FBISD's Madden Elementary earns LEED certification for energy efficiency and design

Photo caption: Shown left to right – KP George, Board Member; Jason Burdine, Board Vice President; Michael and Lina Sabouni, Auto Arch Architects; Jim Rice, Board Member; Addie Heyliger, Board Secretary; Grayle James, Board Member; Oscar Perez, Chief Operations Officer; Dr. Charles Dupre, FBISD Superintendent; Kristin Tassin, Board President; and Dave Rosenthal, Board Member.

Madden Elementary earns LEED certification for energy efficiency and design

Fort Bend ISD  – Madden Elementary School has been deemed a LEED-certified building. At the March 27 Fort Bend ISD Board meeting, board members congratulated Oscar Perez, FBISD Chief Operations Officer, as well as Lina and Michael Sabouni of Auto Arch Architects, who designed Madden Elementary. 

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, provides a rigorous third-party verification on resource efficiency for building projects. Points are achieved in the areas of Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation and Regional Priority. Madden Elementary is Fort Bend ISD’s first facility to obtain LEED certification. 

“Achieving LEED certification took a lot of hard work and dedication from the architects and the FBISD Design and Construction team,” said Oscar Perez, Chief Operations Officer. “We look forward to having future schools earn the same distinction as we work together to build energy efficient and sustainable schools.”

Following the approval of the 2014 Bond Program, the FBISD Board of Trustees adopted its Elementary School Education Specifications, which state that the District’s future elementary schools should be designed to LEED/high-performance standards and obtain LEED certification. The three new elementary schools opening for the 2017-18 school year will include green features such as building materials with higher levels of recycled content, energy efficient HVAC equipment, and heat reducing features, such as light-colored building materials and green space. 

Richard Fedrizzi, CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council, commended the project team on achieving the certification for Madden Elementary.

“LEED certification identifies FBISD’s Madden Elementary as a showcase example of sustainable design and demonstrates your leadership in transforming the building industry,” Fedrizzi said.

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!

The 2017 General Elections for FBISD, will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Early voting will take place from Monday, April 24, 2017 through Tuesday, May 2, 2017. (CLICK HERE) for more information.

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "I would like to take this moment to join FBISD board members in congratulating Oscar Perez, FBISD Chief Operations Officer, as well as Lina and Michael Sabouni of Auto Arch Architects, who designed Madden Elementary."

As President and CEO of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, the publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine® I am imploring you to support businesses, elected officials, corporations and other entities who value our support and patronage.

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Greatness can never be accomplished through individual effort, nor can it be attained thinking that you are superior to others. However, we are all born with a measure of greatness woven into our DNA. Some of us develop and realize our greatness – while others do not. But, rather than greatness being a destination to be arrived at, I believe that it is more of a journey! And with that said, I'd like to ask you to call me at (281)788-3033 or (832)212-8735 to share your thoughts on how you are working to make America "GREAT" in your own "UNIQUE" way!

From now through Tuesday, March 6, 2018 we at Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, the publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine® will be focusing our attention on bringing you thoughts on greatness from business, political, corporate, ministry and community leaders.

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Individuals who need assistance with branding, marketing or targeting “OPEN-MINDED” voters and/or supporters should look no further. Houston Business Connection Magazine® and Ground Game Magazine® are both designed to assist you with building name recognition, outreach, press release delivery, strategy development/support and much, much, more.

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The mission of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, the publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine® is to help our readership identify the people, businesses, corporations and candidates who “VALUE” and “RESPECT” our vote, prayers and support!

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HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
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PEOPLE ON THE COVER: Chance the Rapper, Isiah Carey, Denetris Jones, Wretha Rawls-Thomas, Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Richard Schechter, Lillie Schechter, Sue Schecther, Eronn Putman, Former 61st Judicial District Judge Erin Lunceford, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Allison Palmer and Jimmie and Cheryl Coleman, Title Sponsors of the Houston Business Connections Magazine: “Great People to Know Series”. Houston Business Connections Magazine is published by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, all rights reserved. For more information, please call us at (832)212-8735 today.

