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Trustees and Advisory Boards
Board of Trustees’ Mission Statement
The Board of Trustees of the Alcuin School exists to make decisions and take actions which will ensure the long-term viability of the Alcuin School and the preservation of its mission for future generations.
Advisory Board Mission Statement
The mission of the Alcuin School Advisory Board is to provide support, consultation, individual expertise and informed guidance for the purpose of maximizing the success of the School and the Board as well as serving as an ally in the community for Alcuin School.
2022-2023 Board of Trustees
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Paul Tagg
Paul Tagg is an Estate Planning and Probate Attorney in Dallas. He operates as a solo practitioner while also serving as Of Counsel to Whitehurst and Cawley L.L.P.Paul and his wife Debra have two children. Their daughter Harper attended Alcuin in the Toddler program, and their son, Liam, is in Middle School at Alcuin.
Paul Tagg is an Estate Planning and Probate Attorney in Dallas. He operates as a solo practitioner while also serving as Of Counsel to Whitehurst and Cawley L.L.P.Paul and his wife Debra have two children. Their daughter Harper attended Alcuin in the Toddler program, and their son, Liam, is in Middle School at Alcuin.Secretary
Michael Savoie
Michael Savoie is a multi-faceted creative that speaks about interpersonal relationships through his art. As a graduate of Burlington College in Vermont, Michael holds a BFA in studio art specializing in painting. He has served on the boards of the Twelve Hills Nature Center, Oak Cliff Lion’s Club and most recently served on the Public Art Committee for the City of Dallas. Currently residing in Plano with his wife Dawn and two children Michael II and Lola. Michael II is in last year of Upper El (class of ’27) and Lola, Upper El (class of ’29).
Michael has been a resident of the DFW area for the last 13 years and a member of the Alcuin community since 2011. He champions the advancement of minorities and people of color and believes in the power of education and a diverse community.
Michael Savoie is a multi-faceted creative that speaks about interpersonal relationships through his art. As a graduate of Burlington College in Vermont, Michael holds a BFA in studio art specializing in painting. He has served on the boards of the Twelve Hills Nature Center, Oak Cliff Lion’s Club and most recently served on the Public Art Committee for the City of Dallas. Currently residing in Plano with his wife Dawn and two children Michael II and Lola. Michael II is in last year of Upper El (class of ’27) and Lola, Upper El (class of ’29). Michael has been a resident of the DFW area for the last 13 years and a member of the Alcuin community since 2011. He champions the advancement of minorities and people of color and believes in the power of education and a diverse community.
Treasurer
Karen Mayrosh
Karen Mayrosh was raised in Toronto, Canada, and graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service with a BS in Foreign Service. After graduation, she worked at JP Morgan in New York City for six years in the Commodities and Foreign Exchange group in various roles from trading assistant to sales in traditional and electronic markets. While in NYC, Karen participated in community service organizations either in a fundraising or volunteer/tutoring capacity.
She went on to earn an MBA at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business with a degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship. While at Booth, she sharpened her leadership skills as a LEAD program facilitator, a program designed to help MBA students improve their communication, influence, interpersonal, and team dynamics skills and was a finalist in the school’s marquee entrepreneurship competition, New Venture Challenge. Karen remained in Chicago to work at Diamond Management and Technology Consultants (now part of PWC). At Diamond, she was a management consultant focused on business strategy and business operations.
Since 2009, the Mayrosh family has been in Dallas and Karen has been home with her four children; Talia, Elle, Colette, and Stone, all of whom, attend Alcuin School. She and her husband, Jarred, have been active members of the Alcuin community as room parents, Annual Fund class captain for the past few years, serving on the Auction Committee, as well as participating in Alcuin International Festivals. As chair of the Staff Appreciation Committee for one year she organized a monthly lunch or breakfast for the entire staff of Alcuin. Her activities have given her a unique overview of the Alcuin Committee.
Karen Mayrosh was raised in Toronto, Canada, and graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service with a BS in Foreign Service. After graduation, she worked at JP Morgan in New York City for six years in the Commodities and Foreign Exchange group in various roles from trading assistant to sales in traditional and electronic markets. While in NYC, Karen participated in community service organizations either in a fundraising or volunteer/tutoring capacity.
She went on to earn an MBA at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business with a degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship. While at Booth, she sharpened her leadership skills as a LEAD program facilitator, a program designed to help MBA students improve their communication, influence, interpersonal, and team dynamics skills and was a finalist in the school’s marquee entrepreneurship competition, New Venture Challenge. Karen remained in Chicago to work at Diamond Management and Technology Consultants (now part of PWC). At Diamond, she was a management consultant focused on business strategy and business operations.
