New Administrative Appointments

Kelly Degman

OES Director of Safety & Security

Kelly Degman spent 30 years working with a large Sheriff’s office in the Northwest. While there, Kelly was assigned to several divisions and held multiple ranks, with his final rank as Lieutenant. In 2002, Kelly was transferred to the Services Division, probably the favorite of his career. The division was responsible for the oversight of the Sheriff’s Office Training Program which was tasked with the development and delivery of the training curriculum, as well as managing all the personnel training and certifications records.

Kelly has been involved in conducting administrative investigations that occurred in and around the county as well as within the state. Kelly was part of creating the Sheriff’s Office Survival Skills Review Team designed to review details and lessons learned from critical incidents and major events. Kelly is a Senior Instructor in multiple fields as well as a nationally recognized instructor for IALEFI (International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors) and ILEETA (International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association).

Kelly served as a security consultant for OES in the fall of 2024 and we welcome him to our full time employee community as part of the Campus Operations team.

OES Interim Director for Advancement

Hugh Porter

Hugh Porter

OES Interim Director for Advancement

Hugh Porter will be working with our Advancement Team for the remainder of this school year as we continue the search for a Chief Advancement Officer. Hugh has had a long career as a higher education leader. He recently stepped down from his position as Vice President for College Relations and Planning at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. His 26-year career at the college included direction of the college’s fundraising, alumni relations, communications, campus events, and career and fellowship programs. During this time, Hugh oversaw the college’s centennial celebrations and completed three fundraising campaigns and launched a fourth. He also served as Reed’s Acting President and chaired the college’s most recent strategic planning efforts. Prior to Reed, Hugh worked in Yale University’s Development Office. It was from Yale that Hugh received A.B. and M. Phil degrees (music history). Before and during college, Hugh pursued education and performance opportunities as a cellist studying with Aldo Parisot at Yale and Dennis Brott at Interlochen Arts Academy. He now lives in NE Portland with his wife and they have two adult children.

OES Director of Counseling and Learning Support

Dr. Tracy Hardister

Dr. Tracy Hardister

Director of Counseling and Learning Support

Oregon Episcopal School is pleased to announce that Tracy Hardister will join the OES community as Director of Counseling and Learning Support later this summer. Tracy will oversee the school’s counseling and learning support programs to envision proactive and responsive social, emotional, and behavioral programming across the school.

Tracy received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver. Tracy has over 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of settings, including schools, residential treatment facilities, community mental health, and juvenile detention settings. She served as School Psychologist at the Awsaj Academy in Doha, Qatar before becoming Director of the Learning Center for the Qatar Foundation Schools. She has also served as Director of Student Support Services and School Counselor at the Sage Ridge School in Nevada and for the past year as a Substance Abuse Specialist in the Beaverton School District. She has worked with children and adolescents who present with a range of special education, mental health, and developmental needs. In her work across settings, Tracy has provided direct service, training for staff, education and support to parents, and consultation services. Tracy’s prior leadership roles include Program Manager and Director of Training in a community mental health setting, and Director of Student Support Services in independent school settings.

"I am thrilled to join the OES community," she said. "I truly look forward to collaborating with faculty and staff across the school to ensure that all learners experience a joyful and successful educational journey at OES."

OES Director of Campus Operations

C. J. Remmo

C. J. Remmo

OES Director of Campus Operations

Oregon Episcopal School is pleased to announce that C. J. Remmo will join the OES community as Director of Campus Operations beginning in July 2024. C. J. will be filling Jon von Behren’s role as longtime Director of Facilities once Jon retires later this summer.

C. J. currently serves as the Deputy Chief Operating Officer at The Potomac School in the Washington, D.C. area where he is responsible for Security, Facilities, Transportation, Auxiliary Programs, and Dining Services. During his time at Potomac, C. J. also served as Assistant Director of Athletics at Potomac. He is wrapping up his sixth year of coaching football and wrestling as well.

C. J. holds a Doctorate in Human Communication, a Masters in Interpersonal and Public Communication, and has taught as an adjunct professor at Columbia College, Marymount University, The University of Denver, and Central Michigan University. C. J. has also worked as a Director of Operations at a property management firm, Assistant Campus Director & International Student Advisor at Columbia College, and as a Program Support & Public Outreach Specialist for the Office of Education & Health for USAID, Egypt.

