Our Board
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Ann BestAnn Best is Houston Independent School District’s deputy superintendent for human talent. After earning a bachelor’s degree in communications from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, Best launched her teaching career at HISD’s Ed White Elementary School in 1996. She entered the teaching profession through Teach For America, the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates and professionals with varied academic majors and career interests who commit two years to teaching in public schools in low-income urban or rural communities and becoming leaders in the effort to eliminate educational inequity and expand educational opportunity for all students. In 2000, she became a program director for Teach For America. She served as the managing director of Teach For America’s Houston operation in 2004 and was appointed the executive director in 2005.A member of the Center for Houston’s Future’s Class of 2006, Best was named the United Negro College Fund’s local Alumna of the Year in 2008 and won the organization’s national One to Watch Award this year. |
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Carlton CookCarlton 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. |
 Hear Mike Feinberg speak about the Woods Project on March 5, 2009. |
Mike FeinbergFeinberg 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. |
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Joel LandisLandis is Senior Vice President for JP Morgan Chase and has 27 years in commercial banking. Joel is responsible for developing relationships with commercial businesses in and around the Houston area. He previously has served with Junior Achievement and on the board of Escape Family Resource Center, Houston SPCA,and Covenant First Step Fund. Currently he is involved in JP Morgan's Private Equity Development Committee and a number of internal committees. Joel holds a BBA from the University of Houston. He and his wife, Linda, have lived in Houston for over 30 years and have five kids from 7 to 25 years of age, a dog and two chickens. |
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Micheal PalmerMicheal 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. |
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Joe RichardsonJoe 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
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Steve Rosencranz - Founder and PresidentSteve 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. |
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Vic SamuelsVic 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. |
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