Biographies for HESTEC 2015 Participants

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Biographies for

HESTEC 2015 Participants

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CONGRESSIONAL DINNER MASTER OF CEREMONIES

José Díaz-Balart

Host

“The Rundown with José Díaz-Balart”

José Díaz-Balart is the host of "The Rundown with José Díaz-Balart"

weekdays from 9-11 a.m. ET in addition to anchoring two programs on

Telemundo, “Enfoque con José Díaz-Balart” and “Noticiero Telemundo.”

Díaz-Balart began his career in 1984 and has since become one of the most

respected voices in Hispanic journalism in the United States. Over the past 30

years, he has witnessed and reported historic events for prestigious news

media such as NBC News and Telemundo. His achievements include being

the only journalist to serve as news anchor on two national television networks

in Spanish and English on the same day for an entire season.

He has received numerous accolades for his work, including the George Foster

Peabody Award, Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award, and the

Broadcasting & Cable/Multichannel News 2012 Award for Outstanding

Achievement in Hispanic Television. Most recently he was honored with the 2014 Life Achievement Award

by the Hispanic Federation and the Communications Award by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR).

Follow him on Twitter @jdbalart.

CONGRESSIONAL DINNER SPEAKER

Richard H. Garcia

Mayor

Richard H. Garcia is a Federal Criminal Law Attorney and a senior partner with

an established law firm. A native of Edinburg, Mayor Garcia graduated from

Edinburg High School in 1964 and continued his education at the University of

Texas-Pan American and received a Juris Doctorate at Texas Southern University

in Houston. He served as Edinburg Municipal Judge from 1975-1978 and was a

County Court of Law Judge for 16 years. Garcia served as chair of the Texas

Border Coalition twice and is proud to have been appointed to serve on the Texas

Adult Probation Commission. He is currently the President of the Edinburg

Economic Development Corporation. He is married to Myra C. Garcia and they

have five children, Gina, Katherine, Chelsea, Daniel and Carlos, a son in law

Daniel, as well as two grandsons, Richard Xavier Perez and William Alexander

Perez.

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CONGRESSIONAL DINNER SPEAKER

Dr. Eduardo Cancino

Deputy Director for Instructional, School Improvement, and College Readiness Support

Region One Education Service Center

Dr. Eduardo Cancino has been an educator for 27 years and currently serves as

Deputy Director for Instructional, School Improvement, and College Readiness

Support at Region One Education Service Center with expertise in curriculum

alignment, data-driven instruction, effective instructional and intervention

approaches, and systemic continuous improvement strategies. Region One

Education Service Center services 37 school districts and ten charter school

systems with a combined enrollment of approximately 420,000 students and is

one of twenty ESC’s in Texas. In this position, Dr. Cancino has provided

leadership over the past four years for the Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and

Assessment, the Office of School Improvement, Accountability, and Compliance,

the Laredo Extension Office, and the Brownsville Extension Office towards

supporting high quality school district support leading to enhanced levels of

academic achievement by all students.

Prior to this leadership position, Dr. Cancino served as Superintendent of Schools for the Hidalgo

Independent School District from 2007 - 2009. Prior to being Superintendent, he served as Associate

Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Executive Director for Teaching and Learning in Hidalgo

ISD since July 2000. Dr. Cancino has provided leadership for improvement initiatives to support high

quality education for all students including Hidalgo Early College High School, Full day Pre-K 3 and 4,

Dual Language Program, Parent Literacy Academies, Summer Educator Business Internship Program, and

Dual Language Programs.

Dr. Cancino also served for three years as a District level administrator for the McAllen ISD where he

instituted a district-wide student evaluation system to monitor learning on an ongoing basis and a systemic

professional development approach to improve teacher effectiveness. He also served as a secondary

mathematics teacher for eight years in the Edinburg CISD where he was instrumental in initiating an

Advanced Placement program that earned both state and national recognition. Dr. Cancino’s educational

service began in the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD as a secondary mathematics teacher for Migrant and

English Language Learner students.

Dr. Cancino has been invited to share in successful practices for Hispanic students at local, state and

national conferences by organizations such as U.S. Department of Education, White House Initiative on

Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, U.S. Dept. of Ed. Office of English Language Acquisition,

Education Trust, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, National Association of Latino Elected

Officials, Communities Foundation of Texas, and several other organizations. At the professional level he

currently serves on the Board of the South Texas Association of Schools, Texas Association of Mid-Size

Schools, and Texas Workforce Commission. He also has served on advisory councils for the Education

Commission of the States, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities - Hispanic Serving School

Districts, and Junior Achievement Hispanic Initiative. Dr. Eduardo Cancino received a BA in Mathematics,

MS in Mathematics Education, M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

from the University of Texas - Pan American.

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CONGRESSIONAL DINNER, LATINA DAY AND COMMUNITY DAY SPEAKER

Veronica Gonzales

Vice President for Governmental and Community Relations

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Veronica Gonzales is a native of San Marcos. She learned firsthand the importance of

education when she became the first in her family to go to college. She graduated cum

laude from Southwest Texas State University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in

English and Spanish. She later earned her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University

Of Texas School Of Law in 1991. Upon graduating from law school, she moved to

McAllen and spent two decades building an acclaimed career as an attorney. Until, July,

2012, she was a name partner in the law firm of Kittleman, Thomas & Gonzales, L.L.P.

and in 2008, she was recognized as one of 30 “Extraordinary Woman in Law” by Texas

Lawyer. For four consecutive years, she was named a Super Lawyer by The Texas Super

Lawyers.

In 2004, voters in the McAllen, Mission, Edinburg and Alton area elected Veronica Gonzales to serve as

the first female representing District 41 in the Texas House of Representatives. She was re-elected three

times, and in her eight years in the Texas House, earned numerous accolades and was appointed to several

leadership positions, including Secretary of the State Democratic Caucus, “freshman of the year” by the

Mexican-American Legislative Caucus and Secretary and Legal Counsel of the Mexican-American

Legislative Caucus.

Veronica earned a new title in the 2009 session when Speaker of the House Joe Straus appointed her as

Chairman of the Border & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, only one of 34 chairs out of 150 members.

Recognizing her leadership on border and security issues, the Speaker also appointed her to the National

Conference of State Legislators' Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Taskforce.

In addition, Veronica has served in state and national leadership organizations such as the Aspen-Rodel

Fellowship, which each year chooses only 12 Democrats and 12 Republicans nationwide to participate in

its Public Leadership Program and on the Board of Directors of the Texas Lyceum Association, a statewide

leadership organization.

Healthcare issues in the Rio Grande Valley are of great concern to Veronica and for three legislative

sessions, she sat on the Public Health Committee, giving her a key decision-making role on issues affecting

the public’s health, like disease prevention, medical licensing and access to care. Addressing the health

care needs in South Texas led Gonzales to pass legislation to increase up to $165,000.00 the amount of

loans forgiven for doctors who agree to practice in Health Professional Shortage Areas like the Rio Grande

Valley. The measure earned her the "Legislative Champion Award" from The Texas Association of

Community Health Centers, the "Patient Advocacy Award" from the Texas Academy of Family Physicians,

as well as and praise from several medical and health care organizations.

In September 2010, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce named Veronica one of eight

"Ultimate Latinas" in the nation, recognizing her legislative achievements that benefit the business

community.

In March 2011, Veronica received the “Voice of the People” award from the Rio Grande Valley Equal

Voice Network.

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In 2012, Veronica was named a “Woman of Distinction” by the Texas Association of Mexican American

Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC). That same year, she was named a Distinguished Alumni by Texas

State University as well as by the alumni association of San Marcos High School.

In 2013, Veronica was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley’s Walk of Fame, having been nominated by

the City of McAllen.

In July, 2012, Veronica took a retirement from the practice of law to assume the position of Vice President

for University Advancement at the University of Texas-Pan American. In this role, Veronica oversaw

fundraising, marketing, public affairs and alumni relations at a university that is one of the largest Hispanic

serving institutions in the nation.

Most recently in November 2014, Veronica was named Vice President for Governmental and Community

Relations for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). In this new role, Veronica has taken

on initiatives at the local, state and federal level that will greatly benefit UTRGV. Veronica serves as lead

representation for UTRGV in the areas of developing, advancing and maintaining positive and productive

relationships and partnerships with the external community and for engaging governmental officials,

bodies, and agencies via positive and ongoing dialogues. Responsible for monitoring legislation and public

policy, her extensive experience as former State Representative guides her confident approach to advise

administrators of their potential impact on The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Veronica’s extensive background, experience and knowledge have allowed her to build strong relationships

with leaders at all levels and set a platform for her to create a channel of communication with them about

issues impacting higher education and the Hispanic community. Her belief that it is necessary for UTRGV

to have a presence at the local, state and national levels is helping to accelerate the creation and growth of

UTRGV’s School of Medicine. Veronica has always credited her success and the many opportunities she

has received to education and it is her mission to play an integral part in making college education more

affordable and attainable to students throughout the State of Texas.

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CONGRESSIONAL DINNER AND CONGRESSIONAL ROUNDTABLE SPEAKER

Guy Bailey, Ph.D.

Founding President


Guy Bailey, Ph.D., was named Founding President of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in May

of 2014.

Prior to being named President of UTRGV, he served as

President of the University of Alabama and of Texas Tech

University; Chancellor of the University of Missouri

Kansas City; Provost and Executive Vice President at The

University of Texas San Antonio; Dean of Liberal Arts at

the University of Nevada Las Vegas; Chair of the English

Department at Oklahoma State University and the

University of Memphis; and as a faculty member at Texas

A&M and Emory Universities.

During his time at Texas Tech, the university met the criteria established by the Texas State Legislature for

participation in the National Research University Fund; enrollment grew by 3,905 students (14%); research

expenditures grew by $89.9 million (170%); and graduation rates increase by five percentage points.

During his tenure at UTSA, the university was named an emerging research university by the Texas Higher

Education Coordinating Board; 16 new doctoral programs were added; external funding for research more

than doubled; enrollment grew by more than 40%; and graduate enrollment grew by almost 50%.

While Bailey was at UMKC, the university completed a $200 million capital campaign and built or gained

approval for $175 million in new construction. From 2010 to 2012, Bailey served on the Board of Directors

of the NCAA and on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Big XII athletic conference.

He has also served on the Board of Trustees of Midwest Research Institute since 2007.

Bailey continues to do research on language change and variation. His research with his late wife, Jan, has

been featured in a front-page article in the New York Times, on National Public Radio, on CNN Headline

News, on BBC Radio, in Texas Monthly, and in the San Antonio Express News. Since 1984, Bailey has

brought in over $1 million in external funding for his research.

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CONGRESSIONAL DINNER AND CONGRESSIONAL PANEL SPEAKER

U.S. Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15)

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, a longtime businessman and native of the Rio Grande

Valley/ South Texas, was elected to represent Texas' 15th Congressional District in

November 1996.

The Congressman serves on two House Committees: Education and the Workforce;

and Financial Services. He is also a Co-Chair of the Democratic Caucus Education

Task Force, and in this capacity will develop a strong education policy in the 107th

Congress.

Congressman Hinojosa has distinguished himself as an advocate for education, Social Security, health care,

agriculture, veterans' issues, economic development and infrastructure projects. He demonstrated his ability

to serve as a bipartisan consensus builder when he helped in the fight to create an emergency relief package

providing $25 billion over a four year period for farmers and ranchers who suffered devastating losses due

to natural disasters from 1998 through 2001.

Hinojosa was also instrumental in expanding local access to quality health care for South Texas veterans.

For the first time, inpatient services (including surgery) are available at approved hospitals in Hidalgo and

Cameron Counties, eliminating 80% of the need to travel to San Antonio. Hinojosa also worked with the

Veterans Administration to establish primary care community-based outpatient clinics in the cities of Alice,

Beeville, Kingsville and Uvalde. Hinojosa is also working with state legislators to secure a U.S. tate

Veterans Memorial Cemetery in South Texas.

Congressman Hinojosa's lifetime commitment to education on the local, regional, state and federal levels

has created opportunities for all students to pursue higher education. His Education Committee assignment,

as well as his appointment to chair the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Education Task Force, was critical

to the success of his first major legislative initiative entitled "The Higher Education for the 21st Century

Act." This bill secured an increased authorized funding level of $69 million for Hispanic Serving

Institutions (HSIs); enhanced visibility of HSIs within the Higher Education Act; relaxed the restrictions

for institutional eligibility for HSI designation; and improved the ways and financial means by which HSIs

strengthen curriculum development, academic instruction, mentoring, and college libraries.

As a member of the Financial Services Committee, Congressman Hinojosa is a member of the

Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises; Subcommittee on

Domestic Monetary Policy, Technology, and Economic Growth; and Subcommittee on Financial

Institutions and Consumer Credit. As a former member of the Small Business Committee, Hinojosa

increased access to capital and loans for small businesses; removed tax and regulatory burdens; and

promoted business growth and opportunity in economically depressed areas through the new and improved

Small Business Administration programs of today. He also led the successful effort to create a Women’s'

Business Center at the University of Texas-Edinburg.

Not only has Congressman Hinojosa made his mark in Washington, D.C., but he has also brought

Washington to South Texas. He has invited and hosted many high-profile leaders to the 15th Congressional

District to speak directly with residents about their needs and concerns. Among them were President

Clinton, Vice-President Al Gore, Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, Secretary of Commerce William

Daley, Secretary of Education Richard Riley, Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, Secretary of Veterans

Affairs Hershel Gober, Small Business Administrator Aida Alvarez, House Minority Leader Richard

Gephardt, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Congressman Hinojosa also accompanied President

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Clinton as a member of various trade and commerce delegations to Mexico and South America from 1997-

2000.

Prior to his being elected to the House of Representatives, Congressman Hinojosa served twenty years as

President and Chief Financial Officer of a family-owned food processing company, H&H Foods. With over

300 employees, H&H has received national awards of recognition from the U.S. Department of Commerce

and the Small Business Administration in Washington, D.C.

Born in Edcouch, Congressman Hinojosa attended Mercedes High School and earned a BBA and MBA

from the University of Texas in Austin and in Edinburg, respectively. He is married to Martha Lopez

Hinojosa and has five children.

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U.S. Congressman Filemon Vela (TX-34)

Congressman Filemon Vela represents the 34th Congressional District of Texas,

which is anchored in Cameron County in the southernmost tip of Texas and runs

nearly 300 miles north to Gonzales County. Brownsville is the largest city in the

34th District, which also includes the King Ranch, Kingsville Naval Air Station,

and the historic Texas town of Goliad. Land and sea ports are critical to the 34th

District’s agricultural producers and the region's rapidly expanding energy

production facilities.

Born in Harlingen, Texas, and raised in Brownsville, Congressman Vela has deep

roots in South Texas. His ancestors purchased land from the McAllen family to

establish the Laguna Seca Ranch where the first citrus orchard in Hidalgo County

was planted. Congressman Vela's father was appointed by President Jimmy Carter as a federal judge in the

Southern District of Texas. His mother, Blanca Sanchez Vela, served as the first female mayor of

Brownsville.

Vela attended Saint JosephAcademy in Brownsville, Texas. After graduating from Georgetown University

in Washington, D.C., he attended the University of Texas School of Law. His interest in public service grew

from his work helping individuals seek justice in state and federal courts as an attorney for over 20 years

in South Texas.

He brings his expertise on border issues to his work as a member of the House Committee on Homeland

Security where he was appointed by House leadership to serve as the top Democratic Member of the

Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. He also serves on the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism

and Intelligence and on the Committee’s Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel.

As Co-Chair of the Congressional Border Caucus, he has led efforts to reform the nation's immigration laws

and expand investments in border communities and infrastructure, including ports and roads to expand

trade.

Congressman Vela also sits on the House Committee on Agriculture. He was the only Texas Democrat

appointed by House leadership to serve as a negotiator on the Conference Committee which drafted the

most recent Farm Bill, a comprehensive law, which sets agriculture policy and funding for nutrition

programs, including food stamps, for the next five years. Congressman Vela is a member of the

Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit and the Subcommittee on Livestock and

Foreign Agriculture.

In Congress, Vela has been a strong advocate for immigrant rights, education programs including Head

Start and Pell Grants for college students, and our community's federal healthcare centers. He is currently

focused on bringing peace and security to our neighbors in Matamoros and Reynosa, and he is working to

bring jobs and economic development to South Texas through many efforts including transforming the Port

of Brownsville into a competitive deep water port.

Congressman Vela is married to Rose Vela, a former Justice on the Texas Court of Appeals, and they reside

in Brownsville, Texas.

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Admiral John Richardson

Chief of Naval Operations (invited)

Admiral John Richardson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982

with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He holds master’s degrees in electrical

engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole

Oceanographic Institution, and National Security Strategy from the National

War College.

At sea, Richardson served on USS Parche (SSN 683), USS George C. Marshall

(SSBN 654) and USS Salt Lake City (SSN 716). He commanded USS

Honolulu (SSN 718) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Richardson also served as commodore of Submarine Development Squadron (DEVRON) 12; commander,

Submarine Group 8; commander, Submarine Allied Naval Forces South; deputy commander, U.S. 6th

Fleet; chief of staff, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa; commander, Naval Submarine

Forces, and director of Naval Reactors.