Since 2009, the Mayrosh family has been in Dallas and Karen has been home with her four children; Talia, Elle, Colette, and Stone, all of whom, attend Alcuin School. She and her husband, Jarred, have been active members of the Alcuin community as room parents, Annual Fund class captain for the past few years, serving on the Auction Committee, as well as participating in Alcuin International Festivals. As chair of the Staff Appreciation Committee for one year she organized a monthly lunch or breakfast for the entire staff of Alcuin. Her activities have given her a unique overview of the Alcuin Committee.
Steven Bauer 
Steven J. Bauer is a Managing Director at Maverick Capital in Dallas and leads their global industrials, materials, and energy team. Maverick is a 25-year-old, +$10bn investment fund which invests in publicly-traded equities globally. Before joining Maverick in the spring of 2007, he was an Investment Banking Associate at Goldman Sachs & Co. covering financial institutions and has prior experience in other various investment banking positions. Steven graduated from The University of Texas with a BBA in Finance in the spring of 2000 and received his MBA with honors from Columbia Business School in the spring of 2005.
Steven is a current Board member of The Family Place, a North Texas provider of safe housing and support services to victims of family violence. He is also a Board member of Maverick Capital Foundation, where he leads the grant process to local organizations which support the victims of family homelessness and family violence. Additionally, he is a former Board member and Finance Committee Chair of Urban Montessori Charter School in Oakland, CA. Steven has been married for more than 21 years to his wife Lauren and they have two Montessori and IB-educated children, Owen and Adelaie. When he is not chasing these two around or working, he can typically be found listening to experimental music, sifting through baseball stats, or running.
Steven J. Bauer is a Managing Director at Maverick Capital in Dallas and leads their global industrials, materials, and energy team. Maverick is a 25-year-old, +$10bn investment fund which invests in publicly-traded equities globally. Before joining Maverick in the spring of 2007, he was an Investment Banking Associate at Goldman Sachs & Co. covering financial institutions and has prior experience in other various investment banking positions. Steven graduated from The University of Texas with a BBA in Finance in the spring of 2000 and received his MBA with honors from Columbia Business School in the spring of 2005. Steven is a current Board member of The Family Place, a North Texas provider of safe housing and support services to victims of family violence. He is also a Board member of Maverick Capital Foundation, where he leads the grant process to local organizations which support the victims of family homelessness and family violence. Additionally, he is a former Board member and Finance Committee Chair of Urban Montessori Charter School in Oakland, CA. Steven has been married for more than 21 years to his wife Lauren and they have two Montessori and IB-educated children, Owen and Adelaie. When he is not chasing these two around or working, he can typically be found listening to experimental music, sifting through baseball stats, or running.
Roberto Casas
A native of El Paso, TX, Roberto Casas has lived in Dallas for 18 years. He and his wife, Doris have three children currently attending Alcuin – Isa, a junior, Sophie, a freshman and Lucas, who is in fourth grade. Roberto earned his Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University and is a Senior Managing Director in the Dallas office of JLL and Co-Leader of JLL’s National Multi-housing Group. As a member of the Investment Advisory Group, he focuses primarily on institutional multi-housing transactions throughout the United States.
Roberto has been involved in more than $24 billion in institutional real estate transactions, including investment sales, joint ventures and debt over the last 24 years. He is also a member of JLL’s Global Capital Team and is responsible for Latin America. Roberto is a master swimmer and enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.
A native of El Paso, TX, Roberto Casas has lived in Dallas for 18 years. He and his wife, Doris have three children currently attending Alcuin – Isa, a junior, Sophie, a freshman and Lucas, who is in fourth grade. Roberto earned his Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University and is a Senior Managing Director in the Dallas office of JLL and Co-Leader of JLL’s National Multi-housing Group. As a member of the Investment Advisory Group, he focuses primarily on institutional multi-housing transactions throughout the United States. Roberto has been involved in more than $24 billion in institutional real estate transactions, including investment sales, joint ventures and debt over the last 24 years. He is also a member of JLL’s Global Capital Team and is responsible for Latin America. Roberto is a master swimmer and enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.
Jamie Clark 
James M. Clark, Jr. is President of Elm Ridge Exploration Company, LLC, a privately held oil and gas exploration and production company, which he founded in 1991. Jamie is a member of the Board of Overseers for Bard College at Simon’s Rock, located in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, a Trustee of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, located in New York City, and a Trustee of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, located in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
His education includes degrees from Bard College at Simon’s Rock, A. A. 1978, Brown University, A. B. 1980 and Columbia Graduate School of Business, M. B. A. 1985.
Closer to home, Jamie is the past-chair of Alcuin's Board of Trustees. He has been married for 32 years to Kathy Clark. One of their two children, Sam, attended Alcuin.
James M. Clark, Jr. is President of Elm Ridge Exploration Company, LLC, a privately held oil and gas exploration and production company, which he founded in 1991. Jamie is a member of the Board of Overseers for Bard College at Simon’s Rock, located in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, a Trustee of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, located in New York City, and a Trustee of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, located in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
His education includes degrees from Bard College at Simon’s Rock, A. A. 1978, Brown University, A. B. 1980 and Columbia Graduate School of Business, M. B. A. 1985.
