Andy Grover was named the executive director of the Idaho Association of School Administrators today, replacing the retiring Rob Winslow.

Grover, who has served as a regional president for IASA, has been the superintendent for the Melba School District the past 12 years. He also was a Republican candidate for state Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2014. He lost in a four-way primary race to Superintendent Sherri Ybarra, Randy Jensen and John Eynon.

Grover will take over IASA on July 1.

“I am passionate about education and opportunities for students — I have worked my entire career to push this agenda,” Grover said. “I have had lots of successes along the way and I am confident of my ability to work with our administrative groups to have open conversations, be well informed, and create direction that continues to benefit Idaho students.”

Grover taught and coached for eight years in the Bonneville School District in Idaho Falls before starting his path into administration. He was hired as Melba’s high school principal before being promoted to superintendent.

Grover is a fifth-generation Idahoan who served in the Marine Corps reserves, went on a Mormon Church mission to France then returned to marry Candice, a girl from his rural hometown of Ririe. He received his undergraduate degree from Boise State University and went on to earn his doctorate. He and Candice, a teacher, have been married 26 years and they have three daughters.