What knowledge, skills and experiences have prepared you to serve on the Board?
My background uniquely positions me to serve on the Pearland ISD School Board with a well-rounded perspective. I spent 14 years in education, including a decade at Dawson High School, where I taught Advanced Placement and Dual Credit Economics and coached football and powerlifting. This firsthand experience in the classroom and on the field gives me a deep understanding of the challenges our teachers and students face daily.
Beyond education, I have extensive leadership and volunteer experience. For the past four years, I have served on the Pearland ISD Education Foundation Board of Directors (most recently as Vice Chair of Fundraising on the Executive Board), helping raise funds for innovative teacher grants. I also volunteer in leadership roles with organizations such as the Knights of Columbus (Trustee and Chair of the Reverse Draw), the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Souvenir Program Committee (Team Captain), ABC Greater Houston Political Action Committee, and the ABC Greater Houston Careers in Construction Youth Committee. My wife and I have been, active members of the Carleston PTA and are currently active in the Silvercrest PTA.
Currently, I serve as the Director of Sales and Marketing for a construction company, where I manage budgets and oversee P&L responsibilities. My experience in fiscal management, strategic decision-making, and workforce development equips me to approach district challenges with a strong business mindset, ensuring financial responsibility while prioritizing student success.
I believe my combined experience in education, business, and community leadership makes me a strong advocate for parents, teachers, and students. I am committed to upholding academic excellence, responsible budgeting, and policies that reflect the values of our Pearland community.
Considering the PISD 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, which of the identified goals do you believe is most at risk if the proposed school voucher bill is enacted and the basic allotment per pupil remains unchanged? What is your suggestion to address?
One of the most at-risk goals in the PISD 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, if the basic allotment per pupil remains unchanged and a school voucher program is enacted, is ‘High-Quality Teaching & Learning.’ Pearland ISD has been a strong steward of taxpayer dollars, maintaining a balanced budget and ensuring transparency in financial decisions. However, if state funding does not keep pace with rising costs and resources are diverted away from public schools, it could become more challenging to retain top teachers and provide the best educational opportunities for students.
To address this, I would work with district leadership to advocate for an increase in the basic allotment to ensure PISD continues delivering excellent education. Additionally, I would support innovative ways to maximize resources, such as strengthening community partnerships and seeking grants to supplement funding, so our schools remain strong regardless of legislative changes.
Recently many of the books that formed our collective educational experience have been banned in other Texas ISDs. Pearland ISD recently adopted state Penal Code 43.24 and approved a motion to resolve a complaint about a book. What is your personal view of what types of books should or shouldn’t be challenged?
As a parent and a strong advocate for academic excellence, I believe that schools should provide age-appropriate materials that align with our community’s values and educational standards. I support parents having a voice in their children’s education, including the ability to raise concerns about books they find inappropriate. While classic literature and historically significant works are important for a well-rounded education, books that contain explicit sexual content, promote harmful ideologies, or are not suitable for a school setting should be carefully reviewed. I support Pearland ISD’s decision to adopt the state Penal Code 43.24 as a guideline, ensuring that materials in our schools are appropriate for students while respecting parental input and upholding educational integrity.
There have been recent lawsuits challenging portions of Section 504 as unconstitutional. If a portion or the entirety of Section 504 protections are removed, what is your commitment to students currently protected by Federal Law?
Pearland ISD has a strong tradition of supporting all students, and I will work to maintain high standards for student success while ensuring that any new policies are implemented in a way that reflects our community’s values, prioritizes parental involvement, and remains fiscally responsible. Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and I will support practical, locally driven solutions to meet their needs.
The Texas v. Becerra lawsuit raises important questions about how best to support students with disabilities while ensuring that decisions about their education are made in a way that reflects local needs. Texas is committed to providing appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities, but this lawsuit challenges whether the federal government should unilaterally impose new regulations without input from state and local leaders.
One concern is that these changes could place significant financial and administrative burdens on school districts, potentially diverting resources away from other essential educational services. Schools need clear, sustainable policies that allow them to serve all students effectively without sudden, unfunded federal mandates.
Additionally, this case is about ensuring that major changes to education policy go through the proper legislative and public input process rather than being imposed by executive action. Local educators, parents, and school leaders should have a voice in shaping policies that directly affect their students.
Ultimately, the goal is to find a solution that upholds the rights of students with disabilities while also respecting the role of states and school districts in making educational decisions. Texas’ lawsuit is not about opposing necessary accommodations—it’s about ensuring that changes are made in a way that is thoughtful, inclusive, and sustainable for everyone involved.
What do you feel are the top priorities for Pearland ISD School Board within the next 2 years?
Based on my experience as an educator and business leader, I believe the following areas are essential for our district’s continued success:
Teacher Recruitment and Retention: One of the most pressing needs in education today is ensuring that our district attracts and retains talented educators. Teacher turnover can be costly and disruptive to students’ learning experiences. Our current teacher turnover rate is 14%. While this is below the state average of 19%, I would love to work with our other board members and superintendent to reduce this rate by 2% (roughly 45 teachers) over the next two years. This aligns with suggested Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan (which is in progress). As a school board trustee, I will work to enhance recruitment efforts and advocate for increased teacher salaries and benefits to ensure that Pearland ISD remains competitive and that our teachers feel valued and supported in their work.
Safety and Security, Including Mental Health Needs: The safety of our students and staff is paramount. In addition to enhancing physical security measures, we must also prioritize mental health services. This includes ensuring that counselors, social workers, and mental health professionals are available to support students who may be facing emotional challenges. I am committed to working with the board and superintendent to implement programs that foster a safe, supportive, and mentally healthy environment for everyone in our schools.
Maintaining Academic Excellence and Expanding CTE Opportunities: Pearland ISD is known for its strong academic programs, and it is essential to maintain and build upon these successes. As a former Advanced Academics teacher (AP Economics), I am passionate about continuing to promote our exceptional Advanced Academics classes and programs. I am particularly passionate about expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, ensuring that students have access to diverse pathways that prepare them for college, technical training, and the workforce. This includes offering career pathways in high-demand fields like plumbing, electrical work, and other skilled trades, alongside traditional academic tracks. We must also integrate technology-focused curriculum to ensure students are ready for the real-world demands of the digital age.
Budget Review and Resource Allocation: Over the next three years, I will advocate for continued evaluation of our district’s budget to ensure resources are allocated effectively. This includes exploring options for further increasing teacher wages and benefits, reviewing social work services to ensure adequate support for students, and assessing the resources available for special education programs. It is also critical that we stay informed about legislative actions that could impact our budget, such as unfunded mandates related to online STAAR testing and full-day Pre-K programs.
State-Level Advocacy for Public Education: On the state level, I will continue to advocate for full funding of public education, especially as it relates to the growing needs in special education. I will also push for the state to provide funding for the implementation of unfunded mandates, such as the technology needed for online testing and the requirement for security officers at every campus. These state actions are vital to ensuring that Pearland ISD can continue to deliver high-quality education to all students.
By focusing on these priorities, I am committed to ensuring that Pearland ISD remains a place where students, educators, and the community can thrive.
