FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CUMBERLAND, Md. – Feb. 9, 2026 – Allegany County Public Schools has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of two seasoned professionals: John Hampton as Director of Information Technology and Kristin "Kris" Kehrwald as Public Information Officer.
Hampton joined the district in December, while Kehrwald began her role in late October.
"John and Kris bring decades of combined experience, technical expertise, and fresh perspective to our district," said Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Martirano. "Both are talented, service-oriented professionals with strong project management backgrounds and deep community roots."
John Hampton, Director of Information Technology
Hampton is an accomplished public-sector IT leader with almost two decades of experience driving digital transformation, operational excellence, and enterprise modernization. His career began at Allegany College of Maryland as a help desk staff member while he was a student, followed by private-sector experience as a Field Service Technician with Mel’s Business Systems supporting point-of-sale systems, networking, CCTV, and other critical technologies.
In 2011, Hampton joined the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) as the IT Manager and Unit Training Coordinator for District 6 in Western Maryland, serving Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties. From 2018-2025, he has served as the eConstruction Program Manager, leading a statewide team that modernized construction project management through centralized operations, paperless workflows, innovative solutions, and data-driven automation, positioning MDOT SHA as a nationally recognized leader in digital construction management.
Known for his collaborative, people-centered leadership style, Hampton is committed to empowering teams, strengthening service delivery, and investing in professional growth. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Information Systems Management and is actively involved in NSLS, ASL Tau Chapter, and Upsilon Pi Epsilon.
Hampton’s commitment to public service is deeply personal. His spouse serves as a school secretary at Northeast Elementary School, and their two children attend Allegany County Public Schools. He also honors the legacy of his late brother, Eddie Hampton, a highly respected ACPS educator and Math Specialist.
Now returning to Western Maryland as Director of Information Technology for Allegany County Public Schools, Hampton views the role as a full-circle moment. He is passionate about advancing educational technology and ensuring students and educators have access to secure, modern digital tools that prepare the next generation for future success.
Kris Kehrwald, Public Information Officer
Kehrwald brings more than 25 years of strategic communications, media relations, and organizational leadership experience to ACPS. Most recently, she served for seven years as communications coordinator at Allegany College of Maryland, where she led comprehensive media, public relations and marketing strategies, managed the college's ACCESS ACM publication with more than 27,000 readers, and secured prominent media coverage including an MPT Outdoors Maryland segment.
Her diverse career includes serving as executive director of Jane's Place Inc. Child Advocacy Center, where she increased annual grant revenue by 400%, and as coordinator of external affairs at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's Appalachian Laboratory, where she boosted fundraising revenue by 52% and created a community learning series that attracted more than 625 attendees.
Kehrwald began her career as a political and nonprofit fundraising professional before moving into workforce and legal marketing, business development and communications.
Kehrwald is an active member of both the National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and the National School Public Relations Association. She earned her graduate and undergraduate degrees from Frostburg State University and has served on the university's Advisory Council for the Minors in Journalism and Public Relations since 2016.
Like Hampton, Kehrwald has a deep connection to ACPS. She was raised by an ACPS teacher and her child is a graduate of the school system.
Kehrwald is excited about building connection and community. “Our goal is to help every ACPS family feel informed, valued and connected to their child's educational journey,” said Kehrwald, who works in tandem with ACPS Webmaster Trent Montgomery. “It's about developing relationships and supporting student success across all of our communities.”