Dr. Margaret Forde-Fisher

Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher is President of the Houston Community College Northeast where she has served as president for fifteen years. During those years, she has worked with the college team and community supporters to create a dynamic educational institution with leading--‐edge academic and workforce programs, state of the art educational facilities, and impressive student successes. The Houston Community College Northeast is comprised of five campuses and is one of six colleges within the Houston Community College District that serves over 70,000 students each semester. 

 

Dr. Ford Fisher was born in Marion, Alabama. She completed her Baccalaureate and Masters Degrees in English at Wichita State University, her Doctoral Degree in Education at the University of Houston, and Certificates from Oxford University in International Relations and Kansas State University in Urban and Regional Planning. Dr. Ford Fisher has over thirty years of experience in higher education. She began her higher education career as a professor at Wichita State University where she taught Cross--‐Cultural Communications for ten years. She has also been a visiting professor in Cultural Communications at Bethany College in Lindsborg Kansas, and an adjunct faculty member in the English Departments at the University of Houston and Texas Southern University. In addition to her scholarly career, Ford Fisher is an aficionado of broadcast and print journalism and the power of the written and spoken word. She has been a television producer and host with PBS Television Programs such as the Margaret Ford Show on KUHT Channel 8, Images on CBS Channel 11, and was producer and host of the Capitol Report that was a statewide PBS syndication. 

 

Ford Fisher has also published broadly in refereed and non--‐refereed publications and has a recent article in Rolling Out Magazine entitled, “African American Children Can Succeed In School.” Dr. Ford Fisher Has published several books including the best--‐selling text on Dual Credit and a new book to be released in December entitled, Learning for Ownership: Empowering African American Children For Success in the Twenty--‐First Century. Dr. Ford Fisher is an advocate for increased emphasis on STEM Programs In secondary and postsecondary institutions. She testified before the U. S. House of Representatives, Research and Science Education Subcommittee, on her college’s successful implementation of an NSF Grant to prepare at--‐risk students in STEM Programs for transfer to four--‐year institutions. She serves on local and national boards and is actively involved in civic activities throughout the Houston Community. 

 

Dr. Ford Fisher is married to Attorney Raymond Lamar Fisher and resides in Houston, Texas.

Mrs. Paula M. Harris

 

Paula Harris was elected to the Board of Education in November 2007. She served as first vice president in her first year as a trustee and again in 2010. She was sworn in as president in January 2011.

Ms. Harris is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in petroleum engineering. In her 20-plus year career in the energy industry, Ms. Harris has held a variety of positions at Schlumberger, from field engineer where she managed operations on offshore rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, to sales engineer and North American recruiting manager. As worldwide training manager, Ms. Harris developed business opportunities and teams in Europe, Africa, the Soviet Union, China, South America, and Australia.

As a successful engineer she earned numerous awards and recognitions while maintaining a strong community presence. She currently holds the position of Director of Community Affairs at Schlumberger. In this role, she is responsible for the company’s community and civic involvement and educational initiatives, which focus on math, science and engineering programs for children.

Ms. Harris wrote the book For Sister: The Guide for Professional Black Women, published in 2003. She formed her own publishing company, MadisonHouse Publishing, and in 2007 published the children’s book When I Grow UP I Want to Be an Engineer.

Ms. Harris is a recipient of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce role model award, and is a state appointee to the Texas Energy Planning Council. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Space Center Houston, where she chairs the education subcommittee. Ms. Harris has been profiled in a number of publications including Money Magazine, Black Engineer, Graduating Engineer, Houston Style Magazine and Houston Women.

Ms. Harris is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Jack and Jill of America, and the American Leadership Forum.

Ms. Harris and her husband Dwayne are the owners of DPM Investments. They have one daughter who attends an HISD school.

Mr. Kevin Hoffman

Mr. Kevin Hoffman is... 

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Mr. Darryl King

 

Darryl King, Co-founder and CEO, of the Principle Partnering Group, LLC. (PPG) leads and directs the firm’s activities in all aspects of vision casting, program development and optimum resource delegation. The firm is a premiere management consulting organization with an unsurpassed track record in helping companies of all sizes establish, manage, and maintain successful business-to-business collaborations. The firm offers objective solutions, effective project management, and strategic support services across all business segments.

