Daily Archives: 06/20/2014

(Community Matters) Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Capital Factory, happy birthday to you – and many more.

with Joshua Baer, our founder & spiritual leader

(Community Matters) Had the pleasure of hosting a meeting of Central Texas Education leaders and US Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan this morning at the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Additional attendees included (the who’s who of CTx education):  Texas Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Raymund Paredes, Austin Community College President Dr. Richard Rhodes, Texas State University Provost Dr. Eugene Bourgeois, Austin Community College, Assistant to the President Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm,, University of Texas at Austin Ray Marshall Center Executive Director Chris T. King, Dr. Greg Cumpton, University of Texas at Austin Ray Marshall Center, Dr. Lindsay Page, University of Pittsburgh, Austin ISD Superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz, Round Rock ISD Superintendent Dr. Steve Flores, Manor ISD Superintendent Kevin Brackmeyer, The Hon. Kathy Hansen, President, San Marcos CISD Board of Trustees, The Hon. Phillip Boutwell, President, Hutto ISD Board of Trustees, The Hon. Marlin Thomas, President, Manor ISD Board of Trustees, The Hon. Pamela Waggoner, President, Leander ISD Board of Trustees, Austin ISD Chief Schools Officer Edmund Oropez, Darrell Pierce, President, SNAP Management Group & 2013 Austin Chamber Board Member, Edna Butts, AISD Intergovernmental Affairs, Sue McMillin, CEO, TG, Rich Haines, President, OneLogos, Ron Reed, Executive Producer, SXSWedu, Drew Scheberle, SVP, Fed/State Advocacy & Education/Talent.

Secretary Duncan was impressed by the Direct High School to College Enrollment Initiative led by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. His quotes: “I don’t know that I’ve seen this level of strategy anywhere else . . . . This is inspiring to hear, the focused, regional approach. . . . Strategically, you are headed in the right direction.” Congrats to all those in attendance (myself excluded), they are doing exceptional work.

even before I could say anything this morning, the Secretary asked if I was related to Juan Sepulveda, my cousin. Scored me points – Juan’s a rock star, the former White House Liaison for Hispanic Education Excellence.

btw, had lunch with AISD Interim Superintendent Paul Cruz yesterday – impressive guy.