About

About Us

Staff

The Texas School Safety Center staff offer a variety of subject matter expertise, research and support across a broad array of school safety and health-related fields designed to ensure the health, safety, and security of all Texas communities and schools.

  1. Kathy Martinez-Prather, Ph.D.

    Kathy Martinez-Prather, Ph.D.

    Director Texas School Safety Center
  1. Celina Bley, Ph.D.

    Celina Bley, Ph.D.

    Associate Director Training and Education (512) 245-1938

  2. Training and Education

    This division of the Texas School Safety Center provides both in-person and virtual live training as well as online self-paced courses pertaining to a wide variety of school safety topics. In addition, this division develops toolkits, guidance documents, and a variety of resources for stakeholders.

  1. Leah Anderson

    Training and Education Coordinator (512) 245-5859

  2. Denise Armentrout

    Administrative Specialist TCOLE (512) 245-5862

  3. Cynthia Arredondo

    Program Manager Training and Education (512) 245-3908

  4. Laura Baker

    Program Manager Curriculum and Instruction (512) 245-5539

  5. Brian Benscoter

    Training and Education Specialist (512) 245-5847

  6. Rebecca A. Campa

    Training and Education Coordinator (512) 245-2438

  7. Herman Cantu

    School-Based Law Enforcement Specialist (512) 408-6736

  8. Jessica Carollo

    Training and Education Specialist (512) 245-6233

  9. Ammy Cathey

    Training and Education Specialist (512) 245-5841

  10. Krista Flores

    Training and Education Coordinator (512) 245-5840

  11. Beverly Freshour

    School-Based Law Enforcement Specialist (512) 245-4883

  12. Alexis Gierzak

    Training and Education Coordinator (512) 245-8082

  13. Amanda Gonzales

    School Behavioral Threat Assessment Specialist (512) 408-5889

  14. Richard Guajardo

    School-Based Law Enforcement Coordinator (512) 245-0346

  15. Jamie Lane

    Training and Education Specialist (512) 245-5845

  16. Taylor Miles

    Training and Education Specialist (512) 245-7224

  17. Joe Muñoz

    Program Manager School-Based Law Enforcement Education (512) 245-6827

  18. Felisha Nauert

    School-Based Law Enforcement Coordinator (512) 245-5284

  19. Julie Palmer

    Training and Education Coordinator (512) 245-6624

  20. Stephanie Peterson

    Training and Education Specialist (512) 245-5849

  21. Lindsey Wilson

    Training and Education Coordinator (512) 245-5858

  22. Tracilynn Wright-Bloodworth, Ed.D.

    Training and Education Specialist (512) 245-5843
  1. Brian Clason

    Brian Clason

    Associate Director School Safety Readiness (512) 245-5861

  2. School Safety Readiness

    This division of the Texas School Safety Center is responsible for the statewide review of multi-hazard emergency operations plans. In addition, this division oversees the development of model safety and security audit procedures and statewide data collection, as well as management of the Texas School Safety and Security Consultant Registry.

  1. Andrea Acosta

    EOP Specialist (512) 408-1165

  2. Edward Bradshaw

    EOP Specialist (512) 245-4884

  3. Marcos Cabrera

    EOP Specialist (512) 245-5856

  4. Steve Cathey

    EOP Specialist (512) 245-0116

  5. Matt Collins

    EOP Specialist (512) 245-4881

  6. Gabriel De La Hoya

    EOP Specialist (512) 245-4882

  7. Kimberly Duncan-Ashley

    Senior Program Specialist (512) 245-5860

  8. Cumorah Eldredge

    Senior EOP Specialist (512) 245-4885

  9. Heather Hernandez

    EOP Specialist (512) 408-7026

  10. Lana Johnson

    Program Manager School Safety Readiness (512) 245-4889

  11. Eric Kessler

    Senior EOP Specialist (512) 245-4718

  12. Matthew LaLonde

    EOP Specialist (512) 408-6403

  13. Ricky Renaud

    EOP Specialist (512) 245-5637

  14. Ryan Rodriguez

    EOP Specialist (512) 408-7823

  15. Amanda VanderPlaats

    EOP Specialist (512) 408-6974
  1. Jennifer Steele

    Jennifer Steele

    Associate Director Youth and Community Initiatives (512) 408-1889>

  2. Youth and Community Initiatives

    This division implements the Texas School Safety Center’s youth initiatives pertaining to school safety, youth leadership, and youth tobacco prevention. This division also oversees and implements multiple statewide tobacco enforcement programs.

