The Board of Education has named Ikhide Roland Ikheloa as the Board’s chief of staff, succeeding former staff director George Margolies, who currently is chief of staff at Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Mr. Ikheloa retains the role of ombudsman in his new assignment.

“Mr. Ikheloa’s years of outstanding service to the Board as our ombudsman and staff assistant have prepared him superbly to move into his new role,” said Board of Education President Charles Haughey. “I am confident that he will continue to provide the leadership and excellence that have long characterized his work on behalf of the Montgomery County Public Schools.”

Mr. Ikheloa has been acting staff director since July of this year and has served as ombudsman and staff assistant to the Board of Education since 2001 and as staff assistant since 1995. He has been an employee of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) since 1987, beginning as business manager at Gaithersburg High School and as a budget and management specialist for MCPS.

Mr. Ikheloa received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Benin in his native country, Nigeria. He also holds an MBA degree from the University of Mississippi in Oxford.