His staff assignments include duty in the attack submarine division on the Chief of Naval Operations staff;

naval aide to the President; prospective commanding officer instructor for Commander, Submarine Forces,

U.S. Pacific Fleet; assistant deputy director for Regional Operations on the Joint Staff; and director of

Strategy and Policy at U.S. Joint Forces Command.

Richardson served on teams that have been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Joint Meritorious

Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation, and the Navy “E” Ribbon. He was awarded the Vice Admiral

Stockdale Award for his time in command of USS Honolulu.

Richardson began serving as the 31st Chief of Naval Operations September 18, 2015.

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CONGRESSIONAL DINNER AND EDUCATOR DAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Paul Rodriguez

Comedian and Actor

Longtime comedian Paul Rodriguez has been making audiences laugh all over the

world (in Spanish and English) for nearly three decades with his unique brand of

humor that is a perfect blend of his Latin heritage, the American dream and his

undeniable universal appeal. As an actor and comedian, Paul Rodriguez’s multi-

faceted career includes starring roles and featured appearances in over 45 films and

countless television series and comedy specials.

Voted one of the most influential Hispanics in America and awarded the Ruben

Salazar Award by The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national

Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, Rodriguez

has remained a constant force in his community and the world of comedy throughout his career.

Rodriguez's film credits include "Without Men" with Eva Longoria and Christian Slater; "Cats & Dogs:

The Revenge of Kitty Galore;" "The Deported," "I’m Not Like That No More" with comedian Felipe

Esparza (2010 "Last Comic Standing" winner), Disney’s blockbuster hit "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," "The

World’s Fastest Indian," "A Cinderella Story," "How to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass," "Ali,"

"Tortilla Soup," "Crocodile Dundee in LA," "Rat Race," "Bloodwork," "Chasing Papi" and "D.C. Cab,"

among others.

The multifaceted entertainer recently wrote and performed his first-ever one-man show "Just for the

Record," which is now available on DVD. In this tell-all theatrical piece, Rodriguez takes audiences on a

journey through his remarkable life, including his childhood in Mexico, to his family's move to Compton,

California (where he grew up), his illustrious career and the significant relationships and moments that

helped shape his life along the way.

Rodriguez has hosted several hit series, including the entertainment talk show "El Show de Paul

Rodriguez," an entertainment talk show for Univision which reached over 50 markets throughout the United

States and an international audience in over 17 countries in Central and South America. His additional

hosting credits include the The NCLR ALMA Awards, The Tejano Music Awards, Showtime’s Latino

Laugh Festival and his own television specials "Back to School" and "Behind Bars." He recently hosted

"Mis Videos Locos with Paul Rodriguez” on Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más.

As an accomplished writer, director and producer for television, motion pictures and feature shows,

Rodriguez has several hit projects to his credit including the comedy concert film "The Original Latin Kings

of Comedy," which he executive produced and starred in along with Cheech Marin, George Lopez and

Carlos Mencia; the feature film "A Million to Juan," which he also wrote, directed and starred in; six

comedy specials for HBO including "Loco Slam, " "Live in San Quentin" and "Idiots and Armadillos." As

executive producer, he recently struck comedy again with his Comedy Central stand-up concert DVD,

“Comedy Rehab.” In addition to his many hit comedy specials in English, Rodriguez has the distinguished

credit of performing the first-ever one-hour standup comedy special in Spanish, "Dime Con Quien Andas,"

for Telemundo.

Among his many credits, Rodriguez has also made guest appearances on several Late Night shows

including "The Wanda Sykes Show," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Last Call with Carson Daly,"

and "Politically Incorrect." Additionally, he has guest starred in several television series including "Extreme

Makeover: Home Edition," "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List," "Shaken Not Stirred," DIRECTV’s

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"Supreme Court of Comedy," Showtime's original series "Resurrection Boulevard" and "American

Family." He has also lent his voice to popular animated series including "King of the Hill," "Dora the

Explorer" and "The Proud Family."

Rodriguez’s first big break came while doing comedy warm-ups for Norman Lear's show "Gloria." Lear

ultimately wrote and developed a weekly series for Rodriguez entitled "a.k.a. Pablo," which is enshrined at

the Smithsonian and holds the distinct honor for being the first television show about a Mexican American

family on mainstream American television.

In addition to being a revolutionary and enduring force in the world of comedy, throughout his career

Rodriguez has remained involved with various charitable, civic and educational organizations including the

Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation,

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and The Leukemia Society, to name a few. He also

is a member of the advisory board of the California Film Commission. Additionally, as part owner of the

world famous Laugh Factory, Rodriguez has participated in the club’s annual free Thanksgiving and

Christmas dinners for the underprivileged for over 30 years.

Rodriguez was honored with the Humanitarian of the Year Award by the City of Fresno for his tireless

work on behalf of water conservation. As Chairman of the California Latino Water Coalition, Rodriguez

was one of the driving forces behind the California Water Bond Measure coming into fruition.

Always willing to seize an opportunity to educate and entertain, Rodriguez can currently be seen in the

nine-episode web series “Fixing Paco,” which is produced by The Mendez National Institute of

Transplantation (MNIT). The innovative series launched in Spanish and English in November 2012 to help

raise awareness on the importance of organ transplantation within the Latino Community.

In addition to writing, directing, producing and performing across the country, Rodriguez enjoys spending

time with his granddaughter Heaven, and his two sons Paul Rodriguez, Jr., aka as professional skateboarder

and gold medal winner, P-Rod; and his younger son, Lukas. He also enjoys spending time with his three

eccentric Chihuahuas – Mooska, Chica and Luna (formerly known as Lady Gaga), who Rodriguez adopted

from an animal rescue shelter.

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CONGRESSIONAL PANEL SPEAKER

Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11)

Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge is a committed public servant who brings a

hard-working, problem-solving spirit to Congress and to the task of creating jobs,

protecting safety net programs, and improving access to quality public education,

health care and healthy foods. First elected in 2008, she represents the people of

the 11th Congressional District of Ohio.

Congresswoman Fudge serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the

House Committee on Education and the Workforce. She is the Ranking Member

on the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education.

She is also a member of several Congressional Caucuses and immediate past

Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. In 2014, Congresswoman Fudge

became an original co-chair of the Democrats for Public Education.

Congresswoman Fudge consistently fights for equitable access to a quality education from preschool

through post-secondary programs, child nutrition, food stamp (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

recipients, access to locally grown, healthy foods, fair labor practices, and civil and human rights, among

other issues. Additionally, she was an early and consistent voice for voter protection and remains a steadfast

advocate to strengthen and preserve Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Congresswoman Fudge has served the people of Ohio for more than two decades, beginning with the

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. She was the first African American and the first female mayor of

Warrensville Heights, Ohio, where she led the city in shoring up a sagging retail base and providing new

residential construction.

Congresswoman Fudge earned her bachelor’s degree in business from The Ohio State University and law

degree from the Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall School of Law. She is a Past National

President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a member of the Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter.

Congresswoman Fudge’s work ethic, problem solving approach, and ability to build collaborative

relationships has earned her a reputation among her colleagues in Washington and at home as an insightful

leader and knowledgeable legislator. As a dedicated public servant, she begins each morning with a firm

promise “to do the people’s work.” It is this simple philosophy that defines Congresswoman Fudge as a

Member of substance and character who always keeps her promise.

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Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27)

Judy Chu was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in July 2009. She

represents the 27th Congressional District, which includes Pasadena and the west

San Gabriel Valley of southern California.

Rep. Chu currently serves on the House Judiciary Committee, where she is a

member of the Subcommittees on Intellectual Property and the Internet as well as

Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations.

She also serves on the House Small Business Committee, which has oversight of the

Small Business Administration. Rep. Chu is the Ranking Member on the

Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access. She is also a member

of the Subcommittees on Contracting and Workforce as well as the Subcommittee

on Health and Technology.

In 2011, Chu was elected Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, which advocates for

the needs and concerns of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community across the nation.

Chu founded and co-chairs the Congressional Creative Rights Caucus, which advocates for the copyright

protections of those in the creative industries, such as music, film and visual arts. She also serves in

leadership of the House Democratic Caucus as a Member of the Steering and Policy Committee.

In 2014, after years of work and outreach, Chu introduced legislation to create a National Recreation Area

to preserve and sustainably expand access to the San Gabriel Mountains. President Obama followed Chu's

call for permanent protection and declared much of the area the nation's newest national monument.

Chu was first elected to the Board of Education for Garvey School District in 1985. From there, she was

elected to the Monterey Park City Council, where she served as Mayor three times. She then was elected

to the State Assembly and then California’s elected tax board, known as the State Board of Equalization.

In 2009, she became the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress in history.

Joaquin Castro was born in San Antonio, Texas on September 16, 1974. A second generation Mexican

American, he was raised on the city’s Westside and is a proud product of the public school system. The

Castro family’s history in the United States began nearly 100 years ago when his grandmother, Victoria

Castro, came to Texas as a young orphan. In the spirit of the American Dream, she often worked two and

three jobs at a time to be able to give her daughter (Joaquin’s mother, Rosie) and her grandchildren a better

chance in life.

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Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20)

Joaquin has worked hard to seize the opportunities created by the sacrifices of his

grandmother and prior generations. After finishing high school a year early,

Joaquin left San Antonio to graduate with honors from Stanford University in

1996. He then went on to attend Harvard Law School where he received his Juris

Doctorate degree in 2000. Upon his return to San Antonio at 28 years old, Joaquin

joined a private law practice and was elected into the Texas Legislature. He

served five terms as state representative for District 125. In 2012 Joaquin was

elected to serve in the U.S House of Representatives as representative of Texas

Congressional District 20, which covers a large portion of San Antonio and Bexar

County. Joaquin’s identical twin brother, Julián Castro, was elected in 2013 to his

third term as Mayor of San Antonio. On July 28, 2014, Julian Castro was sworn

in as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

(HUD).

Joaquin’s respect for public service developed at a young age and was deeply influenced by his parents’

involvement in political movements and civic causes. His father, a retired teacher, and his mother, a

renowned community activist, instilled in him a deep appreciation for the democratic process and the

importance of serving one’s community. Despite a difficult political environment during his time as state

legislator, Joaquin transcended partisan gridlock to help restore millions of dollars in funding to critical

health care and education programs. As Vice Chairman of the Higher Education Committee and Democratic

Floor Leader in the Texas House, he was also at the forefront in proposing forward-thinking legislative

reforms in the areas of mental health, teen pregnancy, and juvenile justice.

Now in his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Joaquin serves on the House Armed Services

Committee, as well as the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He was the 2013 co-President for the House

freshman Democrats and serves in House Democratic Leadership as Chief Deputy Whip.

Outside of the legislative chamber, Joaquin has demonstrated a strong commitment to his community. He

created the Trailblazers College Tour, personally raising money to send underprivileged students on college

visits, giving them exposure to some of the nation’s best institutions of higher education. He also created

SA READS, San Antonio’s largest literacy campaign and book drive. Over 200,000 books have been

distributed to more than 150 schools and shelters across the city. He has also taught as a visiting professor

of law at St. Mary’s University and as an adjunct professor at Trinity University. Joaquin is active on several

boards of education-related, non-profit organizations, including the National College Advising Corps, and

the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials’ (NALEO) Taskforce on Education.

Having experienced America’s promise firsthand, Joaquin wants to help build out what he calls the

Infrastructure of Opportunity so that future generations will have the same chance to pursue their American

Dream. Joaquin believes that just as there is an infrastructure of transportation that helps us get to where

we want to go on the road there is an Infrastructure of Opportunity that helps Americans get to where they

want to go in life. It is that Infrastructure of Opportunity – great public schools and universities, a sound

healthcare system, and good-paying jobs – that enables Americans to pursue their American Dream. Our

centuries-long commitment to building and preserving this infrastructure is what distinguishes America

among the nations of the world. As Congressman, Joaquin continues to be a tireless advocate for those who

call San Antonio home. From supporting military families to investing in education, Joaquin remains

committed to helping mold an Infrastructure of Opportunity for San Antonians and Americans around the

country.

16


Donald G. James

Associate Administrator for Education

NASA

Donald G. James was appointed NASA's associate administrator for the Office of

Education effective Sept. 8, 2014.

In this position, James is responsible for developing and implementing NASA's

education programs that strengthen student involvement and public awareness

about its scientific goals and missions. In this role, he leads the agency in inspiring

interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, through

NASA's unique mission, workforce, facilities, research and innovations.

James will chair the Education Coordinating Committee, an agency-wide collaborative structure that

maximizes NASA's ability to manage and implement its education portfolio. The ECC works to ensure the

agency's education investments are focused on supporting the nation's education efforts to develop the

workforce needed to achieve NASA's goals and objectives.

He is the United States representative on the International Space Education Board, a global collaboration

in space education between NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, the Japan

Aerospace Exploration Agency and the Centre National d'Études Spatiales. The ISEB shares best practices

and unites efforts to foster interest in space, science and technology among the student community

worldwide.

James will work with the Office of Science and Technology Policy's Committee on STEM (Co-STEM) to

continue coordinating and leveraging NASA's education programs, opportunities and offerings with those

of other federal agencies. This increased collaboration is intended to lead to maximum impact and, as it is

implemented, will lead to strategies for closer and more effective coordination among agencies with STEM

investments.

Prior to his appointment, James was the director of the Strategic Communications and Education

Directorate at NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. In this capacity, he oversaw

the operations of all communications, education and public outreach functions for the center and supported

initiatives to engage a variety of internal and external audiences.

James began his NASA career in 1982 as a Presidential Management Intern at the Goddard Space Flight

Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. During more than 30 years at the agency, he has served in numerous

capacities, including public affairs, human capital management and strategic communications. In 2002-

2003 he was the senior advisor and executive officer for the NASA Education Enterprise at NASA

Headquarters.

James received an undergraduate degree in international relations from the University of Southern

California in Los Angeles and a Master of Arts degree in economic development and public administration

from the American University in Washington. James received a three-year fellowship from National

Science Foundation for his graduate studies. He has participated in numerous executive development

education programs at Cambridge University in England and Harvard University in Cambridge,

Massachusetts. The son of a former U.S. diplomat, James lived and traveled extensively in Africa, Europe

and Thailand. He also is the son of a former teacher, which has instilled in him a strong passion for the

value of education. Donald James is married to Tanya Sue James. They have two children.

17


Richard Morley

CEO

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

From his early days as a high school and college teacher in the public sector, through

his work as a very successful entrepreneurial business owner in the private sector, to his

significant work in revitalizing, leading, and growing organizations in the nonprofit

sector, Richard Morley brings unique skills and background to SHPE. He has

significant…and for SHPE, critical…nonprofit sector credentials… Certified

Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG), two of the highest

earned credentials in nonprofit leadership. Richard’s lifetime work has centered around creating excellence

in education and lifelong learning. Recently he led the turnaround and growth of two significant community

college nonprofit organizations. At 65,000 students, Mt. San Antonio College is the largest community

college West of the Mississippi and is one of the largest, most prestigious Hispanic serving institutions in

the country. At both Mt. SAC Foundation and Irvine Valley College Foundation, Richard led efforts to

raise money for hundreds of thousands of dollars for scholarships and programs, including a significant

dollars for STEM scholarships. From growing his own business from startup to one of the largest boutique

training and marketing firms on the West Coast, Richard brings significant knowledge of corporate training

and curriculum design that provides context for excellence in all of SHPEs professional development

programs. His knowledge and skill in nonprofit operations and financial management brings stability and

transparency to SHPE.

His connections nationwide with corporations, higher-ed, and funding partners including government,

foundations and individual donors brings significant potential to SHPE for stability and growth.


Dr. Daniel Trevino

Superintendent

Mercedes ISD

Dr. Daniel Trevino, Jr. is a native of Mercedes, Texas. He is the second

youngest from a family of eight. Daniel attended Mercedes Public Schools in

buildings that still exist today. After High School, he attended Texas A&I

University and received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. He

taught eight years in Mercedes ISD with teaching schedules at the Junior High and completed his teaching

career as an Agricultural Science Teacher at Mercedes High School. Daniel completed his Masters in

Educational Administration from Texas A&M – Kingsville in 1994. That same year, he was hired as an

Assistant Principal at WB Green Middle School in La Feria ISD. During his 16 plus years at La Feria ISD,

he served as Assistant Principal and Principal of La Feria High School. During his three years as high school

principal, the campus held an Exemplary Rating under the State Accountability System (2000 – 2003). In

2002, he was awarded the Region One High School Principal of the Year Award. Daniel completed his

doctorate degree from Texas A&M – Kingsville in 2007. The doctoral research that he conducted

concentrated on the present challenges of the practicing superintendent, respectfully.

His most recent position was serving as the Assistant Superintendent at La Feria ISD. Dr. Trevino has

published various manuscripts and articles on public education. His professional philosophy is based on a

strong belief in effective teaching combined with a strong foundation in student discipline. Daniel has

shared his last twenty plus years with his loving wife, Linda. The couple lives in Mercedes, Texas and they

really enjoy their country living lifestyle. Daniel and Linda are proud parents of two boys, Travis, 19 and

Dustin, 14. The family follows a strong belief in their faith.

18

EDUCATOR DAY MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES

Marcy Martinez

Action 4 News

Marcy is a product of the Rio Grande Valley, having been born and raised in

Harlingen. This contributes to her unique connection to the community because

as she puts it, “We’re all one big family.”

