St. Thomas Aquinas is proud to announce the appointment of Brook Harless as its new Director of Development. After medically retiring from the U.S. Army, Harless transitioned to civilian life and has since established herself as a leader in her community and Ohio. Harless is a dedicated servant who brings experience and passion to her new role at St. Thomas Aquinas.

Harless’s academic achievements include a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and an associate degree from Central Texas College. A 1994 East Canton High School graduate, she also completed several prestigious leadership programs, such as Leadership Ohio (2023), the Stark County Signature Program, and the Grassroots Leadership Academy.

Recognized for her tireless dedication to community service, Harless was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame and has received numerous awards, including United Way’s Volunteer of the Year, the Stark County 20 Under 40 award, CLEO Dream Builder, She Elevates Women’s Leadership, and the YWCA Women’s Hall of Fame. Most recently, she was honored as Ohio’s Mother of the Year and National Military Mother of the Year.

Beyond her accolades, Harless is deeply involved in veteran advocacy and community leadership. She serves on the Executive Committee for the Stark County Hunger Task Force, on the North Canton Chamber of Commerce board, the Past President of the Rotary Club of Plain Township, and on the boards of multiple other local organizations. Her commitment to service extends to roles with the American Red Cross, the Stark County Veterans Task Force, and the OneOhio Region 6 Opioid Settlement Board, among many others.

She was recently elected as the first female President of the Stark County Township Association. Harless is the President of the Plain Township Board of Trustees, a Community Liaison for Arrow Passage Recovery, Salute Magazine’s Community Relations Director, and an independent consultant.

In her personal life, Harless and her husband Steve are raising three boys—Mason, Brantley, and Weston. Harless continues to balance her many responsibilities while making a lasting impact in her community.

"Stark County Catholic Schools are thrilled to welcome Brook Harless to our St Thomas team. Brook brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion to serve our youth," says Stark County Catholic Schools President, Joseph French. St. Thomas Aquinas looks forward to the growth and progress Brook Harless will help achieve in her new role.