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
PHONE: (832)212-8735
CELL: (281)788-3033

INTERVIEW: Dr. Charles Dupre takes a moment to discuss his Dream, Mission, and Outlook for 2015 with Aubrey R. Taylor

FBISD SUPERINTENDENT DR. CHARLES DUPRE – pictured with Mayor Allen Owen (left). On April 11, 2013, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved Dr. Charles E. Dupre (right) as Superintendent of Schools for the state’s seventh largest school district. Dr. Dupre officially assumed duties of the Fort Bend ISD Superintendent on April 29. With a passion for serving children and young adults, Dr. Dupre has invested many hours in shaping the future of others through his role as mentor, Sunday school teacher, camp counselor and friend. Since becoming a superintendent in 2006 in Pflugerville ISD, Dr. Dupre’s commitment to developing capable young people has been supported by his background in financial management. He is the first African American to serve as Fort Bend ISD’s Superintendent.

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INTERVIEW: Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre (Fort Bend ISD Superintendent) answers a few questions asked by Aubrey R. Taylor about his dream, mission in life, outlook for 2015, and advice to others striving to achieve their dream

QUESTION #1

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What was life like for you as a child growing up?

SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: I had a complicated childhood. My mother died when I was five years old, and when I was seven, my father sent me to live in a faith-based children's home. I lived there until I finished high school. I was blessed to be well taken care of, and I received a good education that provided the foundation for future opportunities; but, it was challenging to be raised by people who were not my parents.

QUESTION #2

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What did you dream of becoming as you were a child growing up?

SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: From a young age, I enjoyed performing, and public speaking. I wanted to be a performer or broadcast journalist.

QUESTION #3

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Did you achieve your childhood dream, or did it evolve into something different?

SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: In terms of overall success, I have far exceeded my childhood dream, but I am definitely not doing what I originally dreamed! When I speak to students, I often remind them that it is likely they will end up in a job or profession they can't even conceive of today. In FBISD, our mission is to inspire and equip all students to pursue futures beyond what they can imagine. I feel blessed that teachers and others in my life prepared me in that way. I began my career as Certified Public Accountant. Today, I am Superintendent/CEO of one of the largest public school districts in Texas and the U.S. Who knew!?

QUESTION #4

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your mission in life?

SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: My primary mission in life is to glorify God in all I do. As a leader in public education, I feel I am fulfilling my calling to invest in the lives of others. The work we do as educators shapes the future of each child we touch, along with that of their families and any spouse or children they might have in the future. Our work also shapes the future of our community. If our community is to thrive, public schools must send productive, contributing citizens into the workforce. We must develop leaders and prepare students to give back to their communities and invest in the lives of others.

QUESTION #5

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Do you have a recent accomplishment you would like to share?

SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: On a personal level, in 2014, I completed a doctorate degree after four years of graduate school. Professionally, I am proud that, during the past two years, FBISD has engaged more stakeholders than ever before in developing comprehensive plans for the future. An important result of the community engagement is that 74 percent of voters approved the November 2014 bond election.

QUESTION #6

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your outlook for 2015?

SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: In 2015, I will begin my third year as superintendent of FBISD, so I look forward to moving out of the "transition" phase of organizational development as we begin to bring to fruition two years of extensive planning done in partnership with a strong School Board, an engaged community and a dedicated staff. I will also complete my 20th year in public education, which is a major milestone. Even more importantly, I will celebrate 30 years of marriage to the beautiful woman who has faithfully shared life's journey with me in a loving, supportive way.

QUESTION #7

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What advice would you give to someone out there striving to achieve their dream?

SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: To achieve your dreams, you must be a person of integrity in all things and invest in authentic relationships with others, including colleagues at all levels of the organization. This is different than simply "networking." You must be a life-long learner, and demonstrate you are willing to work hard. It's also important to be flexible, nimble, and willing to stretch the boundaries of the status quo. You must possess the courage to take risks, learn from your mistakes and setbacks, and keep pressing forward.

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"I would like to take this moment to thank Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre for finding value in our vision to uplift, inspire, inform, and empower others in association with our "2014 Year-End Review" edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine." -- Aubrey

As President and CEO of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, I encourage you to support the people, small business, organizations, corporations and ministries who support our mission and vision to uplift, inspire, inform, and empower others as we climb.