Marcy graduated with Honors from Harlingen High School South in 1996 and

went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Texas A & M

University Kingsville. Right out of college, Marcy came home and jumped into

the morning anchor seat at KGBT.

Within the following years, she moved from mornings to evenings and has not only been a local fixture on

the news desk, but takes every opportunity to get out in the field to report on breaking news stories and

issues important to her community. During her nearly 12 years with Action 4 News, Marcy has covered all

sorts of interesting stories ranging from hurricanes to President Bush’s visit and the onslaught of

presidential candidate appearances that followed.

Marcy was among the mass crowds outside the Nation’s Capital in Washington, DC as President Barack

Obama was sworn into office in 2009 and was able to relay her experience to KGBT-TV viewers watching

from home. Marcy has been named Texas A&M University Kingsville’s Alumna of the Year, Rising Star,

and served as commencement speaker for graduation.

She currently serves as a board member of the Javelina Alumni Association and has been featured in

commercials promoting the university. Marcy takes every opportunity to promote education so don’t be

surprised if you see her at a local school reading to kids or giving graduating Seniors some advice for their

college future.

Marcy says there’s no place on earth she’d rather be reporting the news than right here in the Rio Grande

Valley where she can make a difference in the lives of people she considers family.

19

EDUCATOR DAY PLENARY SPEAKER

Havidán Rodríguez, Ph.D.

Founding provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs


Havidán Rodríguez, Ph.D., was named founding provost and executive vice

president for Academic Affairs of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in

August 2014. Prior to being named UTRGV provost, he served as president ad

interim at The University of Texas-Pan American. Rodríguez also served as the

provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at UTPA, and is a tenured

professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

Prior to arriving at UTPA, he served as the deputy provost, vice provost for Academic Affairs and

International Programs, and professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University

of Delaware. He was also a core faculty member and director of the Disaster Research Center, the oldest

and one of the leading social science disaster research centers in the world. He obtained his Ph.D. in

sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Rodríguez held a faculty position and several administrative positions at the University of Puerto Rico-

Mayagüez for over a decade; and served as director of the Minority Affairs Program for the American

Sociological Association (1995-1998). He was also a visiting professor at the University of Michigan’s

Population Fellows Program (Summers 2001-2003); was selected as the Frey Foundation Distinguished

Visiting Professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (Spring 2002); received a Federal

Emergency Management Agency National Disaster Medical System Outstanding Achievement Award

(2004); was recognized as one of the Hispanics of the Year in the State of Delaware for which he received

the Professional Achievement Award (2007); and was awarded the Alfredo G. de los Santos Jr.

Distinguished Leadership Award by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (2014).

In addition, he has served on a number of committees for the National Academy of Sciences and on review

panels for the National Science Foundation and the Ford Foundation, and was the chair of the Latina/o

Sociology Section of the American Sociological Association. Rodríguez has received funding from the

NSF, Ford Foundation, National Institute of Mental Health, FEMA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and

the UPRM Sea Grant Program, among others, for a number of research projects focused on the social

science aspects of disasters and for projects aimed at providing hands-on research training and mentoring

to undergraduate and graduate students. He was also the principal investigator for the Research Experience

for Undergraduates Program: Training the Next Generation of Disaster Researchers, funded by NSF.

Currently, he serves as the principal investigator for an NSF ADVANCE IT grant aimed at increasing the

representation, participation, and leadership of women faculty in STEM fields.

Rodríguez has led and participated in a number of field research projects, including trips to Honduras,

following Hurricane Mitch; India and Sri Lanka, following the Indian Ocean Tsunami; and the Gulf Coast,

following Hurricane Katrina. He has a significant number of publications in the area of disasters, and

Latinos/as in the United States. He is the co-editor (with Enrico L. Quarantelli and Russell Dynes) of the

Handbook of Disaster Research (2006) and the co-editor (with Rogelio Sáenz and Cecilia Menjívar) of

Latinas/os in the United States: Changing the Face of América (2008).

20


Cornelio Gonzalez, Ph. D

Executive Director

ESC Region One

Dr. Cornelio Gonzalez’s career in Texas education started in Brownsville ISD

where he served as English as a Second Language and English teacher at

Simon Rivera H.S. He became Assistant Principal of Gladys Porter H.S. and

later served as Dean of Instruction at the same campus. In 1999 he was

admitted to the prestigious Cooperative Superintendency Program of the

University of Texas at Austin where he obtained his Ph.D. in Educational

Leadership in 2001. He served as Education Specialist in the Migrant

Department of the Texas Education Agency and was a member of the U.S.-

Mexico Bi-national Migrant Education Program. Dr. Cornelio Gonzalez has

been a speaker at several regional, state, national and international conferences

sharing the findings of his research on the process of incorporation of

immigrant students into life in the United States. He has served as

Superintendent of Schools at Lasara ISD in Willacy County, Tuloso-Midway ISD in Corpus Christi and

Mission CISD in the City of Mission, Texas. Dr. Cornelio Gonzalez is now serving as the Executive

Director of the Region One Education Service Center where he hopes to utilize the experiences accumulated

over 24 years of service to provide support, encouragement and assistance to all the school districts and

charter schools in the Region One area.


Steve H. Murdock, Ph.D.

Professor of Sociology

Rice University

Steve H. Murdock is the Allyn R. and Gladys M. Cline Professor of Sociology at Rice

University. He previously served as Director of the U.S. Bureau of the Census having

been nominated for the position by President Bush and unanimously confirmed by the

U.S. Senate in 2007 and serving until the change in administration in January of 2009.

Prior to his appointment at Rice, he was the Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in

Demography and Organization Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio

(UTSA) and the Director of the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic

Research. Before UTSA, Murdock was a Regents Professor and Head of the

Department of Rural Sociology at Texas A&M University. He was also the official

State Demographer of Texas. He was appointed to this position by Governor Rick Perry and was the first

person to occupy this position. Dr. Murdock earned his Ph.D. in demography and sociology from the

University of Kentucky and is the author or editor of 15 books and more than 150 articles and technical

reports on the implications of current and future demographic and socioeconomic change. He is the

recipient of numerous honors and awards. These include the Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award in

Research from Texas A&M University, the Excellence in Research Award and the Outstanding Rural

Sociologist Award from the Rural Sociological Society, The Distinguished Alumni Award from North

Dakota State University and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Sociology at the

University of Kentucky. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Eta Epsilon national

honor societies.

21


Rosendo Cruz

Public and Governmental Relations

ExxonMobil

A native of McAllen, Texas, Mr. Cruz earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil

Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin before joining Exxon

Company, U.S.A. in 1992 as a Project Engineer. He completed an MBA in

Management and Finance from the University of Texas at Austin in 1997. Mr.

Cruz is married to Kathryn Cruz and has three children, Austin, Andrea, and

Dylan and resides in Irving, Texas.

Mr. Cruz has been employed by ExxonMobil for more than 16 years and is currently a Program Officer for

education and diversity. He coordinates community investment activities and manages education and

diversity contributions programs. These programs include initiatives that foster the improvement of learning

and teaching in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and improving career opportunities for

women and minorities. He serves on boards and advisory committees of organizations such as National

Society of Hispanic MBA's, United Way, LULAC, and Leadership Fairfax. He is active within the

Company and is a Officer for GOAL, the Global Organization for the Advancement of Latinos, and a United

Way representative.

Mr. Cruz has worked in various assignments throughout his 16 year career. He began as a Project Engineer

for Exxon Company USA in 1992 in Houston, Texas. In 1997, he was named Supply Negotiator managing

activities in the Northeast US. He later served as a Business Development Manager in ExxonMobil's

Refining and Supply Company in 2000 and was relocated to Fairfax, Virginia. While in Fairfax, he was

named a Government Relations Manager in Exxon Mobil Corporation's Public Affairs Department in 2003.

In 2005, Mr. Cruz was named Manager of ExxonMobil Pipeline Company's Everett, Massachusetts

distribution plant and was relocated to Boston.

22

LATINO IN AMERICA SPEAKER

Dr. Juliet V. Garcia

Executive Director

UT Institute of the Americas

Juliet V. García joined The University of Texas System as president of The

University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB) in January 1992 after having served as

president of Texas Southmost College (TSC) for six years. When she was named

as president of the comprehensive community college in 1986, she became the first

Mexican-American woman to become president of a college or university in the

United States. She was the second president of UTB and the 12th president of TSC.

Dr. García relentlessly advocates for increasing access to higher education through

innovation, experimentation, and efficiency. In 1991, a group of concerned community leaders and Dr.

García spearheaded the establishment of a university that would be collocated with the community college.

The University of Texas at Brownsville formed an educational partnership with Texas Southmost College

during one of the toughest economic times in the State of Texas. She was the only president to serve in the

Partnership role. The "Partnership," as it became known, consolidated the fiscal, physical and human

resources of both institutions, eliminated redundancy in administrative structures, increased efficiency, and,

most importantly, eliminated all transfer barriers for students in the South Texas border region known as

the Rio Grande Valley. In 1997, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accredited the

Partnership with UT Brownsville as the parent institution, commending "the entire university community -

faculty, staff, students and community leader’s – for its vision and courage." The history of her leadership

chronicles more than two decades of innovation that propelled the development of postsecondary education

in Deep South Texas and its international border region.

LATINO IN AMERICA SPEAKER

Cristela Alonzo

Actress and Producer

Cristela Alonzo made TV history in 2014, by being the first Latina to create,

produce and star in a network TV sitcom, "Cristela," an achievement which caps

a whirlwind year. She released "Some of the Hits," her first stand-up CD through

Comedy Central, was a viewer favorite as a featured guest host on ABC's "The

View" and will be making her feature film debut in the upcoming Angry Birds

movie. She topped several comedy lists in the past year, including "Variety's Top

10 Comics to Watch," "Top 10 Comedy Acts to Watch in 2014" by LA Weekly,

Cosmo Latina's "8 Women You Should be Following on Twitter," Time Out's

"Comics to Watch," "Cosmo's "13 Female Comedians to Watch For in 2014," and

"One of the 50 Comedians You Should and WILL Know" by Vulture.com. She's performed at the

Melbourne Comedy Festival, the Bonnaroo Music Festival and is a favorite at the Just for Laughs Festival

in Montreal. She also taped "The Half Hour," her first half-hour special in Boston, which premiered in June

2013 on Comedy Central. Also, fun fact: Cristela performed in numerous theater productions ranging from

West Side Story to the other two shows that have a Latina role (can you tell I'm writing this in third-

person?). Her love of theater led to her touring the country performing in musicals until she fell in love with

stand-up, which ironically also led her to tour the country. Cristela is based in LA and when not on tour,

can be found performing at various clubs around town, including her home club, the Comedy & Magic

Club in Hermosa Beach, CA.

23

FEATURED SPEAKER

The Honorable Arne Duncan U.S. Secretary of Education

Arne Duncan is the ninth U.S. secretary of education. He has served in this post since

his confirmation by the U.S. Senate on Jan. 20, 2009, following his nomination by

President Barack Obama. Duncan's tenure as secretary has been marked by a number

of significant accomplishments on behalf of American students and teachers. He helped

to secure congressional support for President Obama's investments in education,

including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's $100 billion to fund 325,000

teaching jobs, increases in Pell grants, reform efforts such as Race to the Top and

Investing in Innovation, and interventions in low-performing schools. Additionally, he

has helped secure an additional $10 billion to avoid teacher layoffs; the elimination of

student loan subsidies to banks; and a $500 million national competition for early

learning programs. Under Duncan's leadership at the Department, the Race to the Top program has the

incentives, guidance, and flexibility it needs to support reforms in states. The Department also has focused

billions of dollars to transform struggling schools, prompting nearly 1,000 low-performing schools

nationwide to recruit new staff, adopt new teaching methods, and add learning time. He has led new efforts

to encourage labor and management to work together as never before, and their new collaboration is helping

to drive reform, strengthen teaching, create better educational options, and improve learning. During

Duncan's tenure, the Department has launched a comprehensive effort to transform the teaching profession.

In support of President Obama's goal for the United States to produce the highest percentage of college

graduates by the year 2020, Duncan has helped secure increases in the Pell grant program to boost the

number of young Americans attending college and receiving postsecondary degrees. He has begun new

efforts to ensure that colleges and universities provide more transparency around graduation, job placement,

and student loan default rates. With the income-based repayment program introduced during Duncan's

tenure, student loan payments are being reduced for college graduates in low-paying jobs, and loans will

be forgiven after 10 years for persons in certain public service occupations, such as teachers, police officers

and firefighters. Before becoming secretary of education, Duncan served as the chief executive officer of

the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), a position he held from June 2001 through December 2008. In that time,

he won praise for uniting education reformers, teachers, principals and business stakeholders behind an

aggressive education reform agenda that included opening more than 100 new schools, expanding after-

school and summer learning programs, closing down underperforming schools, increasing early childhood

and college access, dramatically boosting the caliber of teachers, and building public-private partnerships

around a variety of education initiatives. Duncan is credited with significantly raising student performance

on national and state tests, increasing graduation rates and the numbers of students taking Advanced

Placement courses, and boosting the total number of scholarships secured by CPS students to more than

$150 million. Also during his leadership of CPS, the district was recognized for its efforts to bring top

teaching talent into the city's classrooms, where the number of teachers applying for positions almost

tripled.

Prior to joining the Chicago Public Schools, from 1992 to 1998, Duncan ran the nonprofit education

foundation Ariel Education Initiative, which helped fund a college education for a class of inner-city

children under the I Have A Dream program. He was part of a team that later started a new public elementary

school built around a financial literacy curriculum, the Ariel Community Academy, which today ranks

among the top elementary schools in Chicago. From 1987 to 1991, Duncan played professional basketball

in Australia, where he also worked with children who were wards of the state. Duncan graduated magna

cum laude from Harvard University in 1987, after majoring in sociology. He was co-captain of Harvard's

basketball team and was named a first team Academic All-American. Duncan is married to Karen Duncan,

and they have two children.

24

SUPERINTENDENT PANELIST ON SECRETARY ARNE DUNCAN’S PANEL

Daniel P. King, PhD

Superintendent of Schools

A public school superintendent for the last 17 years, Dr. Daniel P. King was

recently named the 2013 Texas Superintendent of the Year by the American

Association of School Administrators and was the 2006 Superintendent of the

Year for the Texas Association of School Boards. Since July of 2007, he has

led the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA). Under his

leadership, PSJA has made tremendous progress on some of the most

significant challenges that face our state and nation.

A border school district serving more than 32,000 students (99% Hispanic

and 89% economically disadvantaged), PSJA ISD had a dropout rate almost

double the state average. The number of annual dropouts has been cut

dramatically, and the dropout rate is now less than half the state rate. The

number of annual high school graduates has doubled and the four-year graduation rate and overall high

school completion rate has increased from 62.4% to 90.1% during his tenure, surpassing the state average.

PSJA has become a state and national model for dropout prevention and recovery, inspiring state legislation

(SB 975) and replication of its innovative initiatives across Texas and the nation.

In the meantime, PSJA has undertaken an even bolder initiative College³ (All students:

Ready.Connected.Complete. Initiating and scaling up a network of Early College High Schools, concurrent

and dual enrollment opportunities, and college and career connected career pathways, PSJA is determined

to offer every single student the opportunity to earn at least 12 college hours by high school graduation,

with many earning more - up to an Associate’s Degree. This ambitious plan has many PSJA graduates

completing their Bachelor's Degrees in as little as two years. Over the last few years, hundreds of PSJA

students have received an Associate Degree or College Certificate prior to their high school graduation.

25

STUDENT PANELIST ON SECRETARY ARNE DUNCAN’S PANEL

Kianna Joe Silva

11th grade

Veterans Memorial Early College High School

Career Pathway: Health Occupations

School Activities:

Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 9 th, 10th

Member of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), 9 th, 10th,

11th

Varsity Softball, 9th, 10th, 11th

Volleyball, 10th, 11th

NHS, 11th

GEAR UP Student Leadership Council

GEAR UP Sally Ride Girls STEM Club

GEAR UP Girls Who Code Club, 11th

Celebrate My Drive- Teen Safe Driving Campaign /Student Leader organizer for all grade

levels – 9th-12th

Academic Achievements:

Class Ranked in Top 5%, 9th, 10th

2014 Participant/Alumni in National Hispanic Caucus Institute’s R2L Next Generation

Program in Washington, DC

Academic Honor Roll, 9th, 10th

National Honor Society, 11th

STAMP Program

Community Service:

Volunteered at a home health care agency for 4 summers (2000-2014)

Community Clean up

1st to lead the “Celebrate My Drive” campaign in the Brownsville community, safe driving

campaign- no texting while driving, 2014,15

Volunteers with Community Recreation Centers and assists in coaching sports for chi ldren

STUDENT PANELIST ON SECRETARY ARNE DUNCAN’S PANEL

Raven Gonzalez

My name is Raven Lee Gonzalez. I grew up in Donna, a small town in South Texas. Growing up in Donna

was challenging for me because I always saw how Donna was mistreated and misunderstood, yet this made

me strive forward to help make Donna a better place. I have never been the type of kid to shy away from

standing out. I always fight for what I believe in, and stand up for what is right. I was bullied as a kid and

as a result I have learned to overcome my adversity. GEAR UP has helped me become a leader and showed

me ways on how to connect with others. My involvement in Robotics has helped me decide the career I

wish to pursue in college. I have won 3 awards in robotics, one 1st place, one 3rd and one state medal.

