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

Jacqueline Sinex, Vice President
Project Manager, WebXess, Inc.

Jacqueline has been working with WebXess, Inc. since 1998. She acts as liaison between developers and clients and drives progress of projects to ensure timely delivery of a quality product. With an extensive art background including over 10 years of fine arts education, Ms. Sinex also facilitates a majority of front-end graphics and art direction. She is happily married with two children.

Sharon Eaves, Treasurer
General Manager Budget & Financial Planning, Houston ISD

Sharon Eaves, CPA, has served as a Chief Financial Officer in Texas public schools since 1995. Beginning at Smithville ISD about 45 miles east of Austin, Sharon has acquired a detailed understanding of the challenges of public school finance. She believes too much emphasis has been placed on what is wrong with a few public school districts rather than on the ones that are doing a good job. "I believe Friends can be pivotal in restoring public confidence by painting a more accurate, optimistic picture about our schools.

Cindy Randle, Secretary
Executive Director, Public Information, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD

more information coming soon.

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

Lee Lockard, Board Member
Community Affairs/Business Development, Coca-Cola Enterprises

Lee has worked for Coca-Cola for 40 years. He ran Sales centers in Houston and Austin, and now covers Community Affairs from Waco to Laredo, Bryan to Paris. He has a BBA from the University of St. Thomas, and has been married to his lovely wife Cathi for 30 years. Lee currently serves on the Board of Friends of Texas Public Schools, Keep Austin Beautiful, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Austin. He also works with Camp Coca-Cola youth leadership program and enjoys golf and reading.

Paul McCleary, Board Member
Director of Development Services, Boyken International

Paul McCleary has many years of experience as a consultant in foodservice business planning and in construction planning and project management. He actively participates in several organizations and is a strong supporter of public school teachers. View Resume

George O'Dwyer, Board Member
501 Post
George O’Dwyer, a 31-year industry veteran in the field of television, film and the recording business is currently Executive Producer and Partner at 501 Post (501 Group Inc.), Austin, TX. Prior to graduating from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications and a minor in Theatre Arts in 1977, O’Dwyer started his career at WFAA-TV in Dallas, Texas, under the guidance and supervision of the legendary Mike Shapiro in 1975. In 2006, O’Dwyer was named ‘Outstanding Alumnus by the College of Mass Communications, Texas Tech University.

Linda Rutherford, Board Member
Vice President of Public Relations and Community Affairs, Southwest Airlines

Linda Rutherford is Vice President of public relations and community affairs for Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, the nation’s fourth largest airline. Prior to joining Southwest Airlines in 1992, she was a reporter for several Dallas-area suburban newspapers as well as with the Dallas Times Herald, and she began her career with Newsweek magazine in New York. Ms. Rutherford is an active participant in many civic activities, and was recently named one of the 2002 Outstanding Alumni of the Texas Tech School of Mass Communications.

Lou Sartor, Board Member
President, PlainsCapital Bank

more information coming soon.

Brandie Cleaver, Staff Member
Executive Director

Brandie Cleaver serves as director of development and administration for Friends of Texas Public Schools. Prior to working with Friends, she served both higher education and K-12 public schools in the areas of development and communication. In addition to her work with Friends, she serves on the Children’s Advocacy Center Board for Central Texas. She is married to Max Cleaver who serves as the Executive Director of Operations for Temple ISD.

Eddie Deen
Owner, Eddie Deen’s Ranch, Dallas

Eddie Deen grew up on a working ranch in Wills Point, TX. From an early age, he learned the value of hard work , determination, and relationships. A 1979 graduate of Texas A & M University, Eddie opened his first restaurant on the shores of Lake Tawakoni in 1980. He later established Eddie Deen & Company Catering which now serves millions.

Ms. Fern has led a successful communications career in the fields of journalism, state and federal government, and corporate public affairs. Ms. Fern has worked with wide latitude among top political officials and corporate executives; policy professionals; local, state and national media; authors and publishers; and non-profit organizations. View Resume | www.charliefernink.com

Gary Keep
Chief Executive Officer, SHW Group Architects

Gary is driven by his vision to build a great firm. He talks with his hands and loves a passionate philosophical discussion. That passion is also evident when Gary discusses the impact of facilities on the way students learn, and he is known around the country for his contribution to educational planning.

Jack Lowe
CEO, TDIndustries

Jack joined TDIndustries in 1964, became the CEO and Board Chair in 1980, and in December 2004, retired as CEO. For eight consecutive years the company has appeared in the Fortune Magazine’s list of the 100 best companies to work for in America. Jack graduated Magna Cum Laude from Rice University with an engineering degree, and served in the U. S. Navy. He and his wife, Mary, have six grown children, and six grandchildren.

Dr. Shirley Neeley
Former Texas Commissioner of Education & Former Educator

Brenda Jean Patrick
Master Consultant, Region 10 Education Service Center

Brenda Jean Patrick has been providing educational opportunities for over 15 years. She serves the school districts of Texas through the Region 10 Education Service Center, while independently presenting quality training for many distinguished businesses. Her cutting edge approach contributes the needed assistance to establish effective improvement and pursue excellence.

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 15 years of magazine, book and newsletter publishing experience. He is also chair of the Mathews Fund for Excellence, an endowment fund for Mathews Elementary School in Austin.

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.”