Best regards,

Aubrey R. Taylor
Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
P: (832)212-8735
C: (832)894-1352
EMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com
BLOG: www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com

**** Please do not forget that your support can enable us to reach more people with our message of encouragement, hope, inspiration, and empowerment. So email me your request for a hard-copy of our “2014 Year-End Review” edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine today at: (aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com). And don’t forget that our ad prices start at a very low $40.00 dollars per issue. WE CAN ACHIEVE OUR INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE GOALS AND DREAMS BY FINDING CREATIVE WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER!!!

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Click here to email us your request to have Houston Business Connections Magazine mailed directly to your home or business today.

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PEOPLE FEATURED ON THE COVER: Businessman Craig Joseph (owner of Houston's This Is It Soul Food). FBISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre, TSU Program Director Dr. Michael O. Adams (Director of the eMPA and MPA programs at Texas Southern University), Judge Loyd Wright (District Probate Judge for Court #1 in Harris County), Businessman Bill Frazer (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston), Controller Ronald C. Green (City of Houston Controller), Mayor Allen Owen (the mayor of Missouri City), Judge Christine Riddle Butts (District Probate Judge for Court #4 in Harris County), Grayle James (the FBISD President of the Board of Trustees), and Educator/Attorney Carroll G. Robinson (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston). Email your request to (aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com) if you would like to have a copy of our "2014 Year-End Review" edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine mailed directly to your home or business.

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Boasting accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the master of public administration (MPA) program at TSU is a 48-credit-hour program that has produced key change agents in human resources, international development and policy. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760. 

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Launched in Fall 2013, the emergency management and homeland security (EMHS) program is designed to create graduates with extensive theoretical and applied knowledge in emergency management and disaster research. The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security prepares students for careers in emergency management and public safety careers and will introduce students to the all-hazards approach, emergency disaster management phases, risk assessment, prevention and management, counter-terrorism, consequence management, mitigation, and recovery. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760. 

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About Carroll G. Robinson

Carroll G. Robinson is an Associate Professor and a former Associate Dean of External Affairs at the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas. Professor Robinson is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System (HCC) and a Citizen Member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund. He is a former member of the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors of K9s4COPs. He is also a past chairman of the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce.

Professor Robinson is a former At-Large (elected citywide) member of the Houston (Texas) City Council. As a member of the City Council, Professor Robinson chaired the city’s Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure Committee. 

Professor Robinson represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the local council of regional governments. He served as a member of the Board’s Budget Committee and was a Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy Council. He also represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for I-69 Texas and TEX-21, a statewide transportation coalition of elected officials, business leaders and transportation and infrastructure professionals.

Professor Robinson is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities where he served as a member of the Board’s Finance Committee and was a member of the Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Steering Committee. He is a former member of the Texas Municipal League’s Utilities and Environment Committee, and Transportation Task Force; Advisory Board of the Texas Environmental Defense Fund; a past President of the Texas Association of Black City Council Members where he was also a member of the Housing Committee; a former member of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO); a former member of the Texas Attorney General’s Municipal Advisory Committee (1998); Founding Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council’s Local Elected Officials Network; a former Chairman of the National League of Cities Democratic Municipal Officials; a former member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC); and a former General Counsel of the Texas Democratic Party. 

Prior to his election to the Houston City Council, Professor Robinson was an Associate Professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. He has also worked as an adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law. 

Professor Robinson has worked in the Texas Legislature as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis. He received his Bachelor of Arts (with Honors) in Political Science from Richard Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey (where he received a Certificate of Academic Accomplishment in African-American Studies) and his Juris Doctorate from the National Law Center at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. 

Professor Robinson is a Life Member of the NAACP and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is the author or co-author of numerous legal and public policy articles and commentaries. Robinson plans to put his vast experience and know-how to work for the people of Houston should voters choose him as the best candidate in the race for City of Houston Controller on the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election ballot.

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CONGRATS: Missouri City Middle School Student Angel Vanterpool II was Recently named KPRC Student of the Week

“Ruben’s Student of the Week” group photo. Pictured L-R: MCMS Mascot (Keyshon Limbrick), KPRC feature reporter Ruben Galvan, “Student of the Week” recipient Angel Vanterpool II, FBISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre, Sony representative Allen Clark, MCMS counselor Shanese Sly, MCMS Assistant Principal Tasha Hamilton, and MCMS Principal Jerrie Kammerman.