  1. Colton Ayers

    FDA Contract Specialist (512) 408-5550

  2. Kathleen Bates

    Program Manager Youth Initiatives (512) 408-1947

  3. Velda Escamilla

    FDA Program Manager (512) 408-3801

  4. Leticia Guerrero

    Youth Initiatives Training Specialist (512) 408-2248

  5. Stuart Kirkwood

    FDA Program Coordinator (512) 408-8308

  6. Kellen Kruk

    Youth Tobacco Prevention Specialist (512) 408-4907

  7. Lindy Narvaiz

    Contract Specialist (512) 408-2314

  8. Bea Pyle

    Program Manager Tobacco Enforcement (512) 408-0405

  9. Jonathan Wilson

    Youth Initiatives Training Specialist (512) 408-3551
  1. Valerie Barnes

    Valerie R. Barnes

    Associate Director Research and Evaluation (512) 408-3307

  2. Research and Evaluation

    This division conducts scholarly research on school safety topics, aiming to inform and improve the training, guidance, and resources offered by the Texas School Safety Center. Additionally, the research conducted contributes to the advancement of the field of school safety research.

  1. Ashley Drinkard

    Research and Evaluation Coordinator (512) 408-2756

  2. Rachel Hall

    Audit Specialist Research and Evaluation (512) 408-0319

  3. Julia Hopkins

    Research and Evaluation Specialist (512) 408-8270

  4. Alison Jarzombek-Torralva

    Research and Evaluation Coordinator (512) 408-0265

  5. Kathryn Klepac

    Research and Evaluation Specialist (512) 408-5569

  6. Marcie Murfield

    Audit Specialist Research and Evaluation (512) 408-6705

  7. Natasha Saelua, Ph.D.

    Research and Evaluation Specialist (512) 408-5746

  8. Stephen Scogin

    Program Manager Research and Evaluation (512) 408-5414

  9. Tyler Staton

    Research and Evaluation Specialist (512) 408-1701

  10. Nicolas Vasquez

    Research and Evaluation Specialist (512) 408-8444

  11. Lacette Wright

    Program Manager Research and Evaluation (512) 408-2337
  1. Linda Young

    Linda Young

    Associate Director Business Operations (512) 245-8390

  2. Business Operations

    This division provides financial and operational services within the Texas School Safety Center. Services include assisting and coordinating business needs for Center staff and ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and funding regulations.

  1. Kristy Chapa

    Business Operations Specialist (512) 245-8082

  2. Kelsey Fleming, MBA

    Program Manager Business Operations (512) 245-6230

  3. Rosa Luera

    Business Operations Specialist (512) 245-6235

  4. Teresa Rudolph

    Business Operations Specialist (512) 408-3723

  5. Jessica Sosa, MBA

    Business Operations Specialist (512) 245-7272

  6. Matthew Torralva

    Business Operations Specialist (512) 408-5489

  7. Rusti Wade

    Business Operations Specialist (512) 408-5031

  8. Carol Workman

    Assistant Manager Business Operations (512) 408-6331
  1. Mark Andrus

    Mark Andrus

    Associate Director Information Technology (512) 408-4351

  2. Information Technology

    This division provides highly specialized technical services and support to all divisions within the Texas School Safety Center. Technology is integrated into all programs and initiatives within the Center, leveraging modern technology and software to improve resource creation and distribution while expanding our school safety services across Texas.

  1. DJ Deckert

    IT Specialist (512) 245-6981

  2. Martin Esqueda

    IT Specialist (512) 408-2538

  3. Shane Fleming

    IT Specialist (512) 408-3304

  4. Josh Hawks

    IT Specialist (512) 408-0387

  5. Andre Hochi

    IT Specialist (512) 408-4917

  6. Justin Jimenez

    IT Specialist (512) 408-4170

  7. Cody Long

    IT Specialist (512) 408-0709

  8. Devante Lowery

    IT Specialist (512) 408-4158

  9. Richard Parkin

    IT Specialist (512) 408-3132

  10. Laura Tanner

    Public Relations and Outreach Specialist (512) 245-6128

  11. Andrew Wacaser

    IT Specialist (512) 408-7146

  12. Andrew Young

    IT Specialist (512) 408-3750