James Irwin Charter Schools Appoints New CEO

Rob Daugherty, CEO

Rob Daugherty, CEO

The James Irwin Charter Schools Board of Directors has appointed Rob Daugherty as the Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2020.  Jonathan Berg, the CEO and Co-founder, will be retiring June 30, 2020. 

According to Duane France, President of the James Irwin Charter Schools Board, “One of the main goals of our Board is to ensure that the culture and mission of our schools is sustainable well into the future. Rob Daugherty has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to this mission, and his dedication to the JICS family, which includes our students, their families, and our staff. We feel as though he is an excellent choice to carry on the ideals set forth by our founding members and to build upon the outstanding foundation that has been built by Mr. Berg.”

Rob Daugherty is the founding principal of Power Technical, James Irwin Charter School’s fifth school which opened in 2016. Previously, Rob served in various roles at James Irwin Charter High School since 2007.  These roles include dean of students, lead math teacher, and facilities manager for all the James Irwin schools.

Prior to working at James Irwin Charter Schools, Rob Daugherty owned and operated a manufacturing company in Colorado Springs, owned a small construction company, and worked as an engineer for Engineering Development, Inc.  Additionally, Rob proudly served in the Colorado Army National Guard from 1986 to 1993.  Rob earned a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in educational leadership.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, James Irwin Charter Schools is an award-winning network of five schools on three campuses.  Total enrollment of the network is 2,091 students. Included are two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school and a professional skilled trade and pre-engineering school.   Named after the late astronaut James B. Irwin, JICS opened its first school in 2000. Character development, academic excellence and a Western Heritage emphasis are paramount in each school.   James Irwin Charter Schools swept the elementary school, middle school, high school, trade school and multiple teacher/coach categories of the 2020 Gazette Best of the Springs’ awards.