Bluum Educational Advisory Council
Bluum is extremely proud to partner with district leaders across the country in the creation of our Educational Advisory Council. We deeply value their input and guidance based on collective decades of experience in classrooms and on campuses across the country. Their insights help us bring the most impactful solutions to students and educators.
Role of the Council
Bluum’s Vision and Mission Commitment
Advisory Council members are entrusted with drawing upon their extensive experience in education and technology, contributing insights that align our vision and mission with the evolving needs of the education landscape.
Long-term Planning
Council Members play a crucial role in continuous improvement for Bluum. They engage in ongoing dialogue with leadership teams, providing feedback and contributing to the refinement of strategies for sustained success.
Thought Partnership
Members of the Advisory Council are recognized thought leaders in their fields. They contribute to discussions on education and technology by sharing insights, participating in events, and building partnerships for mutual benefit.
Council Members
2025-2026
Chief Academic Officer
Elite Academy | CA
Technology Program
Area Specialist
Shelby County Schools | AL
Executive Director of Technology
Agua Fria Union High School District | AZ
Executive Director: Educational Technology, Instructional Materials
Albuquerque Public Schools | NM
Chief Technology Officer
Mesa Public Schools | AZ
Chief Technology Officer
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD | TX
District Technology Coordinator
Elder Grove School District | MT
Bluum Leaders
Derrek Hallock
Chief Executive Officer
Derrek is a purpose-driven leader, with an unmatched ability to transform vision into action. At Bluum, he is redefining leadership by focusing on creating a culture that prioritizes people, streamlines processes, and focuses on execution—all while delivering industry-leading customer service. Derrek's leadership philosophy is built on transparency, precision, and a "no surprises" approach that drives accountability and trust.
His global experience shaped his ability to adapt, collaborate, and lead across diverse teams and challenges. Known for his relentless pursuit of knowledge, Derrek invests in continuous learning and the development of forward-thinking strategies that position Bluum for sustainable success.
Rob Gag
Chief Revenue Officer
Rob Gag
Chief Revenue Officer
Rob Gag brings decades of experience in K-12 education solutions and a passion for driving meaningful change in learning environments. Having previously led Bluum’s go-to-market strategy and served as CEO of Tierney, Rob has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within education.
Rob’s leadership is instrumental in guiding Bluum’s growth, ensuring schools and institutions have access to the technology and support they need to create impactful learning experiences. His dedication to education, both in and out of the classroom, aligns seamlessly with Bluum’s mission to create a future where every student has the opportunity and resources to succeed.
Rob’s return to Bluum marks an exciting chapter in the company’s journey—one focused on sustainable growth, innovation, and a shared commitment to transforming education.
Terra Norine
Chief Sales Officer
Having graduated with a Master’s in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Terra went to work in a technical space within the Department of Defense as the only woman in her division. As the first in her family to graduate college, Terra is a vocal advocate for women in technology, providing equity in the classroom and elevating student engagement.
Formerly the Vice President of Sales Enablement and Director of STEM, Terra is driven to help educators adopt emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, robotics and digital fabrication to enrich STEM and STEAM programs.
After joining Bluum in 2016, Terra implemented its new CRM and sales portal but is most passionate about launching her Training Sales Methodology Program, which is another way Bluum differentiates itself in the marketplace.
Chad Polich
Chief Financial Officer
Chad is a seasoned finance executive with over 20 years of experience, including more than a decade in leadership roles within private equity-backed SaaS, energy, and consumer products companies. He has a proven track record of driving performance improvements by aligning financial strategy with business objectives and optimizing operations to deliver measurable results.
Known for his strategic and hands-on leadership style, Chad excels at steering critical business decisions, translating complex financial insights into actionable strategies, solving challenges with creativity, and anticipating evolving business needs. At Bluum, he leads comprehensive finance and operations functions, ensuring these areas make a meaningful impact across the organization.
With a steadfast focus on delivering financial and operational excellence, Chad is pivotal in driving Bluum’s growth and long-term success in an ever-changing market.
Les Weibye
Chief Operating Officer
Les brings a wealth of global experience in supply chain management and business operations to Bluum, where he leads with precision, innovation, and a relentless drive for results. Known for his ability to thrive in high-growth and high-change environments, Les has successfully managed and inspired large global teams, delivering transformative outcomes across diverse industries.
A strategic thinker and operational expert, Les specializes in optimizing processes, streamlining supply chains, and implementing advanced systems like ERP and source-to-pay methods. His expertise extends to real estate, manufacturing, logistics, and driving large-scale business transformations through acquisitions, integrations, and divestitures.
Les’s leadership philosophy is rooted in fostering collaboration, mentoring talent, and influencing stakeholders to achieve organizational goals. With a proven track record in Lean Six Sigma, enterprise governance, and contract negotiation, he ensures Bluum’s operations remain agile and aligned with its long-term strategy.
Kerry Shaw
Chief Human Resources Officer
Kerry is responsible for Bluum’s human resources strategy and its execution. Her background includes more than 20-plus years of experience in human resources from varied industries, which includes developing and executing a comprehensive talent strategy to meet the needs of the business.
Kerry’s focus is on partnering with the business to develop people-oriented strategies to drive the organization forward. An enthusiastic champion who genuinely engages with employees, Kerry focuses on attracting the best and brightest talent, developing and retaining employees and leaders and supporting an inclusive and equitable culture.
As a mother of school-aged children, Kerry was inspired to join Bluum and its mission to make learning more accessible to all students.
Mark Stachulski
Executive Vice President
Mark, better known as Stosh around the office, has spent 35 years in experience in the technology space, with 12 years directly focused on EdTech. Stosh acts as Executive Vice President and is also a member of the Bluum Board of Directors, having served on the Board since 2011.
Throughout the past 25 years, he has served in various C-Level positions in technology and financial services businesses, most notably with a Fortune 500 company, a large Chicago-based family office, and a major public accounting firm. Stosh joined as an Executive Consultant in 2010 and currently performs advisory services to the CEO and C-Suite of Bluum. He oversees all of the company's legal services, manages the companywide facility and lease agreements, develops and manages the leasing services to Bluum’s customer base and performs special projects.
The company's objective drives Stosh to serve education institutions that improve and enhance learning outcomes by providing a full suite of technology services and equipment for the benefit of students.
Emily Cook
Vice President, Education Services
At Bluum, she has spearheaded the development and deployment of advisory and professional development services tailored for educational organizations.
She has assembled and led a team of 16 educational experts dedicated to enhancing leadership and governance practices, refining instructional methods, and engaging in research on the impacts of educational technology.
Her profound passion for improving education serves as her driving force. With a decade of experience in the educational sector prior to her business endeavors, she possesses a deep understanding of how each business decision can affect students' learning experiences. This keen awareness guides her in making strategic decisions that not only enhance Bluum's revenue but also foster positive societal changes.
Emily holds a Master of Science in Educational Administration from National University, a multiple subject teaching credential from California State University at San Marcos, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communications from the University of California at Davis.
