Latisha Andrews
Founder & Superintendent of The Beta Foundation
Latisha Andrews graduated Summa Cum Laude from Capella University with a Master of Business Administration. She is a passionate leader focused on bringing exceptional education to her community. Once reprimanded for “dreaming too big”, she is on a mission to provide a world-class educational opportunity to all children in pursuit of their dreams. With her heart for the community, she brings over sixteen years of educational leadership experience and volunteer tutoring services to the community’s disadvantaged and at-risk children.
In 2010, Latisha successfully launched a private K-6, low-cost tuition school in an economically disadvantaged area of Houston, Texas. Relentlessly focused on the educational needs within the community, she partnered with Responsive Education Solutions in 2013, successfully launching a charter school in an adjacent community. In its first year of operation, that new campus earned four Distinct Designations: Top 25% Closing Performance Gaps, Top 25% Student Progress, Reading/ELA Academic Achieving, and Math Academic Achievement.
On her quest to offer a tuition-free school to her own neighborhood, Latisha opened the first Beta Academy Charter School in the fall of 2015. The school has been recognized with several distinct designations each year and is named on the Texas Honor list.
Meet Our Executive Team
Raquell Sartor
Chief Academic Officer
Raquell Sartor, one of Beta Academy's founders, brings over twelve years of experience working with children in education. Her strengths are analyzing data and using it to drive instruction. She has a special talent for meeting the individual needs of each scholar as well as identifying their unique talents. She works tirelessly to promote student success no matter the odds against them.
Upon hearing the words, “You need to look at attending trade school and forget about a major university because you will probably fail.”, Raquell Sartor resolved to prove that she was capable of so much more. And prove it she did. Raquell graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Human Science degree. She went on to earn a master’s degree from Liberty University in International Business. She is living proof that with hard work and grit, anyone can achieve their dreams. This is what drives her every day to encourage the scholars of Beta Academy to do their best.
In her previous work history, Raquell Sartor has been recognized multiple times for her hard work and leadership skills. While working for Marriott Hotels, Raquell was awarded the Dare to Soar special achievement for both setting and achieving high goals. She went on to receive the Courage of Integrity award for bringing issues forward and developing solutions. While working as a procurement manager for Gateway Supply Incorporated, she was awarded the 2008 Employee of the Year.
On the wave of this success, Raquell went on to become a classroom teacher, assistant principal and finally, chief academic officer. Her zeal for academic excellence is directly responsible for the academic growth of many scholars. Providing quality education where children know they can accomplish their ambitions is not just a job for Raquell, it is her life mission.
Martha Smith
Chief Business Officer
Martha earned her Bachelor of Art degree at Liberty University and has completed her Charter School Business Officer Certification. She has led administration efforts over a myriad of U.S. and oversees organizations and new business startups. She has served as the CFO for multiple 501C3s and brings over 35 years of experience in business administration, operations, state and federal compliance, human resource, and financial management to the Beta team.
Martha began volunteering as the business and financial lead for Beta Academy private school and after-school program in 2010. She served as the Business Administrator until 2015; working tirelessly with the Board of Directors and Superintendent to bring our community a Charter School of Choice. In 2016 she transitioned from volunteer to Chief Business Officer for The Beta Foundation Board of Directors.
Martha’s experience includes serving as the onsite academic coordinator for Troy State University in Misawa, Japan, providing upper level educational opportunities to deployed U. S. service men and women.
Martha oversaw Chesapeake OB/GYN start up and successfully navigated the introduction of HMOs into the medical environment; achieving highest accuracy in coding, billing, and compliance. She was often called on to audit other practitioner’s financials for recoup of lost monies with insurance companies due to improper coding and billing.
Martha volunteered as the Far East Girl Scout Liaison for International Troops located across the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan; raising over 100,000 in donations during her 2-year tenure.
As a Military Command Ombudsman for multiple naval squadrons for over 20 years, Martha served as a vital emergency and information link for deployed naval units to families at home. During this time, she provided families with emergency resource needs and funds as well as budget counseling and assistance while working as a budget counselor for the Navy Relief Society.
Martha earned her Bachelor of Art degree in Religious Studies at Liberty University. She has completed her Charter School Business Officer Certification (CSBOC) with Charter School Success.
Kendra Hampton
Chief of Schools
Kendra Hampton serves as the administrative liaison to Principals for policy administration and academic development. She is also responsible for overseeing effective implementation within all campuses of instructional strategies, scholar performance, special events, community activities, and family impact issues.
