(Milan, Ind.) - Milan Community Schools’ new superintendent is a familiar face to many.

The Milan School Board announced Tuesday the hiring of Dr. Thomas G. Reale as the superintendent who will succeeds interim super Steve Gookins.

Gookins, a former superintendent at Lawrenceburg Community Schools, had been guiding the district since Gene Pitts stepped down in 2008.

Reale taught German classes at Milan High School from 1990 to 1995. Since then he’s been a principal in Indiana, Connecticut, and Germany.

He received his education at Tulane University in Louisiana before earning his doctorate at Purdue University. His experience includes planning an implementation of curricular and scheduling reforms, school construction, finance, budgeting, transportation, and personnel matters.

Reale says he and his wife, Pauline, are excited to be returning to Indiana and become a long-term member of the community.