Closer to home, Jamie is the past-chair of Alcuin's Board of Trustees. He has been married for 32 years to Kathy Clark. One of their two children, Sam, attended Alcuin.
Patricia de Leon
Mrs. De Leon began her career at the New Teacher Project, a Teach for America subsidiary that trains college graduates for high-impact teaching positions in urban school districts. Patricia subsequently transitioned to a human capital management role at the Dallas Independent School District, where she helped administer crucial bi-lingual education programs—giving her a unique vantage point on immigration and other complex diversity challenges.
Patricia graduated from the South San Antonio public school system, where her two parents dedicated their careers to education. She previously served as the Alcuin Parents’ Club President and has four children currently enrolled at Alcuin.
Patricia graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Political Science and subsequently received her Master of Science degree in Social Studies Education from Syracuse University. She received her law degree from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and she is licensed by the State Bar of Texas. Her work has spanned diverse family business and human capital matters, and she, along with her husband Fernando, currently oversee the De Leon family’s philanthropic initiatives.
Mrs. De Leon began her career at the New Teacher Project, a Teach for America subsidiary that trains college graduates for high-impact teaching positions in urban school districts. Patricia subsequently transitioned to a human capital management role at the Dallas Independent School District, where she helped administer crucial bi-lingual education programs—giving her a unique vantage point on immigration and other complex diversity challenges.
Patricia graduated from the South San Antonio public school system, where her two parents dedicated their careers to education. She previously served as the Alcuin Parents’ Club President and has four children currently enrolled at Alcuin.
Patricia graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Political Science and subsequently received her Master of Science degree in Social Studies Education from Syracuse University. She received her law degree from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and she is licensed by the State Bar of Texas. Her work has spanned diverse family business and human capital matters, and she, along with her husband Fernando, currently oversee the De Leon family’s philanthropic initiatives.
Alejandra Guzman
Ms. Guzman has more than 12 years of experience in commodities trading and supply change management, and four years of experience in international education institutions. She holds a Master’s Degree in International Business from Universidad Anahuac (Mexico City) and previously earned a BA in Economics. Throughout her career she has developed a full understanding of how to create value through international trade including credit risk management, operations and purchase and sales executions. She has experienced working in multicultural fast paced environments and has a great ability to communicate among different levels within an organization. As an educator, she has developed a complete understanding of the challenges and advantages of different academic programs for middle and high school students, (including IB in schools in China), curriculum implementation process and certification. She has experience teaching math at the middle school level. She is the mother to Montse and Paco. Her family has been a part of Alcuin since 2004.
Ms. Guzman has more than 12 years of experience in commodities trading and supply change management, and four years of experience in international education institutions. She holds a Master’s Degree in International Business from Universidad Anahuac (Mexico City) and previously earned a BA in Economics. Throughout her career she has developed a full understanding of how to create value through international trade including credit risk management, operations and purchase and sales executions. She has experienced working in multicultural fast paced environments and has a great ability to communicate among different levels within an organization. As an educator, she has developed a complete understanding of the challenges and advantages of different academic programs for middle and high school students, (including IB in schools in China), curriculum implementation process and certification. She has experience teaching math at the middle school level. She is the mother to Montse and Paco. Her family has been a part of Alcuin since 2004.Barrett Howell
Barrett Howell defends companies and executives in government investigations, civil enforcement actions and criminal proceedings typically involving allegations of securities fraud or healthcare fraud. Barrett also conducts internal investigations and advises corporate boards on internal controls and potential self-reporting issues.
Barrett establishes a level of comfort with clients that helps them effectively navigate government investigations and enforcement proceedings. He represents companies and executives in investigations and enforcement actions involving allegations of securities and accounting fraud, Medicaid and Medicare fraud, bribery, kickbacks, and corruption. He brings a particularly detailed knowledge of the health care industry to his practice. When defending clients in that field and others, Barrett's clients benefit from his strategically proactive approach that often avoids indictment altogether and minimizes financial disruption. Barrett has guided clients to favorable outcomes in investigations, enforcement actions and criminal prosecutions involving alleged False Claims Act violations, health care fraud, securities fraud, FCPA and Anti-Kickback Statute violations, bribery and inducement payments, and insider trading.
Barrett has represented clients before a wide variety of federal and state agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Health & Human Services Inspector General, the Department of Defense, the Food & Drug Administration, the US Drug Enforcement Agency, the US Secret Service, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and multiple offices of state attorneys general.
Barrett Howell defends companies and executives in government investigations, civil enforcement actions and criminal proceedings typically involving allegations of securities fraud or healthcare fraud. Barrett also conducts internal investigations and advises corporate boards on internal controls and potential self-reporting issues.
