Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Mar 2009: Business News 1

Diane Parks and Vicki Stevenson have been named principals for Joe Hubenak Elementary, in the Lakes of Bella Terra subdivision, and Cora Thomas Elementary, in the Walnut Creek subdivision, respectively. Parks is currently the principal at Ray Elementary, and Stevenson is principal at Long Elementary. Both schools will open in the fall of 2009.

Both will assume their new duties during the spring semester. Thomas and Hubenak will be the 20th and 21st elementary schools in the district.

Parks became principal at Ray in 2001. Under her leadership, Ray earned the No Child Left Behind National Blue Ribbon, the highest honor for any school. She received the 2008 Terrell Bell National Award for School Leadership and was the National Distinguished Principal for Texas in 2007.

Stevenson became principal at Long Elementary in 1999. She has a total of 18 years in education. Prior to coming to Long she served as an assistant principal and teacher in Houston ISD. She has her bachelor ’s and master’s degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Long Elementary achieved Recognized status in last year’s state accountability ratings.

Marylou Wood, a Brazos Bend Elementary School third-grade teacher, was selected to participate in A Day Made Better, a company-wide community initiative founded by OfficeMax in partnership with Adopt-A-Classroom.

The annual, one-day event was created to provide teachers with essential classroom supplies that they often purchase themselves. Wood received a surprise package worth more than $1,000.

Ellen Rothberg, a counselor at Highlands Elementary School, is a published co-author of two children ’s picture books. Rothberg teamed with former colleague, Ellen Leventhal, to write two entertaining books that feature a spirited group of animals. Their most recent book, Hayfest…It’s Not for Everyone, is a holiday story about diversity that is set on a farm. As educators, Rothberg and Leventhal say their first goal in writing children ’s books is to teach a lesson in an entertaining way, which readers will find evident in both publications.

Dr. Bob Conlon, director of FBISD’s student support services, was selected to serve on the Texas School Health Advisory Council, a state-level school health advisory committee at the Department of State Health Services that provides active leadership in the identification and dissemination of school health best practices and resources for school policy makers.

While serving on the council, Dr. Conlon will help decide issues regarding comprehensive school health education, physical education, school health services, nutrition services, counseling, psychological, and social work services, healthy school environment, school-site health promotion for staff, and family and community involvement .

Lamar CISD received $48,581 at the meeting of the board of trustees from the CenterPoint SCORE (Schools Conserving Resources) Program for installing high efficiency lighting, air conditioning and roofing systems at several school sites. The SCORE program is offered at no cost by CenterPoint Energy to select school districts to help improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.

The incentive amount was determined by the total amount of peak electric demand the district will save. The more efficient systems installed by Lamar CISD will save 763,822 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions of nearly 62,000 gallons of gasoline, according to Environmental Protection Agency calculations.

“Lamar CISD is committed to conserving resources wherever possible, and energy efficiency is an important part of that commitment. The incentives offered through the SCORE Program helped make the upgraded lighting and HVAC equipment a reality, ” said Kevin McKeever, administrator for operations. “This program helps provide an environment where learning can take place, but still help keep taxes low. ”

Dr. Mary Jackson, director of FBISD’s special programs, received the Advocate for Excellence in Literacy award at the Billie J. Askew Reading Recovery/Early Literacy Institute. The award recognizes her outstanding service and support of the Reading Recovery/Descrubriendo La Lectura program in Fort Bend ISD. Through her diligent efforts as site coordinator, FBISD has served more than 7,000 struggling first-grade readers to date.

James Patterson of Sugar Land announced he will seek re-election for a fourth term as Fort Bend County Commissioner Precinct 4 in the March 7, 2010 Republican primary election.

“Fort Bend County Commissioners’ Court has accomplished a great deal for the benefit of Fort Bend County citizens in the years I ’ve served, and there is more to do for this rapidly growing county,” Patterson said.

“Since 1999,” Patterson said, “we’ve seen major road and highway construction, the beginning of public transportation, road and bridge improvements, significant drainage and flood control projects, reactivation of the Surface Water Supply Corp and the establishment of Fort Bend County Fresh Water Supply District No. 2. ”

However, Patterson said, the county’s continued population growth and the challenges and opportunities that accompany growth mean a continued need for Commissioners ’ Court to solve the transportation, water, spending and quality of life issues that are important to all citizens.

Patterson and his family have lived in Sugar Land since 1965 when he began his career with Fort Bend ISD. He was principal of Dulles High School from 1984-92, and he then transferred to open Elkins. He retired from FBISD in August 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville and a master ’s degree in education from University of Houston.

Valerie Anderson has been named the director of advanced studies for Lamar CISD. She will oversee the district ’s gifted and talented, advanced placement, honors and Academic UIL programs.

Anderson graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1982 with a degree in mathematics and received her masters in mathematics in 1987

from the University of Houston-Victoria.

She taught for 16 years in Fort Bend ISD, and has 11 years of administrative experience in the Lamar Consolidated, Alief and Katy school districts. She served as associate and assistant principal at Foster High School from 2001-07. She is currently an administrative assistant principal in Katy ISD.

Kamal Ariss was elected to the 2009 board of directors of The Association of Former Students of Texas A &M University. His term began Jan. 1, 2009.

Ariss graduated from Texas A&M University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology and went on to earn a master’s degree in land development in 1987.

Today he serves as vice president of business development and marketing for JE Dunn South Central. Ariss has managed the planning and construction of many large national projects in his 25 years of practice.

Actively involved in his community, he serves on the boards of directors for the Rosenberg-Richmond Chamber of Commerce, The Oaks at Briargrove and the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council.

J. Michael Dinges has been given the additional title of chief credit officer at Founders Bank. Dinges remains an executive vice president and advisory director of the bank. His new responsibilities include managing credit policy and overseeing risk management activities and loan quality.

“Mike has been a key member of our team since joining Founders Bank,” said Jim Sturgeon, president and chief executive officer. “He really knows the local market and his experience and insight are invaluable. In his new role supervising our credit activities, he will play an even larger role in helping Founders Bank —and our clients—achieve their business objectives.

David Maloy has joined Founders Bank as executive vice president, with responsibility for the bank’s medical practice lending group.

Maloy has an extensive background in medical practice lending, with in-depth experience in helping physicians, dentists and other medical professionals achieve their business objectives. Previously, he served as senior vice president of medical practice lending at Encore Bank, where he developed a significant loan portfolio in under two years.

“David understands the medical community’s unique capital needs and he provides a level of personal service to clients that is unmatched, ” said Founders Bank Chief Executive Officer Jim Sturgeon. “His experience is invaluable to medical professionals and we’re thrilled to have him on our team.”

Maloy earned a BBA in finance from Texas Tech University and most recently completed Rice University ’s certified financial planning program. He is an active member of the community, serving on the board of directors of The Children ’s Fund and the advisory board of Goodwill Industries Houston.

Dr. Clive Shkedy has been named medical director of radiation oncology at The Cancer Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Dr. Shkedy will lead the Methodist Sugar Land oncology team in providing care to patients utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer care.

Dr. Shkedy’s specialties include intensity modulated radiation therapy, high-dose rate brachytherapy, image-guided radiation therapy, whole body radiosurgery as well as mammosite.

He has been practicing in the Houston area for 15 years. Dr. Shkedy attended medical school at the University of Wiwatersrand in South Africa and completed his residency in radiation oncology at the Princess Margaret Hospital, part of the University of Toronto. He is a member of the American Board of Radiology and a fellow of the Royal College of physicians and surgeons of Canada.