Meet the Team

Jason Bryant joined Imagine Schools in 2005, where he has put his extensive set of people and professional skills to use within Imagine Schools. He served as Development Director, Regional Director, Interim Principal and Executive Vice President of Operations before being named by the Board of Imagine Schools, Inc. as Chief Executive Officer and President.

Prior to Imagine, Jason worked at the AES Corporation. His tenure at AES included operations oversight of multiple power plants in California, leading development efforts in Kazakhstan, and overseeing operations in Brazil and Spain as commercial and financial director.

As CFO of Imagine Schools, Barry has used his financial and operational acumen in overseeing school financial reporting and audits, corporate and real estate financing, treasury, income taxes, national office IT, and other operational responsibilities. The Board of Imagine Schools Non-Profit named Barry as Chief Executive Officer and President in 2013.

Before joining Imagine Schools in 2006, Barry served as Chief Financial Officer at The AES Corporation, where he worked for 20 years. In his former role, Barry was responsible for all aspects of AES’ financial reporting, income tax, corporate finance, risk management, and investor relations functions. At the time he left AES, he was the third-longest serving CFO in the Fortune 500.

Isabel Berio has been part of the Imagine Schools family since 2000, when she joined the development team of then Chancellor Academies, Inc. Prior to joining the Imagine Schools team, Isabel worked as a litigation associate at the law firm of Katten Muchin & Zavis in Chicago, Illinois. She also held fundraising positions with the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and the American Red Cross of Greater Miami & the Keys. Isabel received a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and a B.A. from Tulane University.

As Vice President and Treasurer for Imagine Schools, James is responsible for all aspects of accounting, financial reporting, financial statement consolidation, annual audit oversight and management of treasury functions. James joined Imagine Schools in 2004, strengthening the organization’s financial management and fiscal operations.

Prior to joining Imagine, James served as Corporate Controller for Innovative Logistics Techniques, Inc., with responsibilities for all aspects of accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, income tax preparation and credit facility management. Previous experience also included increasing roles of responsibility at Comsat Corporation, a division of Lockheed Martin. He is a graduate of Oakwood University and completed his graduate studies at Hood College.

Diane Thorne has a diverse background in education, serving in both the private and public sector as a teacher, curriculum developer and headmaster/school leader. Her 33 years in the education field have afforded opportunities to study school leadership and its impact on effective instructional outcomes for students while maintaining a sustainable operating facility.

Diane has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Florida, a Master’s degree from NOVA University in Educational Leadership and an MBA from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. She is currently working with schools and development in North Florida and South Carolina.

Amy currently serves as an Executive Vice President for Imagine Schools in the Midwestern United States. She joined Imagine Schools in 2006 and has served more than 15 years as an educator and administrator. Her experience began as a kindergarten teacher with increasing responsibilities as an academic coach, principal, and regional director. Within Imagine Schools, Amy served as principal of a highly performing school that grew from 200 students to more than 800 under her leadership.

Amy holds a B.A. in elementary education from Otterbein College. She prides herself on putting students and parents first and doing what is best for each individual child. She credits successful schools to a strong team of individuals who inspire growth in each person, every day.

Marisa leads Imagine Schools’ communications and external affairs, ensuring a consistent and compelling message that furthers our mission and vision. She is responsible for shaping and advancing a comprehensive corporate-level internal and external approach to communications, including media relations, digital marketing and promotional materials.

Marisa joins us with significant experience in graphic design, public relations and publications and has served a variety of organizations, including those in the educational, non-profit and corporate arenas. She has a BA in Journalism with a concentration in Advertising and PR from the University of Central Florida. Marisa lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and three children.

Monte currently serves as an Executive Vice President for Imagine Schools in the southwestern United States. He joined Imagine Schools in 2004 and has served more than 17 years as an educator and administrator. His experience began as an elementary teacher with increasing roles of responsibility, including special education teacher, special education director, and charter school leader. Within Imagine Schools, his leadership has included roles as assistant principal, founding principal, and regional director.

Monte holds a B.A. in elementary education and special education, and a M.Ed. in educational administration and supervision from Arizona State University. Monte operates from a conviction that all children are capable of success – no exceptions – and that the purpose of education is to empower them to achieve, transforming them from youth into successful adulthood. He resides with his wife and three children in the metropolitan Phoenix area.

Brad Uchacz joined Imagine Schools in 2008. During his time at Imagine, he has served in the roles of assistant principal, principal, and regional director.

He earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Phoenix. He earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Argosy University in Phoenix.

Throughout his career he has been actively involved in raising the level of education in Arizona. He is currently an active member of the Arizona Charter Association, serving on the advisory board. He served several years as a judge for the Arizona Educational Foundation, identifying exemplary schools throughout the state of Arizona.

Before joining Imagine Schools, Brad taught at public schools in the Phoenix area. Brad is firm believer in always asking the question, “What is best for students?”

Rod Sasse has over forty years of experience in education. He started his career as an English teacher in Kentucky before moving to Florida, where he served Broward County Public Schools in many roles including teacher, administrator, assistant to the Superintendent, and a division director. Rod joined the Imagine family through Chancellor Beacon Academies in 2000 and then transitioned to the Imagine Regional Director role in 2003. In 2010, Rod accepted the challenge to serve as the Executive Vice President for West and South Florida, which is home to 11 Imagine campuses.

Rod has a BA in English from Western Kentucky University and an MA in Guidance and Counseling from Xavier University. He received his Certification in Education Administration and Supervision – Principal K-12 from Florida Atlantic University.

Shawn Toler has more than 15 years of experience in transforming and positively impacting the lives of children through education. Prior to joining Imagine Schools, Shawn served as an English teacher, Academic Facilitator, Adjunct Professor in Education, and Principal. He has served students, educators, and families in North Carolina, Maryland, & the District of Columbia. Within Imagine Schools, his leadership experience includes serving as an Educational Specialist, Regional Director, and Vice President.
Shawn earned a Bachelor’s of Science in English from Radford University and holds a Master’s Degree in Education, focusing on School Improvement Leadership and Supervision from Goucher College. Shawn believes education should be inspirational and transformational. He is passionate about school being the daily highlight for every student served as well as the beacon for every community.