After a three-month national search to find a replacement for retiring President Pete Bowen, Servite High School is excited to announce the selection of Randall Adams as the school’s new president. Adams brings a wealth of experience to the position, having spent the last 25 years serving in a wide range of leadership positions in Catholic educational institutions around the country. Most recently Mr. Adams completed a two-year assignment as interim president of Academy of Notre Dame, an all-girls intermediate and secondary Catholic school in Massachusetts. Prior to that, Adams served as head of school for St. Anne’s in Laguna Niguel, successfully guiding the institution through an important growth phase.
Adams, 57, will begin his role as president on July 15.
“I can’t imagine a better fit for me than Servite High School. I feel that my whole life experience in Catholic education has led me to this position, at this time,” said Adams. “More than ever, we need to inspire young men to become leaders who are compassionate and faith-driven, who will improve our world through living purposeful, faith-filled lives. I am humbled at the opportunity to serve as president of Servite as we pursue this important mission. I look forward to working side by side with Servite’s faculty, staff, parents, alumni and supporters as we collaborate to fulfill our promise to engage these young men in their search for faith and purpose in life.”
Adams earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and his Masters in Educational Administration from California State University, San Bernardino. Upon graduation, he served 12 years as an aircraft maintenance specialist in the U.S. Air Force, ultimately retiring to pursue his passion for Catholic education. That passion brought Adams to Aquinas High School in San Bernardino, where across a 16-year period he served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and then ultimately principal.
Recognizing the unique skills of this rising star, the Diocese of San Bernardino recruited Adams to serve as associate superintendent of schools. However, it was not long before Adams’ passion for hands-on problem-solving in a teaching environment landed him in Orange County as head of school for the then-newly-formed St. Anne’s Catholic Elementary and Middle School in Laguna Niguel.
“I’m not sure if Randy found us, or we found him, but either way, this match was meant to be,” said Tim Buckley, head of the Servite Presidential Search Committee responsible for locating and recruiting Adams. “Randy’s extensive educational background, his broad network of relationships, his professional yet humble demeanor, his competitive results-oriented focus, and his interest in helping young men grow in faith and succeed in life, are a perfect combination for the next leader of Servite.”
Buckley’s optimism is also shared by Father John Fontana, O.S.M., Prior Provincial of the U.S.A. Province of the Servite Order. “Randy radiates the true essence of faith, leadership and community, which Servite embraces as an Order and also as a school-community,” said Father John. “We are confident he will continue to support the vision and mission of the school while incorporating the traditions and charisms of the Order.”
Adams begins his role as Servite’s president just as the school completes its 60th-anniversary celebration.
“Over the past decade Servite has invested heavily in building centers of excellence in athletics, academics and the arts,” said Board Chairman Philip Stump. “With a new world-class swimming facility, robotics and engineering center, wrestling facility and recently renovated drama facilities and library learning center, the school is poised to enter the nest 60 years with tremendous momentum. Randy Adams is the perfect combination of energy and vision to lead Servite as we capitalize on the opportunities and address the challenges which lay ahead.”
Adams brings to Servite both enthusiasm for Servite’s future and appreciation for the school’s rich culture of formation.
“My vision for leading Servite High School is to build upon its tradition of excellence, and its focus on developing the whole person. I am personally inspired and motivated by Servite’s commitment to teaching to the body and the soul of each individual, while placing proportionate emphasis on the body, intellect and will. This type of education inspires and grows young men of strong moral character and integrity, and teaches them to own their thoughts and actions,” said Adams.
Adams has been married to his wife Debbie for 39 years, has three children and six grandchildren. He loves to play guitar, surf and travel.
