Who’s News Abilene ISD Cyndi Smith is the new principal of Madison Middle School. She was principal of Thomas Elementary School since 2010 and has more than 14 years of experience as a middle school instructional specialist, mathematics consultant and math teacher. She began her career in 1994 as a math teacher at Abilene ISD’s Cooper High School, then taught the same subject at Clack Middle School for five years. She was a middle school math consultant for AP Strategies Inc. for five years before taking her first administrative position as an instructional specialist at Mann Middle School. She then held the same position at Abilene High before her most recent job at Thomas. Allen ISD Greg Cartwright has been named the district’s chief financial officer. He comes to his new position from Frenship ISD, where he served in the same capacity for the past five years. Prior to that assignment, he worked in finance in the private secGreg Cartwright tor for the Neiman-Marcus Company, Texas Oil and Gas Company, and Conoco Petroleum. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, where he majored in finance and accounting, he is a CPA and a certified Texas School Business Official. Patrick Tanner is the district’s new executive director of technology. Most recently chief technology officer for the Responsive Education Solutions Charter School, he has also served as Carroll ISD’s chief technology officer and as a senior netPatrick Tanner work engineer for Garland ISD. In addition, he has been a manager of information and technology services with Skyward Inc., a systems engineer with Southwest Airlines, and an information systems manager in the U.S. Air Force. Tanner is a graduate of Dallas Christian College. Bryan ISD A new athletic director has been named for Bryan ISD. He is Lance Angel, who has served in similar positions for the past 12 years, most recently in Palestine ISD, where he was athletic director and head football coach since 2010. Prior to that, he was with Canton, Cooper, Aledo, Wink and Elgin ISDs. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University, he pursued graduate studies at Stephen F. Austin State University. Alison Boggan, former assistant princi8
Texas School Business • July / August 2014
pal of Kemp-Carver Elementary School, is now the campus principal. She was the school’s dean of instruction from 1998 to 2013. Boggan has a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University and a Lance Angel master’s degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University. Cathy Burgin is the district’s new director of special education. She comes to her new job from Klein ISD, where she served as special educaAlison Boggan tion program coordinator since 2005. She has also been a campus instructional specialist in Spring Branch ISD and an adaptive behavior teacher in Fort Bend ISD. In addition, she taught at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Montessori School in Houston and in Houston ISD. She is an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas’ Department of Education. Burgin holds three degrees from the University of Houston: a bachelor’s degree in sociology, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and a doctorate in educational psychology. The new principal of Neal Elementary School is Juanita Collins, who was the school’s assistant principal since 2012. Prior to that, she was a third grade teacher at the campus, where she also spent four years as a master teacher. From 1998 to Juanita Collins 2005, she was a fifth grade teacher in San Felipe Del Rio CISD. Collins has a master’s degree in educational administration from Lamar University. Bridget Cooper is now principal of Bowen Elementary School, after serving as assistant principal of Kemp-Carver Elementary since 2013. Prior to that, she was a master teacher and professional development specialist at that school, as Bridget Cooper well as a teacher at Neal Elementary for five years. Cooper earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and her master’s degree in educational administration from Lamar University. Kammi Green has been appointed director of curriculum and instruction. Previously, she was interim superintendent, assistant superintendent, and executive director of
instruction and accountability at Anderson-Shiro CISD. Additionally, she served in Bryan ISD as a professional development specialist. Green received her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies Kammi Green and her master’s degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University. Leslie Holtkamp is now the district’s director of professional development. She most recently spent two years as chief of school choice initiatives for Willis ISD. Prior to that, she was principal of Willis High School and worked as an assistant principal at the Woodlands High School McCullough Campus in Conroe ISD. She also was assistant principal of Knox Junior High in that district. Previously, she was a counselor in Humble ISD and a teacher in Conroe, Lamar and Willis ISDs. Holtkamp earned her bachelor’s degree in business, her master’s degree in counselor education and her doctorate in educational leadership from Sam Houston State University. A director of the district’s new Department of Fine Arts is in place. He is Nicholas Luggerio, who worked as director of fine arts and director of bands for Huntsville ISD since 2004. He was also director of bands for Crosby ISD. Luggerio Nicholas Luggerio holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, a law degree from South Texas College of Law, a bachelor’s degree in music from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a master’s degree in music from Sam Houston State University. Now leading Mitchell Elementary School as principal is John Rokenbrod, who comes to his new job from Virginia, where he was Amelia County Public Schools’ supervisor of technology and public relations and the principal of Amelia County John Rokenbrod Elementary School. Prior to that, he was the district’s coordinator of testing, technology and public relations; assistant to the coordinator of the gifted and talented program; principal of Amelia County High School; and assistant principal of Mills Godwin High. Rokenbrod, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, has a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University. See WHO’S NEWS on page 10