Kendra brings over ten years of experience in one-on-one tutoring, classroom instruction, and school administration in traditional public, private, and public charter school systems. She has served as Beta Academy’s Assistant Principal for two years, and Principal for three years before moving into the role of Chief of Schools. These experiences helped to shape her educational philosophy, which developed around the central principles of high expectations for both students and teachers and a school culture of excellence. Kendra values the uniqueness of each scholar and regards parental and community support as essential elements for a highly effective educational experience.
A passionate and committed administrator who practices the pursuit of excellence, Kendra graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and has also earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas. Her greatest desire is to participate in the development of world class scholars, citizens, and leaders.
Helen Abernathy
Executive Director of Research and Development
Helen Abernathy is a life-long learner and reader, passionate about researching inspiring teaching practices and innovative ideas for Beta Academy. She brings many years of experience with over a decade spent as a classroom teacher, ESL Specialist, and Reading Specialist in both international and national schools. Not only has she worked joyfully with K-8 English language learners, but she also served as an adjunct professor for her alma mater, Regent University, where she earned a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) combined with a Reading Specialist Endorsement. Mrs. Abernathy developed a deep love for curriculum which is evident in the units she has written for AMO, a classic literature program for at-risk children. She has also successfully written and co-written multiple education grants. She believes that serving future generations in the field of education is the most fulfilling career path imaginable.
Steven Corrales
Chief of Operations
Steven Corrales graduated from Brown University with a Master of Education Policy. His passion for education started as an undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame. It was there that he realized not all high schools were equal. He quickly noticed the discrepancy in academic preparation between his high school experience and that of his peers at Notre Dame. It was evident in how much he struggled to maintain passing grades as a freshman while his fellow classmates seemed to transition with ease. Frustration quickly turned into resiliency and eventually lit a spark. He turned his focus towards seeking equity in education so that others from his community and those similar would not face the same challenges.
Steven began his career in operations in 2012 working for a recently launched charter organization in Rhode Island called Blackstone Valley Prep. In 2014 he moved to Houston, TX where he led campus operations at YES Prep Southwest, one of the highest performing campuses in the YES Prep network. In 2019 he joined IDEA Public Schools where he led launch operations for the Houston region, opening 6 schools in 3 years. All campuses opened fully enrolled, a first in IDEA’s history.
Now as part of the team at Beta Academy, Steven brings his expertise in building and maintaining excellent charter school operations. His passion is providing exceptional customer service to parents, students, and staff. As the Chief of Operations his focus is to develop the infrastructure and systems required to support growth and operations at our would-class schools.
Tracy Cook
Principal, Confetti Campus PK-2
A devoted educator since 1992, Tracy Cook welcomes the invitation to become assistant
principal at Beta Academy with open arms. She has followed Beta’s success through the years
and believes that their vision and mission statements embody the sum total of her teaching
philosophy. Seeing student lives impacted positively through education and helping them find
their footing on the path to success brings tremendous joy to her heart. At Beta, these are daily
pursuits, so Tracy feels like she has been welcomed HOME!
A native of Louisiana, Tracy began teaching middle school after becoming certified in grades EC-8. Within a few short years, she determined that she wanted to advance her education, so she pursued a master’s degree at Northwestern State University in Gifted and Talented, Special
Education. After graduating Summa Cum Laude, Tracy became an itinerant teacher traveling
throughout Sabine Parish, offering differentiated and advanced learning opportunities to gifted
students in grades K-12.
In 2007, Tracy’s family relocated to Texas, where she quickly discovered her love for cowboy
boots and BBQ! In Texas, she continued her quest to provide students with engaging learning
activities that would foster a love of learning in their hearts. One unique opportunity that was
extended to her while employed in Houston ISD was to contract with Texas Children’s Hospital
to serve the educational needs of medically fragile students. Through her committed efforts,
her students were able to continue to make progress in their educational journey as they
fought for their lives on the medical front. After leaving Texas Children’s Hospital, Tracy went
on to gain her Principal as Instructional Leader certification through Lamar University.
Tracy’s goal as assistant principal is to be a faithful, trustworthy, and competent leader who
sets the bar high for students and staff, and then gives them the tools to achieve their dreams.
Her love for all scholars, and staff members alike, is evident throughout the day as she
converses with them, encourages them, and lets them know that she is their biggest fan!
Every chance she gets, Tracy can be found spending time with her six grandchildren who
affectionately call her, “Honey.” Their contagious joy for life fuels Tracy’s ambitions to continue
to strive for excellence and build a better future for students everywhere.