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Missouri City Middle School Student named KPRC Student of the Week

Angel Vanterpool II surprised by KPRC’s Ruben Galvan during morning pep rally

FORT BEND ISD - KPRC feature reporter Ruben Galvan visited Missouri City Middle School and surprised a student with a special honor during an early morning pep rally recently – and it was all broadcast on live television. Eighth-grade student Angel Vanterpool II was named “Ruben’s Student of the Week” and received prizes that included a trophy, t-shirt, and a SONY digital video camera.

During the month of November, KPRC honored deserving students who were nominated by their principals. Missouri City Middle School Principal Jerrie Kammerman nominated Vanterpool and listed his many accomplishments to Galvan and KPRC viewers on the morning of November 19.

“This student is super involved in campus activities,” said Kammerman. “He participates in Kick Start, football, and the track team. He’s part of the National Junior Honor Society, he’s an A/B Honor Roll student, and he’s taken two college credit classes. He’s just a phenomenal kid and a great role model and is respected by the staff and the kids.”

Vanterpool also addressed viewers after Galvan announced he was the “Student of the Week” recipient.

“Thank you for letting me be your Student of the Week,” said Vanterpool, as he looked into the camera. “I am very honored, and I would like to thank my parents, my teachers, and my principal.”

Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre attended the morning pep rally and expressed pride for Fort Bend ISD and its students.

“We have outstanding students, and we have outstanding staff,” said Dupre. “In Fort Bend ISD, we exist to inspire and equip all students to pursue futures beyond what they can imagine. The staff at Missouri City Middle School exemplifies that, and Angel is an outstanding product of this school, along with all of these students here.”

Prior to Vanterpool being named “Student of the Week,” Galvan highlighted several of the MCMS school organizations, including its sports teams, band, and choir. Members of the school groups woke up early to participate in the event. Following the broadcast, the campus provided breakfast to all of the participants, with Dr. Dupre taking the time to personally serve many of the students their meal.

KPRC’s Ruben Galvan with MCMS students, just seconds before air.

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Excitement and smiles fill the MCMS gym during the live KPRC segment.

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KPRC’s Ruben Galvan interacts with students during segment.

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MCMS Principal Jerrie Kammerman tells viewers what makes the “Student of the Week” recipient so deserving.

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KPRC’s Ruben Galvan interviews “Student of the Week” recipient Angel Vanterpool II

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Click here to learn more about the Fort Bend Independent School District.

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To discuss advertising inside Houston Business Connections Magazine call (832)212-8735. If you need to speak directly with Aubrey R. Taylor call (832)894-1352. *The individuals featured on this page are not connected or associated with one another in anyway unless noted. Houston Business Connections Magazine is published by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications. All rights reserved. 

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ANNOUNCEMENT: Fort Bend ISD names Joe Chandler as the new principal of Willowridge High School

Joe Chander is the new principal of Willowridge High School. Chandler received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from St. Meinrad College in Indiana and his Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from University of Houston. 

Fort Bend ISD names Joe Chandler as the new principal of Willowridge High School

FORT BEND ISD ― Joe Chandler has been named as the new principal of Willowridge High School. Chandler has more than 17 years of experience as an educator. He first came to Fort Bend ISD in 2009 to serve as the Associate Principal of Willowridge. In 2011, he was promoted to be the principal of Garcia Middle School, where he has been serving until his recent appointment.

"Joe is dedicated to helping each teacher and student be their best. He has demonstrated the ability to support the development of a campus culture that is focused on effective teaching and learning, and educating the whole child,” said Charles Dupre, Fort Bend ISD Superintendent. “Joe is an engaging leader – the type of leader the District and community desire for Willowridge. I look forward to working with him in new leadership capacity.”

Chandler began his career in 1996 as a teacher in Los Fresno CISD in Brownsville, Texas and is a fluent Spanish-speaker. He was a teacher and department chair at Alief Elsik High School for five years, before he became an Assistant Principal at Alief Hasting High School in 2005.

Chandler received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from St. Meinrad College in Indiana and his Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from University of Houston.

“Through an extensive search for a principal for Willowridge High School, we feel fortunate that the best was found in Fort Bend ISD. Joe Chandler is a strong leader and the best person to serve as the school’s principal,” said Dr. Phillys Hill, Assistant Superintendent.