Class Notes

" DPA Microphones announces that Jewel Kusek has joined the DPA team in the United States as general manager.

Kusek joins DPA Microphones after serving as controller for Next Level Resource Partners in Denver, Colorado. Prior to her role as controller, Kusek served as vice president of Accounting at Tristar Web Graphics and as a financial analyst for Hunting Energy Services, both in Houston, Texas.

Kusek holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Houston-Downtown."

- ProSoundWeb

Completed two certifications recently as part of the company's DevOps/Agile journey. In effect, like many other companies, we are looking at new ways of working collaboratively in order to bring more value to the business.

The Advanced Certification took me 1:59 of the 2 hours allowed. Reminded me of my UHD exam days!

"At a brief ceremony in the Manuel Rodrí­guez, Jr. Board Auditorium, José Leal was sworn in as District III trustee by State Sen. Sylvia Garcia. He was surrounded by friends and family during the board ceremony, which was presided over by District II Board Secretary Rhonda Skillern-Jones.

Leal was appointed to the Board of Education in August 2017 by unanimous vote of HISD trustees. He is serving a portion of the unexpired term of District III representative, a position left vacant by the passing of Trustee Rodriguez. Leal's term will expire in January 2018 after a special election for the office will be held on Nov. 7, 2017.

Leal earned a bachelor of science in business information computer systems and graduated cum laude from the University of Houston-Downtown."

- HISD News Blog

"Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader announced the selection committee's choice for "Employee of the Month"...to be Patrol Deputy Shandalynn Rhame, who is a 12-year veteran with the Sheriff's Office.

Rather than burden the already over-loaded detective division with another case to manage, she will follow up on many of these type cases and will see them through to completion, which results in a very high rate of case closures and an equally high conviction rate in court.

Her future goal is to someday become an investigator with the Sheriff's Office, and with her firm foundation in investigative skills this seems to be a goal that will be attainable one day.

Rhame first came to the Sheriff's Office as a dispatcher and supervisor and later put herself through the University of Houston-Downtown police academy."

- The Indicator

"Wilfredo Montanez is a product of HISD schools and began his educational career as a teaching assistant and associate teacher. He served as Spanish teacher at the Ninth Grade College Preparatory Academy and he taught math at Sam Houston MSTC. Montanez served as a curriculum and content specialist, instructional specialist, and most recently dean of Students at both Sam Houston and Hamilton Middle.

Montanez earned his bachelor's degree in Spanish with a minor in mathematics from University of Houston-Downtown [as well as a master's from another institution]."

- HISD News Blog

" Meals on Wheels Montgomery County (MOWMC) has announced the selection of Summer Day as its new Executive Director.

Day had previously served as Operations Manager for MOWMC, during which time she revised and streamlined operations to be more effective and efficient.

Day is a graduate of University of Houston-Downtown."

- Conroe Today

"Victor Garcia has been selected as the new principal at Port Houston Elementary School.

His leadership experiences also include the position of instructional specialist and assistant principal at Benavidez Elementary.

Garcia attended the University of Houston-Downtown for his undergraduate degree in Urban Education."

- HISD News Blog

"Jane Ocanas has been named principal of Marshall Elementary School after serving as principal of Grissom Elementary for four years.

Ocanas began her career in education as a bilingual teacher with HISD in 2004 and has also served as an instructional coordinator and assistant principal.

Ocanas has a bachelor's degree in general business from University of Houston-Downtown [as well as a master's from another institution]."

- HISD News Blog

In 2016, I was approached by an organization in El Salvador about writing a book with 60 other young Salvadoreans from around the world who are giving a positive image to our society through the type of work that we do in our communities.

While the book, now in its 2nd edition, is currently written in Spanish I would like to share my chapter with the University of Houston-Downtown.

The title of my chapter is translated to Youth: Community, Education, and Empowerment. The theme of my chapter pertains to all the work that I have done throughout the years with various communities, and the relationship that I have fostered with politicians and various leaders by using tools that I have learned throughout Ph.D. I discuss the importance of consensus building through education, and how it can be used as a tool to not only empower our youth but the growth of our communities.

In the chapter, I credit the University of Houston-Downtown for allowing me to grow and publish this book.

"Brishaun Sutton has been selected as the new principal for Kate Bell Elementary School. Sutton has been an educator for 20 years and has served in various roles, from teacher to assistant principal.

Sutton earned her bachelor's degree in computer information systems from University of Houston Downtown [as well as a master's from another institution]."

- HISD News Blog

Title V, Program Manager at Lone Star College-Tomball

Earned Masters of Science in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University

"Dr. Michelle Burke has been selected as the new director for HISD's Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department. She will continue working on assisting schools, families, and community stakeholders with the tools, guidance, and resources needed to support student academic achievement. She will take an active role in empowering families and the community at large to make the best decisions for their child's academic success.

Dr. Burke holds a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston-Downtown, [as well as graduate degrees from other institutions]."

- HISD News Blog

Trazanna Moreno has been appointed to the Houston Zoo executive team as vice president of marketing & communications. She previously served as chief marketing officer for the Houston Symphony. Moreno's lengthy career also includes two tenures at the YMCA of Greater Houston where she served for five years as the senior vice president and chief marketing. Moreno and her YMCA team won AMA Houston Marketer of the Year in 2013, as well as PRSA Houston Nonprofit Team of the Year in 2012.

Moreno earned a Master's of Science in Professional/Technical Writing from UHD in 2007.

Source: UHD News

Steven Kaufman, founder and chief executive officer for ZeusLending.com, was recently named to Houston Business Journal's 2018 Most Admired CEO List (For-Profit Sector). ZeusLending.com is a Houston-based real estate finance provider of home equity loans, hard money loans, crowdfunding opportunities and mortgages to individual and corporate consumers. The Houston Business Journal and Inc. Magazine placed the now 14-year-old company as one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S.

Kaufman earned a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Accounting from UHD in 2001.

Source: UHD News

Cheryl "Charly" Weldon, president and chief executive officer of Family Houston, was named to Houston Business Journal's 2018 "Most Admired CEO List (Nonprofit Sector)". Family Houston provides programs and outreach services dedicated to teaching life skills necessary to face financial, health, relationship and other critical challenges to strengthen families—leading to a healthier, more stable community.

Weldon earned a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Management from UHD in 2005.

Source: UHD News