Shane Spears
Assistant Principal, Confetti Campus
Shane is honored to join the Beta Academy team as Assistant Principal at our Confetti Campus. Shane has been in the field of education for 17 years and brings a diverse background in the field of education ranging from high school math lead teacher, technical college business instructor, to virtual curriculum writer and instructor. Shane loves leading and facilitating learning. He has led groups of teachers as well as parents and stakeholders in transforming learning into a fully cooperative process.
Shane’s undergraduate degree in Psychology initially led him into the field of mental health as a social worker. Through that work he learned the value of patience, clear communication and consistent expectations when serving and leading people. Shane continued his education by pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree, and the hands-on nature of that learning experience deepened the value of collaboration and innovation when it comes to solving real-world problems. Shane worked with teams to develop business plans, marketing strategies as well as provide consultation for business expansions. Shane felt called to the field of education as a means to invest more deeply into the work of life and culture transformation in his community.
Shane has also spent his life serving as a leader in church ministry as a student pastor, worship leader, and then lead pastor. His family is multiple generations deep in the ministry, and Shane proudly carries on that legacy. He and his wife Teryn regularly lead churches in marriage seminars, leadership training, and strategic consulting, as well as serving in their local congregation.
Shane and his wife have four incredible boys that they are raising to be life-long learners and just possibly world-changers! Shane is excited about the opportunity to serve the wonderful scholars and families of Beta Academy!
Teryn Spears
Principal, Flagship Campus, Sunshine Building 2-5
Teryn is thrilled to join the Beta Academy team as Principal of the Sunshine Campus (Grades 2-5). She has spent 17+ years in education and is passionate about the life transformation that comes from learning.
As a teacher, Teryn specialized in individualized and adaptive learning to suit every student’s needs and saw great success. Her experience and determination to deepen student learning through engaging parents led her to a district leadership position wherein she transformed the face of parent and community stakeholder involvement.
Armed with the support of parents, the community, and the school district leaders, Teryn assumed a district leadership position and with her team took on school transformation to ensure all students were aware, eligible, and prepared for life after high school. Together they converted the local high school into a charter school and ultimately led the school out of school Improvement status into a thriving center for learning and community transformation.
Teryn holds a BA in Psychology from Lyon College in Batesville, AR, a Master of Arts in Education Leadership from William Woods University, and she is currently pursuing a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Teryn has been a catalyst for learning, growth, and change through cultivating relationships, illuminating practical pathways, and leading people and systems at every phase of her life. From the school to serving the community through various boards and organizations to raising her four boys with her husband Shane, Teryn has made learning and growing her passion and pursuit in life. She is honored to share her infectious hope and heart with the fabulous students and parents of Beta Academy.
Keith Garcia
Principal, Flagship Campus, Rainbow Building 6-12
Keith Garcia is excited to be a part of Beta Academy, bringing years of school leadership to the team. Mr. Garcia started his educational journey in 2005 as a teacher and learned in-depth knowledge that led to his pursuit of leadership. After receiving his Masters in Educational Leadership through University of Houston, he was able to join one of the largest charter school networks within Texas.
He started off in elementary leadership moving to junior high and then high school. Mr. Garcia’s knowledge of junior high and high school is what led to this partnership with Beta. As our school grows and develops excellent scholars throughout our high school journey, Beta jumped at the opportunity to recruit Mr. Garcia to join and learn together. Mr. Garcia’s enthusiasm and insight is evident and has successfully adapted to our team of excellence.
Mr. Garcia has been instrumental in starting charter schools from the ground up and converting learning pedagogy from traditional to classical endeavors. His latest educational pursuit was with a high school dropout recovery high school in Pasadena, TX. Mr. Garcia’s vast array of experiences is an asset Beta greatly appreciates. Mr. Garcia's fun nature and enthusiasm definitely fits in with our Beta mission.
Maury Jacobs
Academic Advisor & Manager of Executive Affairs, Flagship Campus
Maury Jacobs is incredibly excited to be joining the Beta team as Assistant Principal. He brings over twelve years of experience working with 5th – 12th grade scholars in both formal and informal educational settings. Mr. Jacobs believes that great education should be challenging, fun, and accessible to all, and is inspired by Beta Academy’s mission of joyful rigor.
Maury graduated from the University of Texas with a bachelor’s in Computer Science. During college and his early career, he worked as a religious school teacher and youth group advisor. A dynamic and engaging educator, Mr. Jacobs quickly realized that his true calling was working with young people. After a few years as a software developer, Maury decided to follow his passion for education and changed career paths.
