My Career in Technology

I have worked in the technology industry for 35+ years. Computer programming my way through college then graduating from the University of Houston with a Computer Information Systems degree, my passion for excellence in technology leadership has never wavered.
I started my career at the NASA Johnson Space Center supporting the Mission Operations Directorate (MOD), working as a software engineer supporting the Space Shuttle and Station Operations programs. Within five years I became the team leader of software engineers and a supervisor of all Mission Operations Information Systems. 
From there I moved up the ranks to the top of the organization as the Safety Reliability, Management and Quality Assurance (SRM&QA) Program Manager.  After the Challenger shuttle accident, there was a focus on embedding quality management systems into all NASA programs. I was trained in the National Malcolm Baldrige quality principles with a speciality in Leadership. ​
For five years I served as a Baldrige quality examiner and led the organization through the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality application process, and in quality improvement and received the NASA George M. Low award, both of which received national level attention.
It was during the high point in my NASA career in 1994 that I gave it all up to find a greater work life balance with my then young family, Scott (My husband) and our three daughters, Kendall, Kevyn and Karsyn.
Supporting NASA Johnson Space Center Space Shuttle and Space Operations from 1984-1994

Serving K-12 as an Education Technology Leader

At the time I left NASA when my daughters were 1, 4 and 7 years old, I joined the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District (GCCISD) as the Chief Technology Officer.  I was hired by Alan King, former interim superintendent of Dallas ISD and Dr. Jerry Roy, superintendent of Lewisville ISD because they wanted her to bring quality principles and a transformational Performance Excellence vision to the K-12 industry. Twenty-five years later, I still hold that same vision!

In 2013, I moved to Cypress Fairbanks ISD (CFISD) and led the technology planning efforts that secured the passing of a $1.2 billion dollar bond with $217 million dollars allocated for technology. In February 2015, my CFISD Technology Services team was recognized by the Texas K-12 CTO council, as part of the national level Consortium of School Networking (CoSN), as “team of the year.” 

In 2018, I was recognized at the national level as "volunteer of the year." In January of 2019, I was recognized as the Texas CTO of the year by the Texas K-12 CTO Council. 
I served on the Board of the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) for seven years and as president in 2011. I have also served as the chair of the Texas K-12 CTO council in 2014, and I am currently serving as the chair of the Leadership Advisory council. 

I am an influential leader on CoSN’s Smart Education Network by Design (SEND) initiative and I am working with a team of technology professionals to build the largest K-12 network in the nation using the most innovative, best of breed technologies.

My Vision

My vision is to be the education technology leader that transforms education. This includes developing and sustaining world-class quality service by providing education technology resources with 24/7 access to digital teaching and learning, using blended and virtual models for instructional delivery. Students’ learning will be personalized with rich multimedia experiences that enable empowerment and creativity.

My unique repertoire of leadership skills includes extensive knowledge in education performance excellence frameworks from the seven quality management Baldrige education categories, the essential skills and knowledge of the Consortium of School Networking’s CETL program, the organizational structure and skill requirements of ITIL, the process and performance management methodologies and learnings from best practices of the APQC and the information technology elements of the school business officials from ASBO.

What I am currently doing

After more than three decades of leadership in K–12 education technology, my work continues to center on helping education leaders navigate some of the most complex challenges facing school systems today.

I currently serve as Director of CoSN’s Cybersecurity Readiness for Education (CCRE) Project, where I lead national efforts to help K–12 organizations assess and strengthen their cybersecurity readiness. My work includes stewardship of the Cybersecurity Framework and Rubric for Education, professional learning and credentialing programs, state and national partnerships, and the continued development of resources that help education leaders move from cybersecurity awareness to measurable organizational readiness.

I also work extensively in technology leadership, artificial intelligence, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and Value of Investment (VOI). Most recently, I was selected as a subject matter expert to develop the 2026–2027 UNESCO–CoSN Policy Brief, Total Cost of Ownership for AI in Education Systems, exploring how education systems can better understand and plan for the full lifecycle costs associated with AI investments.

As co-author of The Savvy EdTech Leader: Innovative Strategies to Boost Influence and Elevate Your Career, I continue to write, teach, facilitate, and speak about leadership, performance excellence, strategic technology management, and the changing role of the K–12 technology leader. Much of my current writing explores what happens beneath the tools, frameworks, and strategies—the leadership choices, experiences, relationships, and personal vision that shape how we lead.
Outside of my professional work, my greatest joy comes from my family. My husband, Scott, and I have been married since 1983, and we have three daughters and a growing family of sons-in-law and grandchildren. I enjoy reading, writing, creating, staying active, spending time with family, and continuing to explore what it means to live, lead, and grow through every season of life.