Friendswood Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name Deputy Superintendent Thad Roher as the lone finalist to succeed Superintendent Trish Hanks in her position during a special meeting at 7:30 a.m. on May 15. Roher has 26 years of experience as an educator, 18 of which have been in service to FISD. He has climbed the administrative ranks at the district, serving as an assistant principal at Friendswood High School, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for both elementary and secondary schools, and finally as deputy superintendent. “Thad came out as the clear candidate in this process and it lets our community know Mr. Roher will lead FISD into its future,” board of trustees president Rebecca Hillenburg said. “I can’t wait to see Thad Roher roar." FISD trustees now have a 21-day waiting period before they can vote to confirm their appointment of Roher as superintendent. Trustees anticipate they will vote to offer him a contract on June 6, according to a district press release. Roher's appointment comes almost three months after the announced retirement of FISD Superintendent Trish Hanks, who has led the district for 15 years and has been an employee for a total of 32 years. Roher was one of six candidates interviewed for the superintendent post between May 9-11. Candidates were not named due to confidentiality agreements, according to the district. The Texas Association of School Boards was contracted for the superintendent search, and trustees conducted the candidate interviews. TASB and FISD trustees approved a qualifications and characteristics profile on March 29 that included eight traits of a "highly desirable" superintendent, according to the document. The profile was put together with staff, student parent and community input. The eight traits included being a team builder, a leader of high moral standing who resides in the district, a visionary with success deploying technology in schools, an effective delegator, an attentive and motivational leader, experience in education and a track record of success, according to the profile. Roher is a Friendswood High School graduate. He received his undergraduate degree in elementary education from Barclay College, a private Christian college in Kansas, in 1991 and his master's degree in education administration from Fort Hays State University in 1995, according to the district.