During the end of my freshmen year, I was awarded the “2014 CHCI Ready to Lead” scholarship, in which

I went to Washington D.C. and was introduced to the world of politics. I met many politicians and got to

walk the streets and halls of the nation’s capital. This enhanced the leader in me and I strive to be as best a

leader in my school and community as I can be.

26

STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES

Letty Garza

Channel 5 News

Letty Garza was born and raised in McAllen. She graduated from Pan American

University with a bachelor's degree in communications in 1983. She is also a 1978

McAllen High School graduate. Letty started her career at CHANNEL 5 NEWS as an

intern in 1982 and worked her way up to become one of CHANNEL 5 NEWS's first

female Hispanic news anchors here in the Valley. Letty was instrumental in creating the

first and most successful morning news program in the Valley. She also anchored the

weekend newscast followed by the 5, 6, and 10 o'clock newscasts from the 1980s all the

way to the mid-90s. After the birth of her daughter, Talisa Marie McVea, Letty made a

career change and worked for the U.S. Border Patrol as McAllen sector's first Public

Information Officer in 1994. She continued her work with her Wednesday's Child program with CHANNEL

5 NEWS from 1994 until she returned to CHANNEL 5 NEWS in March of 2000. Letty now anchors two

full newscasts Monday through Friday: CHANNEL 5 NEWS at 6 and CHANNEL 5 NEWS at 10. Letty is

married to Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Reynaldo Manuel Garza, who oversees 1,800 agents and support

personnel responsible for 19 South Texas counties. As mentioned earlier, Letty is the proud mother of

Talisa Marie McVea. Letty says, "I understand that people depend on my years of experienceas a journalist

for dependable and accurate information on a day-to-day basis. I want my Valley to know just how proud

I am, not only to represent CHANNEL 5 NEWS as a team leader, but as a reliable and responsible

person...that my mother, Marina, always said I would be, in her words: 'Mijita, eres muy responsable, y por

eso seguiste adelante.'"

STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER

The Honorable Greg Abbott

Governor of Texas

The 48th governor of Texas, Greg Abbott continues to build on his long record as a

conservative leader who fights to preserve the values Texans hold most dear—faith,

family and freedom.

Governor Abbott’s vision for a better future is founded on economic opportunity,

education excellence and limited government. His detailed Bicentennial Blueprint

helped drive a successful 84th Legislative Session and included priorities such as: cutting

taxes to stimulate job growth; improving our roads; focusing on quality education;

securing our border; and expanding protection of our God-given rights.

Under his leadership, Texas will remain the beacon of individual liberty and economic prosperity.

Prior to his election as governor in 2014, Greg Abbott was the longest-serving Attorney General of Texas.

He and his wife, Cecilia, have been married for 34 years. She is a former teacher and principal, and the first

Hispanic First Lady of Texas. The Abbotts have one daughter, Audrey, a college freshman.

27

STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND LATINO IN AMERICA SPEAKER

Jose Antonio Tijerino

President and CEO

Hispanic Heritage Foundation

JOSE ANTONIO TIJERINO is the president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage

Foundation (HHF), which inspires, prepares, connects and positions Latino leaders in

the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities. HHF also

promotes Latino cultural pride, accomplishment and the great promise of the

community through public awareness campaigns and initiatives reaching millions.

Tijerino has led the 28-year-old nonprofit for 14 years and has developed an

innovative, sustainable model for Latino leadership and talent for the workforce in 10

“priority” fields leveraging a network of 100,000 vetted students and young

professionals. The LOFT (Latinos On Fast Track) leadership and workforce development program he

created 10 years ago has been recognized by The White House, Congress, Silicon Valley, Fortune 500

companies and the Mexican government for it’s impact. Tijerino is also co-executive producer of the star-

studded Hispanic Heritage Awards, which are considered among the highest honors for Latinos, and the

TV broadcast, which is currently on PBS.

Before HHF, Tijerino was director of public relations for Fannie Mae Foundation and prior to that manager

of corporate communications for Nike Inc.’s, marketing department where he aslo served as a media

spokesman. For six years, Tijerino was an executive for powerhouse PR and Public Affairs agencies

Burson-Marsteller and Cohn & Wolf in Washington, DC, under parent company Young & Rubicam.

Tijerino is active in the community by serving on various boards and committees inlcuding Harvard’s

Latino Leadership Initiative at the Kennedy School, National PTA, America’s Promise Alliance, Robert H.

Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, National Building Museum, Imagination Stage,

Crittenton Services, Jefferson Awards, Kid Museum, and Hispanic Technology & Telecommunications

Partnership, among others. He is also on the Leadership Council for the University of Maryland’s Center

For the History of the New America and he co-founded The American Project with Notre Dame University,

which is a faith-based, youth-led movement to treat immigrants with dignity. He also created the READ

(Refugee Enrichment And Development) Project to support the unaccompanied minors at the border.

Tijerino has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National PTA; the prestigious

Ohtli Award, which is the highest recognition by the Government of Mexico outside of Mexico; by the US

Army with a civilian award; as an Outstanding American; Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Visionary

Award; Hispanic Hero Award by US Hispanic Youth Entrepreneurship; Brillante Award by National

Society of Hispanic MBAs; Cesar Chavez Award from US Hispanic Leadership Institute; Telemundo’s

Community Service Award; and the Maryland Governor’s Community Service Award. Tijerino was also

featuring on the cover of Latino Magazine as one of the 10 Who Made a Difference was invited to the

Renaissance Weekend by the Aspen Institute. In the media, Tijerino has been featured in HBO’s Habla

series alongside celebrities and national leaders, was profiled on an hour-long Discovery Channel/TLC

program for his work with youth, among others. His articles and blogs have appeared in major publications

and social media and he has been featured on radio and TV broadcasts. He also co-authored a white paper

on emotional learning for underserved children and another on building healthy communities through

school-based health centers for underserved populations. As a speaker he has made remarks from the White

House to top colleges to corporate headquarters to communities across America. He was also featured in

the TED Talk series. Tijerino earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland’s school

of journalism and later was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters from The Chicago School. He lives in

the Greater Washington, DC, area with his family.

28

STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Bernard A. Harris Jr.

Astronaut and President of the Harris Foundation

Bernard A. Harris Jr., Astronaut and President of the Harris Foundation, graduated

from Sam Houston High School in San Antonio, Texas in 1974. Bernard A. Harris

Jr., Astronaut and President of the Harris Foundation, graduated from Sam Houston

High School in San Antonio, Texas in 1974.

Dr. Harris holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology from the University of

Houston, a Master of Medical Science (MMS) from the University of Texas Medical

Branch at Galveston, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the

University of Houston Clear Lake and a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) from Texas

Tech University School of Medicine. He completed a Residency in Internal Medicine

at the Mayo Clinic, a National Research Council Fellowship in Endocrinology at the

NASA Ames Research Center and trained as a Flight Surgeon at the Aerospace

School of Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He is also a licensed private pilot and

certified scuba diver. He holds several faculty appointments including Associate Professor in Internal

Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch and Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine.

Additionally, he is the author and co-author of numerous scientific publications.

Dr. Harris worked at NASA for ten years, where he conducted research in musculoskeletal physiology and

disuse osteoporosis. Later, as Head of the Exercise Countermeasure Project, he conducted clinical

investigations of space adaptation and developed in-flight medical devices to extend Astronaut stays in

space. Selected into the Astronaut Corp in January 1990, Dr. Harris was a Mission Specialist on the Space

Shuttle Columbia STS-55/Spacelab D-2 in 1993. As Payload Commander on Space Shuttle Discovery

STS-63 in 1995, he served on the first flight of the joint Russian-American Space Program, becoming the

“First African American to walk in Space." A veteran astronaut for over nineteen years, he has logged more

than 438 hours and traveled over 7.2 million miles in space. He served as Vice President and Chief Scientist

of SPACEHAB, Inc., an innovative space commercialization company, where he directed the company’s

space science business. He also served as Vice President of Business Development for Space Media, Inc.,

an Informatics company, establishing an e-commerce initiative that is now part of the United Nations’

education program.

Currently he is on the Board for the National Math and Science Initiative, Houston Angel Network, Medical

Informatics, Technology and Applications Center, Houston Technology Center and the National Space

Biomedical Research Institute, Board of Scientific Counselors. In addition, he was a Senior Consultant for

NASA Aerospace Safety Panel, as well as a member of the NASA Biological and Physical Sciences

Committee, the Council for the National Institute Health/National Institute for Deafness, Texas

Tech's University Board of Regents, Texas Higher Education Coalition, Texas Commission on a

Representative Student Body and Communications Disorders and the committee for the National

Academies Institute of Medicine.

Dr. Harris is currently Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Vesalius Ventures, Inc., a venture

capital firm, that invests in early to mid stage Healthcare technologies and companies. He is also the

Founder of the Harris Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports math/science education and crime

prevention programs for America's youth.

He is the recipient of numerous awards, including honorary doctorates from Stony Brook University

(SUNY), Morehouse School of Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and the University

29

of Hartford, as well as the NASA Space Flight Medal, a NASA Award of Merit, a fellow of the American

College of Physicians, and the 2000 Horatio Alger Award. Dr. Harris’ goals in life have been achieved

through self-empowerment and self-determination. He believes that education and effort will allow anyone

to meet any challenge in life, inspiring others to reach for the stars.

Dr. Harris holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology from the University of Houston, a Master of Medical

Science (MMS) from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a Master of Business

Administration (MBA) from the University of Houston Clear Lake and a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) from

Texas Tech University School of Medicine. He completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo

Clinic, a National Research Council Fellowship in Endocrinology at the NASA Ames Research Center and

trained as a Flight Surgeon at the Aerospace School of Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio,

Texas. He is also a licensed private pilot and certified scuba diver.

He holds several faculty appointments including Associate Professor in Internal Medicine at the University

of Texas Medical Branch and Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine. Additionally, he is the

author and co-author of numerous scientific publications. Dr. Harris worked at NASA for ten years, where

he conducted research in musculoskeletal physiology and disuse osteoporosis. Later, as Head of the

Exercise Countermeasure Project, he conducted clinical investigations of space adaptation and developed

in-flight medical devices to extend Astronaut stays in space. Selected into the Astronaut Corp in January

1990, Dr. Harris was a Mission Specialist on the Space Shuttle Columbia STS-55/Spacelab D-2 in 1993.

As Payload Commander on Space Shuttle Discovery STS-63 in 1995, he served on the first flight of the

joint Russian-American Space Program, becoming the “First African American to walk in Space." A

veteran astronaut for over nineteen years, he has logged more than 438 hours and traveled over 7.2 million

miles in space.

He served as Vice President and Chief Scientist of SPACEHAB, Inc., an innovative space

commercialization company, where he directed the company’s space science business. He also served as

Vice President of Business Development for Space Media, Inc., an Informatics company, establishing an

e-commerce initiative that is now part of the United Nations’ education program.

Currently he is on the Board for the National Math and Science Initiative, Houston Angel Network, Medical

Informatics, Technology and Applications Center, Houston Technology Center and the National Space

Biomedical Research Institute, Board of Scientific Counselors. In addition, he was a Senior Consultant for

NASA Aerospace Safety Panel, as well as a member of the NASA Biological and Physical Sciences

Committee, the Council for the National Institute Health/National Institute for Deafness, Texas Tech's

University Board of Regents, Texas Higher Education Coalition, Texas Commission on a Representative

Student Body and Communications Disorders and the committee for the National Academies Institute of

Medicine. Dr. Harris is currently Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Vesalius Ventures, Inc.,

a venture capital firm, that invests in early to mid stage Healthcare technologies and companies. He is also

the Founder of the Harris Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports math/science education and

crime prevention programs for America's youth.

He is the recipient of numerous awards, including honorary doctorates from Stony Brook University

(SUNY), Morehouse School of Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and the University

of Hartford, as well as the NASA Space Flight Medal, a NASA Award of Merit, a fellow of the American

College of Physicians, and the 2000 Horatio Alger Award.

Dr. Harris’ goals in life have been achieved through self-empowerment and self-determination. He believes

that education and effort will allow anyone to meet any challenge in life, inspiring others to reach for the

stars.

30

STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY AND LATINA DAY PLENARY SPEAKER

Norma Ortiz McCormick

Coordinator

Ready, Set, College! Partnership

Region One ESC

Norma Ortiz McCormick has been a professional educator for a period of 20 years and has served in various

capacities. As a coordinator for the Ready, Set, College! Partnership, Ms. McCormick is charged with the

responsibility of providing leadership at a project level where she, along with her director, Tina Atkins,

work on ensuring that students, parents and stakeholders are provided with the support and leadership

needed to transform schools into college-going communities. The GEAR UP program focuses on providing

higher education access to underrepresented and underserved students.

As an education specialist with Region GEAR UP for a period of seven years, she collaborated and provided

leadership to the GEAR UP team on Counselor's academies, direct services to parents and other related

services and has served as a liaison between the project and evaluator to ensure that all areas needed for the

Annual Performance Report were accurately documented and reported to the United States Department of

Education.

As a GEAR UP facilitator at the campus level for a period of 5 years, Ms. McCormick provided leadership

regarding all of the areas of the GEAR UP Partnership and ensured that all initiatives were implemented

well. Ms. McCormick earned her high school diploma from McAllen Memorial High School where she

graduated with honors and continued at the University of Texas-Pan American where she earned her BA in

Psychology with a minor in Special Education. She earned a Master's in Counseling and Guidance with

Magna Cum Laude distinction from the University of Texas Pan American.

It is her belief that all children can achieve their post-secondary education goals when the necessary tools

and support systems are provided.

LATINA DAY MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES

Elizabeth Robaina

Presentadora del Tiempo

Noticias Telemundo 40

Elizabeth Robaina es Presentadora del Tiempo para Noticias Telemundo 40, el cual se

transmite de lunes a viernes a las 4:30 PM, 5 PM y 10 PM por Telemundo 40 Rio Grande

Valley / KTLM, la estación local que sirve la comunidad de habla hispana en el valle

del Rio Grande. Como parte del equipo de Noticias Telemundo 40, Robaina reporta las

noticias del Tiempo y de más importancia para los televidentes del valle del Rio Grande.

Robaina se unió a Telemundo 40 en el 2014.

Antes de unirse a Telemundo 40, Robaina trabajó como presentadora del tiempo para

Univision 48 Rio Grande Valley / KNVO de 2009 a 2010, desempeñándose como

presentadora del tiempo durante los fines de semana. Robaina también trabajó como conductora del tiempo

para Univisión 27 Laredo / KLDO desde el 2012 hasta el 2014. En el 2014, Robaina trabajó como

presentadora del tiempo para la estación WAPA-TV en San Juan, Puerto Rico. Robaina obtuvo su

licenciatura en Comunicaciones Periodismo y una sub-especialización en Español de la Universidad Texas,

Pan American.

31

LATINA DAY PLENARY SPEAKER

Briana Lyssy

Government and Community Affairs Liaison

Marathon Oil

Briana Lyssy, Government and Community Affairs Liaison with Marathon Oil, brings

over 8 years of experience in local government, community and stakeholder relations

in both the public and private sectors. A native of Victoria, TX, Ms. Lyssy received a

Bachelor of Arts in Government from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master

of Business Administration from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX.

Throughout her career, she has served in leadership roles related to community

development, program management, research and communications. Ms. Lyssy was

named among the San Antonio Business Journal’s 2014 “Who’s Who in Energy” and serves on the Energy

and Sustainability Committee of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce as well as the Board of Directors

of the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission. Currently, she is responsible for the development

and execution of Marathon Oil's Eagle Ford community relations strategy as well as activities related to

local media, community and government relations.


Samantha Silva

ExxonMobil Global Services Company

Samantha was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley where she lived until moving

to Houston in 2009 to join ExxonMobil Global Services Company. She was the first

female to graduate with a BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Texas –

Pan American. She currently works for ExxonMobil’s Global Services Company in IT

Strategy assisting IT services with their budgeting and planning. Samantha finds time

to serve community by volunteering whenever possible and fostering homeless pets

from the greater Houston area. She is married and has one dog and one cat. She also

enjoys scrapbooking, hunting, and playing video games during her personal time.


Melissa Mortiz

Deputy Director of STEM

U.S. Department of Education

Melissa Moritz serves as the Deputy Director of STEM at the U.S. Department of

Education (ED). In this capacity, she supports STEM policy and programs at ED that

focus on STEM teaching and learning, from preschool to workforce. She serves on

numerous interagency working groups and co-chairs the P-12 STEM working group as

part of the White House Committee on STEM Education (CoSTEM). Prior to joining

ED, she served as the Vice President of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

(STEM) and Education Initiatives at Teach for America (TFA). In that capacity, she

oversaw TFA’s national STEM Initiative and managed the team that led TFA’s Early

Childhood Education Initiative, Diverse Learners Initiative, Military Veterans

Initiative and Native Alliance Initiative. As part of the STEM Initiative, Melissa

created TFA’s first computer science cohort and rose nearly $10M to support the recruitment and training

of new STEM educators. After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a B.S. in

Biology in 2006, she joined TFA, where taught middle school science at MS 321 in New York City. Melissa

was named one of the “100 Women Leaders in STEM” in 2012 and previously sat on STEMConnector’s

Innovation Task Force and the US News STEM Advisory Council. She resides in Washington, DC with

her husband.

