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The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) is HCDE’s senior leadership group that works closely with the Superintendent to drive system initiatives and daily operations while meeting the department’s overall goals and objectives. At the discretion of the Superintendent, members of HCDE’s Leadership Team (who typically report to ELT members) may be added to ELT periodically to gain insight into the strategic operations of the department and develop a broader understanding of initiatives.
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Jesus J. Amezcua, Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services
Email: jamezcua@hcde-texas.org
Dr. Jesus J. Amezcua is the assistant superintendent for business services at HCDE. Amezcua holds a bachelor's degree in business and accounting from Tarkio College, a master's degree in business administration, accountancy and logistics from Texas A&M International University and a doctorate in education administration from Texas A&M University. Before joining HCDE in 2009, he worked as chief financial officer at Laredo Independent School District. Amezcua's achievements include earning multiple certificates of achievement for financial reporting and excellent budget document awards.
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Danielle Bartz
Chief of Staff
Email: dbartz@hcde-texas.org
Danielle Bartz is the chief of staff for HCDE. She holds a bachelor's degree in government and Spanish and a master's degree in public affairs from the University of Texas. Prior to joining HCDE, Bartz served as the director of the City of Houston Boards and Commissions. She is a former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, a TEDx speaker and she volunteers with the Texas Bluebonnet Girls State program, a government and citizenship camp for teenage girls.
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Danielle Clark
Chief Communications Officer
Email: dclark@hcde-texas.org
Danielle Clark is the chief communications officer at HCDE. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California. Before joining HCDE in August of 2018, she worked as the executive director of communications for the Pourdre School District in Fort Collins, Co. Clark is an accredited public relations (APR) professional with more than 20 years in urban, suburban and rural educational settings. She has held leadership roles in three National School Public Relations Association state chapters, was named one of four top front-runners in the country in 2017 and was named one of 100 Top Women in Communications in the country in 2019.
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Jonathan Parker
Assistant Superintendent for Academic Support Services
Email: jparker@hcde-texas.org
Jonathan Parker is the assistant superintendent for academic support services at HCDE. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Prairie View A&M University and a master's in educational administration from the University of North Texas. Before joining HCDE in 2015, he was principal of Dallas Independent School District's Benjamin Franklin Middle School. His achievements include Principal of the Year, an award given by the Northwest Council of Parent Teacher Associations.
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CJ Rodgers, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent of Education and Enrichment
Email: crodgers@hcde-texas.org
Dr. C.J. Rodgers is the assistant superintendent for education and enrichment at Harris County Department of Education.
Prior to becoming the assistant superintendent of the Harris County Department of Education, Dr. Rodgers served as a high school English and AVID teacher/coordinator in Chicago Public Schools. After spending seven years in the classroom, Dr. Rodgers was accepted into a prestigious leadership program, New Leaders, that started his school administration journey. He went on to serve as a high school assistant principal, a high school interim principal, and a pre-K-through-eighth grade school principal, all in Chicago Public Schools.
Dr. Rodgers most recently served as the director of client engagement for the Academy for Urban School Leadership in Chicago and, starting in 2014, served as the organization’s deputy chief of schools and network affairs. He received his doctorate from National Louis University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from DePaul University.
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Tyrone Sylvester, Ed.D.
Chief Human Resources Officer
Email: arthur.sylvester@hcde-texas.org
Award-winning industry leader Dr. Tyrone Sylvester is the chief human resources officer at HCDE.
Dr. Sylvester started his 30-year career in education as director of bands at Beaumont ISD and, in 2001, became a principal at O’Donnell Middle School in Alief ISD. In 2008, he served as director of human resources at Spring ISD.
He most recently served as the director of human resources at Goose Creek Consolidated ISD, a position he held since 2015. During his time in GCCISD, Dr. Sylvester demonstrated his expertise and leadership in talent management and development.
Dr. Sylvester has received numerous awards and certifications for outstanding service and performance. He is involved in several professional associations, such as Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators (TASPA) and the Gulf Coast Association of School Personnel Administrators (GCASPA). He is an adjunct professor and field supervisor for Lamar University and an active Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. member.
He holds a Bachelor of Music from Stephen F. Austin State University, a Master of Education from Prairie View A&M University, and a Doctor of Education from Grand Canyon University.
He is married and has two sons pursuing their education.
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Michelle Williams, Ed.D.
Chief Operating Officer
Email: michelle.williams@hcde-texas.org
Dr. Michelle Williams, a long-time administrator in facility management, construction and safety and security, is the chief operating officer for the Harris County Department of Education.
Dr. Williams previously served as operations director at Fredericksburg Independent School District. She joined HCDE in 2024 with 27 years of experience in education, beginning her career as an agricultural science and natural resource instructor in Sinton ISD and later in Tuloso-Midway ISD.
She moved to the private sector in 2007 before returning to Tuloso-Midway ISD as a classroom teacher and also serving as the school district’s career and technology coordinator for two years.
Dr. Williams moved into administration in 2013, serving as director of technology and career and technical education for Tuloso-Midway ISD.
In 2018, Dr. Williams was named director of technology for Fredericksburg ISD and in 2020, she assumed the role of operations director, overseeing the maintenance, facilities and custodial departments.
During her time in the classroom, Dr. Williams helped in the state adoption of agriculture curriculum as science credit. While at Sinton ISD, she became the first competitive female Agricultural Mechanics coach in the state. She was instrumental in implementing career programs for trades at Tuloso-Midway ISD that were relevant to the district and Coastal Bend region.
Dr. Williams earned her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and her Master of Agricultural Education from Texas A&M University. She earned her Doctor of Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
