The Bee Cave Bee

Lake Travis Independent School District (LTISD) Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brad Lancaster is pleased to announce the following staff promotions and new hires:

• Holly Morris-Kuentz – Assistant Superintendent for Human Resource Services
• Carl McLendon – Educational Technology Coordinator
• Suzanne Stone – Director of Development and Corporate Relations
• Richard Hicks – Band Director
  

Holly Morris-Kuentz
A native of San Antonio, Ms. Morris-Kuentz earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Houston Baptist University.  She spent the first nine of her 16 years in education in Alamo Heights ISD as a high school English teacher and campus technology coordinator, followed by four years in higher education as Director of Instructional and Research Technology at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York. Ms. Morris-Kuentz returned to Texas in 2009 and joined Lake Travis ISD as Instructional Technology Coordinator. A year later, she assumed the duties and responsibilities as Director of Educational Support Services. Most recently, Ms. Morris-Kuentz served as Executive Director for Administrative and Human Resource Services.  She and her husband John—who teaches at Lake Travis Middle School—have three children: Timothy, Mikaela and Samuel.  As Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Morris-Kuentz will provide leadership for the development and implementation of personnel programs to include wage and salary, employee benefits, recruitment and staffing.

Carl McLendon
Upon earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and History from the University of Texas, Mr. McLendon began his career in education in 1993 as a social studies teacher and assistant coach in the Banquete school district near Corpus Christi, Texas.  A year later, he served in the same capacity at the Fredericksburg Independent School District.  After a two-year hiatus to Colorado, Mr. McLendon returned to Texas where he served as a technology instructor for Prosofttraining.com, an online company specializing in web design and development certification.  In 2002, he served as Director of Instructional Technology/Distance Learning for Central Texas College in Killeen where he was responsible for the development and deployment of online learning technologies in conjunction with eArmyU and IBM/PricewaterhouseCoopers.  Mr. McLendon would travel to Colorado once again where he served as Technology Specialist for the Aspen school district.

In 2004, he made his way back to Texas and was hired as Campus Technology Specialist at Lake Travis High School.  While at LTHS, Mr. McLendon assumed the school’s film production program whose students’ work has been featured at the Austin Film Festival and SXSW.  In 2005, he earned a Master of Science degree in Technology Management and Engineering from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.  Additionally, Mr. McLendon currently serves as a distance learning instructor in web design for Central Texas College.  He and his wife Lane have two children:  Bailey and Allyson.

As LTISD Educational Technology Coordinator, Mr. McLendon will assist teachers with the implementation of technology in the classroom. 

“We are fortunate to have individuals who possess exceptional talent and skills already present within our District,” said Dr. Lancaster.  “I am confident that the staff who are taking on new roles will further strengthen the quality of our programs and services on behalf of the students we serve.”

Suzanne Stone
Originally from Washington, DC area, Ms. Stone earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio, Television and Film from Texas Christian University.  She began her professional career in 1992 as an associate producer with Phillips Productions in Dallas where she produced various segments for television programs including Texas Country Reporter and Texans.  Her worked garnered a Regional Emmy Award, among others.  Five years later, Ms. Stone joined North Central College in Naperville, Illinois as an adjunct professor where she taught television production.  During her time in Illinois, she also served as Operations Manager for the Naperville Community Television and was responsible for training new station users, community outreach and fundraising.  In 1999, Ms. Stone served as head coach for the women’s basketball program at Schenectady County Community College near Albany, New York.  While at Schenectady College, she earned Coach of the Year honors.  Ms. Stone returned to Texas in 2006 and served as Outreach and Education Specialist for Child Advocates in Wichita Falls, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of abused and neglected children.  She was responsible for recruiting, training and managing of volunteers; developing ad campaigns; and managing media relations.  Most recently, Ms. Stone served as Children’s Miracle Network Specialist at United Regional Health Care System in Wichita Falls where she was the primary fundraiser for numerous local and national efforts grossing approximately $700,000 annually.  During her tenure, she increased overall revenue by more than 26% in just two years and also began a new campaign for younger donors that raised $10,000 in its first year.  In 2012, Ms. Stone obtained certification in non-profit management.

As Director of Development and Corporate Relations, Ms. Stone will serve as Executive Director for the Lake Travis Education Foundation (LTEF) through a revamped partnership between LTISD and the LTEF.  She will also manage advertising, marketing, and corporate relations programs for the District.

Richard Hicks
Mr. Hicks earned a Bachelor of Music degree with teacher certification from the University of Texas at Arlington and a master’s degree in Applied Music from the University of Houston.  He began his career in education in 2000 as Associate Band Director at Tomball High School in Houston where he served as director of the symphonic winds and marching band.  During his tenure at Tomball, Mr. Hicks established consistent UIL Sweepstakes for the school’s non-varsity band.  In 2005, he joined the faculty at the University of Houston, serving as a graduate assistant for university bands.  In that capacity, Mr. Hicks was Co-Director of the symphonic band, concert band, and assisted in all aspects of running a university band program.  He also served as Assistant Director of the Cougar Brass and Spirit of Houston Marching Band.  Most recently, Mr. Hicks served as Head Band Director at J. Frank Dobie High School in Houston, a position he held since 2006.  During his time at Dobie High School, Mr. Hicks functioned as lead coordinator for more than 200 student-musicians annually comprising concert bands as well as winter guard, jazz and marching bands.  He also served as Co-Director of the school’s full orchestra and various musicals and activities within the Fine Arts department.  Mr. Hicks is a member of the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity.

“As we continue to prepare for the 2013-2014 school year, I am excited to know that these individuals possess the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to lead their respective programs to the next level of success,” concluded Dr. Lancaster.