32


Karen Lozano, Ph.D.

Julia Beecherl Endowed Professor in mechanical engineering


Karen Lozano, Ph.D., a Julia Beecherl Endowed Professor in mechanical engineering

at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, recently was named the Engineer of

the Year by Great Minds in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics). She is only the third woman to garner this distinction in 27 years. The

last woman named Engineer of the Year was Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic astronaut

in space and current director of the Johnson Space Center. Lozano, founder and

director of the Nanotechnology Center of Excellence at UTRGV, will be one of 25

award recipients recognized at the 27th HENAAC STEM Career Conference, Oct.

14-18 in Pasadena, Calif. Engineer of the Year and Scientist of the Year are the top two awards of all those

nominated for recognition at the annual conference.

A top researcher in the field of nanotechnology, Lozano and a fellow mechanical engineering faculty

member invented a more efficient way to produce nanofibers through Forcespinning®. That invention led

to the creation in 2009 of then-University of Texas-Pan American's first startup company, FibeRio

Technology Corporation, where Lozano serves as chief technology officer.

A developer of more than 20 patents and patent applications, Lozano was featured in the 2012 Partnership

for a New American Economy’s report, “Patent Pending: How Immigrants are Reinventing the American

Economy,” which highlights the value foreign-born graduates bring to the U.S. economy.

In 2013, Lozano, a native of Mexico, was invited, along with eight other high-achieving Hispanics, by

President Barack Obama to appear on a panel discussion on immigration.

In August 2015, she received a $3 million, five-year Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials

(PREM) award from the National Science Foundation. PREM awards couple the expertise of NSF Materials

Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC) – in this award, the University of Minnesota – with

UTRGV, a minority-serving institution, to involve students in preeminent materials research. The grant,

which began Sept. 1, is a renewal of a $2.7 million PREM award she received in 2009, which provided

many Valley students a chance to work with faculty on the development of polymeric and nanoparticle-

based materials and devices.

The University of Texas Board of Regents recognized Lozano’s expertise at engaging students through her

research by awarding her a 2013 University of Texas System Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award,

considered one of the highest awards in the nation to recognize teaching excellence in higher education.

Increasing external funding is one of the goals of the Nanotechnology Center of Excellence she heads. The

center also aims to increase the number of refereed reviewed publications, faculty retention and the number

of undergraduate students entering graduate school and entering the workforce in emerging technologies.

Lozano, a first-generation college student, earned her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and materials

science from Rice University. She is the first Mexican to receive a doctorate from Rice in science and the

fifth woman to receive a doctorate from Rice's mechanical engineering and material sciences department.

She was the first woman hired in UTPA's Engineering Department when she became a faculty member in

2000. As a person who surpassed many barriers and stereotypes herself in pursuing an engineering career,

Lozano is intent on promoting education and hard work, as well as serving as a role model.

33

LATINA DAY PLENARY SPEAKER AND FASHION SHOW PARTICIPANT

Dr. Theresa A. Maldonado

Senior Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Development


Dr. Maldonado began her new role on June 1. Prior to joining UTRGV, Dr.

Maldonado was Special Assistant to the CEO of the Texas A&M Health Science

Center in College Station since Oct. 2014, where she served as a member of the

Executive Committee. Her primary role was to provide leadership in developing,

implementing, and communicating key initiatives on behalf of the Office of the CEO,

including interdisciplinary research programs between the health science center and

other colleges and institutions. In addition, she was a tenured faculty member in the

Electrical & Computer Engineering Dept.

Dr. Maldonado has extensive experience at the federal level in advancing research, development, and

commercialization initiatives. She recently served as Director of the Engineering Education and Centers

Division at the National Science Foundation in the Washington, DC, area. She was responsible for a $130M

budget in support of interdisciplinary research centers, innovations in engineering education, special

initiatives in support of veterans, and workforce development programs. She also served as Chair of the

NSF-wide CAREER Coordinating Committee. She served a previous term at NSF in 1999-2001 as program

director in the Engineering Research Centers program.

Dr. Maldonado’s academic career spans nearly 25 years at two universities – Texas A&M University and

The University of Texas at Arlington – with 14 of those years in various research administration roles. At

Texas A&M, these roles include Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Research of the Texas A&M University

System, which is comprised of 11 universities, seven state agencies, and the health science center; Interim

Vice President for Research; Assoc. Dean for Research in Engineering; and Deputy Director of the Texas

Engineering Experiment Station. At UT Arlington she served as Assoc. VP for Research and Assoc. Dean

for Research in Engineering. She was also founding director of the Texas A&M Energy Institute and the

UT Arlington Institute for Nanoscale Science and Engineering Research and Teaching (INSERT).

Before entering academia, Dr. Maldonado was a member of technical staff at AT&T Bell Laboratories for

five years working on optical components and systems

Dr. Maldonado earned the Ph.D., M.S.E.E., and B.E.E. with Highest Honors degrees in Electrical

Engineering, all from the Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as the A.S. degree in Mathematics from

Macon Jr. College (now Macon State College). She was the recipient of the NSF Presidential Young

Investigator award in 1991 in support of her research in electro-optics and nonlinear optics. She received

three NSF Director Awards for program management excellence and contributions to cross-NSF initiatives.

She was an invited participant in several activities of the National Academy of Engineering; an invited

member and past chair of the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering, which reports

to Congress through the NSF Director; and a past member of the NSF Math and Physical Sciences Advisory

Committee. She is a Senior Member of IEEE and member of the OSA, SPIE, AAAS, ASEE, and Sigma

Xi. She is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas.

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/local/article_79a5a24c-d0fe-11e4-8474-1f5f32712dc8.html?mode=image&photo=0

34

LATINA DAY FASHION SHOW PARTICIPANT

Dr. Lisa Treviño, PhD

Vice President of Research and Development

Doctors Hospital at Renaissance

Dr. Lisa R. Treviño, PhD, joined Doctors Hospital at Renaissance (DHR) in

January 2014 as the Vice President of Research and Development. Dr. Trevino

earned her doctorate in Molecular, Cellular and Development Biology from the

University of California at Santa Cruz and conducted her postdoctoral training at

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.

Most recently, Dr. Trevino was managing and serving as the lead scientific

analyst for various adult and pediatric cancer projects at the Human Genome

Sequencing Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX.

With her extensive basic and translational research experience, Dr. Lisa Treviño

has published in top-tiered, peer-reviewed scientific journals, including Nature

and Science and other prominent cancer journals.

Dr. Treviño will lead the research program at DHR by establishing sound policies and procedures for

everyone interested in conducting human subject research. She will expand current clinical research studies

in the areas of diabetes and other disease states, as well as facilitate the writing of medical manuscripts

pertaining to existing data collected by DHR physicians.

Throughout her scientific career, Dr. Treviño has established and maintained professional collaborations

with experts in the field of medicine in Texas, including Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s

Hospital, as well as with other institutions nation-wide. She will work tirelessly to bring the most cutting-

edge technology and advanced diagnostics to DHR and the people of the Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Treviño

was born and raised in Pharr, TX and is a graduate of Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School.

SPECIAL GUEST PRESENTER FROM TEXAS STATE COLLEGE

Martha Casquette

Instructor - Physics

Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Division of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Martha Casquette, M.S. Physics, worked for several years for the Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy

(CGWA) as Student Coordinator and with the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UTB/TSC as

Faculty Associate, and for one year as a Physics Lecturer at UTPA. She was also, for three years, a high

school math teacher with the District of Donna. She joined Texas Southmost College in Fall 2014, as

Physics Instructor. Ms. Casquette was also the co-creator and for many years, the coordinator of the Physics

Circus. The Physics Circus is an interactive program, designed to show the wonders of physics. Through

her supervision, the Physics Circus, visited several cities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, including

Matamoros, Mexico, as well as Boston MA, Washington D.C. and New York City. She was a member of

the National Society of Black Physicists and is a member of the National Society of Hispanic Physicists.

35

SPECIAL GUEST PRESENTER FROM TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Justin R. Ramirez

Student Recruitment Representative

Student Recruitment Department

TSTC in Harlingen

Mr. Justin Ramirez was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. Since he was

knee high, he had a passion to work in education. He attended Texas State

Technical College (TSTC) in Harlingen where he completed the majority of his

academics and later continued on to The University of Texas - Pan American

where he earned a degree in Business Administration Management with a

concentration in Human Resources and Operation Management in 2013. In his

current position, he opens the minds of students on the many STEM opportunities

in jobs and research.


Oscar Blanco

Instructor and Department Chair

Academic Computer Science Department

TSTC in Harlingen

Mr. Oscar Blanco has been with Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in

Harlingen since Fall 2014 as an Instructor and Department Chair for the

Academic Computer Science Department. As a faculty member, he teaches

computer programming courses and creates academic programs and curriculum

for the Computer Science degree as well as advises students for the program.

Before coming to TSTC, Mr. Blanco worked for Texas Southmost College as a

Records and Compliance Specialist and has worked in the industry as a program

analyst. He holds a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in Computer

Science from The University of Texas at Brownsville.


Daniel Bodnar

Master Instructor and Interim Division Director

Engineering Division

TSTC in Harlingen

Mr. Daniel Bodnar is serving as Interim Division Director for the Engineering

programs at TSTC in Harlingen as well as Department Chair for the

Telecommunications Convergence Technology program. Other academic

disciplines under his leadership include Engineering Science, Wind Energy,

Biomedical, Architectural Design &Engineering Graphics, Mechatronics, and

Chemical Technology. He has worked as a faculty member at TSTC for over 31

years and teaches electronics and telecommunications. Mr. Bodnar holds a

Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and an Associate of

Applied Science degree in Electronics.

36

NASA EDUCATOR DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Araceli Martinez Ortiz, Ph.D,

Director of the LBJ Institute for STEM Education & Research

Assistant Research Professor of Engineering Education

Texas State University

Araceli Martinez Ortiz, Ph.D, is Director of the LBJ Institute for STEM Education

& Research and Assistant Research Professor of Engineering Education at Texas

State University. She is principal investigator of various state and national STEM

teacher professional development programs and pre-engineering student outreach

programs supported by NASA and the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Ortiz holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Michigan, Masters degrees in

Engineering and Education, and a PhD in Engineering Education from Tufts University. For many years,

Araceli pursued a career as an engineer and manager with General Motors, Ford Motor Company and

Microsoft. There she led in the areas of systems engineering, quality improvement, product design and

marketing. In the field of education now for over ten years, she has worked as a mathematics teacher,

curriculum developer, assistant principal, higher education policy director, and university professor.

Araceli’s research interests include studying the role of engineering as a curricular context and using

problem-based learning as an instructional strategy to facilitate students’ STEM learning. She enjoys

working with teachers, families, and students from diverse communities in the U.S and abroad.


Brandon Hargis

Educator Professional Development Specialist

NASA's Johnson Space Center for Texas State's NASA STEM EPDC

Brandon has 16 years of experience as a teacher and leader in STEM Education.

He earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Middle Grades Science Education

and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership & Administration with

certifications for Principal and Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction. Prior to

joining NASA Education, Brandon spent 9 years in Kentucky as a science teacher,

a 21st CCLC Academic Specialist, a K-12 Principal, and Elementary Science

Education Professor.

Brandon became an Education Specialist with NASA in 2009. He is now an Educator Professional

Development Specialist at NASA's Johnson Space Center for Texas State's NASA STEM EPDC. Brandon

is responsible for designing and conducting professional development workshops for pre-service, in-

service, & informal educators and collaborating with state and local education agencies in the JSC region.

37


Gamaliel “Dan” Cherry

Deputy, NASA Educator Professional Development

Manager for NASA Digital Learning Network

Gamaliel “Dan” Cherry has served with the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration for over a decade in the areas of Education and Human Resources.

Currently, he serves as the Deputy for NASA Educator Professional Development and

the manager for NASA Digital Learning Network. In his current roles he collaborates

with NASA Glen, Goddard, Stennis, Langley and Headquarters to execute both

activities. In the past his duties consisted of serving as an Organization Development

(OD) consultant, Training Specialist, and Executive Coaching program manager. His

duties included coaching organizations to reach more efficient operations and

developing custom engagements that focus on specific needs. He monitored training

requests and developed custom training programs that decrease skill gaps for

organizations. He has served as the team lead for NASA Langley’s 21st Century Lab initiative. He currently

serves as the NASA Digital Learning Network manager and serves on the leadership team for NASA

Educator Professional Development.

Gamaliel holds a B.S. in Elementary Education with concentrations in General Science and Music, a MS

in Education and a Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology. He has traveled aboard to Scotland,

Africa, Spain, Italy, France, and New Zealand during his colligate matriculation. He also participated in

the Kauffman National Entrepreneur program where he found his niche for computers and decided to

further advance his skill-set as a hobby and possible business venture in the future. Gamaliel is a member

of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Who’s Who Among America’s College Students, Phi Beta Kappa

honors society.

Gamaliel is married to Erika Cherry and they have three children, a set of three year old twins; Zoe and

Zariah, and one two year old, Zion. Gamaliel is an avid football, and basketball fan.

NASA STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Alicia Baturoni Cortez

Program manager for the National Community College Aerospace Scholars

NASA’s Johnson Space Center

Alicia Baturoni Cortez currently serves as the program manager for National

Community College Aerospace Scholars at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. She

first taught middle school math and science in Michigan and earned her Master’s

degree in Science Education before leading the Ames Educational Technology Team

at NASA’s Ames Research Center in 2004. In 2007, she became a NASA Explorer

School Coordinator serving the Ames 10-state region before moving into the lead

position at Glenn Research Center in 2010. She led NES educator professional

development efforts and the production of 4 seasons of the NASA Now video series.

Alicia then joined Johnson Space Center in September 2013 and was recently

recognized in 2015 with the JSC Director’s Innovation Team Award.

38

NASA LATINA DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Rosa Obregon

Lead mechanical test operations engineer

E-1 test stand at NASA Stennis Space Center

Rosa Obregon is the lead mechanical test operations engineer for the E-1 test stand at NASA Stennis Space

Center in Hancock County, MS. She is also the Process Safety Management lead and ordnance custodian

for the E-1 test stand. She was born and raised in Corpus Christi, TX, the eldest of three children to Mexican

immigrants. During high school, she became a Sister City Student Ambassador to Toledo, Spain, where

she visited for three weeks. Ms. Obregon received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts

Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2004.

Soon after graduation, Ms. Obregon joined the NASA team in 2004 and since then has worked on various

projects from the Space Shuttle, to hybrid rocket motor testing, R&D, and full scale rocket engine testing

for commercial customers. Ms. Obregon became the first Latina test conductor at NASA Stennis Space

Center. For a while, she was the only female test conductor. While working for NASA she received an

M.B.A. from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2011. While at USM, she was inducted to Beta

Gamma Sigma in 2009, the business honors society, and was awarded Graduate Student of the Year and

Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in 2011. Ms. Obregon has received

various awards at NASA including the NASA STS-132 Space Flight Awareness Honoree Award in 2010

for her contributions to the Space Shuttle flow control valve testing for STS-119, and the Return-to-Flight

External Tank Foam Test project. She also was awarded the NASA Space Flight Awareness Snoopy Award

in 2014 for her contribution to the testing of the AJ-26 engines for Orbital Sciences and Aerojet Rocketdyne.

In 2005, she was selected as one of Latina magazine’s 10 Women of the Year and in 2012 was selected by

NBC Latino as one of 20 Innovators.

When Ms. Obregon is not testing rocket engines, she participates in outreach activities. She speaks to

elementary and high school students in South Mississippi and her hometown. She has mentored high school

and college students through various NASA programs. She was a speaker at the Texas Conference for

Women’s Young Women’s Panel and Bob Bullocks Texas State History Museum’s Voices and Visions

program.

NASA MIDDLE SCHOOL CHALLENGE BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Eddie Gonzales

Jet Propulsion Laboratory Business Administrator

NASA

Eddie Gonzales, NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory Eddie Gonzales began

work at the NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory in February of 2001, having

previously worked in the legal field for over 15 years, most recently as Office

Manager of various support departments at one of the largest law firms in Los

Angeles, O'Melveny and Myers. Eddie is currently the Business Administrator

in the Education Office at "JPL". He is also the point of contact at "JPL" for

NASA's current metrics database. Eddie also works directly with NASA

Headquarters in the capacity of E/PO for the Science Mission Directorate, in

particular, Planetary Science. His background is Business Management and

logistics.

39

USDA LATINA DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Judith Canales

State Executive Director

Texas Farm Service Agency (FSA).

On June 3, 2013, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of

Judith Canales as State Executive Director for the Texas Farm Service Agency (FSA).

As Executive Director for the Texas FSA, Canales oversees all aspects of federal farm

program delivery for an agency that employs nearly 1400 people (state and county office

staff and elected county committee members) and on average, issues more than $1 billion

annually in commodity, conservation, disaster and credit benefits to farmers and ranchers

across the state.

Most recently, Canales served as Acting Deputy Under Secretary for USDA Rural Development. In 2009,

President Barack Obama appointed Canales as Administrator for the Rural Business-Cooperative Service

at USDA Rural Development.

