Leadership

Father Jon Chalmers was appointed President of John Carroll Catholic High School on November 9, 2022. 

Fr. Jon grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA; finished high school in New Jersey; and started college in Chicago.  A series of wildly improbable events brought him to Alabama for what he thought would be a brief visit.  Now thirty years later, he has found a welcoming home and several vocations in Alabama.  He finished his undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama and then worked with the University for another 12 years, finally as Director of the Program for Rural Services and Research where he worked with communities throughout the state in public education, economic development, arts, and community health.  Along the way, he did a Masters in Education at Harvard University and a Master of Divinity from Yale University.

Prior to his appointment at John Carroll, he was President of Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham from 2015 to 2021 and Pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Gate City, a neighborhood of Birmingham. He has also worked in Catholic healthcare in the areas of mission leadership, formation, spiritual care, and bioethics.

Fr. Jon has a passion for old roads, old houses, local history, and wilderness trails.  He also has particular interest in how the past informs the future, the conversation between nature and culture, and redemptive responses to social challenges.  He is a 2020 graduate of Leadership Birmingham. 

Fr. Jon is Pastor of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover, Alabama.

Ronald Steele was named Principal on June 22, 2023.  He is the 16th Principal in the history of the school.  

Mr. Steele is a 2004 graduate of John Carroll and had served as the school's Athletic Director since 2017.  He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Marymount University.  

As Athletic Director, Mr. Steele increased program quality and engagement while building out critical initiatives focused on education of the whole-person, virtue development, and partner-school relationships.  As Principal he will lead the partnerships with families, our scholars' first educators, and partner schools in addition to leading the academic enterprise.  In addition to his administrative responsibilities Mr. Steele oversees the Cavalier boys basketball program.  

During his time as a student at John Carroll Mr. Steele led the Cavalier basketball team to back-to-back state championships (2003 and 2004) and was named Alabama's Mr. Basketball his junior and senior years.  He was the first player to be selected for the honor as a junior.  

Mr. Steele continued his basketball career at the University of Alabama where he graduated in 3.5 years, was a National All-American (2005 and 2006), was All-SEC First Team (2006), and an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Following graduation Mr. Steele played professionally for 6 years in Israel, Turkey, and Italy.  

Dr. Banyon Allison has been the Assistant Principal at John Carroll since August, 2021.  He is a retired public school employee having served as a teacher/coach, assistant principal, and central office administrator.  As well, he has fulfilled roles as adjunct faculty at Jacksonville State University and Gadsden State Community College.  Currently, Dr. Allison serves as a Commissioned Lay Pastor for Leyden Hill Presbyterian Chapel in Anniston, AL.  

Dr. Allison received a Bachelor of Science in Education (Biology/History), Master of Science in Education (Biology/History), and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Administration all from Jacksonville State University.  He completed his Doctor of Education in Educational Administration from the University of Alabama  Dr. Allison has additional studies at Alabama State University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Dubuque Theological Seminary, Iowa. Dr. Allison is a graduate of the Alabama Superintendents' Academy, class of 2019.

Dr. Allison played collegiate football at Jacksonville State University where he was a member of the 1992 National Championship Team.  He was a member of the Gulf South Conference All-Academic Team that same year.  As well, Dr. Allison is a member of the Calhoun County 1990's All-Decade Team.  Dr. Allison enjoys running and has completed 3 marathons.  Dr. Allison enjoys watching sporting events of all types, ages, and abilities.  

Dr. Allison is responsible for overseeing school operations and collaborating with faculty and administration regarding classroom management, school facilities, and implementing school policies.