TO: All Priests, Parishes, Principals, Curia Staff

FROM: Department of Communications

DATE: July 27, 2023

RE: New Staff in the Department of Catholic Schools

We wish to inform you of some recent staffing additions in the Department of Catholic Schools. Please join us in welcoming our new colleagues:

• John Brahier (photo) has been hired as Associate Superintendent for Catholic Culture, effective July 27, 2023. In this role, John will design and support all aspects of faith formation and Catholic Culture within the schools of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He can be reached at brahier.john@aod.org.
  
  John is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he studied mathematics, theology, and secondary education; additionally, he completed a master’s degree in educational leadership at Bowling Green State University. John has taught math and theology at schools in both the Diocese of Toledo and the Archdiocese of Detroit. For the past six years, John served at Divine Child High School as a theology teacher and, for the past two years, the Director of Campus Ministry. His experience in education has ignited a passion for seeking creative and robust ways for schools to live out their call to be places of encounter with the Risen Lord. This passion led John to create The Fides Et Ratio Project, a training program for educators to be formed in their understanding of a Catholic view of faith and reason and develop resources to integrate faith and reason in age-appropriate ways in their classroom. John and his wife, Annie, have two sons (Stephen and Matthew) with another child on the way in the near future.
  
  
• Dan Faas (photo) has been hired as Associate Superintendent for the Central Region, effective July 17, 2023. In this role, Dan will serve as the primary contact person for the schools in the City of Detroit. He can be reached at faas.dan@aod.org.
  
  Dan is relocating from New York City, where he has served as Senior Director of Character Initiatives and Culture for the Brilla Schools Network. Previously, Dan served for four years as principal of St. Charles Borromeo School in Harlem. Dan began his career teaching middle school English as an ACE Teaching Fellow in Mobile, Alabama, and later taught high school English in Santiago, Chile. He also served as the admissions coordinator for the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program at the University of Notre Dame, leading the program’s efforts to recruit and grow a cohort of diverse and dynamic Catholic school leaders across the country. Dan grew up in Saline, Michigan, and is eager to return to his home state to support urban education in a city he loves. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Michigan State University, a Master of education degree from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of arts in educational leadership from the University of Notre Dame. In his spare time, Dan enjoys marathon training, cooking, and planning the wedding to his fiancée, Cait, this October.
  
  
• Pamela Scales (photo) has been hired as Associate Superintendent for School Finance and Federal Programs, effective July 27, 2023. In this role, Pamela will provide guidance and support for schools in matters related to finances, tuition assistance, and federal program participation. She can be reached at scales.pamela@aod.org.
  
  Pamela has more than 30 years of financial and leadership experience. She has previously served as Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations at Oakland Schools, as well as Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Budget Director for the City of Detroit. She has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in business, statistics, and public finance. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from University of Michigan, Master of Business Administration from University of Detroit Mercy, and Doctor of Business Administration from University of Phoenix. Pamela has two sons and lives in Novi. She loves walks, gardening, travel, and learning golf.
  
  
• As a reminder, Laura Knaus began serving as Superintendent of Catholic Schools effective July 1. She can be reached at knaus.laura@aod.org or by contacting Erin McNally, Executive Administrative Assistant for Catholic Schools, at mcnally.erin@aod.org or (313) 237-4645.