 

PPG currently serves as the Program Advisor for Parsons Transportation in support of the METRO Light Rail Project. Mr. King conducts program oversight as he leads the PPG team toward successful implementation of program policies and procedures for the METRO Solutions 2 LRT Project’s SBE/DBE Program in support of the Prime Contractor’s, Parsons Transportation Group, SBE/DBE management team. Together, PPG and the Parsons team work collaboratively such that all stakeholders are informed about the progress of the METRO Solutions 2 LRT Project’s SBE/DBE program. As the CEO of The Principle Partnering Group, Mr. King ensures that resources are in place such that PPG serves as a liaison between the Prime Contractor and the actual and potential sub contractors in establishing and monitoring performance in pursuit of the SBE/DBE objectives. Mr. King has strategically recruited and acquired a professional team of leaders and specialists to ensure the development and implementation of outreach, 49 CFR, Part 26 compliance, monitoring, reporting, and workforce training plans designed to assist in attaining the overall METRO Solutions 2 LRT Project SBE/DBE goals.

 

Darryl King has more than 35 years of experience in successful business strategies, intentional community involvement and profitable business partnerships. Mr. King has quietly and consistently worked to open doors of opportunity for numerous businesses and organizations throughout the Houston metropolitan area. His efforts have not gone unrecognized as he was appointed and effectively positioned on statewide boards, as well as positions of local leadership, over the past 25 years.

 

Mr. King is as an advocate for the economically disadvantaged and minority communities. He is a specialist in outreach to African American businesses, churches, community and neighborhood organizations in the Houston metropolitan area. Mr. King has served as Chairman of the Houston Area Urban League, Greater Houston Area Hotel & Motel Association Board Member, Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau Board Secretary, Board Vice-Chairman and Board Chairman, Foxshire Development Board Chairman, Houston Superbowl XXXVIII Host Committee, former mayor-appointed Houston Clean Commission Commissioner, and former- governor appointed Coastal Water Authority Board Member.

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Lawrence Marshall, Chairman

Mr. Lawrence Marshall, a former HISD educator, was elected to the Board of Education in 1997.  His colleagues named him first vice president for 1999 and president for 2000. He was reelected for a fourth term in 2009, and was chosen by his peers to serve as assistant secretary in 2008 and president in 2009.

A native Houstonian, Mr. Marshall received bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas Southern University and pursued advanced studies at the University of Houston and Texas A&M University.  He joined HISD as a teacher in 1955 and subsequently served as a principal, area superintendent, assistant superintendent, associate superintendent, and deputy superintendent before retiring in 1991.  Mr. Marshall also served as interim superintendent of the Kendleton Independent School District.

As president of M Associates of Houston, a management consulting firm, Mr. Marshall makes frequent presentations about issues in urban education.  His current professional and civic affiliations include memberships on the boards of directors of the American Heritage Education Foundation, the Southeast Coalition of Civic Clubs, and the Harris County Appraisal District.  He also serves as chairman of the advisory committee of the Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators and he is a member of the Brays Oaks Redevelopment Advisory Committee.

Lawrence Marshall has received awards and other honors from numerous leading organizations, including the Council of Urban Boards of Education (the Benjamin Elijah Mays Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006), 2003 Texas Legislative Black Caucus (Outstanding Texan Award for Education), Texas Counseling Association (2002 Layperson Exemplary Service Award), South Central YMCA Century Club, Texas Southern University School of Education, Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering, Office of the Mayor, and Boy Scouts of America.  In addition, he was a pioneer in the development of Magnet programs and alternative schools that have enjoyed nationwide recognition and replication. __________________________________________________________________________

Dr. Lamar Odom

Dr. Lamar Odom is a professor of Business and Leadership, attorney, and Leadership Consultant specializing in ethics and diversity training. He is a former Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force, where he retired with over twenty-two years of decorated military service. Dr. Odom has published numerous academic articles in the areas of leadership, law, and ethics. He is a tenured faculty member in the School of Business and Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake University, where he teaches courses in the disciplines of leadership ethics, law, and healthcare management. Dr. Odom is a key member of the Corporate Training Team, where he lectures on leadership ethics and diversity.