ABOUT US
The Hays CISD Education Foundation (HEF) is a nonprofit organization whose exclusive mission is to support teachers and students in Hays Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD).
At the HEF, we believe that when we invest in teachers, we invest in every child they teach and that the entire Hays community benefits.
The Foundation has a strong history of supporting HCISD. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $1,000,000 to support educators and students in HCISD.
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The HCISD Education Foundation funds educational grant awards to teachers for instruction or to support students in need of assistance so that they can participate in school programs, clubs activities and organizations.
The Foundation also provides financial support for:
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All four high schools to recognize student academic achievement,
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HCISD programs such as Pre-K registration and recognizing employee excellence in teaching and academic leadership
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The teacher resource closet at which District educators can shop for free for items such as classroom materials such as construction paper, markers and glue and teaching materials, such as book bins, educational visuals, posters and bulletin boards.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Micah Petrea
President
Micah Petrea currently serves as Board President for the Hays CISD Education Foundation and has volunteered for the Foundation for six years. He is the Chief Growth Officer for The Allen Firm, a business law firm located in Stephenville, Texas. Originally from Houston, Micah has called Hays County home for more than 15 years. Micah and his wife, Vanessa, moved to Kyle in 2005, and they moved to Buda in 2014. Vanessa has served as a Trustee on the Hays CISD School Board since 2017 and both of their children have spent most of their school years at Hays CISD campuses. Micah’s son graduated from Hays High School in 2020, and his daughter will graduate from Johnson High School in 2025. Micah graduated from Full Sail in Orlando, Florida where he earned an associate’s degree in Sound Engineering and a bachelor’s degree in Entertainment Business. He has also founded and owns a number of small businesses that support other small businesses with their marketing, design, and apparel needs. Micah also donates his time to Johnson High School, including volunteering as the announcer for various athletic programs.
Jessica Bazán
VP Governance
Jessica Bazán brings 15 years of experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. As a Senior Associate with O’Connell Robertson, she serves as the Business Development Leader for this fully integrated architecture and engineering design firm. In her role, Jessica cultivates and supports client relationships across all markets by working closely with firm leaders, the marketing team, and design professionals to communicate the firm's strengths and develop new business opportunities in Central Texas. Additionally, she provides strategic messaging and graphic design support for bond communication campaigns, leveraging her knowledge of social media and virtual presentation platforms to support community engagement and public relations for bond programs and client events. Jessica is deeply involved in her community, serving as a Board member for non-profit organizations such as the Austin Education Foundation, Pflugerville Education Foundation and serves on the grant review committee for Leander ISD Educational Excellence Foundation. Additionally, she is a member and presenter with the Texas School Public Relations Association, and has participated in community programs such as the Central Healthcare Community Champions, Austin ISD UpClose, Leander ISD Leadership programs as well as a participate in the 2023 Cohert for elevateHER. Born and raised in Southwest Austin, Jessica graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Edward’s University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. She is the proud mother of two daughters, Luci and Lori.
Roberta Salas
VP Development
Roberta has a history of volunteering in several local community organizations, including Buda, which she has called home for 15 years. Professionally, she is a Business Development Director in Central Texas and an Associate Principal for Dunaway, a professional service, multi-discipline design firm. She has over two decades of experience in business management including building corporate strategic initiatives, financial analysis, and developing new business and revenue generation with long-term client partnerships. As a member of the AEC community, she has an expansive professional network with connections in various markets, including government, residential, education, and healthcare.
Suzanne McManus
Secretary
Suzanne McManus has been a dedicated member and volunteer in the Hays CISD community for over 24 years. Professionally, she serves as an administrative and purchasing support specialist at Dynamic Systems, Inc., a leading local mechanical contractor. She and her family have deep roots in the district. Her husband, Will, is a proud 1987 graduate of Hays High School. Their three children—Rachel ('12), Grace ('15), and Zachary ('18)—attended several district schools and graduated from Hays High School. Over the years, she has been passionately involved in numerous district activities and initiatives. Her contributions span various elementary PTAs, Dahlstrom PTA, Hays High School PTSA, Band Boosters, Athletic Boosters, and several other committees and groups. Her love for this district stems from its unparalleled commitment to families, students, staff, and the broader community. Suzanne has served on the Hays Education Foundation since 2022 and is currently serving as the Board Secretary.
Tiffany Koch
VP Finance
Tiffany has been a longtime supporter of the Hays Education Foundation and she proudly joined the Board of Directors in 2021. Tiffany has served as the Foundation’s Vice President of Marketing and is currently serving as Vice President of Finance. Tiffany Koch is a cum laude graduate of Texas State University. Tiffany began her professional career teaching high school geometry and computer science and coaching cheerleading at Bastrop High School. Following her teaching career, Tiffany transitioned into the corporate realm joining one of the leading marketing data and analytics companies in the world, Kantar, where she has worked as a senior computer programmer, programming liaison, and consultant for 19 years. In 2017 Tiffany’s daughter, Bailey, entered Negley Elementary as a Kindergartner and Tiffany began her years of active service to the Hays CISD community. Public education is a passion of Tiffany’s and as a parent she sought out opportunities to support Hays CISD teachers. Tiffany was an active Negley PTA board member, serving on the executive board for 5 years, including 2 years as President. Tiffany is a proud Breast Cancer Survivor, mother to Bailey, who now attends Barton Middle School, and a loving wife to her husband and high school sweetheart, Rick Koch.
