Education Foundation Hosts Breakfast Meetings with CEOs and Business Advisory Council

October 20, 2011

The Plano ISD Education Foundation has hosted two recent breakfasts to collaborate with local CEOs and Business Advisory Committee members about Plano ISD's career and technology education and partnership opportunities.

Plano ISD Education Foundation Hosts Second Annual CEO Breakfast

Community partnerships and supporting public schools were the topics of a second annual CEO breakfast hosted by the Plano ISD Education Foundation and Alliance Data CEO and President Ed Heffernan on October 4 at Alliance Data headquarters.

Mitch Bramlett, Plano ISD Education Foundation; Jason Motter, Cigna; and Don McClure, Encana Oil and Gas

Corporate and civic chiefs representing approximately 15 businesses and organizations discussed challenges affecting public schools and Plano ISD, the importance of great public schools, business and education partnerships and forging ongoing partnerships and dialogue with public school educators.

Lisa Raskin, 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 and specifically Plano ISD.

Ed Heffernan, President and CEO of Alliance Data, 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 and children. The focus of his remarks was that investing in the community is good business, and how he hopes to impassion his peers to become involved in supporting public education.

Ed Heffernan, Alliance Data President and CEO, hosted the breakfast at his company's headquarters. He spoke to fellow executives about the value his company places on impacting public education.

The executives also conducted round table discussions at the breakfast, which were led by Ms. Raskin, about what role they thought that the corporate community should play in public education and what expectations they hoped to receive in return for their investment.

Mr. Heffernan 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.

Breakfast guests heard an update about the school district from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto at the breakfast which was hosted at the Alliance Data headquarters.

Finally, Ms. Raskin stressed the importance of maintaining ongoing dialogue, stating that each of the breakfast attendees 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 as well as one-on-one meetings to discuss their goals.

"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 Ms. Lisa Raskin. "We look forward to hosting this round table discussion annually."

Breakfast Attendees

Corporate and Civic Chiefs

• Mark Thornton, Senior Vice President, AEGON Direct Marketing Services
• David Doyle, Senior Vice President-Controller, Brinker International Inc.
• Shelley Whiddon, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs, Alliance Data
• David Biggerstaff, Vice President and Legacy Administrator, Children's Medical Center of Plano
• LeAnn Priebe, Senior Vice President, Customer Service Centers. AT&T Inc.
• Jason Motter, Regional Vice President, Cigna
• Michael Matthews, Regional Sales Executive, Bank of America Home Loans
• Don McClure, Encana Oil and Gas
• Trent Waterhouse, GE Energy
• Troy Villarreal, President/CEO, The Medical Center of Plano/HCA
• Ellen Pitcher, Chief Nursing Officer/COO, Baylor Health Care System
• Michael Baldwin, Oncor
• Dawn Robinson, PrimeLending
• Mike Van de Ven, Executive Vice President and COO, Southwest Airlines
• Jason Whitehair, Vice President-Human Resources, St. Jude Medical
• Jeffrey Canose, MD, President, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano / Texas Health Resources
• Arturo Sanchez, III, Education and Workforce Development, Texas Instruments

Plano ISD Education Foundation Directors

• Michael Urtso
• Lisa Raskin, President
• Monica Shortino, Executive Director
• Harvey Fishero
• Raj Rao
• David Doyle
• Mitch Bramlett, President-Elect

Plano ISD Board of Trustees

• Tammy Richards, President
• Carrolyn Moebius, Secretary
• Missy Bender
• Nancy Humphrey
• Marilyn Hinton

Plano ISD Superintendent's Cabinet

• Dr. Doug Otto, Superintendent of Schools
• Karla Oliver, Executive Director for Government and Community Relations
• Cathy Galloway, Associate Superintendent of District Services

Business Advisory Council Breakfast

The business advisory council, which met in September, is composed of senior executives who will serve as a conduit addressing critical issues between the business community and the school district to help ensure Plano ISD remains an excellent school system.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto (standing, left) introduced to breakfast guests students in the Culinary Arts Program housed at Plano East Senior High School and their teacher who prepared the breakfast.

At the breakfast, the following reports were shared.

"Moving Forward"
Dr. Doug Otto, Plano ISD Superintendent of Schools

• Legislation Update: Public education received a $4 billion reduction over the next biennium. Plano ISD was directly impacted with $25 million reduction in year 1 and $35 million in year 2.

• Looking Forward: Delivering education to meet the variety of learning styles and 21st Century learning through specialized programs such as the STEAM Academy and considering an international business academy through a partnership with SMU.

"Mission and Objectives"
Lisa Raskin, Plano ISD Education Foundation President

Pictured at the breakfast are James Isley of PrimeLending with Lisa Raskin, Plano ISD Education Foundation president.

Adopted Mission and Objectives for the Business Advisory Council:

Mission: The business advisory council, composed of senior executives, will serve as a conduit addressing critical issues to the business community and the district to help ensure Plano ISD remains an excellent school district.

Objectives: The business advisory council will:

• Meet twice a year.
• Provide feedback on and initiate key discussion topics.
• Engage the corporate community with the school district.
• Identify corporate resources to support the school district.

Pete Patel, Krypton Solutions; Tammy Richards, Plano ISD School Board President; and Arturo Sanchez, Texas Instruments.

Career and Technical Education"
David Hitt, Plano ISD Director

• Reviewed the 292 certifications/licensures offered in Plano ISD.
• Reviewed the extensive course offerings in Plano ISD CTE Career Preparation Program. Additional details found at http://k-12.pisd.edu/cte
• Highlighted current business partnerships

"Roundtable Discussion"
Rob Fitzgerald, Plano ISD Education Foundation

Roundtable discussion regarding thoughts, comments and reactions to CTE Career Preparation Program.

Partnership Opportunities

• Mentoring
• Internships
• Speaker Bureau for different career options
• Field trip for teachers and/or students to local businesses
• Job shadowing
• Training videos
• Advocacy with legislature
• Support petitions related to specific CTE Advancement opportunities

Shelley Whiddon of Alliance Data and School Board Trustee Missy Bender.

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.