Barrett establishes a level of comfort with clients that helps them effectively navigate government investigations and enforcement proceedings. He represents companies and executives in investigations and enforcement actions involving allegations of securities and accounting fraud, Medicaid and Medicare fraud, bribery, kickbacks, and corruption. He brings a particularly detailed knowledge of the health care industry to his practice. When defending clients in that field and others, Barrett's clients benefit from his strategically proactive approach that often avoids indictment altogether and minimizes financial disruption. Barrett has guided clients to favorable outcomes in investigations, enforcement actions and criminal prosecutions involving alleged False Claims Act violations, health care fraud, securities fraud, FCPA and Anti-Kickback Statute violations, bribery and inducement payments, and insider trading.
Barrett has represented clients before a wide variety of federal and state agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Health & Human Services Inspector General, the Department of Defense, the Food & Drug Administration, the US Drug Enforcement Agency, the US Secret Service, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and multiple offices of state attorneys general.
Kevin Kirksey
After graduating from Davidson College in 2007 where he played baseball, Mr. Kirksey began his career as an analyst at ALM First where he currently serves as President, focusing on providing quantitative analytics and M&A consulting to primarily non-profit credit unions. Mr. Kirksey serves as a regular guest lecturer at several universities such as SMU, TAMU, UNT, SFASU, and UTD where he sits on the Finance Advisory Board. He is currently on the boards of YPO Big D Dallas, Dallas Pets Alive, The Kirksey Family Foundation, and Ten One Capital, while also participating as an active member of AEI’s Enterprise Club, New Friends New Life Men’s Advocacy Group, The Cary Council, and Junior Achievement. Kevin was a finalist for D CEO’s Dealmaker of the Year in 2019 and was awarded with Top 20 Under 40 Preston Hollow & Park Cities People in 2021. Most importantly, he has been happily married to Jennifer since 2009, and his two sons, Kevin III and Clark, both started at Alcuin School in the toddler program.
After graduating from Davidson College in 2007 where he played baseball, Mr. Kirksey began his career as an analyst at ALM First where he currently serves as President, focusing on providing quantitative analytics and M&A consulting to primarily non-profit credit unions. Mr. Kirksey serves as a regular guest lecturer at several universities such as SMU, TAMU, UNT, SFASU, and UTD where he sits on the Finance Advisory Board. He is currently on the boards of YPO Big D Dallas, Dallas Pets Alive, The Kirksey Family Foundation, and Ten One Capital, while also participating as an active member of AEI’s Enterprise Club, New Friends New Life Men’s Advocacy Group, The Cary Council, and Junior Achievement. Kevin was a finalist for D CEO’s Dealmaker of the Year in 2019 and was awarded with Top 20 Under 40 Preston Hollow & Park Cities People in 2021. Most importantly, he has been happily married to Jennifer since 2009, and his two sons, Kevin III and Clark, both started at Alcuin School in the toddler program. Keli Jones, M.D. 
Keli Jones was a practicing physician specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1994 until 2016. She was a committee member of the Southwestern Gynecological Assembly and on the Governing Board of the Surgery Center of Plano. She still serves on the Common Area Preservation Committee of her Lake Forest HOA.
After graduating with a BA in Psychology from the University of Texas she attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. She then completed a four-year residency at Methodist Medical Center and Parkland Hospital becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a Fellow of the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 1996.
Keli enjoyed serving on the Women’s Board of the Dallas Opera and is a member of the Dallas Woman’s Club. Among other things she and her husband, Charlie Munson, enjoy hosting events for the school community. They have two children, Campbell, who attended Alcuin School through 8th grade and is now at Santa Clara University and Linley, who started Alcuin as a toddler and graduated in 2019 and is now at Chapman University.
Keli Jones was a practicing physician specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1994 until 2016. She was a committee member of the Southwestern Gynecological Assembly and on the Governing Board of the Surgery Center of Plano. She still serves on the Common Area Preservation Committee of her Lake Forest HOA. After graduating with a BA in Psychology from the University of Texas she attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. She then completed a four-year residency at Methodist Medical Center and Parkland Hospital becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a Fellow of the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 1996.
Keli enjoyed serving on the Women’s Board of the Dallas Opera and is a member of the Dallas Woman’s Club. Among other things she and her husband, Charlie Munson, enjoy hosting events for the school community. They have two children, Campbell, who attended Alcuin School through 8th grade and is now at Santa Clara University and Linley, who started Alcuin as a toddler and graduated in 2019 and is now at Chapman University.
Chase Murray
Chase Murray is the owner and CEO of Cooper Installation Services, a home services installation provider focused on servicing The Home Depot customers who purchase an installed sale. Under his leadership, the company has grown from one initial facility in Dallas to operating 15 facilities in eight states, and increased installation volume from 8,000 installs per year to 40,000 installs in the most recent calendar year.
