Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Craig Bessent, Kerri Ranney, and Alan Trevino and reappointed Andrew Kim to the Texas School Safety Center Board for terms set to expire on February 1, 2020. Additionally, the Governor appointed Terry Deaver and Edwin Flores, Ph.D. and reappointed Dan Gilliam and Jill Tate for terms set to expire on February 1, 2021. The board reports to the Governor, the legislature, the State Board of Education, and the Texas Education Agency regarding school safety and security, and advises the center on its function, budget, and strategic planning initiatives.
Craig Bessent of Abilene is the assistant superintendent with Wylie Independent School District in charge of school operations, school safety, and security. He is a Texas School Marshal and a member of the Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Association of Pupil Transportation, and Combined Law Enforcement of Texas. Additionally, he volunteers as a board member of Abilene Crime Stoppers, View Caps Water District, and Abilene Emergency Operations. Bessent received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education from Texas Tech University and a school superintendent certification form Abilene Christian University.
Kerri Ranney of Georgetown is vice president of educational practice at Huckabee. She is a registered architect and member of the Texas Society of Architects, American Institute of Architects, and the Association for Learning Environments. Ranney received a Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor degree from South Texas College of Law.
Alan Trevino of Burnet is owner and president of Sentry Security & Investigations, L.P., and is a licensed master peace officer, with over 20 years of law enforcement experience. He is a member of the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators and served as president of the Associated Security Services and Investigators of the State of Texas. He was also appointed by Governor Abbott to the Texas Private Security Board, where he served as vice chairman. He is also a member of the Public Safety Commission’s Private Security Advisory Committee. Trevino is honorably retired from the Texas Department of Public Safety, where he was second in command and detail leader for Governor George W. Bush’s detail.
Andrew Kim of New Braunfels is the superintendent of schools at Comal Independent School District. He is a member of the Texas Association of School Administrators and Fast Schools Growth Coalition. Additionally, he is a member of the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Board and the Canyon Lake Noon Lions Club. Kim received a Bachelor of Arts in Medieval Studies from Fordham University and a Master of Education in Education Administration from The University of Texas (UT) at Austin, and he is a graduate of the superintendent program at UT Arlington.
Terry Deaver of Silsbee is an elementary school principal with Silsbee Independent School District, with over 30 years of experience in the field of education. She is member of the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association. Deaver received a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education in Administration and Educational Diagnostician certification from Lamar University.
Edwin Flores, Ph.D. of Dallas is the managing partner at Chalker Flores, LLP and is a member of the Dallas Independent School District School Board. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He volunteers on the board of the Mary Crowley Cancer Research Centers, Dallas Central Appraisal District, and the Medical City Hospital Dallas. Previously, he served on the board of the Southern Methodist University Tate Lectures Series, Southwestern Medical Foundation, International Leadership of Texas for Charter Schools, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, KIPP Public Schools in DFW, and the Dallas/Fort Worth Teach for America. Flores received a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from The University of Texas at Austin, a Doctor of Philosophy in Immunology from Washington University, and a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Texas School of Law.
Dan Gilliam of Victoria is the presiding judge of the County Court at Law #2 of Victoria County. He previously served as an assistant criminal district attorney for the County of Victoria. He is a member of the Texas State Bar Association, State Bar of Texas Judicial Section, Texas County Court at Law Association, Victoria County Bar Association, and the Juvenile Board for Victoria County. Additionally, he is a member and former board member of the Victoria Rotary. Gilliam received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law.
Jill Tate of Colleyville volunteers as the vice president of volunteers for OC Taylor Elementary School Parent Teacher Association and as vice president of fundraising for the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Council of Parent Teacher Associations. Additionally, she serves as an ambassador for the nonprofit Patriot Paws and volunteers for the Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange program. Tate received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate from Baylor University.
