Green Local Schools

Brandon Von Almen

Brandon is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, and later moved to Columbus, where he developed a lifelong love for Ohio State football. Today, he and his wife proudly call Wayne County home, where they are raising their five children in the Green Local School District.

Brandon served nine years in the United States Army as an Infantry Soldier and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 2010. Following his military service, he transitioned into home financing and currently serves as a Division Sales Manager with CrossCountry Mortgage.

Beyond his professional work, Brandon is deeply invested in the local community where he has served on several different board and committees. He currently serves as a Board Member for Green Local Schools and is an active member of the Wooster Chamber of Commerce and the Wayne-Holmes Association of Realtors®. He is also a committed member of Grace Church, where he and his family faithfully attend and serve.

In his free time, Brandon enjoys staying active, golfing, and spending quality time with his family. Serving families—both professionally and within the schools and community he calls home—is a responsibility he values greatly, and he is dedicated to supporting the continued growth and success of Green Local.

Luke Steiner

 “I graduated from Rittman high school and the Wayne County Schools Career Center in 1997. My family and I live between Smithville and Marshallville.   My family and I are co-owner/operators of our family farm Pine Tree Dairy. 

    My wife Pamela is a 1999 graduate of Smithville High School, and we have four boys. Aidan and Evan have graduated from Smithville. While Emmett and Truet are currently in high school. 

   I enjoy attending school activities to support the students learning to grow their confidence and skills gained at Smithville. I hope to continue supporting the tradition of excellence at Green local schools.   I can be reached at gren_lsteiner@tccsa.net or 330-466-1897.” 

“I was born and raised in Wayne County - graduating from Kingsway Christian School in 2006, meeting my husband while in high school, added three kiddos to our family (McKinley, Cohen, and Ann Grace), and bought our home in Smithville almost six years ago. 

I attended Mt Vernon Nazarene University and graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education in 2010. I worked as the administrator and teacher of a preschool for 8 years before opening The Foundation School in Orrville in 2020 where I served as the owner and administrator until the fall of 2025. Currently, I am being a mom, helping with my husband’s business (Onyx Outdoors), and consulting with The Foundation School as needed. 

Serving on the Green Local School Board is an honor and responsibility that I don’t take lightly. 

As a mom of three Smithies I have witnessed the strong leadership that has put Green Local Schools on the path to success. I am committed to ensuring that our district remains strong and effective. 

As an educator, school administrator, and business owner I understand the nuances and challenges of teachers, staff, and administrators and intend to advocate for an environment that allows for growth and success.

I value the public school system - education and academic excellence - as well as creating a space in which ALL students feel safe, respected, and important. 

The opportunity and responsibility that our school system has to influence the lives of hundreds of students each year is an honor that I am excited to have a small voice in. 

In my spare time I enjoy taxiing my children to all of their activities, spending time with my husband Justin, going to the lake, reading, and laughing. My faith guides my decisions and I am grateful for every aspect of this life I get to live. 

I absolutely love connecting with people - and would love to get to know even more Smithie families. Please feel free to reach out and introduce yourself!”

“I have lived in Smithville since 2015 and I have a son and 2 daughters in the graduating classes of 2029, 2032, and 2035.  My wife’s side of the family has been in the Green Local School District for many generations. I am a graduate of Solon High School and Wheaton College. 

I work as an attorney at a local insurance company, and most of my career has been in insurance. A lot of my free time is spent at my kids activities - sports practices and games, band concerts, 4-H projects, and the Wayne County Fair. 

Green Local is a special place and I will do what is necessary to keep it that way. I want our students to grow up in a healthy environment, where they can learn and be challenged. Success looks different for every student, and I want us to help each student reach their goals.” 

Justin Gherian

“I grew up in rural NW Ohio.  I then attended the University of Toledo, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Language Pathology. Graduate school brought me to Wayne County, where I completed a Doctorate program in Audiology at the University of Akron. 

My wife Lisa and I have 5 children at Green Local Schools, and we have been involved in their activities which has allowed us to meet many families.  Additionally, I coordinate the boy's youth basketball program.  

The Board of Education was an interest to me because I wanted to give back to our community and to contribute in the future progress that will be made.  If I can be of any assistance, I encourage you to contact me.  Thank you for your support and Go Smithies!”