Chase designed Cooper’s proprietary CRM and database management system that improved Home Depot productivity through interaction with the CRM/Database. Each new market awarded has been successfully integrated into operations to realize substantial improvements in service levels and margin accretion.
Additionally, he developed Cooper’s KPI’s and created systems to accumulate and present relevant performance data and financial metrics. Chase’s intense focus on creating a culture of purpose and sustainability has allowed the company to prosper and grow over the course of his fifteen-year tenure. The company realized substantial margin growth through scale, improved service scores, productivity initiatives, technology efficiencies, and price realizations. Chase and Carol Murray have three daughters, Annabelle, Amelia “Millie,” and Ava, currently attending Alcuin.
Chase Murray is the owner and CEO of Cooper Installation Services, a home services installation provider focused on servicing The Home Depot customers who purchase an installed sale. Under his leadership, the company has grown from one initial facility in Dallas to operating 15 facilities in eight states, and increased installation volume from 8,000 installs per year to 40,000 installs in the most recent calendar year. Chase designed Cooper’s proprietary CRM and database management system that improved Home Depot productivity through interaction with the CRM/Database. Each new market awarded has been successfully integrated into operations to realize substantial improvements in service levels and margin accretion.
Additionally, he developed Cooper’s KPI’s and created systems to accumulate and present relevant performance data and financial metrics. Chase’s intense focus on creating a culture of purpose and sustainability has allowed the company to prosper and grow over the course of his fifteen-year tenure. The company realized substantial margin growth through scale, improved service scores, productivity initiatives, technology efficiencies, and price realizations. Chase and Carol Murray have three daughters, Annabelle, Amelia “Millie,” and Ava, currently attending Alcuin.
Annelise Pedersen
A native of Calgary, Canada, Annelise has lived in Dallas for the past 20 years with her husband Chris Spafford. They have been part of the Alcuin School community since 2008 when their son Erik (currently a Senior, class of 2022) began attending in Primary at age 4.
Prior to becoming a parent, Annelise worked in corporate finance for 10 years. She began as employee #2 in a boutique emerging technology corporate finance firm in Calgary where her team of 6 completed 25 transactions in the first 18 months of operation and raised over $150 million within 3 years. Following a stint at First Marathon Securities (Toronto) in research and capital markets, Annelise joined Ernst & Young Corporate Finance Inc. in 2000 to advise private Canadian companies on mezzanine debt financing and divestitures. A move in 2002 involved her transfer to the Dallas E&Y Bankruptcy and Insolvency practice where she assisted on creditor advisory work, most memorably at Enron Corp.
In recent years, she has served as Treasurer for the Friends of St. Philip’s from inception in 2019. Through involvement in multiple community and nonprofit organizations Annelise has extensively supported these groups in both fundraising and institutionalizing proper financial governance. As a former Alcuin room parent and regular volunteer, she has enjoyed supporting the Alcuin community immensely over the years.
Annelise holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary, and an M.B.A. in Finance from the Rotman School of Business (University of Toronto).
A native of Calgary, Canada, Annelise has lived in Dallas for the past 20 years with her husband Chris Spafford. They have been part of the Alcuin School community since 2008 when their son Erik (currently a Senior, class of 2022) began attending in Primary at age 4.
Prior to becoming a parent, Annelise worked in corporate finance for 10 years. She began as employee #2 in a boutique emerging technology corporate finance firm in Calgary where her team of 6 completed 25 transactions in the first 18 months of operation and raised over $150 million within 3 years. Following a stint at First Marathon Securities (Toronto) in research and capital markets, Annelise joined Ernst & Young Corporate Finance Inc. in 2000 to advise private Canadian companies on mezzanine debt financing and divestitures. A move in 2002 involved her transfer to the Dallas E&Y Bankruptcy and Insolvency practice where she assisted on creditor advisory work, most memorably at Enron Corp.
In recent years, she has served as Treasurer for the Friends of St. Philip’s from inception in 2019. Through involvement in multiple community and nonprofit organizations Annelise has extensively supported these groups in both fundraising and institutionalizing proper financial governance. As a former Alcuin room parent and regular volunteer, she has enjoyed supporting the Alcuin community immensely over the years.
Annelise holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary, and an M.B.A. in Finance from the Rotman School of Business (University of Toronto).
Mary Pu
Mary Pu has a Doctor in Pharmacy degree and had been in various pharmacy settings: specialty compound pharmacy of chronic disease states, home infusion, community and institutional. She was the Vice President of Finance of a $120 million-dollar Dental Service Organization. She had helped form the systems early on which enabled the organization to go through massive growth in a short period of time. Mary is an entrepreneur, and her current innovation is Waverly, a first DTC (direct to consumer) dental chain that curates treatment and products specific to patient wellness. Mary and her husband, Dr. Trung Tang, have two girls at Alcuin. Lili is in the Middle School, and Rose is in the Upper Elementary. They have been with Alcuin since 2014. Mary has a passion for cooking even more since being gluten free. She loves being active, especially yoga, which allows her to stay grounded.