As Regional Director for an international middle and high school youth group, Maury was responsible for educational programming, operations, and student engagement at over 30 educational conventions serving hundreds of students. A creative and strategic leader, Mr. Jacobs developed and implemented a strategic plan for the organization, accomplishing his goal of more effective youth engagement and education. After this success, Maury was promoted to be Assistant Director, where he used his strong leadership skills and vision to mentor and manage hundreds of professionals, volunteers, and teen leaders across the US and Canada.
Mr. Jacobs’ passion for education led him to become a certified trainer in the emerging field of Youth Mental Health First Aid. In his free time, Maury volunteers to train other educators, parents, and those who work with youth in Youth Mental Health First Aid. Maury hopes to create a world in which all young scholars have both the education and support they need to achieve success.
Alex Benitez
Dean of Scholars (4-12)
Alex Benitez, joins the administrative team as the Dean of Scholars at our flagship camps. Alex has served as the Assistant Principal for our middle/high school and has consistently demonstrated his passion to help our scholars succeed through mentorship and encouragement. Alex has the heart of a servant and believes in Beta Academy’s mission – to create a world-class school with a culture of honor and high academic expectations.
From the earliest days of his teaching experience, Alex demonstrated a natural aptitude for teaching that rivaled many seasoned teachers. In the years that followed, Alex taught multiple subject areas and grade levels. While teaching 5th grade in 2014-15, 100% of his students passed their Reading STAAR assessment. In 2015-16, Mr. Benitez earned the Celebrated Teaching Award for high academic achievement. The following school year, he received the Recognized Teaching Award when 94% of his scholars were on target academically. Alex was knighted by Sir James of the Early Act First Knight program for demonstrating the virtue of perseverance. Additionally, he has been awarded Teacher of the Month and is highly respected by his scholars, peers and administrators alike. Finally, Alex has earned the principal recognition award for high academic achievement.
Alex graduated from the University of Houston-Clear Lake with a Bachelor’s of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and earned certifications as both an early childhood through 6th grade teacher & a K-12th grade special education teacher. Alex has also earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas - Arlington. His experiences as a teacher and an administrator have afforded him with a powerful insight in how to meet the educational needs of his scholars.
As a gifted writer, public speaker and beloved teacher, Alex uses every talent he possesses to raise the banner of hope in the community of Beta Academy. Mr. Benitez will never relent in his calling to provide Beta Academy scholars with an exceptional education in order to impact their world.
Amanda Haygood
Dean of School Culture (2-12)
Amanda Haygood has been an integral part of the Beta community since 2018. Her journey began as a parent volunteer but quickly grew into a full-time passion to fulfill Beta’s mission to provide an elite education for all. She begins each day with her favorite question: How can I serve today?
It is this perspective that empowers Amanda to unleash joy across an entire campus, creating special moments for scholars and staff at every opportunity. Scholars that encounter Mrs. Haygood are greeted by name and with a truly excited smile. Her hope is for all scholars to feel known, loved, and valued as part of the Beta family.
As a mother of 5, Amanda knows the weight that comes along with making important decisions for your children. This is why her work at Beta Academy is truly personal. She strives everyday to be worthy of the trust parents are placing in the school when they send their scholars. This is not only an immense honor and privilege, but also a tremendous responsibility to pour into the lives of future generations.
She embodies the culture of Beta Academy by both modeling and expecting excellence. Amanda’s greatness shines in her unrelenting commitment to the school’s high standards, her loving attention to the details, and her overflowing excitement and joy.
Daniel P Neely, CTP
Board President
Daniel is passionate about assisting local businesses, Middle Market Companies, and Public Entities who are focused on growth. Growth and profitability are the primary keys to a healthy organization and Daniel adds value to his clients by taking time to understand their business and the key components that drive their growth and profitability. Daniel’s expertise is in defining organizational needs and providing transformational leadership in helping guide organizations through change.
A financial services executive with focused tenure in end-to-end Treasury and Liquidity Solutions, Daniel currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Treasury and Liquidity Solutions for Independent Bank N.A. where he leads the Treasury Management business line for the Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Waco markets managing Sales, Technical Sales, Implementations, Public Funds, and Business Unit Financial Reporting. Daniel has a broad awareness of overall banking industry, financial services, and deep experience with working capital concepts across most major industries.