Previously, Ms. Canales served as Executive Director of the Maverick County Development Corporation

in Eagle Pass, Texas, and served for seven years as an adjunct faculty member for Southwest Texas Junior

College.

In 1996, Former President Bill Clinton appointed Canales as Deputy State Director for Texas Rural

Development. She worked as the Acting Associate Administrator for Rural Business and Cooperative

Service in Washington, D.C. She served as the Legislative Representative for the Department of Housing

and Urban Development. She also served as the Executive Director of the International Hispanic Network,

a national membership organization of Hispanic city managers, which promotes professional excellence

among Hispanic executives and public managers in local government. She served as the Assistant City

Manager for the City of Eagle Pass.

Canales received a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University John F. Kennedy

School of Government. She received a Master of Arts degree in Urban Studies from Trinity University in

San Antonio, a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin and an Associate of

Arts degree from Southwest Texas Junior College. Canales is a native of Uvalde, Texas and maintains a

residence in Eagle Pass, Texas.

40

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS EDUCATOR DAY AND SLD BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Mark Arguijo

T3 Regional Instructor

Texas Instruments

Mark Arguijo is a T3 Regional Instructor and has been working with teachers as a TI

MathForward Implementation Specialist for the past four and a-half years. He taught

secondary mathematics for 18 years prior to working with the TI MathForward

program. He currently lives in San Benito but hails from Taft, TX. He works with

teachers and students from middle school to high school in implementing TI technology

in their daily teaching/learning. A self-proclaimed "Math Geek" and "Techie Freak",

he is always looking for new and interesting ways to incorporate technology into the

classroom.

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS LATINA DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Martha Gonzales

Executive Assistant

Texas Instruments Incorporated

Martha Gonzales has been with Texas Instruments for over 15 years in various roles

and is now the assistant to the President of Education Technology. S he immigrated to

America after graduating from High School in her native town of San Luis Potosi,

Mexico. She started her studies at Brookhaven Community College in Dallas but

paused in order to raise her daughters. She is the proud mother of three engineers. Her

eldest earned a master’s degree on Learning Technologies from The University of

Texas at Austin, and Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from MIT. Her middle

daughter earned a master’s degree in Engineering Management and Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical

Engineering from Northeastern University. Her youngest daughter is a sophomore at the University of

Texas at Austin studying electrical engineering. Martha is a member of the fundraising committee for the

High Tech High Heels organization and also supports the Latinas STEM 101 Conference in Dallas.

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS LATINA DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Kimberly Gonzales

Digital Content Engineer

Texas Instruments

Kimberly Gonzales is a Digital Content Engineer at Texas Instruments. In her current

role, she manages the development of educational content for various platforms and

facilitates the updating of content based on software changes. She is also the

Community Involvement Chair for TI’s Hispanic Employee Initiative. Kimberly

currently volunteers on the Latinas in STEM Foundation’s Board of Directors as the

Director of Marketing and PR. In this role, she is responsible for curating content for

all social media platforms, creating marketing campaigns and maintaining the Latinas

in STEM website. Kimberly is from Dallas, Texas and a first generation college student. She graduated as

valedictorian from W.T. White High School in Dallas ISD. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in

Computer Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She received a

Diversity Mentoring Fellowship from the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a Master of Art

degree in Learning Technologies. Kimberly enjoys speaking to students about engineering and loves to

encourage others to pursue STEM careers.

41

U.S. NAVY EDUCATOR DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Juan P. Rodriguez

Master Chief Navy Counselor

Master Chief Navy Counselor (NCCM) Juan P. Rodriguez (Ret) is a graduate of Hanna

High School, in Brownsville, Texas. He attended Wayland Baptist University (BS in

Business Administration) and Webster University (MBA).

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1985 and completed Recruit Training at

Recruit Training Center (RTC) Great Lakes, Ill. After completing the apprentice

training, he reported to his first assignment, which was deck department on-board, the

USS Juneau LPD 10 from January 1986 to August 1989. During this tour, he qualified

as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, and was advanced to Petty Officer Second Class.

In September of 1989, NCCM Rodriguez reported to Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit in transition to Navy

Recruiting District (NRD) San Antonio, where he served as Recruiter, Recruiter in Charge and Zone

Supervisor from 1989 to 1994. He was advanced to First Class petty Officer and selected for the Career

Recruiting Force.

In March 1994, he reported to NRD Seattle, WA where he served as Zone Supervisor for the largest

geographical Zone in the United States (Northern Washington and Alaska) and earned recognition as

Region West Zone Supervisor of the year and advanced to Chief Petty Officer.

In October 1997 to 2000, NCCM Rodriguez was selected for instructor duty at Navy Recruiting Orientation

Unit Pensacola Florida, where he became the first Navy Counselor (Recruiting) to earn the Master Training

Specialist designation (curriculum writing) and was chosen to be part of the National Inspection Team

where he served as a field inspector.

In July 2000 to 2003, Master Chief Rodriguez returned to NRD San Antonio where he served as Zone

Supervisor for Zone 1, Command Trainer and Assistant Chief Recruiter, during this tour he received

recognition as Region West Zone Supervisor of the year and advance to Senior Chief Petty Officer.

In July of 2003 to 2005, Master Chief was selected to lead Navy Recruiting Command's National Inspection

Team in Millington Tenn. He served as Senior Inspector and Chief Recruiter.

In October 2005 to 2009 Master Chief returned to NRD San Antonio as the Command's Chief Recruiter

where he retired from in May 31, 2009.

After retirement, NCCM Rodriguez was hired as NRD San Antonio's Education Services Specialist where

he was recognized as Fiscal Year 2010 Civilian of the Year, and continues to serve.

In addition to various unit awards, NCCM Rodriguez personal awards include the following: (1)

Meritorious Service Medal, (6) Navy Commendation Medal, (5) Navy Achievement Medal, (2) National

Defense Medal.

U.S. NAVY STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Commander Mike Briggs

Commanding Officer, NRD San Antonio

42

Commander Mike Briggs was born in Norfolk, VA and enlisted in the Navy in

1990. He completed the BOOST program in 1991, earning a 4-year Navy

ROTC Scholarship. In May 1995, he graduated from Norfolk State University

with a Bachelor’s of Science and received his commission as an Ensign.

As a Division Officer, CDR Briggs completed tours aboard USS THOMAS S

GATES (CG 51) as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer and USS PONCE

(LPD 15) as the (Combat Information Center Officer. Following a shore tour

on the staff of Operational Testing and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) where

he was the Operational Test Director for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile

(ESSM), CDR Briggs was assigned to Surface Warfare Officer School for

Department Head training.

During his department head tours, CDR Briggs served aboard USS NICHOLSON (DD 982) as Operations

Officer and on the staff of Amphibious Squadron TWO as N3/5, Operations/Plans Officer.

During his second tour ashore, CDR Briggs served as Sea Basing Requirements Action Officer on the staff

of U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF). While assigned to USFF, he earned an Executive Masters in Business

Administration through the Naval Post-Graduate School Distance Learning Program.

Returning to sea duty in (2007), CDR Briggs completed an XO-Special Mission tour as C5I Officer aboard

USS BATAAN (LHD 5).

Prior to reporting to NRD San Antonio CDR Briggs served as Executive Officer of USS MASON (DDG

87) from 2010-2012. He assumed the position of Executive Officer of NRD San Antonio in June 2013 and

assumed command on July 25, 2014.

CDR Briggs’ awards include the Navy Commendation Medal with Silver Star, Navy Achievement Medal

and various unit and service awards.

43

U.S. NAVY STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Joe F. Cox Chief Recruiter

Navy Counselor Master Chief

Navy Recruiting District San Antonio

Master Chief Cox was born in Indianapolis, IN. and enlisted in the Navy in 1994.

He holds a Bachelor Degree in Administration from TUI University.

NCCM Cox graduated from Navy Basic Training in Great Lakes, IL in February of

1994. He went on to graduate Job Strand “A” school in Millington, TN and

Intelligence Specialist “A” school in Dam Neck, VA. ISSN Cox reported to his

initial command the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) in January of 1995 Located

in Newport News, VA.

After completing his active duty commitment in 1998, IS3 Cox joined the Reserve Component and

supported Naval Reserve Center Indianapolis, IN. During which time he was selected as a Naval Reserve

Recruiter in support of Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center Indianapolis where he served until 2002.

Upon converting to Navy Career Counselor Recruiting Force, NC1 Cox, reported to Navy Recruiting Area

Central, Akron, Ohio form May 1999 to September 2004. Subsequently, Naval Reserve Recruiting merged

with Navy Recruiting Command, Active Component and was transferred to Navy Recruiting District Ohio

and served as the Recruiter in Charge for Navy Recruiting Station Mentor, OH from October 2004 to March

2005. During this tour he attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

In April 2005, he reported to Navy Recruiting District Indianapolis as the Zone Supervisor until May of

2008. He subsequently served as a member of the National Inspection Training Team from May 2008 to

December of 2012. During his tour at N7 Navy Recruiting Command Millington, TN he voluntarily

mobilized to Afghanistan from September 2010- December 2011. In January 2013, NCCM Cox reported

to Navy Recruiting District Minneapolis as the Assistant Chief Recruiter until April 2015. NCCM Cox

assumed the position of Chief Recruiter of Navy Recruiting District San Antonio in April 2015.

NCCM Cox’s decorations include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps

Commendation Medal (2 gold stars); Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1 silver star and 2 gold

stars) and various service and campaign medals.

44

U.S. NAVY LATINA DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Commander Karen F. Muntean

Executive Officer

NRD San Antonio

Commander Karen F. Muntean was born in Calhoun, Tenn., and enlisted in the

Navy in 1988. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Lee

University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University

of Tennessee.

CDR Muntean graduated from Navy Basic Training in Orlando, Fla. and Hospital

Corps School in Great Lakes, Ill. She served at Mayport Medical Clinic in

Jacksonville, Fla. and graduated from Fleet Hospital Corpsman School, Camp

Pendleton, Calif. in 1990. She went on to serve with 3rd Force Service Support

Group in Okinawa, Japan, during which time she was detailed to Joint Exercise

Team Spirit in Pohang, Korea. After completing her Active Duty commitment in 1992, CDR Muntean

joined the Reserve Component and supported Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, NC.

Upon graduating from Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, Ga. in 1997, CDR Muntean was commissioned

as Ensign through the Direct Commissioning Program. She subsequently served as the Supply Department

Head for Norfolk Naval Shipyard Detachment 308 and Detachment Officer-in-Charge for Navy Cargo

Handling Battalion TWELVE. In 2006, Muntean mobilized to Kuwait Naval Base as Training Officer for

Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She served as

Senior Supply Officer for Naval Mobile Construction Battalion TWO FOUR in Huntsville, Ala. and in

2007 she mobilized to Navy Personnel Command, Millington, Tenn. as an Individual Augmentee

Placement Officer. CDR Muntean assumed command of Navy Operational Support Center Green Bay,

Wis. in 2009 following her transition to Full Time Support in the Human Resources Community.

In 2011, CDR Muntean joined the staff of Chief of Navy Personnel in Washington, D.C. where she served

as Fleet Requirements Officer and the Executive Assistant for Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations

for Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education. She assumed the position of Executive Officer of Navy

Recruiting District San Antonio in July 2014.

CDR Muntean’s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (with one gold star), the Navy and

Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with two gold stars), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

(with three gold stars) and she is qualified as a Seabee Combat Warfare Officer.

45

RAYTHEON LATINA DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Esther Casas

Vice President

South Region of the Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Advancement

Esther Casas was born and raised in El Paso, TX. She received her Bachelor of

Science degree in Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University. She had

her daughter two weeks after graduation and three weeks later started her career at

Ethicon, Inc. in San Angelo, TX. Esther worked as a Quality Engineer in the medical

device industry for seven years for companies such as Johnson and Johnson,

Medtronic, and Eastman Kodak. She received her Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

and worked on various process improvement projects to establish lean manufacturing

at the various facilities. After relocating back to Texas, Esther joined Raytheon in

2006 as a software quality engineer. In 2011, she went back to school for her Master

of Science in Engineering Management from Southern Methodist University (SMU). Esther currently

manages receiving inspection for Raytheon in North Texas based in the McKinney, Texas, facility. She

enjoys being her kid’s biggest cheerleader plus volunteering throughout the community and schools. Esther

currently serves as Vice President for the South Region of the Hispanic Organization for Leadership and

Advancement (HOLA) a Raytheon Employee Resource Group.

RAYTHEON LATINA DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Veronica Bacica

Workforce Intelligence

Raytheon Company

Veronica Bacica is a Manager within Workforce Intelligence at Raytheon Company.

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2014 sales of $22.8 billion, is a technology

and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other

government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass.,

Raytheon employs 60,000 people worldwide.

In this position, Bacica is responsible for providing strategic research and analysis of the external

environment including the talent market, the competition (competitive intelligence), geographic location

insight and any other insight impacting the future of our workforce and direction of the company. She also

supports internal HR analytics, workforce planning and employee survey analytics. All of these activities

when merged together provide the story of Raytheon’s workforce along with supporting the development

of company talent strategy.

Bacica joined Raytheon in 2000. During her career at Raytheon, previous positions held were within

Engineering, Technology and Mission Assurance in the business of Space and Surveillance Systems (SAS).

Prior to her current role, Bacica held roles within Quality Engineering and Supplier Quality Engineering in

Texas where she managed the quality planning of multi-million dollar defense system programs to domestic

and international customers. Within these roles, Bacica also worked at El Segundo, CA with direct

responsibility for the knowledge and quality operations transfer of a high visibility program for the business

from El Segundo, CA to McKinney, TX.

During her time at Raytheon, she also held the role of an Enterprise Project Manager responsible for

managing the development and deployment of an integrated software product in a business.

46

Throughout her career, Bacica has served as a University Recruiter for her alma mater, the University of

Texas-Pan American and has served as a member of the Raytheon High School Intern Board responsible

for identifying high school intern candidates for Raytheon.

Bacica is a graduate of the Raytheon Engineering Leadership Development Program (2008). She was also

awarded the Engineering, Technology and Mission Assurance Technical Honors designee from her peers.

Bacica has also been featured in the Issue of Diversity Careers in Engineering and IT (Winter 2007/Spring

2008) and been a “Featured Alumni” through publications at her alma mater of University of Texas-Pan

American.

Prior to joining Raytheon, Veronica worked as an intern at Merck & Company and Hughes Space and

Communications.

Veronica was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas and attended Edinburg North High School.

She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Texas Pan

American, where she graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors. She also holds a Master’s in Business

Administration (MBA) from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. She resides in

Frisco, Texas with her husband and dog, Louie.

RAYTHEON MIDDLE SCHOOL CHALLENGE BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Stephen Bacica

Electrical Engineer II

Raytheon

Stephen Bacica was born in Los Angeles, CA and started his career in 1996 after

completing an Associate’s Degree in Electronics Engineering from DeVry

Institute. After graduation, his first assignment was winding transformers at Hughes

Space and Communications, which was soon after acquired by Boeing Space and

Communications. He progressed in his career becoming a Senior Research and

Engineering Technician where he held various responsibilities, including Jr. REA

(responsible engineering authority) and customer interphase.

In 2004, Stephen transitioned from commercial satellite electronics to military electronics accepting a

position at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems also in the Los Angeles area. During this time, Stephen

became more involved and interested in the field of power electronics. Soon after joining Raytheon it

became clear to Stephen that the next step in his carrier would be to earn a Bachelor’s of Science in

Electrical Engineering which he would complete after hours while still maintaining his position at

Raytheon. In 2007 Stephen was granted a transfer to Dallas to be with his new wife Veronica. While in

TX he completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at the University of Texas-Dallas in

May 2012 and now holds the position of Electrical Engineer II. During his career Stephen has worked on

such programs as F18 targeting pod (ATFLIR), Blackhawk / Chinook targeting and range finding pods

(Q2) and space based power systems for communications systems (ICO system, TDRS system, Direct TV,

Galaxy, GOES) and various power electronics research projects.

Stephen’s wife Veronica (Molina) Bacica is an alumnus of UTPA where she graduated with a Bachelor of

Science in Mechanical Engineering with honors. She attended HESTEC as a young student and now as an

adult has helped to mentor young students like she was, to think of engineering and math as a possible

carrier path. Stephen is active in his Knights of Columbus counsel, Miracle League of Frisco, FTC robotics

for kids, helps with weekly bike rides for the Plano Bicycle Association and has an awesome dog named

Louie.

47

U.S. ARMY ROTC LATINA DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Beatriz Florez

U.S. Army ROTC

FLOREZ, BEATRIZ A., CPT, LG, 90A (USAR) XXX-XX-6410 Petroleum Officer, Joint Sustainment

Command 20090109 20100512 Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan Maintenance Officer, 787th Combat

Service and Support Battalion 20100513 20100901 Dothan, Alabama 36303 Commander, HHC, 319th

Combat Service and Support Battalion 20100902 20110708 Harlingen, Texas 78550 Commander, 812th

Quartermaster Company, Harlingen, Texas, 20110709 20140102 78550 Support Operations Officer, 319th

Combat Sustainment Support 20140103 20140423 Battalion, Harlingen, Texas, 78550 Detailed Inspector

General, 4TH Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) 20140424 Present JBSA, Texas Promotions: Rank

Component Date of Appointment 2LT USAR 20060513 1LT USAR 20080526 CPT USAR 20110127 U.S.

