Plasticity Boom Announces Dr. John Palan as Vice President, K-12 Practice
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2026
Plasticity Boom Announces Dr. John Palan as Vice President, K-12 Practice
Bourbonnais, IL — Plasticity Boom, LLC is proud to announce the addition of Dr. John Palan as Vice President of their K-12 Practice, further strengthening the company’s commitment to supporting school leaders and creating environments where educators and students thrive.
Dr. Palan brings more than 21 years of superintendent experience to Plasticity Boom, including 15 years serving as Superintendent of Grant Park School District #6 in Grant Park, Illinois. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Palan has become widely respected for his leadership development, executive coaching, culture-building expertise, and his ability to foster strong board-superintendent relationships that drive organizational success.
In his new role, Dr. Palan will lead Plasticity Boom’s K-12 partner engagement strategy, support participating school districts utilizing the organization’s leadership and employee engagement services, and coordinate the company’s growing cadre of superintendents who work directly with district leaders throughout Illinois and beyond.
Additionally, Dr. Palan will serve as Plasticity Boom’s liaison to both the Illinois Association of School Administrators and the Illinois Principals Association. Plasticity Boom has established strategic relationships with both organizations, serving as an IPA Endorsed Strategic Partner and an IASA Sponsored Corporate Partner, reflecting growing recognition of the company’s work to strengthen leadership, engagement, and organizational culture in Illinois schools.
“John’s reputation, relationships, and passion for developing leaders align perfectly with who we are as an organization,” said Dr. Ryan Spittal, Founder and CEO of Plasticity Boom. “His experience as a superintendent and statewide educational leader gives us a tremendous opportunity to continue expanding our impact in K-12 education while helping leaders create cultures where people thrive.”
During his tenure at Grant Park, Dr. Palan led the district through a period of sustained academic excellence and organizational growth. Under his leadership, the district earned recognition at the local, state, and national levels. In 2026, he was honored with the prestigious “Superintendent of Distinction/Year” award through the Three Rivers Division in recognition of his leadership and service to students, staff, and the educational community.
Dr. Palan also served on the IASA Board of Directors and chaired the State Professional Development Committee, helping shape leadership development initiatives for current and aspiring superintendents across Illinois. In addition, he served as a consultant with the Illinois Principals Association, mentoring first- and second-year principals and supporting leadership growth throughout the state.
“Plasticity Boom has built something unique by helping organizations move beyond simply collecting data and instead translating insight into meaningful leadership action,” said Dr. Palan. “I’m excited to work alongside districts and educational leaders to help strengthen culture, engagement, and long-term organizational growth.”
Plasticity Boom partners with organizations across education, healthcare, senior living, and nonprofit sectors to provide leadership analytics, engagement strategies, and consulting services designed to help organizations create environments where people thrive.
For more information about Plasticity Boom, visit www.plasticityboom.com.
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