Receiving his B.B.A. in Management from The Florida Institute of Technology, Daniel also earned a CTP, Certified Treasury Professional, designation from the Associations of Financial Professionals. As a subject matter expert on cyberfraud, wire fraud, and check fraud, Daniel speaks at a number of financial conferences across the State of Texas, most recently at the County Treasurers' Association of Texas Conference.
When he is not working he loves spending time with his wife and 3 children, soon to be 4 children. Daniel played basketball through college and now enjoys playing in the driveway with his 5 year old and 4 year old sons. He will officially retire when they can beat him. Daniel has been involved in coaching youth sports, and has been an active volunteer with a number of charities including Reach out America and Shades of Hope. Daniel has also served on a variety of boards including Beta Academy, Reach out America Advisory Board, and TSYS Advisory Board.
Tim King
Vice President & Treasurer of The Beta Foundation
Timothy Wayne King, an entrepreneur in the oil fitting business since 1981, established Tubular Resources in Sugar Land, Texas, after attending St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. As the president of his own company for over thirty years, Tim has mastered the fiduciary challenges associated with a start-up operation, as well as those encountered during the natural growth and constriction of business opportunities through the years.
Tim’s experience with the financial details of business makes him an ideal treasurer for the board of directors. He exercises oversight of annual budget preparation and general financial operations as well as the development of sound financial strategies for continuous growth and expansion.
As large as his body of business acumen is Tim’s heart for the under-served and at-risk populations at home and abroad. He is a board member of Ima’s Home for Children, an orphanage in the Philippines, and a long-time financial supporter of local 4H Clubs and the Pasadena Rodeo. Reach Out America, an international emergency relief organization, is another of Tim’s philanthropic interests. For over twenty-five years, however, Tim’s compassionate financial support for community events in southeast Houston, where Beta Academy has opened its first campus, demonstrates an equally sincere commitment to the under-served close to home.
Erika Jones
Board Member
A product of HISD magnet schools, Erika D. Jones is passionate about community engagement, outreach and making a difference in the lives of Houstonians. As a community development officer for Frost Bank, she plans and implements outreach strategies and opportunities geared toward low-to-moderate income individuals and families.
Erika has a heart for children of all ages. She is a board member for L.I.F.E. Houston, an agency providing emergency formula for babies, and a longtime volunteer teacher for Junior Achievement, recently serving on their Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. Former board seats include Young Audiences of Houston, which provides fine arts to K-12 students, and Hope for Youth, a Christian non-profit providing opportunities for transient youth.
Erika’s educational background includes a B.B.A. in International Business from Sam Houston State University, M.A. in Journalism from the University of Illinois and an Executive Masters in Public Administration from Texas Southern University. Much to the displeasure of her three children, she also holds a teaching certificate for grades 4 through 8.
Anita Archer
Secretary of The Beta Foundation
Serving as Board Secretary for The Beta Foundation, Anita brings over twenty-five years of educational experience to Beta Academy. A certified Gifted and Talented teacher, she served by invitation on Governor George W. Bush's Reading Initiative Committee. Her expansive store of experience and service provides both practical and theoretical evidence of her subject mastery and her enthusiasm for meeting each scholar’s needs.
Anita is an expert in Classroom Technology Integration and Whole Language teaching methods. Experienced in technology lab design and creation, she has written instructional guides and conducted numerous training events and in-services in classroom technology insertion across all disciplines for teachers and schools throughout Texas. Her highly successful implementation of Whole Language teaching and small group instruction for students with limited English proficiency was widely recognized as exemplary and ultimately served as the program implementation model across multiple Texas school districts. As a Mastery Teacher for Sam Houston State University and the University of Houston, Anita provided classroom demonstration, guidance, and evaluations for student teachers.
An accomplished public speaker, Anita has been a contributor at elementary principal and supervisor conferences and training events for Pasadena Independent School District, including her presentation entitled, “Classroom Technology Integration: A Teaching Tool, Not an Independent Workstation”. As a guest speaker for the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA) convention in Austin, Texas, she spoke on “Developing Proficient Readers and Writers through Whole Language Methods”.
Among her many recognitions and accomplishments, Anita received the District Award for Achievement and was nominated for the HEB “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” award for two consecutive years.
Anita graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, with an emphasis on History. Her graduate work was completed at the University of Texas and the University of Houston, in the areas of Children with Learning Language Disabilities (LLD), Multi Cultural Studies, and Technology.
Teresa Sones
Board Member
A former educator with over 30 years of classroom and administrative experience, Teresa Sones believes every student deserves a great school—one that graduates future community leaders equipped to function confidently, effectively, responsibly, and joyfully in an increasingly complex global society.
