Meet Our Board

John Pallasch | Chair

Email: jopallasch@carolusonlineacademy.org

John Pallasch serves as chair of the charter school board. Mr. Pallasch has extensive business leadership experience with more than 20 years in the public and nonprofit sectors. He was presidentially appointed as an assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Labor from 2019–2021. During his time there, he created and implemented the One Workforce initiative; he was instrumental in drafting three significant pieces of the CARES Act and created multiple innovative pilots and new programs in the $1.7 billion Job Corps program. Mr. Pallasch is currently the founder and CEO of One Workforce Solutions in Aiken, whose mission is to facilitate, create, or advance results-driven partnerships across education, the workforce, human services, and economic development.Before his initiatives in the federal government, he was the executive director of the Office of Employment and Training for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Mr. Pallasch earned a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law and a BA in sociology from The Ohio State University. He is a current member of the California State Bar and District of Columbia Bar. Mr. Pallasch states, “We need to create multiple pathways and enhanced choice for students and parents to receive the highest education regardless of zip code.”

Dan Martin | Vice Chair

Email: dmartin@carolusonlineacademy.org

Dan Martin serves as the vice chair of the charter school board. Mr. Martin owns Dan Martin Allstate Insurance Agency in Charleston and is the president/CEO of D.H. Martin & Associates, Inc., a personnel staffing and consulting firm. Mr. Martin is the founder and executive director of the YouthQuest Foundation of Mt. Pleasant, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote self-sufficiency and educational success for low-income, at-risk children. Mr. Martin was the town administrator for Awendaw and serves as vice chairman of the Board of Elections and Voters Registration of Charleston County, where he served 14 years as board chairman. He is also a managing partner of Pathway Real Estate Group, LLC. Mr. Martin served in the United States Army for more than 20 years, holding leadership positions in research & development before retiring in 1997 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Mr. Martin received a BS from Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina, and MBAs from Wharton and Chadwick University. He also holds two MAs in military science from Army War College and Command & General Staff College and is a graduate of the executive management course at Harvard.

Kristen Bell | Secretary

Email: kbell@carolusonlineacademy.org

Kristen Bell serves as secretary of the charter school board. Ms. Bell brings nearly 20 years of experience in government affairs and community leadership in legislative, political, communications, and project management to the charter committee. She is currently a K–4 preschool teacher for the Fountain Inn Homeschool Co-op in Fountain Inn. Before this, Ms. Bell served in a variety of political roles, including campaign manager for Grey Mills for lieutenant governor; legislative coordinator and manager, projects and communications for Stateside Associates, Inc.; special projects and field manager for the Republican National Committee; campaign manager for Boylan for North Carolina House; and field director for Patrick McHenry for U.S. Congress. Ms. Bell earned a BA in political science, cum laude, from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and studied Italian language and culture at the Istituto Italiano in Florence, Italy. Ms. Bell says, “As a strong advocate of school choice, I joined the founding board of COA to bring more quality, individualized education options to the families of South Carolina.”

Dr. Eric Mack | Treasurer

Email: emack@carolusonlineacademy.org

Dr. Eric Mack serves as treasurer of the charter school board. Dr. Mack has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare systems, with expertise in education, budget management, community outreach, leadership, and nonprofit operations. Currently, Dr. Mack is a pastor for the Bethany Baptist Church in Charleston and the enterprise imaging coordinator for the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Mack recently served as the board of trustees chair for the Charleston County School Board, where he led cultural competency efforts and facilitated many cultural competency trainings. Dr. Mack earned a Doctor of Divinity degree from International Seminary in Plymouth, Florida, and his master’s, bachelor’s, and associate’s degrees in Christian education from Andersonville Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Mack’s professional affiliations include the National School Board Association and the South Carolina School Board Association.

Dave Hanley

Email: dhanley@carolusonlineacademy.org

Dave Hanley is a seasoned entrepreneur and business builder with a track record of launching and scaling innovative technology companies. As a three-time founder with three exits under his belt, Dave has played a pivotal role in transforming early-stage ideas into sustainable, operationally-sound businesses. His work spans strategy, product development, team building, and go-to-market execution, always with an eye toward long-term value and impact. Passionate about helping founders turn vision into reality, Dave also authored The Delusional Founder, a practical guide for entrepreneurs navigating the early stages of company building.

Dr. Candice Dennis

Email: cdennis@carolusonlineacademy.org

Dr. Candice Dennis serves as a member of the charter school board. Dr. Dennis has extensive experience in both K–12 and higher education, with a strong focus on student life, leadership development, and college and career readiness. Dr. Dennis currently serves as the Director of Student Life at Greenville Technical College. 

Dr. Dennis is the founder of Shaping Futures Consulting, LLC, through which she supports students and families by providing resources in academic preparation, career exploration, and leadership development. Dr. Dennis has also served as a middle school leadership teacher and elementary school educator.

Dr. Dennis earned a Baccalaureate degree in Education from the University of South Carolina Upstate, a Master’s degree in Higher Education Student Affairs Administration from Columbia College, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Liberty University.

Dennis is passionate about creating inclusive, student-centered environments and brings a wealth of experience in student engagement, program management, and community outreach to the Carolus Online Academy board.

Annie Polvinen

Email: apolvinen@carousonlineacademy.org

Annie Polvinen is a newly appointed Board Member for the school district, bringing years of experience in education, management, and community engagement. As a Learning Coach since 2020, Annie is deeply committed to supporting students’ educational growth both inside and outside the classroom. Her first-hand insights from the classroom, combined with over 10 years of management experience in customer service, logistics and operations, enable her to offer a unique perspective to the board.

Annie is passionate about strengthening the relationship between the board, teachers, and students. By being involved in the day-to-day learning experience as a Learning Coach, she understands the challenges and opportunities facing educators and students alike. She is dedicated to fostering an environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed and where teachers feel supported in their important work.

Additionally, Annie is a freelance photographer, volunteering her time at the Orangeburg County Library. A parent of three children who attend the district, she is committed to contributing her skills and experience to help the district continue to grow and thrive. Annie looks forward to serving on the board, ensuring that all voices are heard and that the needs of students, teachers, and families are met.