2024-25 District Administrator of the Year Finalists

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This year, the Stellar Awards include a new category recognizing professionals who are not eligible for other district awards. The first ten District Administrator of the Year honorees were nominated by their OCPS division chiefs and will be celebrated alongside the nearly 500 other honorees during the Stellar Awards.

Congratulations to the 2024-25 District Administrator of the Year Finalists!

Loubert Alexis

Loubert “Lou” Alexis
Director, Office of Emergency Management
Alexis has been instrumental in making OCPS the standard for K-12 Emergency Management in the State of Florida and beyond. His collaborative efforts across district departments plus public safety partners has led to Districtwide Storm-Ready Recognition through the National Weather Service, the establishment of the Emergency Management Internship Program with UCF, effective and informative countywide Preparedness Days, and the completion and board adoption of the District Reunification Plan. Teamwork is at the heart of Alexis’ work ethic. Due to his K-12 emergency management vision and initiatives, he has gained the respect of emergency managers and internal and external partners and stakeholders.

Jessie Outing
Assistant Director, Employment Services
Jessie Outing is a servant leader who is not afraid to get in the weeds to assist her team and colleagues. She is known for mentoring others to become great leaders. She is also all about innovation. She helped automate the recalculation and reappointment process, which is when schools gain and lose staff due to student counts. That streamlined a huge workload for the Human Resources Employment Services department. The changes have also been appreciated by principals throughout the district. There are many employees who call HR and only want to speak to her. That speaks volumes about her customer service and attitude.

Mindi Smith
Principal Leader, Elementary Cadre 10
In an OCPS career spanning 40 years, Mindi Smith has become known for bringing out the best in others. For the past 10 years, her role has been to guide principals and assistant principals. Deeply knowledgeable about curriculum and instruction, Smith leads professional development, shows leaders how to adjust strategies using data and helps create positive school cultures. Former Assistant Principal of the Year Rebecca Yedbovnick, principal at Ridgewood Park Elementary, called Smith both her “rock” and her go-to thought partner for challenging situations. “Every time I do a learning walk with Mindi, I feel like I learn something,” she said.