Poway Unified School District (PUSD) promoted a 20-year veteran to lead technology operations and hired an outside specialist to run its Personnel Commission for 2026–27.
Gene Nelson, who has worked in the district since 2006, will serve as Director of Information Technology, Operations and Cybersecurity. He previously held the title of Assistant Director of Information Technology. Jane Kennington, who most recently served as Executive Director of the Personnel Commission at the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District in El Cajon, will take over as Director of the Personnel Commission.
The district announced both appointments on Friday, Sept. 11.
Nelson promoted to lead IT
Nelson's new role puts him in charge of the district's technology infrastructure, cybersecurity protections and data governance. The district said he has nearly two decades of leadership experience in educational technology, systems integration and data security.
He starts his 21st year with PUSD.
Kennington brings Merit System experience
Kennington brings more than 20 years of human resources experience to the position. Twelve of those years were spent in California public sector HR, and nearly eight focused on Merit System environments, according to the district.
At Grossmont-Cuyamaca, she led the creation of a Personnel Commission for a newly established Merit System district. PUSD's Personnel Commission is a nonpartisan body that administers the Merit System for classified employees, the non-teaching staff who keep schools running day to day.
The district's announcement did not include a formal start date for either director, the board meeting at which the appointments were approved, or statements from Nelson or Kennington.
Kennington's areas of responsibility will include employee relations, recruitment, classification and compensation, and Education Code compliance.