When Teresa retired from education to help launch and manage an international procurement company, her service-oriented mindset contributed to the firm’s reputation for exceeding client expectations with respect to their multi-national supply chain requirements. Her experience in school administration supported the implementation of sound business practices and accountability standards. And Teresa’s love for teaching translated into mentoring employees and effective team building.
A leader who has consistently demonstrated a heart for serving others, Teresa is now active in government-sponsored disaster relief and enjoys volunteering in community service efforts as well. A wife, mother to one daughter and son-in-law, and grandmother to four, Teresa enjoys reading, teaching small groups, traveling and spending time with family and friends of all ages.
Jan Saunders
Board Member
As a licensed real estate agent for over 20 years, Jan Saunders realized very early in her career the importance of good schools to a community. One of the number one priorities of families who are relocating into an area is to make sure their home is zoned to a good school. Good schools are an important anchor of a community.
When the opportunity arose for Jan and her family to live internationally when her two children were young, it was the opportunity of a good education and the experience of travel that became a deciding factor in her husband accepting the position. And a wonderful experience it was! Travel is still an experience both Jan and her husband and now adult children and grandchildren enjoy.
The opportunity to serve on the board of Beta Academy is considered an honor that Jan takes very seriously. Jan’s ambition in serving is to partner with the other board members, administration and community to make Beta Academy a shining star among Charter schools.
Meet Our Advisory Board
W. Carl Glaw, CPA, CGMA
Advisory Board Chair
W. Carl Glaw, Jr. CPA, CGMA, FVS is the founder and managing partner of GLO CPA’s, a top accounting firm in Houston since 1981. A fourth generation Houstonian and strong proponent of education, Carl is a 1977 graduate of the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business and continues to support many of the University’s programs. Named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 2003 and Volunteer of the Year in 2007, he has served as the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the University’s Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. He also founded and chaired for two terms, the Advisory Board of the Bauer College of Business, Department of Accounting and Taxation and was a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board Executive Committee.
In addition to his work at the University of Houston, Carl is also the Chairman of the Advisory Board for Houston Baptist University’s (HBU) College of Engineering. He was instrumental in helping bring Cyber Engineering to the university, making HBU the second university in the world to offer this type of engineering degree. Carl has also joined HBU’s Dunham College of Business Dean’s Advisory Board.
Carl is a longtime supporter of many clubs and philanthropic organizations that seek to better the local Houston community and beyond. He’s a member of the C Club, the Northwest Pachyderm Club, University of Houston Political Action Committee, the Houstonian Club and many, many more.
Tirelessly committed to the accounting profession and his community, Carl is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation for which he has worked diligently for 15 years. Texas Business Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization whose mission it is to provide scholarships for students in 22 Texas colleges. Carl is Chairman of the Finance Committee and has served as a committee member since 2010.
Ann Ziker
Advisory Board Member
With over 20 years of experience, Ann oversees the overall management and leadership of the Brown Foundation, whose mission is to build strong and more vibrant communities. She works closely with the Board of Trustees to determine the foundation’s strategy and focus.
Prior to joining The Brown Foundation, Ann served as Executive Vice President; Executive Director (interim); and Vice President for Advancement for YES Prep Public Schools, an award-winning public charter school network. Before joining YES Prep, Ann was the founding Managing Director for Education Pioneers–Houston and a consultant for McKinsey & Company, where she served public and private sector clients on a variety of strategic and organizational issues.
Ann holds a BA in Sociology and Political Science, magna cum laude, and a doctorate in History from Rice University. She and her husband have lived in Houston for many years and have two children.
Willie Davis
Advisory Board Member
Willie Davis has spent his life in the service of others. Raised in the Third Ward by a single mother, in a home with 10 siblings, he is no stranger to hardship. Wealth and comfort were luxuries he was unfamiliar with, but these hard times taught him a lesson that he would carry with him for the rest of his life. It’s people and the relationships we have with them that is important. As Willie puts it, “We had very little money and it was a hard time, but what we did have was each other.”
What he learned from taking care of friends and family, he carried with him when he joined the United States Army. When he left the military he answered a higher calling of service and became a pastor. With three decades of ministering to the spiritual needs of those around him, Pastor Willie Davis tirelessly tended to his congregation at the MacGregor Palm Community Baptist Church on the Southside, and continues to do so today.
