AASA has an amazing history as an organization founded in 1865. It’s a history “that we continue to build upon as the premier association for school system leaders and as the national voice for public education and district leadership throughout the country,” according to Gladys Cruz, immediate past president of AASA, speaking at Friday morning’s 2nd General Session.
Every year, AASA recognizes those who have served as the association’s president. At the 2025 national conference’s 2nd General Session, 19 past presidents stood for a moment in the limelight.
On hand for the public recognitions were the following:
| A. Dean Speicher | 1989-90 |
| Roland C. Haun | 1994-95 |
| Daniel A. Domenech | 1998-99 |
| Don W. Hooper | 2001-02 |
| Eugene G. White | 2006-07 |
| Sarah D. Jerome | 2007-08 |
| Mark T. Bielang | 2009-10 |
| Edgar B. Hatrick, III | 2010-11 |
| Patricia E. Neudecker | 2011-12 |
| Amy F. Sichel | 2013-14 |
| David R. Schuler | 2015-16 |
| Alton L. Frailey | 2016-17 |
| Gail Pletnick | 2017-18 |
| Christopher O. Gaines | 2018-19 |
| Deborah Kerr-Eckhart | 2019-20 |
| Kristi Wilson | 2020-21 |
| Paul Imhoff | 2021-22 |
| Shari Camhi | 2022-23 |
| Gladys Cruz | 2023-24 |
Also honored were two former superintendents and AASA presidents who recently passed away:
- Don Thompson, president 1996-97
- Joe Cirasuolo, president 1999-2000.