Decorations and Badges: Year Awarded Meritorious Service Medal 2009 Army Commendation Medal w/

Oak Leaf Cluster 2014 Army Achievement Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster 2008 Army Reserve Component

Achievement Medal 2009 National Defense Service Medal 2006 Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/

Campaign Star 2009 Global War on Terrorism Service Medal 2009 Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M

Device 2009 Army Service Ribbon 2006 Army Overseas Service Ribbon 2009 NATO Medal 2009 Current

Occupation: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Renaissance Behavioral Center, Edinburg, TX 78550 Home

Address and Telephone: 5513 Sable Drive, Weslaco, Texas, 78596, 956-460-5375 EDUCATIONAL

DEGREES: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, University of Texas @ Pan American 2006 Masters of Social

Work (MSW), Baylor University, Waco, Texas 2012

U.S. ARMY ROTC LATINA DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

c/LTC Crystal De La Rosa

CDT Battalion Commander

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Crystal De La Rosa was born in Edinburg, Texas on

May 1st, 1995. She graduated from PSJA North High School and received her

Pharmacy Technician Certification in 2013. She is currently a senior at the

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and is majoring in Pre-Med Biology with

a minor in Chemistry. She will apply for a School of Medicine to ultimately

become a specialized surgeon.

Cadet De La Rosa has acquired leadership roles ranging from SL to 1SGT for the Bronc Battalion Alpha

Company, and is currently the Battalion Commander for the Vaqueros Battalion at the University of Texas

Rio Grande Valley. She is a mentor of MSL3 cadets, and has previously served as a mentor to MSL1 and

MSL2 cadets. She has been the primary instructor and an assistant instructor for several physical training

sessions and labs, a member of the Ranger Challenge team, the MC at commissioning ceremonies, is a

regular volunteer for UTPA basketball/volleyball games, various recruiting events, and ROTC fundraisers,

and was an OIC for the Bronc Challenge. She attended CIET at Ft. Knox, Kentucky the summer of 2015.

Cadet De La Rosa is the Coordinator for the Children's Bible Study, assists the Youth Coordinator in events,

and is a member of Young Adult Ministries at El Buen Pastor.

Her awards and recognitions include the American Legion Commander's Award, the National Sojourners

Award, the Retired Officers Association Award, the Superior Cadet Award, the Dean's List Award, the

ROTC Honors Award, and the Platinum Medal Athlete.

48

REGION1 ESC EDUCATOR DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Nicole Saenz

Educational Specialist

Region One ESC GEAR UP Partnership

Nicole Saenz is a former high school ELA teacher who is now an Educational Specialist with the Region

One ESC GEAR UP Partnership. Ms. Saenz believes that education is the apparatus that can create the

greatest change in the lives of all human beings. Currently, she is supporting the implementation of

MyRegionOne, a college and career readiness platform, throughout the region and statewide.

REGION1 ESC STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Joe Castillo

Education Specialist

Region One GEAR UP

Joe Castillo is an Education Specialist for the Region One GEAR UP: Ready, Set,

College Partnership Grant. He has been in education for 24 years. For 14 years, he

has been involved with the GEAR UP program, first as a campus facilitator and then

as a special projects coordinator for UTPA GEAR UP and now as an education

specialist for Region One ESC Ready, Set, College! Partnership. Currently, he serves

to promote MyRegionOne.org, a college and career software tool and e-portfolio as

well as implements a comprehensive student leadership and retention program

designed to empower students.

URBAN SCIENCE INITIATIVE EDUCATOR DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Alex Garcia

Chief Meteorologist

Fox News at Nine

Alex Garcia is the Chief Meteorologist for Fox News at Nine. Alex is a multi-

disciplined individual with professional experience as an educator and broadcaster.

He holds several degrees and certifications, including a B.S. in Education, a Master’s

in Education with Certification as an Educational Administrator, and of course, he’s

a Broadcast Meteorologist.

Alex has taught students of all ages, from elementary school children, to college students at the University

of Houston. He’s logged more than two decades of broadcast experience in a long list of roles, including

news director, assignment editor, meteorologist and reporter.

Alex has received the AMS Seal of Approval and has been the recipient of six Associated Press Awards

for Best Weathercast. He is a member of the American Meteorological Society, National Weather

Association, and the Knights of Columbus.

While Alex speaks to thousands of viewers every night on Fox San Antonio, he still enjoys time in front of

a smaller crowd. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Incarnate Word, where he teaches

meteorology, oceanography, astronomy and science for elementary teachers. He is also active in science

education programs for teachers and students across the state.

49

Alex is married to his high school sweetheart Eva and has a daughter Angelique and a son Alejandro. He

is a proud grandfather and enjoys spending time with his grandson Michael and granddaughters Lili and

Jayla.

URBAN SCIENCE INITIATIVE EDUCATOR DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Tim Smith

Chief Meteorologist

CHANNEL 5 NEWS

Chief Meteorologist Tim Smith has been part of the CHANNEL 5 NEWS team

for more than 30 years. A native of Batesville, Indiana and graduate of Indiana

University, Tim worked at several radio stations in Indiana before heading for

Texas in 1981. His first job at CHANNEL 5 NEWS was as Weekend

Weathercaster working under the tutelage of the late Lee Lindsey. Tim quickly

fell in love with the Valley's weather. Not just forecasting it, but enjoying it,

like everyone else. He was promoted to Chief Forecaster in 1983, a position

he's held since. Along the way, Tim has continued his meteorology education

taking classes from Penn State University, Weatherscan School of Broadcast

Meteorology, and Mississippi State University.

In August 2004, Tim completed Mississippi State's Broadcast Meteorology Program. He got straight A's

and was one of only three students to accomplish that feat. That diploma changed Tim's title from Chief

Forecaster to Chief Meteorologist. Tim has led CHANNEL 5 NEWS's weather coverage through

hurricanes, tornadoes, freezes and even that rare Christmas 2004 snowstorm. "It was just an incredible

blessing to see so many people getting to see snow for the very first time in their lives...and to have it

happen on Christmas...what a miracle," Tim said, following the big event.

Tim has always been very active in the community. He visits with thousands of school children each year

making presentations about weather. For more than ten years, his "Kids You Should Know" feature,

highlighted one of the special young people of our community. Tim is a regular on the civic organization

speaking circuit. Of course, his "Tim's Coats" project has helped bring in more than 100,000 coats for the

less fortunate of the Valley over the last 20 years. Along with Letty Garza and the Channel 5 Toy Drive,

Tim delivers Christmas gifts to every child in every hospital in the Valley during the Christmas season.

Tim has served on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, the Hidalgo County Fatherhood

Initiative, and the Rio Grande Valley Emergency Management Coordinating Council. He also served as

chairman of the UTPA Nursing Advisory Council. Tim is a member of the Edinburg Rotary Club and serves

as a member of the Board of Directors of the Urban Science Initiative, and the International Museum of Art

& Science.

Among his many awards and honors, Tim has been named the Easter Seal Society's Volunteer of the Year,

he received the Hispanic Excellence Award from Kenneth White Junior High in Mission and the

Distinguished Service Award from the University of Texas - Pan American. He is a Rotary Paul Harris

Fellow, has received the National Association of Social Workers Texas Media Award and the Texas

Classroom Teachers Association Silver Apple Award. The Texas Associated Press Broadcasters have called

Tim's weathercasts "The Best in Texas." Tim and his wife Nora have three children, Justin, Maya and

Taylor and one beautiful grandchild.

50

IBM STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Armando Arismendi

Vice President, Watson Client Success

T. J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY

IBM Watson Group

Armando Arismendi is responsible for ensuring clients using Watson’s Engagement

and Discovery Advisor offerings are successful in utilizing these innovative IBM

products. Watson’s cognitive computing capabilities use language processing and

machine learning to enable people and machines to interact more naturally to extend

and magnify human expertise and cognition. Armando was previously responsible

for the development and delivery of custom supercomputers for the U.S.

Government’s efforts in national security. He has also been the Research Division

CIO responsible for the worldwide Research infrastructure as well as infrastructure

research and innovation in the areas of Cloud Computing and worldwide

collaboration.

Armando’s 35 year IBM career has been spent primarily in Austin, Texas, and in New York. Armando has

received overseas assignments in Madrid, Spain, and Sydney, Australia, and he has traveled worldwide for

IBM. Armando’s 2000 Olympics efforts in Madrid and Sydney earned him an IBM Global Services

Excellence Award. In 2005, Armando’s efforts with Telefonica Moviles España earned him an IBM

Exceptional Advocate Award. In 2014, Armando received the Chairman’s Award at the Hispanic Engineers

National Achievement Awards Conference (HENAAC) for contributions to his profession and give back

to the Hispanic community. In 2005, Armando received The President’s Volunteer Service Award from

President George W. Bush. Armando’s motivation for his involvement and give back to the community is

driven by his value of education and how it is fundamental to one’s future success.

Armando was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, in August, 1957. He joined IBM in 1980 after receiving his

Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 1979 and 1980,

respectively.

51

USDA EDUCATOR DAY AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY

BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Dr. Craig Wilson

USDA/HSINP Future Scientists Program

Dr. Wilson was born in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland but grew up in England and attended Oxford

University. He met his Texan wife in Iceland and they had their three children in Botswana, Africa where

he was Head of Science at Serowe Teacher Training College, a branch of The University of Botswana. He

has also owned and run a chicken farm with his wife and they restore old homes. He climbed Mt.

Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) with their older daughter last year, having climbed The Matterhorn (Switzerland)

when in college. He now works within the College of Science in the Center for Mathematics and Science

Education at Texas A&M University where he obtained his Ph.D. in Science Education, Curriculum and

Instruction.

He has an office at the USDA/Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Southern Plains Area (SPA) Area

Office in College Station alongside which has been created a Monarch Waystation (butterfly garden), pond

and pocket prairiewhere students are able to spend a day working on related science activities. He has

taught for over thirty-five years on three continents in situations ranging from beneath a huge thorn tree on

the edge of the Kalahari Desert (Botswana, Africa) to experimenting with weightlessness on NASAs KC-

135 (Houston, Texas).

His research interests are in hands-on/inquiry-based science teaching and in how most successfully to link

science teachers with research scientists. He coordinated a NASA funded program-the National Space

Biomedical Research Institute-Teacher Academy Project (NSBRI TAP) looking at the impact of long

duration space flight on the human body and this allowed him to work with teachers in all fifty states and

to teach in many of these including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico.

He currently directs the USDA/HSINP Future Scientists Program that expanded nationwide to California

and Arizona (2009-2010) and to Florida and Puerto Rico (2013-2014). The program has been adopted by

schools in thirty other states and by two schools in England, bringing Life and Agricultural Science into

classrooms grades K-12. The program was the recipient of the USDA Administrators Outreach, Diversity,

and Equal Opportunity Award 2007. It is now administered as a nationwide program through the

USDA/Hispanic Serving Institutions National Program (HSINP). It is also recognized as an Exemplary

Science Program (ESP) by the National Association of Science Teachers (NSTA).

EXXONMOBIL STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTER

Jose G. Carreno Sr.

Process Control Systems Specialist

ExxonMobil

Baytown Chemical Plant -Baytown, Texas 77522

Electronic Engineering Degree from DeVry Institute of Technology in 1974.

A 36 year ExxonMobil employee with current job assignment being Complex Security & Controls

Coordinator for 17 Process Control Centers where equipment needs to be accessed with security standards

related to user accounts, password protection, log in and log out procedures, software licensing, physical

security, and regular risk assessment stewardship. Past President of ExxonMobil's Houston GOAL (Global

Organization for The Advancement of Latinos) Network), Mentor and Promoter of STEM Field Education,

and Junior Acvhievement Consultant for past 27 years in the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent

School District in Baytown, Texas.

52

ROBOTICS DAY MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Patrick Gonzales

Assistant vice president for UTRGV marketing and communications

Patrick Gonzales is the assistant vice president for UTRGV marketing and

communications and also serves as the university’s spokesman. Before moving to the

Valley, Patrick served four years as the associate director of the Office of

Communications and Marketing at Texas Tech University. Upon graduating from

Texas Tech with degree in journalism, Patrick spent more than a decade in the

newspaper industry, most recently as a copy editor and writer for The Detroit News in

Detroit, Michigan. He is married to his high school sweetheart Rita and they have three

boys: AJ (5), Sebastian (2) and Thomas (nine months).

53

COMMUNITY DAY MAIN STAGE MASTER OF CEREMONIES

JoJo

KTEX Morning Show

JoJo has been on the radio for 22 years and part of the KTEX morning show for 7

years. He is a valley native and is very familiar with the culture and life style of

South Texas. He’s played a huge role supporting The Food Bank, Pharr Crime

Stoppers, and St Jude’s Children’s Hospital. JoJo loves fishing and is known for

being a Dallas Cowboy fan. He is also active in social media and enjoys reality TV.

COMMUNITY DAY MAIN STAGE MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Patches

KTEX Morning Show

PATCHES HAS BEEN WAKING UP THE RGV AS PART OF THE KTEX

MORNING SHOW SINCE THE MID 1990'S. IN THAT TIME, AS THE VALLEY

HAS GROWN, SO HAS HIS FAMILY. HIS WIFE, 3 CHILDREN, AND 7

GRANDCHILDREN ARE WHAT KEEP HIM ACTIVE. WITH THAT FAMILY,

PATCHES UNDERSTANDS HELPING OUT OTHERS, GETTING THE WORD

OUT ABOUT ISSUES WE ALL DEAL WITH, AND BEING PASSIONATE

ABOUT THOSE CAUSES. SINCE 1995, HE'S BEEN PART OF THE KTEX/ST.

JUDE RADIOTHON WHERE LISTENERS HAVE DONATED MILLIONS OF

DOLLARS FOR RESEARCH INTO CHILDHOOD CANCERS AND DISEASES. AND WORKING

WITH THE FOOD BANK AND MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION HAS BROUGHT AWARENESS

AND AID TO MANY IN NEED.

54

COMMUNITY DAY MAIN STAGE SPEAKER

Michael E. Fossum

NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born December 19, 1957, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and

grew up in McAllen, Texas. Married to the former Melanie J. London. They have

four children and one grandchild. He enjoys family activities, motorcycle riding

and backpacking. Mike's main hobby is serving as Scoutmaster of a Boy Scout

troop. His parents, Merlyn E. Fossum and Patricia A. Fossum, are deceased.

EDUCATION: McAllen High School, McAllen, Texas, 1976

B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 1980

M.S., Systems Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, 1981

M.S., Physical Science (Space Science), University of Houston - Clear Lake, 1997

SPECIAL HONORS: NASA Exceptional Service Medal and two NASA Spaceflight Medals. Scouting

awards include Distinguished Eagle Scout, Silver Beaver and Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow.

Distinguished Military Graduate from Texas A&M University and Squadron Commander in the Corps of

Cadets. Awarded the USAF Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and various other

service awards. Distinguished Graduate from the USAF Test Pilot School, Class 85A.

EXPERIENCE: Fossum received his commission in the U.S. Air Force from Texas A&M University in

May 1980. After completing his graduate work at the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1981, he was

detailed to NASA-Johnson Space Center, where he supported Space Shuttle flight operations, beginning

with STS-3. He was selected for Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where

he graduated in 1985. After graduation, Fossum served at Edwards AFB as a Flight Test Engineer in the F-

16 Test Squadron, working on a variety of airframe, avionics and armament development programs. From

1989 to 1992, he served as a Flight Test Manager at Detachment 3, Air Force Flight Test Center. Fossum

resigned from active duty in 1992 to work for NASA and retired as a Colonel from the USAF Reserves in

2010. He has logged more than 1,800 hours in 35 different aircraft.

NASA EXPERIENCE: In January 1993, Fossum was employed by NASA as a Systems Engineer. His

primary responsibilities were to evaluate the Russian Soyuz spacecraft for use as an emergency escape

vehicle for the new space station. Later in 1993, Fossum was selected to represent the Flight Crew

Operations Directorate in an extensive redesign of the International Space Station (ISS). After this, he

continued work for the crew office and Mission Operations Directorate in the area of assembly operations.

In 1996, Fossum supported the Astronaut Office as a Technical Assistant for Space Shuttle, supporting

design and management reviews. In 1997, he served as a Flight Test Engineer on the X-38, a prototype

crew escape vehicle for the ISS, which was under development in house by the Engineering Directorate at

NASA-JSC and flight tested at NASA Dryden.

Selected by NASA as an Astronaut Candidate in June 1998, he reported for training in August 1998.

Astronaut Candidate Training included orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical

briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and ISS systems, physiological training and ground school to

prepare for T-38 flight training as well as water and wilderness survival training. Fossum previously served

as the Astronaut Office Lead for ISS flight software development. As a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM)

in Mission Control, Fossum supported several flights, including Lead CAPCOM for ISS Expedition 6. A

veteran of three space flights, STS-121 in 2006, STS-124 in 2008 and Expedition 28/29 in 2011, Fossum

has logged more than 194 days in space, including more than 48 hours of Extravehicular Activity (EVA)

in seven spacewalks.

