Thelma Gaza

Thelma Garza is a former public school administrator. A native Houstonian, Ms. Garza attended HISD schools and graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education 1974 and a Master of Education degree in administration and supervision in 1980, both at the University of Houston central campus.

Garza launched her career in education in 1968, teaching adult-education classes for Operation SER and Houston Jobs for Progress, Inc. Joining HISD in 1974 as a substitute teacher, she was an English-as-a-second-language and bilingual-education teacher at Charles Eliot Elementary in 1974 and 1975. A trainer of HISD ESL teachers in 1977 and 1978 as a Project 21 consultant, she was a personnel coordinator in HISD’s Area V from 1978 until 1982. She served as principal at Memorial Elementary School (1982–1989), Dora Lantrip Elementary School (1989–1992), and Mario Gallegos Elementary School (1992–1995). In 1996 Garza was appointed superintendent of the East District/Region of HISD until 2009 when she was appointed Interim Chief Academic Officer.

As the Interim Chief Academic Officer, Thelma Garza was responsible for the learning of nearly 200,000 students and the management and success of almost 300 schools. In charge of providing all administrative and academic support services to schools, she directly supervised all five regional offices and regional superintendents, the Alternative and Charter Schools Office, and its manager. Garza also supervised all instructional departments and the assistant superintendents in the Division of Instruction. In August 2010 Ms. Garza retired after serving 37 years with the Houston Independent School District.

A member of the Association of Hispanic School Administrators’ board in 2000–2001, Thelma Garza received the organization’s Amigo Award (2007–2008) and was named a Distinguished Education Leader by the State of Texas (2000), an Educator of the Year by the Texas Association of Hispanic Educators (1999), and Central District Administrator of the Year by the Association of Hispanic School Administrators (1995–1996).

Carlton Cook

Carlton Cook works with LLOG Exploration Co. as an exploration and development geologist and working interest partner. LLOG is a privately owned oil and gas exploration company that is the #1 private producer in the Gulf of Mexico and one of the top 10 privately held exploration and production companies in the United States.  An avid reader, Carlton took off several years during his 30 year career in petroleum exploration to create an independent bookstore, which he subsequently sold. Carlton is a committed outdoors enthusiast with strong interests in hiking, backpacking, whitewater rafting, outdoor photography, scuba, and sailing. He has participated as a leader in several winter season programs for The Woods Project. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries. He and his wife, Kathy, have one son, Connor.

Mike Feinberg

Feinberg is Co-Founder of the KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Foundation and the Superintendent of KIPP Houston, which includes seven middle schools, three early childhood and elementary schools, and a high school.  Mike received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991 and a Masters of Education from National-Louis University in 2005.  After graduating from Penn, Mike joined Teach For America and taught fifth grade in Houston, Texas. In 1994, he co-founded KIPP with Dave Levin and established KIPP Academy Houston a year later.  In 2000, he co-founded the KIPP Foundation to help take KIPP to scale.  Today, KIPP is a network of 66 high-performing public schools around the nation.  In 2004, Mike was named an Ashoka Fellow, awarded to leading social entrepreneurs with innovative solutions and the potential to change patterns across society.  KIPP has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS 60 Minutes, ABC World News Tonight, and in The New York Times, Houston Chronicle, Washington Post, and more.  Mike is married to Colleen Dippel, and on April 30, 2005, they welcomed their pride and joy, Gus, to the world.
Hear Mike Feinberg speak about the Woods Project on March 5, 2009

Micheal Palmer

Micheal Palmer is Senior Managing Director of Studley, a global real estate advisory firm with a pure tenant representation delivery platform. He has been a supporter of The Woods Project since its founding. He is a committed outdoorsperson and has been a leader for several winter season outings and the summer 2009 program with The Woods Project. Micheal has served his community through involvement in the Neartown Association, The Woodland Heights Association, as a coach in the Braes Bayou/West University Little League and West University Soccer Club. He is a Board Member of the East Side Chamber of Commerce, The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Foundation, was a founding member of the Margaret Austin Center and served as the Treasurer of the Pacifica Foundation.

Joe Richardson

Joe Richardson is the president of Harper & Pearson Company, P.C. He is responsible for leading the firm through innovative strategy and guidance. His specific expertise focuses on SEC reporting, oil and gas exploration and production operations, banking, manufacturing and engineering, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, rental and leasing operations, auditing, consulting and litigation services.

Prior to joining Harper & Pearson Company, P.C. in 1981, he was a senior manager with Arthur Young & Company.

Education:  Bachelor of Business Administration, Lamar University

Professional Activities and Memberships:

• Certified Public Accountant - Texas, California, Hawaii, Michigan, Iowa, Idaho and Indiana
• Texas Society of CPAs
• Certified Fraud Examiner
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Houston CPA Society
• Texas State Board of Public Accountancy - Board Member, Executive Committee Member, Rules Committee Member, Technical Standards Review Committee Member and Peer Review Committee
• National Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Member

Steve Rosencranz

Steve founded The Woods Project in 2001 to provide opportunities for low income youth to develop the skills for life through a wilderness education program.   In 2008, he incorporated The Woods Project as a stand-alone entity to facilitate the continued growth of the program.   Steve comes from an entrepreneurial background, having founded two successful independent finance companies and co-founding a Grameen model micro-lending non-profit. He has led outdoor adventures for large groups for over 10 years and has backpacked and hiked all over the continental United States.   He and his wife Tricia live in Houston. His two daughters are grown and out of the nest and have been replaced by two foo foo dogs.

Vic Samuels

Vic Samuels is an entrepreneur who has owned more than 25 businesses over his adult career, including Victory Packaging, Leedo Cabinets and Houston Terminal Warehouse.  In addition, he has been a director of Whitney National Bank, Star Furniture, POP Broadcasting and Foundation Surgery Affiliates. His current volunteer involvement includes leadership roles with Harris County Children’s Protective Services Foundation, Houston A+ Challenge, Houston Achievement Place, HSPVA, Jewish Community Center, United Way, and the Houston Zoo. His awards are equally impressive, including Entrepreneur of the Year for 2007. He and his wife have three children and seven grandchildren.