Cabinet

PCOE Public Facing Web Site

​Martin Fregoso is the Associate Superintendent of Business Services and has worked for the Placer County Office of Education since July 2016.

Mr. Fregoso began his education career in 2006 and previously served as the Chief Business Officer for the Los Gatos Union School District and Atwater Elementary School District. During this time, he facilitated multi-million dollar facilities projects and left both districts in a strong financial position with more than 20 percent in reserves.

Mr. Fregoso earned his Bachelor of Arts in Migrant Studies/Sociology from the University of California, Davis and his Masters of Business Administration from the University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management. He currently serves on the Placer County Consolidated Oversight Board as well as the Executive Committee for the Schools Insurance Group. Mr. Fregoso has resided in the region for 30 years and is committed to quality education in Placer County.​

Learn more about Mr. Fregoso in this Cabinet Q&A video.

Susan Connolly is the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and has worked for the Placer County Office of Education since 1997.

Ms. Connolly began her teaching career working with students with special needs for the Stanislaus County Office of Education. Additionally, she worked in a non-public school setting before accepting a position teaching children with Autism Spectrum Disorders for the Placer County Office of Education.

Ms. Connolly also served as a Special Education Coordinator and the Director of Alternative Education prior to her current position overseeing Student Services. Ms. Connolly holds a Master of Arts in Special Education from National University and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from California State University, Stanislaus.

Ms. Connolly is a Placer County resident and has made it her home since 1995. Ms. Connolly strives to develop and sustain innovative, high quality educational programs to meet the diverse needs of students in our community.

​Jennifer Hicks is the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services and began working for the Placer County Office of Education in 2011. Ms. Hicks oversees the Early Learning, Equity Innovation and Support and Leadership and Learning Collaborative departments at PCOE. Ms. Hicks previously served as the Director, Professional Development and Executive Director, Curriculum and Instruction and Assistant Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction. Prior to joining PCOE, Ms. Hicks was the Coordinator, Educational Services for Washington Unified School District, Service Learning Grant Manager for Rocklin Unified School District and a kindergarten-second grade teacher.

Ms. Hicks holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, Sacramento and Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Walden University. Ms. Hicks is currently the statewide Chair of the Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee (CISC) for the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA). Ms. Hicks has served on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Board of Institutional Review which is responsible for the accreditation of teacher and administrator preparation programs throughout the state.  In 2014, Ms. Hicks was selected as the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Placer County Charter and Region 2 Administrator of the Year for Curriculum and Instruction. Ms. Hicks is a Placer County resident and her children attend Placer County Schools.

Ms. Hicks has successfully integrated a framework for improvement and implementation science into professional learning, coaching and leadership development practices as well as built systematic and sustainable foundations for school and district transformation efforts. Her focus is on designing and promoting professional learning opportunities to promote research-based school improvement practices that serve the diverse needs of Placer County students.  Ms. Hicks is a WestEd Equity Accelerator Fellow and has a passion for ensuring equity and creating sustainable systems change.

​Michelle Eklund is the Chief Communications Officer and began working for the Placer County Office of Education in March 2019. Ms. Eklund is an award-winning communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience in strategic communications, brand management, online community engagement, publication production, design and marketing in a variety of industries ranging from travel and tourism, healthcare, leadership development and education. She previously supported the largest children's advocacy association, California State PTA, as the Assistant Executive Director working to drive improvements in the education, health and well-being of all children and families.

Ms. Eklund earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and is a member of several professional groups including the California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA), National School Public Relations Association and the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO). She previously served as the President of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Inland Empire Chapter and has been honored by organizations such as the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals and the International Festivals & Events Association.

In 2021, Ms. Eklund received the "California Gold" award from CalSPRA. She currently serves on the Education Commission for the California State PTA Board of Managers and serves as the chair of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) Communications Committee for the Capitol Service Region 3.

Ms. Eklund resides in Placer County and is committed to showcasing the positive impact public education has for all children and families in Placer County.