Mary Pu has a Doctor in Pharmacy degree and had been in various pharmacy settings: specialty compound pharmacy of chronic disease states, home infusion, community and institutional. She was the Vice President of Finance of a $120 million-dollar Dental Service Organization. She had helped form the systems early on which enabled the organization to go through massive growth in a short period of time. Mary is an entrepreneur, and her current innovation is Waverly, a first DTC (direct to consumer) dental chain that curates treatment and products specific to patient wellness. Mary and her husband, Dr. Trung Tang, have two girls at Alcuin. Lili is in the Middle School, and Rose is in the Upper Elementary. They have been with Alcuin since 2014. Mary has a passion for cooking even more since being gluten free. She loves being active, especially yoga, which allows her to stay grounded.Wilfredo Rivera
Wilfredo Rivera was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and moved to Dallas with his wife, Veronica Diaz, in 2001. Dallas has been a great place to live and develop professionally, but most importantly, it has been a great place to grow as a family. His family is essential to him. Wilfredo believes his daughters’ development and wellbeing are the most important life goals currently. Natalia is 14, and Alondra is 12 years old. Both of his daughters have attended Alcuin School since they were toddlers, and he couldn’t be happier with the incredible formation they have received at school. Wilfredo enjoys playing golf. He also enjoys traveling with his family, wife, and daughters to learn about different cultures. These relationships and experiences keep him grounded and help him perform better in other aspects of his professional and personal life.
Wilfredo is a passionate emergency physician who has had the opportunity to work in many different aspects of medicine. His qualities as a dependable and intrinsically motivated person have helped him transition into several leadership roles. He currently serves as the Regional Performance Director of TEAMHealth Emergency Medicine, West Group division. He also is the Facility Medical Director and Chairman of the Emergency Department at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. Data-driven optimization to make decisions has been the key to success in his role as a medical director. He has achieved critical goals by creating flexible models in a rigid environment, being proactive, and staying positive through changes and adversity. Wilfredo is a team player with a high capacity to bring different groups together. He has successfully found consensus with other departments and team members by communicating shared values and common goals.
Wilfredo Rivera was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and moved to Dallas with his wife, Veronica Diaz, in 2001. Dallas has been a great place to live and develop professionally, but most importantly, it has been a great place to grow as a family. His family is essential to him. Wilfredo believes his daughters’ development and wellbeing are the most important life goals currently. Natalia is 14, and Alondra is 12 years old. Both of his daughters have attended Alcuin School since they were toddlers, and he couldn’t be happier with the incredible formation they have received at school. Wilfredo enjoys playing golf. He also enjoys traveling with his family, wife, and daughters to learn about different cultures. These relationships and experiences keep him grounded and help him perform better in other aspects of his professional and personal life. Wilfredo is a passionate emergency physician who has had the opportunity to work in many different aspects of medicine. His qualities as a dependable and intrinsically motivated person have helped him transition into several leadership roles. He currently serves as the Regional Performance Director of TEAMHealth Emergency Medicine, West Group division. He also is the Facility Medical Director and Chairman of the Emergency Department at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. Data-driven optimization to make decisions has been the key to success in his role as a medical director. He has achieved critical goals by creating flexible models in a rigid environment, being proactive, and staying positive through changes and adversity. Wilfredo is a team player with a high capacity to bring different groups together. He has successfully found consensus with other departments and team members by communicating shared values and common goals.
Birgit Stache
Born and raised in Germany, Birgit Stache moved to the United States to attend graduate school. She holds an MBA degree, summa cum laude from Babson Graduate School of Business in Wellesley, MA with a focus on marketing and entrepreneurship. Birgit worked in medical device marketing, most recently as Director, International Marketing for Johnson & Johnson. She left to spend more time with her children and has been serving part-time as marketing consultant for several medical device companies. Prior to moving to the US, Birgit graduated summa cum laude from Germany’s Deutsche Bank Commercial Banking & Finance apprentice training program. She is mother to Henry (Alcuin Class of 2020) and Sophia. Henry joined Alcuin in high school, after having attended St. Mark’s School of Texas. During a two-year expat assignment in London when her children were younger, Birgit came to appreciate the International Baccalaureate program at the IB school they attended in England. Through the family’s experience in these various educational settings, she has developed a keen interest in the delivery of superior education encouraging maximum personal growth for each individual learner. She has become a strong advocate for Alcuin’s educational model and is eager to help the school continue in its mission.
