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President
Dr. Bradley Ekwerekwu is the fifth president of Jesuit Academy since its founding by Fr. Jim Michalski in 1996. Bradley joined the Jesuit Academy family in January 2024. He brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in education leadership. Prior to joining Jesuit Academy, Bradley served as the Chief Executive Officer at Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovative thinking, and a commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Bradley is excited to empower the young men of JA to reach their fullest potential and become leaders of tomorrow, both in our community and beyond.
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Principal
Joe Murray is Principal of Jesuit Academy, effective since July 2021. Joe has most recently served as the Assistant Principal at Nelson Mandela Elementary. Before becoming Assistant Principal, Joe was the 4th Grade Teacher here at Jesuit Academy for 6 years and prior to that was the 5th Grade teacher at Minne Lusa Elementary School, all here in the Omaha community. Joe earned his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Northwest Missouri State and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
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VP of Advancement & Marketing
Ryan Pickett began at Jesuit Academy in September of 2024. Ryan is a Kansas native and graduate of Kansas State University. Directly out of college, Ryan served as a police officer. He has an extensive background of nonprofit development, with his most recent experience being at the Boy Scouts of America chapter in Omaha as their Chief Development Officer responsible for all private support for the Mid-America Council which covers 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. He has vast knowledge of this community and the field of organizational advancement.
Ryan and his wife Megan have one 9-year-old daughter and a baby due in January of 2025. Ryan enjoys the outdoors, and you are likely to see him on the golf course during the summer.
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VP of College & Career Readiness
Jermaine Ballard began his role at Jesuit Academy in September of 2024. He oversees the Graduate Support Program and is committed to providing our alumni the tools and support they need to help prepare them for high school success, college completion, and beyond. Jermaine is also instrumental in helping to provide a multitude of resources, services, and opportunities to help our current students discover their strengths, develop their goals, and begin to see themselves as college students.
Jermaine is a dedicated community and youth advocate with over 20 years of experience in education. His specialization is in helping youth obtain post-secondary education and bridging the gap between education and employment. With a Bachelors in Business Management from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Masters in Education Administration from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Jermaine is also the founder of the Urban Leadership Symposium, a platform that connects empowered teens with professionals. A youth football coach for 15 years, Jermaine’s passion for mentorship extends both on and off the field. He lives by the motto: "Never settle for being successful, when you're destined to be great."
