Friends of Texas Public Schools is driven by devoted board members and backed by strong supporters and advisors.When you get involved with FOTPS, you are joining a resilient network of individuals and companies to strengthen the goals of public education in Texas.
Scott Milder, President and CEO
Principal, Cambridge Strategic Services
Scott’s experience stems from various educational venues, as well as media. His resume includes credentials as the public information officer in Galena Park Independent School District, media relations director for the Mesquite Independent School District, and a newspaper reporter and photographer. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism and his master’s degree in public relations, both from the University of North Texas. Scott is currently a principal with Cambridge Strategic Services, a planning firm specializing in helping educators with comprehensive strategic planning and public relations. But most importantly, Cambridge donates 50 percent of Scott’s time to run Friends of Texas Public Schools!
Leslie Milder, Co-Founder
Leslie Milder is co-founder and board member of Friends of Texas Public Schools, a non-profit association she and her husband established to boost the public’s confidence in Texas public schools. As a school teacher herself, Leslie has spent the better part of 10 years in the classroom and is proud to say “I was tired of getting picked on” when asked why they founded this organization. View Resume
Blake Powell, Vice President
Founding Partner, Powell & Leon, LLP
Blake has dedicated his career to the practice of school law and advocacy for public education. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and his Degree of Juris Doctor from Baylor University in 1987 and 1990 respectively. In 1996, Blake founded the law firm of Powell & Leon, LLP. Today, Powell & Leon serves as general or special counsel to approximately 200 public school and community college districts, regional service centers, charter schools, and related governmental entities across Texas. A product of Texas’ public schools, Blake is a 1983 graduate of Copperas Cove High School and the son of a former public school teacher and administrator. www.powell-leon.com
Emily Goodin , Secretary
Schneider Electric
Emily Goodin is a Sales Representative for Schneider Electric, a company dedicated to helping clients make the most of their energy. She works with school districts and cities across Texas to implement energy conservation projects and help conserve resources. She is a graduate of Texas Tech University and holds a certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP). http://www.schneider-electric.com/us
Larry Ascough , Board Member
Educational Public Relations Counselor
Larry spent more than four decades managing communications for large public school systems in Texas and Illinois, as well as for the chief state school officers of New York and West Virginia. Although he’s officially retired twice, Larry stays busy working on projects and ideas he didn’t have time for in the 24/7/365 world of school PR. A past president of the National School Public Relations Association, he has been cited as one of America’s most respected PR practitioners. View Resume
Brenda Bowman
Government Capital Corporation
A full-time representative for Government Capital Corporation, Brenda Bowman began her career in education twenty-eight years ago. During this time, Brenda developed strong associations with school leaders across the state. To put these relationships to work, Brenda moved into a new position with Government Capital in September of 2009. She believes her understanding of our schools and their complexities will provide opportunities to improve the quality of education for all Texas school children. Brenda and her family have been strong advocates of Texas schools for decades.
Chad Chadwell, Board Member
Vice President, Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees
Chad has lived in the Round Rock community for more than 20 years and is employed in the semi-conductor industry. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Clemson University and a Master’s of Science in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas at Austin. He has served on the RRISD 2008 Citizens Bond Committee, as President of the RRHS PTSA and on numerous other community committees. Chad is the proud father of two sons: one pursuing a degree at the University of Texas at Austin in Music Education/Saxophone Performance; and one attending Round Rock High School.
Javier Farias
Texas Schools Casualty
Brenda Jean Patrick, Board Member
The Customer Care Teacher
As an independent contractor, she presents quality training for many distinguished businesses, educational organizations, government entities and school districts in Texas. Her cutting edge approach contributes the needed assistance to pursue excellence and establish highly motivating, results oriented as well as effective learning opportunities. Brenda Jean Patrick has a simple philosophy, “If increasing student achievement is the goal then start by building relationships with their teachers. An educator that feels supported will perform at the level necessary to increase student achievement. We must be a friend of the educator to reach the student.” www.thecustomercareteacher.com
Lou Sartor, Board Member
President, PlainsCapital Bank
more information coming soon.
Linda Rutherford, Board Member
Vice President, Communications and Strategic Outreach, Southwest Airlines
Linda Rutherford is Vice President of Communications and Strategic Outreach for Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, the nation’s largest airline in terms of domestic Customer boardings. Responsibilities include overseeing media relations, special event planning, crisis communications and emergency response, community relations and charitable giving, corporate community affairs, public relations, emerging and multimedia, legislative communication/grassroots activities, Southwest’s Speaker’s Bureau, employee communications, and graphic design and creative services...
Ted Siff
Publisher, Texas School Business Magazine
Ted Siff is publisher of Texas School Business Magazine as well as its sister publication, The Texas School Administrators' Legal Digest. He is a graduate of Harvard College and has more than 20 years of magazine, book and newsletter publishing experience.
Kyle Ward
Executive Director, Texas PTA
Mr. Ward has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than two decades. In February 2006 Ward became the Executive Director of Texas PTA in Austin, the largest child advocacy association in Texas with more than 600,000 members. When asked about his current position with Texas PTA, Ward said, “I am thrilled to be working for an association that makes every child’s potential a reality. I am all about what is best for Texas children.”
Steve Risser
Steve Risser is the Director of Business Development for Boynton Williams & Associates (BWA). BWA has provided architectural services for over 1200 educational institutions in more than 200 districts since 1984. Steve is primarily responsible for assisting rural school districts achieve their facility design, construction and renovation objectives. His belief and finding is that innovative design and renovations of schools increase moral, attitude and the desire to learn. Steve and his family chose to reside in Texas over several other states predominantly because of the high level of quality education found in Texas Public Schools. www.bwaarchitects.com