Lynne Tiras
Advisory Board Member
Lynne Tiras, CMP is President and Owner of International Meeting Managers, Inc. (IMM), an association, meetings, marketing and special events management company. The company was formed in 1986 by Lynne.
Lynne served for seventeen years on the Board of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, and has served on various industry Meetings Advisory Boards and major industry Editorial Board publications. Currently, Lynne serves on the Houston Community Board of Directors of the Arthritis Foundation and on the Associated Luxury Hotels Industry (ALHI) Advisory Council. Lynne served as Executive Director for 29 years for the Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation.
In 2017, Lynne was named as one of the Top Influential Women by Smart Meetings Magazine in the Leadership Category and in 2019 named one of Connect Magazine Association’s 15 over 50 in their inaugural list.
Lynne is Past President of the Houston Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and was named Meeting Planner of the Year for 1988 -1989. Lynne served on the international level of MPI’s Advisory Council of Special Interest Groups for Independent Meeting Professionals from 1992 through 1998 and served as chair of that council for 1994 -1995. Lynne was one of the first in the hospitality industry to obtain the title of Certified Meeting Professional (CMP). Lynne has been a writer for industry publications and a speaker at both local and international Hospitality Industry meetings.
Besides working professionally with her husband, Harvey Tiras, CPA, Lynne is most proud of her family including Harvey, daughter, Pam, son, Craig, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
James Mable
Advisory Board Member
James Mable serves as the first Director of Career & Job Placement Services at Houston Community College. Mable has been in the role since December 2017. He has worked in a variety of Career Services environments including the for-profit sector at American InterContinental University where he attained a 91% job placement rate as a Career Advisor.
Mable also served as Alumni Career Services Assistant Director at the University of Houston and later served as Director of Career & Calling at Houston Baptist University.
In his current role, the Career & Job Placement Services department was newly formed in the spring of 2018 and Mable provides shared oversight of the six Career Centers throughout the HCC System. Houston Community College has an annual enrollment of over 100,000 students.
Mable is from College Station, TX. He served in the United States Marines immediately after high school and later attained his Bachelor Degree in Political Science and Master of Education both at Sam Houston State University. Mable is also a certified Professional Resume Writer.
Ludmila Golovine
Advisory Board Member
Graduate of the first class of the University of Houston (UH) Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship (WCE) at Bauer College of Business, Ludmila (Mila) Rusakova Golovine, years later, runs the global language solutions company she presented in her class business plan and then started in 1993. She has grown MasterWord into a top-ranked multi-million-dollar company that delivers language access and enables success of international organizations, projects, and initiatives in over 250 languages.
As a professional translator, interpreter and business leader, she made a lifetime commitment to quality, innovation, and connecting people across language and culture. Golovine believes community involvement and service on both personal and corporate levels are the backbone of any organization. She is the Texas Chapter Manager and the Strategic Partnerships Manager for the Global Chapter of Women in Localization; serves on the Board of Translation Commons, a nonprofit online platform advancing linguistic professional enrichment for under-resourced languages; chairs the Advisory Subcommittee for the Translation and Interpretation Program at the Houston Community College; serves on the Survivor Service Committee of the Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition for Victims of Human Trafficking, serves on the Advisory Board for the Mind, Body, Spirit Institute of The Jung Center; served on the Board of the Rothko Chapel, and is an active member of several professional organizations.
She is an advocate of social justice and is a nationally and internationally recognized speaker. Her work has been recognized by numerous awards, including Houston Business Journal's 2019 Women Who Mean Business Award; Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Gulf Coast Area Finalist (2017), and Congressional Recognition G7 “Excellence in International Service” award (2015).
Sean Harman
Advisory Board Member
Sean Harman is Senior Associate of Belvoir Real Estate Group, with a primary focus in brokerage and return maximization through the acquisition of investment property portfolios.
Over the last 3 years, he has helped lead Belvoir Real Estate Group in becoming one of the fastest growing commercial brokerages in the Greater Houston Area. Sean has over 10 years of
education and youth development experience. As a former Algebra I Curriculum Chair, he led a
Title I School to a Texas Outstanding Math Achievement Award and a 94% overall passing rate
on STAAR EOC.
Sean is a native Houstonian, member of the Baytown Chamber of Commerce and proud
product of Galena Park ISD.
