(KNZA)--A new Jefferson County North superintendent has been named.

The USD 339 Board of Education on Friday announced the selection of Dr. Brad Kempf for the position.

Kempf has been in education for seventeen years and currently serves as the Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for Emporia USD 253.

He was among three candidates interviewed last week.  The other two candidates were Joe Worthington, who currently serves as principal of Jefferson County North High School, and Jennifer Gatz, who currently serves as assistant superintendent of Prairie Hills USD 113.

According to a release, Kempf was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, and has been a Kansas resident since 2008. Since living in Kansas, he has enjoyed living in both Kansas rural and city settings. The release says he is passionate about advocating for all Kansas students and public schools' needs at the state level.

Kempf will take over the reins as the new Jeff County North superintendent on July 1st following the retirement of Denise Jennings at the end of the 2021-22 school year.