Governor Abbott Appoints Ten To Texas School Safety Center Board
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Allison Hymel, Cecillia Reynolds-Perez and Paul Robbins and reappointed Mike Cox and Daniel Griffith, II to the Texas School Safety Center Board for terms set to expire February 1, 2018. Additionally, he appointed Jason Burdine, Andrew Kim, Robert Long, III and Jill Tate and reappointed Daniel Gilliam for terms set to expire February 1, 2019. The board reports to the Governor, the legislature, the State Board of Education and the Texas Education Agency regarding school safety and security, and advises the center on its function, budget and strategic planning initiatives.
Allison Hymel of Allen is a third grade teacher at Isbell Elementary located in the Frisco Independent School District (ISD). She serves as the Math Vertical Team leader for her grade level and previously served on the Campus Improvement Team for Isbell Elementary. Additionally, she is a member of the math curriculum writing team for the 2017-2018 school year for Frisco ISD, and serves as a volunteer for the organization Living for Zachary. Hymel received a Bachelor of Science in applied learning development from The University of Texas at Austin.
Cecilia Reynolds-Perez of Corpus Christi is a principal at W.B. Ray High School in the Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD). Previously, she served as principal at South Park Middle School and Evans Elementary School, both in CCISD. She is a member of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Association of Texas Professional Educators. Additionally, she is a member of the PTA and former advisory member of the Boys & Girls Club. Reynolds-Perez received a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Texas A&I University Kingsville and a Master of Science in education administration from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi.
Paul Robbins of Nacogdoches is a private attorney and is licensed to practice in both Texas State Courts and Federal Courts. Robbins offices in Lufkin and serves as a regional attorney for the Texas Municipal Police Association. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the American Bar Association, and serves as the Commander of the Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputies Division, where he has been a peace officer for over 25 years. Additionally, he is a member and former director of the Blue Knights – Chapter 22 and president of the East Texas Peace Officers Association. He received a Basic Peace Officers License, after training at the East Texas Police Academy at Kilgore College, and has earned an Intermediate, Advanced, and Master Peace Officer Certificates from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Robbins received a Bachelor of Business Administration and Masters of Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law.
Mike Cox of Driftwood is an emergency medical technician and a firearms safety instructor licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. He serves as a communications officer and EMT for the federal Disaster Medical Assistance Team TX1 and served as a former firefighter and EMT for the Wimberley Fire & Rescue Department. Cox received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston.
Daniel R. Griffith, II of Pflugerville is a police officer for the City of Pflugerville, serving in the Criminal Investigation Division as a certified crime prevention specialist. Previously, he served as a deputy sheriff of Crockett County. He is a member of the Texas Municipal League, Law Enforcement Association of Pflugerville and the Texas Crime Prevention Association and president of the Central Texas Crime Prevention Association. He holds a master police officer’s license with approximately 4000 hours of continual education from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Griffith received an honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps.
Jason Burdine of Richmond is an independent financial advisor and serves as vice president of the Fort Bend Independent School District (ISD) Board of Trustees. He is a current member of the Texas Association of School Boards, and has previously mentored at-risk youth and served as a member of the Ridgemont Elementary Campus Based Leadership Team, as well as volunteering as a Floor Host for MD Anderson Volunteer Services. He has served on the District Strategic Plan Steering Committee, working collaboratively on the Facilities Master Plan for Fort Bend ISD, and is enrolled in the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Leadership Forum. Burdine received a Bachelor of Science in education from Texas A&M University.
Andrew Kim of New Braunfels is the superintendent of schools at Comal Independent School District (ISD). Previously, he served as superintendent for Manor ISD and as assistant superintendent for Austin ISD. He is a member of the Texas Association of School Administrators and Fast Schools Growth Coalition. Additionally, he is a member of the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Board and the Canyon Lake Noon Lions Club. Kim received a Bachelor of Arts in medieval studies from Fordham University and a Master of Education in education administration from The University of Texas (UT) at Austin, and he is a graduate of the superintendent program at UT at Arlington.
Robert Long, III of Tomball is a principal at Deloras E. Thompson Elementary School of Spring Independent School District (ISD) and an adjunct professor at the University of Houston. Previously, he served as principal in Fort Bend ISD, as well as an associate principal at Cypress Fairbanks ISD. He is current regional director of Raise Your Hands Texas and a member of the Texas Association of School Administration and a Post National board member of Alpha Phi Omega. Long received a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies in elementary education from Stephen F. Austin State University, Master of Education Administration & Supervision from Sam Houston State University and a Doctor of Education in education administration from Texas A&M University.
Jill Tate of Colleyville is owner and designer of Jill Tate Designs. Previously, she served as a project manager at Turley Associates, Inc. and as an assistant property manager at Trammell Crow Company. She serves as the community outreach and special event chair for the Bransford Elementary Parent Teachers Association (PTA) and as community outreach chair for the Grapevine Colleyville Independent School District PTA. Additionally, she serves as an ambassador for the nonprofit Patriot Paws and volunteers for the Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange program. Tate received a Bachelor of Business Administration in real estate from Baylor University.
Daniel Gilliam of Victoria is the presiding judge of the County Court at Law #2 of Victoria County. He previously served as an assistant criminal district attorney for the County of Victoria and was as an attorney at Marr, Meier and Bradicich, LLP. He is a member of the Texas State Bar Association, State Bar of Texas Judicial Section, Texas County Court at Law Association, Victoria County Bar Association and the Juvenile Board for Victoria County. Additionally, he is a member and former board member of the Victoria Rotary Club and Trinity Episcopal Church. Gilliam received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University, and a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law.