~ In a recent announcement, Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Jesus "Roberto" Rodriguez, Ph.D. and reappointed Bill Avera, Edwin Flores, Ph.D., and Rania Mankarious to the Texas School Safety Center Board. Their terms are set to expire on February 1, 2028.

The Texas School Safety Center Board is responsible for reporting to the Governor, the legislature, the State Board of Education, and the Texas Education Agency on matters related to school safety and security. The board also provides advice to the Center on its function, budget, and strategic planning initiatives.

Jesus "Roberto" Rodriguez, Ph.D., hailing from Rancho Viejo, brings a wealth of experience to the board as the president of Texas Southmost College. He has previously served as a dean at Houston City College and the Lone Star College System. Rodriguez is also a member of both the Texas Association of Community Colleges and the American Association of Community Colleges. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Sam Houston State University (SHSU), a Master of Business Administration in International Trade from Texas A&M International University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration from The University of Texas (UT) at Austin.

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Joining Rodriguez on the board is Bill Avera from Jacksonville. Avera currently serves as the chief of police and emergency manager with the Jacksonville Independent School District (ISD). He is also the executive director of the Texas School District Police Chiefs' Association and a member of both the Texas Police Chiefs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. In addition to his law enforcement background, Avera is actively involved in his community as board chair for Providence Place in San Antonio and as a member and past chair for Cherokee County Child and Family Service Board. He received his Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Police Science from SHSU and his Master of Science in Management from East Texas A&M University. He also completed the Basic Police Officers Course at the East Texas Police Academy in Kilgore.

Edwin Flores, Ph.D., a managing partner at Chalker Flores, LLP, has also been reappointed to the board. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Patent Bar and serves as a board member for Medical City Hospital Dallas. Flores holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from UT Austin, a Doctor of Philosophy in Immunology from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Juris Doctor from UT School of Law.

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Rania Mankarious, CEO of Crime Stoppers of Houston, has been appointed to the board as well. She is a member of the Texas Bar Association and volunteers for National Charity League. Mankarious also serves as an advisor for Safe and Sound Schools and the Organization for Social Media Safety. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Boston College, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School.

The appointments made by Governor Abbott demonstrate his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of schools across Texas. With their diverse backgrounds and expertise, Rodriguez, Avera, Flores, and Mankarious are well-equipped to advise the Texas School Safety Center on its important initiatives. Their terms will expire on February 1, 2028.

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