55

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-121 (July 4 to July 17, 2006), was a return-to-flight test mission and

assembly flight to the ISS. During the 13-day flight, the crew of Space Shuttle Discovery tested new

equipment and procedures that increase the safety of Space Shuttles and produced never-before-seen, high-

resolution images of the Shuttle during and after its July 4th launch. The crew also performed maintenance

on the ISS and delivered and transferred more than 28,000 pounds of supplies and equipment and a new

Expedition 13 crewmember to the station. Fossum and Piers Sellers performed three EVAs to test the 50-ft

robotic arm boom extension as a work platform. They removed and replaced a cable that provides power,

command and data and video connections to the station's mobile transporter rail car. They also tested

techniques for inspecting and repairing the reinforced carbon-carbon segments that protect the Shuttle's

nose cone and leading edge of the wings. The STS-121 mission was accomplished in 202 orbits, traveling

5,293,923 miles in 12 days, 18 hours, 37 minutes and 54 seconds.

STS-124 Discovery (May 31 to June 14, 2008) was the 123rd Space Shuttle flight and the 26th Shuttle

flight to the ISS. STS 124 launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and docked with the ISS on June

2, 2008, to deliver the Japanese Experiment Module-Pressurized Module (JEM-PM) and the Japanese

Remote Manipulator System. STS-124 Shuttle astronauts delivered the 37-foot (11-meter) Kibo lab, added

its rooftop storage room and Fossum accumulated 20 hours and 32 minutes of EVA in three spacewalks

required to maintain the station and to prime the new Japanese module's robotic arm for work during 9 days

docked at the orbiting laboratory. STS-124 also delivered a new station crewmember, Expedition 17 Flight

Engineer Greg Chamitoff. He replaced Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, who returned to

Earth with the STS 124 crew. The STS-124 mission was completed in 218 orbits, traveling 5,735,643 miles

in 13 days, 18 hours, 13 minutes and 7 seconds.

Fossum's third spaceflight began when he and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Volkov and Japanese astronaut

Satoshi Furukawa launched to the ISS on June 7, 2011, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The trio arrived at the station on June 9. They spent 167 days in space and 165 days on the complex, during

which NASA and its international partners celebrated the 11th anniversary of continuous residence and

work aboard the station. Expedition 28 Commander Andrey Borisenko handed over station command duties

to Fossum on September 14, 2011. Fossum's EVA during STS-135/ULF-7 brought him to seven EVAs in

his career for a total of 48 hours, 32 minutes of EVA time, seventh on the all-time list for cumulative EVA

time. Expedition 29 Commander Fossum, Flight Engineers Satoshi Furukawa of the Japan Aerospace

Exploration Agency and Sergei Volkov of the Russian Federal Space Agency landed their Soyuz spacecraft

in frigid conditions on the central steppe of Kazakhstan on November 21, 2011. Before leaving the station,

Fossum handed over command to NASA Astronaut Dan Burbank. Expedition 28/29 was completed in

2,672 orbits, traveling 66,535,472 miles in 167 days.

56

COMMUNITY DAY PERFORMER

Costello

COSTELLO is an original Texas Country music recording artist from

McAllen, Texas. The band members are Max Moreno (lead vocals), Chad

Tolar (keyboards & back-up vocals), Denver Garcia (lead guitar), Dusty

Salas (bass), and Andy Gonzalez (drums). Costello's distinct South Texas

country sound is a product of the band members' South Texas roots.

The group formed in March of 2013. In just over two years, the has recorded

and released three albums, including (1) “Further Down The Line” released

in July of 2013; (2) “Songs About Her” released in July of 2014; and (3) “Costello Live” released in May

of 2015. Tracks from all three albums can be heard of radio stations across the State of Texas, including

Clear Channel’s KTEX 100.3 FM, the largest country radio station in South Texas.

Costello recently partnered with two music industry giants, Pandora Radio and Touch Tunes. Pandora is

one of the leading music streaming and automated music recommendation services in the world, and the

pioneer of the “Music Genome Project.” All of Costello’s recorded music is featured on Pandora Radio.

Touch Tunes is a company that operates an extensive network of digital jukeboxes across the U.S.

Costello’s radio single “The Night You Walked Away” is featured on over 6,500 Touch Tunes digital

jukeboxes in bars and restaurants across the United States.

The band has performed with numerous top Country music recording artists, including Toby Keith, Wynona

Judd, Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Lawrence, John Anderson, Eli Young Band, Pat Green, Randy Rogers Band,

Easton Corbin, Frankie Ballard, Josh Abbott Band, Wade Bowen, Jana Kramer, Casey Donahew Band,

Cody Johnson, The Turnpike Troubadours, Dustin Lynch, Cory Morrow, Kyle Park, Stoney LaRue and

Charlie Robison. Costello even "crossed over" and performed with The Los Lonely Boys and famous 80's

cover band The Spazmatics. From performing with these top touring acts in front of thousands of fans, to

earning an official corporate sponsorship from Coors Light, Costello is definitely a band on the rise.

Costello is committed to touring and spreading its brand of original Texas Country music across the State

of Texas and beyond. The band has performed at some of the most coveted live music venues in the State

of Texas, including Blue Light Live (Lubbock), Graham Central Station (Odessa), Love and War in Texas

(Plano), House of Blues (Houston), Firehouse Saloon (Houston), Lambert’s (Austin), Nutty Brown Café

(Austin), River Road Ice House (New Braunfels), Sam’s Burger Joint & Music Hall (San Antonio),

Brewster Street Ice House (Corpus Christi), Las Palmas Race Park (Mission, Tx.) and Clayton’s Beach Bar

& Grill (South Padre Island) to name a few. Costello looks forward to expanding its Fall 2015 tour schedule

into the bordering states of Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico.

The group maintains a strong presence in the fairs and festivals market. Costello was selected to perform

as a showcase artist at the 2015 Texas Association of Fairs and Events Annual Conference (“TAFE”) in

San Antonio on January 10, 2015. Costello has also performed at several major festivals, including Fiesta

Oyster Bake (San Antonio, Tx.), Main Street Days (Grapevine, Tx.), Poteet Strawberry Festival (Poteet,

Tx.), Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo (Mercedes, Tx.), BorderFest (Hidalgo, Tx.), Fiesta

Edinburg (Edinburg, Tx.) and Tamale Fest (McAllen, Tx.). The group is winning over new fans with every

performance, and looks to continue growing its fan base by performing a large fairs and festivals across the

United States.

57


"Latin Invasion"

"Latin Invasion" is the 323d Army Band - “Ft Sam’s Own” premier Latin music

performing group. The group performs music from The Latin Giants of Jazz to Celia

Cruz, from Mark Antony to Selena. The ensemble uses multiple instruments and vocals

in their music to stir audiences and bring musical perfection to the stage! "Latin

Invasion" provides musical support for organizational events, festivals, ceremonies

and concerts.


Ailyn De La Garza Colunga

Mi nombre es Ailyn De La Garza Colunga naci en Mcallen Texas en febrero 8 2002

tengo 13 aňos de edad desde chiquita me ha gustado mucho cantar cuando tenia 8 aňos

de edad Me anime cantar ante mi familia en una fiesta de thanksgiving donde todos me

dijeron que cantaban muy bien segui practicando y a la edad de 12 aňos audicione para

el programa la voz kids donde fui escogida para participar, pasando las audiciones a

ciegas y ser parte del equipo de Natalia Jimenez y llegando solamente hasta las batallas

pero sigo luchando para llegar a ser una cantante profesional y se que lo voy a lograr

los invito a que me sigan en mi sueňo.


Genesis Keren Nava

My name is Genesis Keren Nava, and I have dedicated my life to creating, performing

and sharing music with all who have ears to hear. I was born on February 27th, 2002 in

Deep South Texas. I am 13 years old and started singing when I was just 3½! I often

listened to my dad sing and play guitar at home, and I always loved it. Still do! One day,

I was singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and he asked me to sing it again. “Do I sing

it regular or fancy?” I asked. He asked for fancy and I gave it to him! Since then my

family has nurtured my talent, and thanks to them and my passion for singing, I am here

to share my heart and journey with all of you! I started singing at church when I was 8

years old. I was able to get better through my praise of God. At 9 I started taking singing

lessons to further my vocal abilities, and on July 17th, 2013 I performed on America’s Got Talent! I got 4

yeses from the judges and went to the finals round in Las Vegas! Since then I have been performing locally

at various events and enjoying the support of my many fans. On September 6th 2013, I had the opportunity

of a lifetime when I was called up on stage to sing with my idol Carrie Underwood! Carrie tweeted about

me, saying, “Shout out to Genesis who stole the show in Hidalgo tonight...No way she's 11 years old!!

#amazing right!!! She was awesome!” I've also been able to visit Nashville where I participated in a session

with Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter and country music icon Linda Davis who gave me praise

and encouragement I will carry with me long into my music career. While in Nashville, I also participated

in a talent showcase by Stars2Come founder, Tommy Neal. Recently, I toured with MattyB, a rising

internet sensation with over 7 million FB followers and 3 million YouTube subscribers. We performed in

Atlanta, Georgia and Hollywood, California and Dallas, Texas. I opened up his sold out tour and

collaborated with Matty and other performers such as Jordyn Jones and Brooke Adee who appeared on

Season 8 of the Voice. I will continue my singing career, and I know this is only, as my name indicates the

beginning.

58

CONGRESSIONAL DINNER GUEST

David A. Osborne

Command Sergeant Major

U.S. Army

CSM Osborne calls Killeen, Texas home. He entered active duty after graduating from

Ellison High School in July 1985. He completed his Basic and Advanced Individual

Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

CSM Osborne has held positions as a COLT Chief, Forward Observer, Company Fire

Support Sergeant, Assistant Brigade Fire Support Sergeant, Battalion Fire Support

Sergeant, AIT Instructor, Brigade Targeting NCO, Brigade Intelligence Sergeant,

ANCOC Small Group Leader, Brigade Fire Support Sergeant, First Sergeant, ROTC

Instructor, Operations Sergeant Major, and Battalion Command Sergeant Major.

His previous assignments include the 11th ACR, Fulda, Germany; 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault),

Fort Campbell, Kentucky; 2nd Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas; 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas;

1st Armored Division, Kirchgoens, Germany; III’d Armored Corps, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, University of

Idaho, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas, and currently 5th SROTC Brigade, Fort Sam Houston,

Texas.

CSM Osborne’s Military and civilian education and accomplishments include, graduate of the Primary

Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Advanced Noncommissioned

Officers Course, Graduate of the Master Fitness Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officers Course,

Faculty Develop Course, the Pre-Command Course, and the Army Force Management Course. CSM

Osborne is a graduate of the USASMA Class 58. CSM Osborne has an Associates of Science from Cameron

University, and a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts from Thomas Edison State.

CSM Osborne’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal

with silver oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with 3rd oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal

with 1st silver oak leaf cluster and bronze oak leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal 8th award, National

Defense Medal with 2nd Bronze Star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3rd

Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign

Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO

Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation

Medal in Defense of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Air Assault Badge and Combat Action

Badge.

CSM Osborne resides in Fort Sam Houston, Texas with his wife Jenifer, and daughter Ashlyn.

59


Colonel Rich Morales

U.S. Army

COL Rich Morales was commissioned as an Armor Officer in 1989 at West Point,

NY. After graduating from the US Military Academy, he was assigned to the 3rd

Squadron, 3rd ACR at Fort Bliss, TX where he served as Tank Platoon Leader,

Scout Platoon Leader, Squadron Maintenance Officer, and HHT XO. COL

Morales was assigned on his first of three overseas tours to Germany where he

served as a Battalion S3 Air and Tank Company Commander in 2-37 Armor, 3rd

ID, and later led a United Nations peacekeeping force in the Balkans as part 2-63

Armor, 1st ID. After graduate school, COL Morales served at West Point on the

faculty of the Department of Systems Engineering. In 2001, he was selected as a

White House Fellow at OMB in the Executive Office of the President and later was named Deputy for

Borders and Transportation Security in the transitional Department of Homeland Security. In 2003, COL

Morales deployed to Iraq where he served as Combined Arms Battalion XO in 3-67 AR, 4th ID in Baqubah

and deployed again as Brigade S3 in Baghdad and served as Deputy Brigade Commander for the 4th

Brigade, 4th ID upon re-deploying. In 2007, he took command of 1-35 Armor, 1st AD, the Iron Knights,

in Germany and subsequently led a 800 Soldier Combined Arms Task Force arrayed across one third of

Baghdad. COL Morales’s developmental assignments include duty at NASA where he was the Special

Assistant to the Administrator and as a policy aide to the President of the United States while serving as the

Executive Director of Joining Forces, a national program in support of our military and veterans, in the

Office of the First Lady.

COL Morales holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from West Point, a Yale MBA, and MS degrees from

the Naval War College (College of Command and Staff, Mahan Scholar) and the Eisenhower School for

National Security and Resource Strategy at NDU. He also studied systems analysis, organizational

learning, and military innovation at MIT, Columbia University, and NPS and is finishing a doctorate at the

Centre for Strategy and Performance at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

His awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal (3 OLC); Purple Heart; Defense Meritorious

Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC); the Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army

Commendation Medal (3 OLC); Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC); Valorous Unit Award; Army

Meritorious Unit Citation (1 OLC); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; UN Medal;

Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia). He earned the Combat Action, Parachutist, Air Assault and

Presidential Service badges.

Rich and his wife, the former Christina Rojas, are both from El Paso, Texas and have a young son, Matthew,

4.

60


Lieutenant Colonel Walter Llamas

Professor of Military Science

U.S. Army

Lieutenant Colonel Walter Llamas is a native of Puerto Rico. He was commissioned

as a 2LT in the Quartermaster Branch in 1994 through the ROTC program at

University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez where he received a Bachelor of Science

degree in Computer Information Systems. In 2005 Lieutenant Colonel Llamas

received a Master of Science Degree in Logistics Management from the Florida

Institute of Technology.

Previous assignments include platoon leader, 528th Quartermaster Company, 80th Ordnance Battalion;

Detachment Commander and Executive Officer, 81st Quartermaster Detachment and 528thQuartermaster

Company, 80th Ordnance Battalion in Fort Lewis, Washington; Company Commander,

289th Quartermaster Company, Special Troops Battalion, 13th COSCOM Fort Hood, Texas; Aide-de-

camp for the 21st Theater Support Command Commanding General in Kaiserslautern, Germany; Services

Officer and Deputy Support Operations Officer, 15th Sustainment Brigade in Fort Hood, Texas; Executive

Officer, 262nd Quartermaster Battalion, 23rd Quartermaster Brigade and Operations Officer and Executive

Officer to the 50th and 51st Quartermaster Generals in Fort Lee, Virginia; Operations Officer and Executive

Officer to the Third Army/US Army Central Assistant Chief of Staff G4 (Logistics) in Shaw Air Force

Base, South Carolina.

Lieutenant Colonel Llamas’ military education includes the Quartermaster Officer Basic and Combined

Logistics Officer Advanced Course, Airborne School, Aerial Delivery and Materiel Officer's Course,

Combined Arms Services Staff School, Logistics Executive Development Course, the Command and

General Staff College at Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in Fort Benning, Georgia

and the Demonstrated Master Logistician Certificate.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3OLC), the

Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Superior Unit Award, the

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, Parachutist Badge and Parachute

Rigger Badge.

61


Master Sergeant John Anthony Bamba

U.S. Army

Master Sergeant John Anthony Bamba is a Field Artillery Senior Noncommissioned

Officer who entered the United States Army on 14 August 1996 at Fort Sill Oklahoma

and was awarded the MOS of 13B Cannon Crewmember.

MSG Bamba’s previous assignments include: Service Battery 1st Battalion, 377thField

Artillery Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Charlie Battery 2nd Battalion, 17th Field

Artillery Regiment, Camp Hovey, Republic of Korea, Alpha Battery 3rd Battalion,

7th Field Artillery Regiment, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion

15th Field Artillery, Camp Casey, Republic of Korea, Alpha Battery 1st Battalion,

78th Field Artillery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Foxtrot Battery1st Battalion 19th Field

Artillery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Alpha Battery 1st Battalion 7th Field Artillery, Fort

Riley, Kansas.

MSG Bamba’s Military Schools include: the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic

Noncommissioned Officers Course, the Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, the First Sergeant’s

Course, Field Artillery’s Master Gunner’s Course, Master Resilience Training Course, Equal Opportunity

Leaders Course, SHARP Course, Air Assault Course, US Army Drill Sergeant School, Combatives Level

I and II. Master Sergeant Bamba currently holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Upper Iowa University.

Master Sergeant Bamba is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree from the University of Louisville. Master

Sergeant Bamba has two Combat Deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New

Dawn.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (1oak leaf clusters), the Meritorious Service

Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (four oak leaf clusters), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the

Army Achievement Medal (eight oak leaf clusters), the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Army Good Conduct

Medal (sixth award), the National Defense Service Medal (one bronze service star), the Iraqi Campaign

Medal (2nd Award), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the

Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon

(numeral three), the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Overseas Ribbon (numeral five), The Drill Sergeant

Identification Badge, The Combat Action Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Drivers Badge (wheel and

track), the Basic Marksman Qualification Badge (expert) and is a member of the Honorable Order of Saint

Barbara and the Sergeant Audie Murphy Awards Program.

Master Sergeant Bamba is married to Anginette Mendiola and they have five children together.

Biographies for HESTEC 2015 Participants

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Transcript of Biographies for HESTEC 2015 Participants