Goldstein & Rhoads
Michael S. Goldstein, ESQ.
Michael S. Goldstein is on the front line to improve education for Arizona’s students. He is State of Arizona Director of Proclaiming Justice to The Nations in support of its goal to Take Back America’s Children by protecting them from the rise of inaccuracy and bigotry in school curricula and textbooks, in K-12 schools and colleges across the state.
Education and Professional Credentials
Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Political Science, and History from Michigan State University, and his law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He practiced Municipal and Education Law, Employment Law, and Energy Law for municipalities, corporations, and for 30 years as president of his own law firm. He represented students and their parents in disciplinary and other administrative proceedings at the school administrative level and before local school boards.
Michael has drafted legislation and presented testimony to the Arizona Legislature and to the Ohio General Assembly and the Tennessee General Assembly, on issues of Education, Civil rights, and Energy policy, drawing on his unique background to inform state policy.
Leadership in the Energy Sector
He served as a Senior Attorney with the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (CEI) where he was the first CEI attorney stationed at the Perry Nuclear Power Plant in Northeast Ohio, providing legal counsel during the Plant’s construction, navigating complex regulatory and safety compliance issues. He created bridges between CEI and its contractors, both union and non-union; municipal, county, state, and federal agencies and regulators; engineering challenges; and legal requirements.
Michael currently volunteers as Senior Legal Advisor and a Board Member of eGeneration Foundation – a nonprofit dedicated to advancing Generation IV liquid core molten salt nuclear reactors, an American technology vital to Arizona’s future, with environmental, national security, and economic benefits.
Distinguished Naval Intelligence Service
Before and alongside his legal career, Michael served 30 years in the U.S. Navy intelligence community as a linguist and cryptology officer, including nuclear submarine duty. He has a deep sense of duty, and a unique insight into the intersection of education, technology, and history.
Advocacy and Community Leadership
Michael served as President of the Northern Ohio Chapter of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO), where he led initiatives to share intelligence insights and to support those who have served, reflecting his ongoing commitment to national security education.
He is also deeply engaged in civic and professional organizations that benefit from his leadership and experience.
- Life Trustee, Beachwood, Ohio Chamber of Commerce – providing guidance to promote business and community development.
- USS Cod Submarine Memorial Committee – helping preserve the legacy of the historic WWII USS Cod (SS 224).
- Northeast Ohio Law Directors Association – participating in professional forums to support municipal law directors and public-sector attorneys.
- Veterans & Civic Speaker – Guest speaker to veterans’ groups and civic organizations on education, national security, intelligence, foreign policy, and energy.
- Published articles on education, national security, and veterans’ rights issues.
Michael S. Goldstein, ESQ.
Brenda Rhoads
With four decades of hands-on experience in K-12 education, Brenda Rhoads is running for the J.O. Combs School Board to bring extensive professional insight and a student-first, parent-partnered approach to our district.
Brenda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance, backed by an additional 60 graduate hours focused deeply on counseling and psychology. This extensive academic foundation fueled a distinguished 40-year career as a classroom educator and guidance counselor, culminating in her role as the Director of Guidance for a school district of 6,000 students.
Throughout her career, Brenda worked directly with students and parents to build strong, open lines of communication. Brenda knows that every child possesses unique talents, and her life’s work has been helping students reach their maximum potential—preparing them for maximum success in whatever career path they choose.
Brenda firmly believes that parent involvement is a vital piece of the educational puzzle. Active communication between home and school ensures accountability, support, and transparency. As a school board member, Brenda will advocate for parents to be recognized as essential members of the decision-making team when it comes to their child’s education.
"Schools succeed when parents and educators work as a team. After 40 years of helping families navigate the K-12 journey, I want to bring that collaborative spirit and deep district experience to our school board to ensure every child reaches their maximum potential."
Brenda Rhoads