Joel Swift

Board Chair

jswift@sierraacademy.net

Fortunately, I have been involved with SAEL as a parent of two students since 2015 as well as a Board member since 2017.  I have witnessed firsthand how SAEL has implemented Growth Mindset and fostered successful young people, while evolving the school itself.  I truly have seen the incredible value the school brings through Expeditionary Learning and the talented and dedicated educators.

I am retired after 29 years as public architect for County of Placer and University of California, Davis. My responsibilities included scoping, design and construction for education, research, healthcare, infrastructure and community projects. I supervised dedicated and talented teams of technical, office and field staff.

I am a California Licensed Architect with thirty-eight years of experience in construction project management in dynamic team-based environments.  My focus has been on creating places that are sustainable, accessible and foster healthy living. My current projects range from biomedical research to the challenges of healthcare and housing in the Intermountain and Pacific regions.

I live in western Nevada County with my wife Susan and our sons.  We enjoy the resources of our county and different outdoor activities in the region.