BOARD MEMBERS
Jason Andrus
Bio coming soon
Haydee Arce
Bio coming soon
Alex Faissal
Alex is a private banker with Frost’s private banking group. He joined Frost in 2017 and has 8 years of experience in the financial industry. Alex is responsible for helping clients navigate their sophisticated and diverse financial needs by developing a tailored plan and unique combination of services designed to protect and grow wealth to reach future goals. Alex earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Texas State University. In addition to his work at Frost, Alex volunteers with Bundles of Hope, a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding opportunities available to low- and moderate-income residents and their families in the Greater Houston area. He also participates in the St. Chubby golf classic, a non-profit tournament that raises money for families in need during the holiday season. When Alex isn’t helping his clients with their financial needs he likes to spend his time with his family outdoors. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing golf.
Mark Jones
Mark has lived in Hays County for over 55 years. He attended Buda Elementary, Hays Middle School and graduated from Hays High School in 1981. His three children also graduated from Hays High School. His wife Kerri recently retired from Hays CISD after being a second and third grade teacher for 22 years. Mark has served on the Hays Education Foundation since 1999. Mark has been a volunteer with Hays CISD since he was in high school. He has been the volunteer time keeper for middle and high school football and basketball games since 1988 as well as the starter for middle and high school track meets. In addition, Mark served on the Hays CISD school board as Vice President for 2 terms, has served on CLT's, DLTs and several other District organizations and committees. Mark is a former County Commissioner for Hays County, representing Hays County on several Boards and Commissions.
Randy Martinez
Bio coming soon
Brandee Otto
Brandee is a real estate agent in the Buda area. She and her husband, Jason Otto, have lived in Kyle Texas since 1997. They have raised their 3 beautiful daughters, Bailee (Class of 2019) Emilee (Class of 2021) & Malloree (Class of 2025), in the Hays community. Brandee has taken up active roles in the Hays community from participating in neighborhood events and activities to school events and organizations to being a member of an area Chamber of Commerce Board.
J.R. Stewart
J.R. serves on the Hays Education Foundation board to help strengthen public education and support the educators and students of Hays CISD. Coming from a family of educators and being married to a current Hays CISD teacher, he understands the critical role teachers play in shaping a strong community. He brings a strategic perspective to the board, aiming to expand resources and create meaningful opportunities for both staff and students across the district. J.R. is a native Texan and has lived in Buda for three years. He's a graduate of Texas Tech University with over a decade of experience in financial services, and he currently serves as AVP, Wealth Advisor for TRB Trust & Wealth Management. Beyond his role with Hays EF, he serves as Chair of Tandem Arts Partnership, an organization focused on increasing access to the arts in Hays County and sits on the Main Street Advisory Board for the City of Buda. Through each of these roles, he remains focused on building a more connected and supportive community for the families that live in the area.
Mandy Taylor
Mandy has been employed with the district since 1998. She is a resident of Hays CISD, a Hays High School graduate, and a career Hays CISD educator. Mandy began her education career teaching first grade at Tom Green Elementary. She also taught at Elm Grove Elementary and Carpenter Hill Elementary before serving as an Instructional Coach, a district Literacy Specialist, and is currently a Campus Support Specialist. She is also a cohort leader for the Texas Reading Academy. Mandy and her husband Richard have two children, Parker and Mallory. Both of their kids have attended Hays CISD schools from kindergarten through high school and are both graduates of Johnson High School.
Ian Tenbrink
Bio coming soon
DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
Superintendent
Dr. Wright
Dr. Eric Wright, a career educator with over three decades of experience, became the superintendent of schools for Hays CISD on January 1, 2018. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously the previous month to hire him as the district's leader. He is currently on a five-year contract with the district that was adopted by the Board during it's June 2022 business meeting. Dr. Wright's full biography can be found at https://www.hayscisd.net/superintendent
Geoff Seibel
Board Representative
Coming Soon...
Cristyn Cordova
HCISD Parent Representative
Coming soon...
FOUNDATION STAFF
IDA MUSGROVE
Executive Director
Ida has more than 20 years of experience in intergovernmental relations and legislative affairs at the federal, state, and municipal levels. In her previous role, Musgrove served as the City of Austin’s deputy intergovernmental relations officer for six years. For 14 years, she served as general counsel and legislative director to state Senator Leticia Van de Putte (San Antonio), where she staffed the senator on the Senate Education Committee. Her first career was as a band director in the Austin Independent School District where she taught at Reagan High School and Fulmore Middle School. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctorate from St. Mary’s University School of Law. She has lived in Buda for 19 years with her husband, Mahlin, where they have raised their two children, Antonio and Isabella.
CARMEN SIFUENTES
Foundation Specialist
Carmen Sifuentes has extensive administrative experience and has been involved in Hays CISD for more than a decade serving on district committees and campus PTA’s. She currently serves on the board of the Johnson High School Band Boosters as vice president of fundraising, and is a member of the district’s Facilities & Bond Oversight Committee (FBOC). Sifuentes has lived in Buda for 16 years with her husband, Hugo, where they have raised their two children, Hugo and Nico.
MICHELLE SILVA
Office and Programs Manager
Michelle has 36 years of extensive administrative and program experience in early childhood and middle school administration. For 19 of those years, Michelle served as Director of the Buda and Kyle Bright Beginnings. For the last nine years she has been the Principal Secretary for Dahlstrom Middle School. Michelle also brings booster experience having served as VP of Color Guard for the Johnson Band and Guard Boosters. She is the proud mother of three children, Caleb, Corey, and Caitlyn, who attended and graduated from Hays CISD schools. Michelle and her husband, Ciro, continue to live in Kyle with their recent graduate, Caitlyn, and their Maltese Yorkie, Martini.