Dr. Jim Flynn, KASS Executive Director

A veteran educator and leader with over 30 years of experience, Dr. Jim Flynn became Executive Director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents on July 1, 2019. As executive director, Jim provides professional assistance and leadership for the 172 superintendents in Kentucky, supports their professional learning, and leads the advocacy efforts of KASS.

Prior to joining KASS, Dr. Flynn served 16 years as superintendent of the Simpson County Schools, where he instilled a common vision for empowering all students to graduate life-ready – prepared both academically and socially for college and careers. Recipient of the 2015 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year Award, Dr. Flynn is well-known as a statewide leader, serving as a past President of the KASS and having been appointed by Kentucky General Assembly to the Local Superintendents Advisory Council (LSAC). Dr. Flynn’s national leadership experiences includes AASA, NSBA, the National Superintendents Leadership Institute and the BellSouth Superintendents Leadership Network to name a few.

Additionally, he has presented to international audiences in Finland and China, where he shared about Kentucky’s educational achievements and benchmarked best practices. Dr. Flynn has been active in his local community, serving on both the Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce and the Franklin-Simpson Industrial Authority Board of Directors. Additionally, he was an active board member with the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative.

At Western Kentucky University, Dr. Flynn continues to serve both in the Department of Educational Administration, Research and Leadership in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences and the Center for Leadership Excellence in the Gordon Ford College of Business.

Jim is a graduate of Western Kentucky University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree along with his Rank I in School Administration and superintendent certification. He received his Master of Science degree from Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi and his Doctoral degree from Northern Kentucky University.

Jim’s wife, Natalie, is a retired teacher. Jim and Natalie have three children: Bracken (Rice University graduate); Hunter (Western Kentucky University graduate); and Bretton (University of Kentucky student). The Flynns reside in Franklin, Kentucky.