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.

Shonna Craigo , Secretary
Perkins + Will

Shonna Craigo is Senior Marketing Coordinator at Perkins+Will, an architectural firm that specializes in designing education facilities. A native Texan, she graduated from MacArthur High School in Irving and continued her education at University of Texas at Arlington with a journalism degree. Shonna has been involved with the Friends of Texas Public School organization for the past two years.

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

Cody Cunningham, Board Member
Communications/PR, McKinney Independent School District

Cody received an M.A. in Communication Studies from the University of North Texas and a B.A. in Speech Communications from Texas A&M University. “It’s easy to stand on the banks of the river, speculate on its path, and skip rocks across the top every now and then. I see Friends of Texas Public Schools as a vehicle to encourage the public to step into the water and to play an active role in learning about and partnering with school systems. It’s much easier to see the great things that are happening if you are willing to move from the periphery and stand in the middle of it.”

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.

Brenda Jean Patrick, Board Member
Master Consultant, Region 10 Education Service Center

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.”

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. 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.

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.

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

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.”