
Jack James has over 20 years of experience in organization management and leadership, most recently with AT&T and DirecTV, where he focused on process design and improvement, project management and operations. In addition to his business experience, Mr. James has been an active volunteer in the UA and Charter community for the last 9 years.
Mr. James holds a B.A. in Sociology from UNC-Charlotte and an M.B.A from Wake Forest University. In addition to his volunteer work at Union Academy, he serves on the board of Community Health Services of Union County. He and his wife, Randi, have 2 children, Allie and Tyler, who both attended Union Academy.
Contact: jjames@unionacademy.org
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Shannen Bretz, Lower School Principal
Shannen Bretz is the K-4 principal for Union Academy. He grew up in Napoleon, Ohio and attended University of Dayton where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduating he began teaching middle school math and coaching football, basketball, baseball and track in Greensboro, NC. He earned his Master’s Degree in Administration at the University of Phoenix. He continued his career at Sardis Elementary as a fifth grade teacher until coming to UA.
Contact: sbretz@unionacademy.org
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Scott Broome, Middle School Principal
With 30 years of experience in Union County Public Schools, Mr. Broome served as a classroom teacher for 10 years before becoming an administrative assistant and assistant principal. He finished his last 16 years as a principal at the elementary and middle school levels.
With a strong background in curriculum and data driven instruction, Mr. Broome is skilled in improving test scores, increasing staff morale, and mentoring teachers and new principals.
Mr. Broome met his wife, Teresa, when they were teaching in the same school. They have one daughter, Katie, and one grandson, Cooper.
Contact: sbroome@unionacademy.org
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Jim Zorn, High School Principal
Mr. Zorn joined Union Academy in the summer of 2014, following nine years of service with Union County Public School System as an assistant principal. His career began at Walnut Creek Middle School in Pennsylvania, where he taught 8th grade math for five years before moving to North Carolina in 2005.
Mr. Zorn grew up in Angola, NY and graduated from Lake Shore Central High School. He received his undergraduate degree from Mercyhurst University in Mathematics Education and earned his master’s degree in School Administration from Edinboro University.
Contact: jzorn@unionacademy.org
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Sherryann Sylvestre, K-12 Dean
Sherryann Sylvestre is the Dean of K-12. In this role, she utilizes 18 years of her professional background working with schools and school districts across the country. Specifically, Sherryann manages K-12 initiatives, including efforts with beginning teachers, and leads UA’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. She joined Union Academy in 2013, serving as a high school counselor.
Sherryann holds a B.A. from Wheaton College in Massachusetts and an M.Ed. from Strayer University. She and her husband, Vladimir, have two sons. Jahmai is an alum of Elon University. Jaden attends Davidson College and is a graduate of Union Academy.
Contact: ssylvestre@unionacademy.org
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Jennifer Sutton Smith, Communications Director
Jennifer Sutton Smith graduated from Wingate University with a degree in English and Education. She began her career as a teacher and coach in Union County Public Schools.
In 2006 Jennifer joined the staff of Union Academy as an English teacher and yearbook adviser. During her tenure, she also held the position of instructional coach and was promoted to communications director in 2018.
Jennifer and her husband, Ray, have two children, Delaney and Nicholas, who both graduated from Union Academy.
Contact: jsmith@unionacademy.org
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Christi Bramhall, Executive Assistant
Christi Bramhall grew up in Matthews, NC and graduated with a bachelors degree from Phiffer University. After 17 years in the financial industry she joined UA in 2015.
Christi and her husband, Steve have two daughters who attend Union Academy.
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