Education
Sam Houston State University, M. Ed. Instructional Leadership (2016)
Sam Houston State University, B.S. Business Administration in Accounting (2009)
Carlos A. Perez
Board Member
Carlos A. Perez is a retired U.S. Navy combat engineer with over fourteen years of experience in integrated satellite and terrestrial communications. Carlos transitioned to the oil and gas industry in 2013 as a control and automation technologist and is assigned to one of Shell's Oil and Gas producing platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Carlos is responsible for meeting the asset maintenance budget focused on execution man-hours and ensuring accurate and efficient use of internal and third-party resources. He is also responsible for the Skill Performance-Based Pay (SPBP) competency assessment, gap closure plans, performance management of my direct reports and is accountable for identifying coaching & training opportunities for the Asset Maintenance Team.
Carlos holds a technical engineering degree, a BAAS in organizational leadership from Texas A&M Commerce, and a Master of Engineering Technical Management from Texas A&M. Among many technical certifications, Carlos holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification from Purdue University. He is also a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Tau Beta Pi (Texas Delta Chapter), and Latinos for Education board fellow.
Carlos aims to influence our new Latino generation by helping them understand the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to ensure we meet our Texas higher education plan (60X30TX). He also believes that communities are as good as the leaders responsible for their wellbeing.
Carlos is an immigrant from El Salvador and the first one in his family to graduate from college in the United States. As a member of the United States Navy Seabees, he proudly served as a combat engineer during Operation Iraq Freedom in 2007, supporting the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force.
Military Decorations:
National Defense Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Eagle Globe and Anchor, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, (X4)-Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ Eagle Globe and Anchor, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, (X3)-Navy "E" Ribbon, Expert Rifleman Medal, Expert Pistol Medal, Seabees Combat Warfare Specialist (SCWS).
Mary Grace Landrum
Advisory Board Member
Mary Grace is passionate about education and wants all children to be enthusiastic life-long learners. She believes that learning can be fun and is the key to building healthy communities.
Mary Grace Landrum recently retired as the principal of Landrum & Associates (L&A) where for over 20 years she partnered with clients in Houston, across the United States and internationally to build employees’ interpersonal, teamwork and customer service skills. Landrum worked in the oil and gas industry for 15 years as a training and organizational effectiveness manager prior to starting her practice.
Before moving to Houston, Landrum began her work in education as a classroom teacher then as a teacher in-service educator across a four state region with Southwest Educational Development Lab. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Franciscan University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Texas at Austin. She has been an adjunct professor at the University of Houston and on the corporate faculty at Lone Star College.
Service to others is a personal value that Mary Grace has lived by serving in leadership roles with the Association for Talent Development, the Southern Gas Assoc.(SGA), the Houston West Chamber of Commerce and on numerous non-profit boards. Landrum was an elected trustee of Spring Branch ISD, 2005-2011, received the Distinguished Service Award from the SGA for leading their business television network and in 2013 was named Outstanding Alumna in Education by Franciscan University.
Landrum has been appointed by governors Perry and Abbott to serve as a State Service Commissioner with the OneStar Foundation where she currently chairs the Public Policy and Advocacy committee. In 2019 she was named U.S. Service Commissioner of the Year by America’s Service Commissions for her leadership and advocacy work.
She currently serves as a Reading Buddy in Spring Branch ISD and on the HCC-NW Alief Business Advisory Council. Mary Grace enjoys long walks and swimming with her husband, Judge Michael Landrum.
Mike Johnson
Advisory Board Member
Rev. Dr. Mike Johnson is about the vibrancy of disciples and their local churches. Over the last twenty years he has focused on the formation of people through innovating, creating, writing, coaching and teaching.
Fifteen years ago he planted the ministry Ascending Leaders. Ascending Leaders’ mission is to be churches’ Best Discipleship Ally. Ascending Leaders has a strong track record of long-term success with churches through a stages perspective on discipleship and a layered coaching approach.
They serve churches of various denominations, in various geographies, and of various sizes (as small as 35 adults to as large as over 2,000), at times using an additional “Charting Your Church Course” process to help churches get clarity of direction. Ascending Leaders partners with both Gloo (the owner of the REVEAL for Church/Individual assessment) and Innovative Constructs (the owner of the RENOVO spiritual life indicator), and often uses those tools to help churches to take their discipleship temperature and see their most optimal next discipleship steps.
In 2004 Mike received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary. Prior to this Mike worked as a Christian Reformed church planter and pastor in Missouri City, Texas.
Mike and his wife make their home in Sugar Land, Texas. Their two children are married and live in the area (and most employed in education or the church world), providing Mike and his wife with two local toddler grandchildren to disciple. Mike and his family enjoy the hobbies of old home rehabilitation and entrepreneurial business projects, that also serve as mission.
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