Spartanburg District Five Schools is thrilled to announce a new, but familiar face is joining the district’s senior leadership team. Following unanimous approval by the District Five Board of Trustees, Mr. Ryan Cloonan will join District Five as Chief of Operations, effective July 1.
The move is a “homecoming”, of sorts, for Cloonan, who is a proud graduate of District Five Schools and James F. Byrnes High School. Additionally, he has worked closely with the district in recent years, as an architect on multiple construction projects, including new and renovated schools.
“I am excited and humbled to be given this opportunity to serve my community,” Cloonan says. “While I have worked with District Five in a different capacity over the last seven years, I feel so blessed to officially be a part of this family.”
Cloonan comes to District Five from McMillan Pazdan Smith, an architectural firm where he has served as a Project Architect, Associate and Team Leader since 2014. Prior to that, he worked for Gilliland and Associates, Inc. and CH2M Hill Lockwood Greene, both also based in the Upstate. The former Rebel received his Bachelors in Architecture from Clemson University, with a minor in Business Administration. He’s a graduate of Leadership Spartanburg, and currently serves as a Board member for Middle Tyger Community Center, as well as a mentor and member of the School Improvement Council at Byrnes High School.
“This is a pivotal year in Spartanburg District Five, as we open new schools and see many exciting changes,” says Superintendent Dr. Randall Gary. “I am confident that Ryan Cloonan’s experience and expertise will serve as an asset to our district as we look forward and prepare for the future.”
Cloonan says he’s looking forward to getting started. “This is my home, and it is an honor to be able to give back to where I grew up, where my wife educates, and where my children learn. I can’t wait to get started and build upon the successful history and tradition of Spartanburg District Five.”
Cloonan will officially begin his new role on July 1, taking over for Assistant Superintendent of Operations, Dr. Greg Wood, who will retire at the end of June.