Born and raised in Germany, Birgit Stache moved to the United States to attend graduate school. She holds an MBA degree, summa cum laude from Babson Graduate School of Business in Wellesley, MA with a focus on marketing and entrepreneurship. Birgit worked in medical device marketing, most recently as Director, International Marketing for Johnson & Johnson. She left to spend more time with her children and has been serving part-time as marketing consultant for several medical device companies. Prior to moving to the US, Birgit graduated summa cum laude from Germany’s Deutsche Bank Commercial Banking & Finance apprentice training program. She is mother to Henry (Alcuin Class of 2020) and Sophia. Henry joined Alcuin in high school, after having attended St. Mark’s School of Texas. During a two-year expat assignment in London when her children were younger, Birgit came to appreciate the International Baccalaureate program at the IB school they attended in England. Through the family’s experience in these various educational settings, she has developed a keen interest in the delivery of superior education encouraging maximum personal growth for each individual learner. She has become a strong advocate for Alcuin’s educational model and is eager to help the school continue in its mission.Jennifer Street
Jennifer Street started her career with ExxonMobil Chemical Company in Baytown, TX after completing her Masters of Engineering at the University of Texas in Austin. While at Exxon, she held multiple roles in plant engineering, multibillion-dollar capital project planning, and management, including the capital projects organization which led front end design of over $225M of projects. In 2012 Jennifer joined Regency Energy Partners, a midstream oil and gas master limited partnership. During her time at Regency, she held roles of Senior Director and Vice President of all Engineering and Construction, where she led $800 million dollars per year of capital projects and also the successful integrations of $7.5 billion in mergers and acquisitions for the Company. In 2015, Jennifer joined Energy Transfer Partners upon its merger with Regency and was named Senior Vice President of Engineering. In this role, she led several engineering and operations support functions, and served on the Executive Integration Steering Committee for both the Regency and Sunoco Logistics mergers, totaling approximately $40 billion dollars. In 2016 she was named Executive Vice President of Operations and Engineering Services.
Today Jennifer leads Energy Transfer’s Supply Chain, Right-of-Way and Land, Pipeline and Mechanical Integrity, Technical Services, and Environmental, Health and Safety departments, as well as the Standard Equipment Company (a compression manufacturing company), with a total of 850 employees. Her organization supports the operations of the largest midstream company in the United States with an enterprise value of approximately $95 billion dollars. The Company transports approximately 20 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas and 4.6 million barrels per day of crude oil with over 85,000 miles of pipeline and 65 natural gas processing plants, fractionation facilities and crude oil terminals across the United States. Her team also supported the execution of approximately $25 billion dollars in capital projects between 2015 and 2018.
Jennifer currently serves on the board of the Texas Pipeline Association and the Energy Transfer/Sunoco Foundation and was named a University of Texas Engineering Distinguished Alumni in 2014. She has served as a room parent at Alcuin and actively supports the school through parent volunteering activities.
Jennifer and her husband Shawn of 11 years, have two children, Sophia and Caroline, who both attend Alcuin.
Jennifer Street started her career with ExxonMobil Chemical Company in Baytown, TX after completing her Masters of Engineering at the University of Texas in Austin. While at Exxon, she held multiple roles in plant engineering, multibillion-dollar capital project planning, and management, including the capital projects organization which led front end design of over $225M of projects. In 2012 Jennifer joined Regency Energy Partners, a midstream oil and gas master limited partnership. During her time at Regency, she held roles of Senior Director and Vice President of all Engineering and Construction, where she led $800 million dollars per year of capital projects and also the successful integrations of $7.5 billion in mergers and acquisitions for the Company. In 2015, Jennifer joined Energy Transfer Partners upon its merger with Regency and was named Senior Vice President of Engineering. In this role, she led several engineering and operations support functions, and served on the Executive Integration Steering Committee for both the Regency and Sunoco Logistics mergers, totaling approximately $40 billion dollars. In 2016 she was named Executive Vice President of Operations and Engineering Services. Today Jennifer leads Energy Transfer’s Supply Chain, Right-of-Way and Land, Pipeline and Mechanical Integrity, Technical Services, and Environmental, Health and Safety departments, as well as the Standard Equipment Company (a compression manufacturing company), with a total of 850 employees. Her organization supports the operations of the largest midstream company in the United States with an enterprise value of approximately $95 billion dollars. The Company transports approximately 20 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas and 4.6 million barrels per day of crude oil with over 85,000 miles of pipeline and 65 natural gas processing plants, fractionation facilities and crude oil terminals across the United States. Her team also supported the execution of approximately $25 billion dollars in capital projects between 2015 and 2018.
Jennifer currently serves on the board of the Texas Pipeline Association and the Energy Transfer/Sunoco Foundation and was named a University of Texas Engineering Distinguished Alumni in 2014. She has served as a room parent at Alcuin and actively supports the school through parent volunteering activities.
Jennifer and her husband Shawn of 11 years, have two children, Sophia and Caroline, who both attend Alcuin.
Kristen Venable
A native of Dallas, TX, Kristen graduated Magna Cum Laude in Pure Mathematics at the University of Padova in Italy. She received her doctorate in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence with a dissertation that she developed at NASA Ames in the context of the planners of the first two Mars Rovers, Spirit, and Opportunity.
