Plano ISD Education Foundation Hosts First-Annual CEO Breakfast

October 1, 2010

Supporting public schools was the topic of a first-annual CEO breakfast hosted by the Plano ISD Education Foundation and Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly. The event was held September 29 at Gleneagles Country Club with corporate and civic chiefs representing approximately 20 businesses and organizations who discussed challenges affecting public schools, importance of great public schools, business and education partnerships and forging ongoing partnerships and dialogue with public school educators.

Michael Urtso, president of the Plano ISD Education Foundation, welcomed guests and introduced Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto who shared with the executives the current challenges facing public education.

Lisa Raskin, Plano ISD Education Foundation president-elect; Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines CEO; Dr. Doug Otto, Plano ISD superintendent of schools; and Michael Urtso, Plano ISD Education Foundation president.

Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines chairman of the board, president and CEO, addressed the group about the importance of a quality public school system to the community and the value that his company places on the impact of public education, touching on the challenges from a corporate perspective of having a quality public education system available for the future workforce. The focus of his remarks was to enlighten and impassion his peers to become involved in supporting public education.

Doug Otto explained to CEO breakfast guests the challenges facing public education, folding in examples of Plano ISD's experiences. Looking on are Gary Kelly of Southwest Airlines and Kent Eastman of Capital One.

Kent Eastman, president of Capital One, also addressed his peers at the breakfast, applauding their efforts to forge business and education partnerships.

He shared his company's story of partnering with the Plano ISD Education Foundation through financial assistance for the Plano Family Literacy Program where his company also provided financial literacy programs facilitated by employee volunteers. He also mentioned Capital One's support of the Destination Graduation program through United Way and others and his company's representation on the Foundation board of directors, through Sam Deshpande, who assisted in writing the Foundation's strategic plan.

Joel Allison, President and CEO of Baylor Health Care System, has generously supported Plano ISD's annual Employee Convocation event through donations to the Plano ISD Education Foundation.

The executives also conducted round table discussions at the breakfast, which were led by Mr. Kelly, to discuss what they consider the challenges in today's workforce and ways that public education could better prepare the future workforce. The leaders also discussed how they can forge ongoing partnerships and dialogue with public educators from a corporate perspective.

Mr. Kelly encouraged the corporate community leaders to return to their offices and determine how their organizations can get involved in public education through representation on the Plano ISD Education Foundation board, financial support and other avenues. He then encouraged his peers to connect with the Foundation about executing their involvement to move forward in making a difference in their schools.

Finally, Mr. Kelly stressed the importance of maintaining ongoing dialogue, stating that each of them will receive a quarterly public education update from Plano ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto to keep them current on changes in public education.

"We appreciate the support and involvement of these community leaders at this CEO breakfast and in the numerous ways that they have supported public education," noted Foundation President Michael Urtso. "We look forward to hosting this round table discussion annually."

Breakfast Attendees

CEOs and Civic Leaders

Joel T. Allison, President and CEO		Baylor Health Care System
Douglas H. Brooks Chairman, President and CEO		Brinker International, Inc.
Alan Caslavka Vice-President and General Manager		Rockwell Collins, Inc.
Chris Chavez, President		St. Jude Medical Center
Michael Dardick, President and CEO		Granite Properties
Phil Dyer, Mayor		City of Plano
Kent Eastman, Texas President		Capital One
Gregg L. Engles, CEO		Dean Foods Company
Scott Flannery, CEO		United Healthcare
Douglas D. Hawthorne, CEO		Texas Health Resources
Ed Heffernan, President and CEO		Alliance Data Systems
Gary Kelly Chairman of the Board President and CEO		Southwest Airlines
Lloyd "Skip" Jenkins, President		Plano ISD Board of Trustees
Charlene Lake Public Affairs Vice-President and Chief Sustainability Officer		AT&T, Inc.
Michael Matthews Senior Vice-President		Bank of America
Rosanna McGill, CEO		PrimeLending
Dr. Doug Otto Superintendent of Schools		Plano ISD
James Scoggin, President		HCA North Texas

Plano ISD Education Foundation Directors

• Michael Urtso, President
• Lisa Raskin, President-Elect
• Monica Shortino, Executive Director
• Harvey Fishero
• Dennis Oliver
• Ralph Stow

Plano ISD Board of Trustees

• Lloyd "Skip" Jenkins, President
• Missy Bender, Secretary
• Nancy Humphrey
• Carrolyn Moebius
• Tammy Richards

Plano ISD Superintendent's Cabinet

• Dr. Doug Otto, Superintendent of Schools
• Karla Oliver, Executive Director for Government and Community Relations

About the Plano ISD Education Foundation

The Plano ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with the mission to help all students in Plano public schools achieve their full potential by providing financial support to educators and academic programs. The Plano ISD Education Foundation Board of Directors comprises business and community leaders who work to maintain excellence in Plano schools. The Foundation provides grants to educators, programs that support academic enrichment to Plano ISD students, emergency assistance for teachers and staff members in crisis, as well as programs aimed at recruiting and retaining quality teachers. To learn more about the Plano ISD Education Foundation, contact Executive Director Monica Shortino at (469) 752-8091 or visit the Plano ISD Education Foundation website.

2010-11 Foundation Initiatives

Michael Urtso, Foundation president, and the board of directors have announced the following 2010-11 goals.

1. Implement the strategic plan which was just recently completed. "The implementation of this plan will set the stage for growth and sustained revenues that will be funneled to outstanding programs and initiatives conducted by Plano ISD," said Mr. Urtso.
2. Grow fundraising by greatly increasing awareness of the Foundation in the community.
3. Expand the donor base by reaching out to more businesses, leveraging the alumni of PISD and utilizing
   social media.

Another focus for the Foundation this year is expanding its reach into the community by expanding relationships with business leaders and other individuals who understand the value excellent public education adds to the Plano community.