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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Executive Director of Human Resources
Email: ntruitt@hcde-texas.org

Natasha Truitt is the executive director of human resources at HCDE. Truitt holds a bachelor's degree in business from Xavier University and a master's degree in business administration from Texas Southern University. Before joining HCDE in 1995, she worked at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Truitt's achievements and accomplishments include SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management - Certified Professional), PHR (Professional in Human Resources), and pHCLE (Professional Human Capital Leader in Education) certifications.

Executive Director of Facilities
Email: rvela@hcde-texas.org

Rich Vela is the executive director of facilities at HCDE. Vela earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Sam Houston State University and a master’s degree in management from Texas A&M University—Commerce. Prior to joining HCDE, Vela served as assistant superintendent of ancillary services at Tomball ISD. He is an active member of the Texas Association of Latin Administrators and Superintendents, the Texas Association of School Officials and is an advisory committee member for Crime Stoppers.