Kristen continued her career in research in Artificial Intelligence and is now a senior research scientist at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) where she serves as director of the IHMC-UWF PhD program in Intelligent Systems and Robotics. She is also professor of computer science at University of West Florida.
She is very active in supporting and championing women in computer science and research in general. Kristen is the co-author of two books, and has published over 100 scientific papers including journal and conference publications in the most prestigious AI venues.
Kristen loves living in Dallas with her two children Robert (12), Jasmine (6) and her husband Jeffery Bradley.
A native of Dallas, TX, Kristen graduated Magna Cum Laude in Pure Mathematics at the University of Padova in Italy. She received her doctorate in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence with a dissertation that she developed at NASA Ames in the context of the planners of the first two Mars Rovers, Spirit, and Opportunity.
Kristen continued her career in research in Artificial Intelligence and is now a senior research scientist at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) where she serves as director of the IHMC-UWF PhD program in Intelligent Systems and Robotics. She is also professor of computer science at University of West Florida.
She is very active in supporting and championing women in computer science and research in general. Kristen is the co-author of two books, and has published over 100 scientific papers including journal and conference publications in the most prestigious AI venues.
Kristen loves living in Dallas with her two children Robert (12), Jasmine (6) and her husband Jeffery Bradley.
Wes Waggoner
Wes Waggoner has dedicated his career to helping students in the transition from high school to college. His 29 years of experience in education includes university admission, advancement, and enrollment management as well as college counseling and administration at independent K-12 schools. A successful strategic and visionary leader, Dr. Waggoner combines data, technology, and human capital with creativity and passion. He seeks to set and achieve goals aimed at transforming institutions and the lives of the students who attend them. In his current role as Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at Southern Methodist University, Dr. Waggoner helps the University meet its enrollment goals.
He leads the Division of Enrollment Services which includes Admission, Financial Aid, Registrar, as well as International Student and Scholar Services with close connections to the University Bursar, Intersessions, Study Abroad, and SMU’s campus in Taos, New Mexico. Currently, Waggoner is energetically steering the conversation about need-based aid at SMU to support social mobility among low-income students.
Prior to arriving at SMU, he served as Associate Dean and Director of Freshman Admission at Texas Christian University.
In addition to his work at these institutions, he very much values his roles in professional leadership with regional and national college admission organizations. He has served on committees for the College Board including the national advisory committee for the SAT, the College Planning Advisory Committee, and the Counseling & Admission Council.
Wes grew up in a small town in Southwest Missouri where his family remains. He enjoys extensive travel, musical theatre, and learning about wine – a topic that keeps him humble. Wes and his partner of 26 years, Greg Mullinax, are particularly proud of two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, 13-year-old Thelma (yes, there was a Louise) and one-year old Lily.
Wes Waggoner has dedicated his career to helping students in the transition from high school to college. His 29 years of experience in education includes university admission, advancement, and enrollment management as well as college counseling and administration at independent K-12 schools. A successful strategic and visionary leader, Dr. Waggoner combines data, technology, and human capital with creativity and passion. He seeks to set and achieve goals aimed at transforming institutions and the lives of the students who attend them. In his current role as Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at Southern Methodist University, Dr. Waggoner helps the University meet its enrollment goals. He leads the Division of Enrollment Services which includes Admission, Financial Aid, Registrar, as well as International Student and Scholar Services with close connections to the University Bursar, Intersessions, Study Abroad, and SMU’s campus in Taos, New Mexico. Currently, Waggoner is energetically steering the conversation about need-based aid at SMU to support social mobility among low-income students.
Prior to arriving at SMU, he served as Associate Dean and Director of Freshman Admission at Texas Christian University.
In addition to his work at these institutions, he very much values his roles in professional leadership with regional and national college admission organizations. He has served on committees for the College Board including the national advisory committee for the SAT, the College Planning Advisory Committee, and the Counseling & Admission Council.
Wes grew up in a small town in Southwest Missouri where his family remains. He enjoys extensive travel, musical theatre, and learning about wine – a topic that keeps him humble. Wes and his partner of 26 years, Greg Mullinax, are particularly proud of two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, 13-year-old Thelma (yes, there was a Louise) and one-year old Lily.
Advisory Board
| Jean Claude Saada, Chair |
| Baron Ablon |
| Mary Anne Alhadeff |
| Fernando de Leon |
| Terry N. Ford |
| Ted Galbraith |
| Elizabeth Goldreich |
| Stuart Jones |
| Julie Kosnik |
| Rob Langdon |
| Carl Lee |
| Maria Cintron Magennis |
| Melinda Mathes |
| Laurie Matthews |
| John Meder |
| Charles Munson |
| David Podeszwa |
| Synthia Rogers |
| Evan Wyly |
Innovative Thinkers. Passionate Learners.
(972) 239-1745 | (972) 934-8727