"In every step of the hiring process and during my visit to the campus, I was struck by the distinctiveness of OES. The warmth and dedication of the faculty, staff, and board members, combined with the campus's breathtaking beauty and architectural charm, left an indelible impression on me. I am thrilled to become a part of the OES community and eager to contribute to its continued success."

Head of School Michael Spencer is thrilled to welcome C. J. to the school's administrative team. "Carrying on the good work of Jon von Behren and his 49 year tenure at OES is a daunting task. In our search process to identify his successor, C. J. distinguished himself through the breadth of his experience and the depth of his care and commitment to centering the student experience in the work of campus operations. I look forward to this partnership as we imagine and bring to fruition the future of OES."

OES Head Chaplain & Upper School Chaplain

The Rev. Chris Decatur

The Rev. Chris Decatur

OES Head Chaplain & Upper School Chaplain

Oregon Episcopal School is pleased to announce that The Rev. Chris Decatur will join the OES community as Head Chaplain & Upper School Chaplain beginning in the next academic year. Chris is currently working as a 1st grade apprentice teacher in the Philadelphia public schools while he completes a Masters in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

He previously served as interim rector at The Church of the Holy Comforter in Drexel Hill, PA, and interim director of St. Paul's Day School in Westfield, NJ. Chris also served in various ministry positions at churches in Cleveland including Trinity Cathedral in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. Chris holds a bachelor's degree in comparative religion at Cleveland State University and a Master of Divinity and Certificate in New Mission Practices from Virginia Theological Seminary.

"We look forward to welcoming Chris to the OES community and to the strong leadership he will provide," said Head of School The Rev. Michael Spencer. "His commitment to supporting deep engagement with students and employees and his passion to support our efforts to build a Beloved Community will help OES to share the very best of an inclusive and affirming Episcopal identity."

OES Associate Head of School

Aline García Rubio

Aline García Rubio

OES Associate Head of School

Oregon Episcopal School is pleased to announce that we have completed an international search that attracted compelling educators from around the world for our next Associate Head of School. Aline García Rubio has accepted the position and will begin her new role at OES in the summer of 2024.

The Associate Head of School at OES provides leadership and support for OES division heads and department chairs and is responsible for coordination and implementation of philosophy across divisions including areas of hiring, faculty and student evaluation, professional growth and development, coordination and alignment of the Pre-K—12 curriculum, and supervises other areas of school life.

García Rubio currently serves as the Head of the Upper School at Catlin Gabel School in Portland and has held that role since 2017. In her 19 years there, she has also worked as the Upper School Assistant Head and Dean of Students, held the roles of Science Department Chair and Curriculum Leader, and taught science classes. At Catlin, she is known for her intellectual curiosity, listening skills, empathy, integrity, and dedication to students, teachers, and families.

Prior to her tenure at Catlin, García Rubio taught foundational science and anatomy and physiology at the Punahou School in Honolulu, and Math and English at schools in Mexico City where she received her initial training as a medical doctor before switching to a career in teaching.

“I’m truly delighted to join the warm and open OES community,” she said. “I’m thrilled to serve in support of students who are earnestly invested in their intellectual growth and in learning how to use their power for good. I look forward to collaborating with purposeful educators and school families in the creation and care of a beloved community, and already feel grateful for the stimulating dialogue and visioning of the OES team. I can’t wait to get started!”

During Head of School Michael Spencer’s first year at OES, he chose to spend time in those early months getting to know the community to better understand the needs of the school before he opened the search last fall which led to the hire of García Rubio.

“Aline brings a depth and breadth of experience, thoughtful and grounded leadership, and an enduring commitment to enhancing the student experience,” said Spencer. “I look forward to working together with her to support the mission and vision of OES into the future.”

OES Associate Athletic Director

Bobby Long

Bobby Long

OES Associate Athletic Director

This summer we will welcome a new Associate Athletic Director to OES. Bobby Long joins the OES Athletic Department after 13 years in athletic administration, the most recent five as Director of Athletics at Crystal Springs Uplands School in Hillsborough, California. His school was just named a California Sports School of the Year.

Long was born in Illinois and spent his formative years in Tokyo, Japan. He studied Sociology and Education at Grinnell College in Iowa, where he played basketball. He moved on to play professional basketball in Germany before starting his career as an Athletic Administrator at 23 years old. Bobby and his wife Emily welcomed their first child in August, and said they are having a blast. We look forward to introducing Bobby and Emily to the whole OES community.