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2025 Education Symposium

2025 ES-Event Page Banner

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Keynote Speakers

Margaret

Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher

Chancellor
Houston Community College

Breakfast Keynote Speaker

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Dr. Ford Fisher was named the ninth Chancellor of Houston Community College (HCC), after serving as Interim Chancellor since September 2023. A dedicated leader in education since 1985, she has held numerous roles at HCC, including founding president of HCC Online College and longtime president of HCC Northeast College. Her visionary leadership has helped create innovative programs, secure vital funding, and expand educational opportunities for tens of thousands of students. Dr. Ford Fisher is also a nationally recognized advocate for education, having served on advisory boards and national commissions, testified before Congress, and earned numerous honors for her impactful work. She holds degrees in English and Education from Wichita State University and the University of Houston, and has authored over 50 publications and four books.
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Dr. Adriana Tamez

President & CEO, Tejano Center
For Community Concerns, and

Superintendent of Schools, Raul Yzagauirre Schools for Success

Lunch Keynote Speaker

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Inspired by her parents’ example of giving back and their belief in the power of education, she embraced both as guiding principles in her life. These values have driven her journey as an educator and community leader, dedicated to empowering others, especially the most vulnerable, through learning and opportunity. Beginning as a classroom teacher, Dr. Tamez has consistently expanded her impact through leadership roles, including her current positions as President and CEO of the Tejano Center for Community Concerns, Superintendent of Schools for RYSS Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success, and elected Trustee for Houston Community College District III, where she was named board chair in her first year. Actively engaged in civic life, she serves on numerous boards and commissions focused on equity, safety, housing, and sustainability. A proud graduate of the University of Houston and the The University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Tamez is a tireless advocate for collaborative leadership, community partnerships, and access to quality education for all.

SESSION A: HOUSTON'S ECONOMIC POWERHOUSES: NAVIGATING THE FUTURE IN ENERGY, HEALTHCARE, AND THE SHIP CHANNEL

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Captain Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer of the Houston Pilots, is a graduate of Texas A&M at Galveston with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation. Previously he held the position of Second Officer of the Houston Pilots (2014-2015 and 2022). In addition, he serves as Vice President of the American Pilots Association representing the Gulf States of Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi. Prior to becoming a Pilot, he sailed on Product and Chemical Tankers moving cargo around the world for nearly 10 years. Since 2005, he has been licensed as a State Pilot on the Houston Ship Channel, logging over 2700 jobs and 12,000 bridge hours.

CAPTAIN CLINT WINEGAR

Houston Pilots

 

Kati Uminski
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Kati Uminski is the Refining HR Manager at Valero, bringing over 18 years of experience with the company across both corporate and field operations. She began her career at Valero’s San Antonio headquarters in the Training and Development department, where she spent nine years supporting employee growth and learning across the organization. Her passion for supporting people led her to transition into human resources at the Houston refinery, where she spent four years deepening her operational HR experience. Kati later served as HR Supervisor at the St. Charles Refinery in New Orleans, before returning to Houston to lead the refinery’s HR team as Manager. What drives Kati most is her belief in being a true resource for humans—helping individuals navigate challenges, grow in their careers, and feel valued in their work. She’s known for her down-to-earth leadership style, strategic mindset, and ability to foster connection and trust at every level of the organization.

KATI UMINSKI

 Valero- Houston Refinery

 

Michelle Newton
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Michelle Newton, B.Sc.N., began her career at MD Anderson 26 years ago as an Occupational Health Nurse. She now leads teams to attract, develop and hire top talent for MD Anderson in an extremely competitive market. The institution’s recruitment teams complete more than 6,000 hires per year and Newton works closely with recruitment managers and directors to develop strategies that enhance the candidate experience and the hiring manager process. She is committed to the employee life cycle and collaborates with Human Resources and Talent Management colleagues to promote development opportunities, participate in mentoring and provide coaching.

Michelle spent the first 18 years of her career as a registered nurse. Primarily focused on critical care nursing. Michelle worked in various medical, cardiac and intensive care units in Canada and the United States prior to joining MD Anderson in 1997.
MICHELLE NEWTON, B.SC.N.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

 

Paula Whitfield
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Paula Whitfield is an accomplished entrepreneur, seasoned consultant, and dedicated community advocate with a remarkable journey that exemplifies resilience, determination, and unwavering faith.

Paula's professional path has been marked by over two decades of experience as a multi-functional operational leader, spanning diverse industries, including automotive, oil and gas, and healthcare.

In addition to her thriving consulting career, Paula embarked on an entrepreneurial journey in 2019 by becoming a Franchisee/Owner of Fastest Labs of Central Houston, a drug testing clinic located in downtown Houston. She opened her second location Fall 2023.

She also works as a member of the Interfaith Ministries Impower Steering Committee. This organization serves homebound seniors and supports refugee services.

She is happily married to an ever-loving, highly supportive husband, and the marriage is blessed with two children: Robby and Myles.
MODERATOR | PAULA H. WHITFIELD
PWR Holdings Corp, Fastest Labs Central and SW Houston

 

SESSION B: EXPLORING CAREER PATHWAYS: TRADES, APPRENTICESHIPS, AND THE FOUR-YEAR DEGREE

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Ernie Farrand has served as Vice President at Watco in Houston since 2011. With over 17 years of experience in the industry, he specializes in terminal operations, port and rail operations, real estate, projects and industrial development. Before joining Watco, Ernie graduated from Texas A&M University following his service in the United States Air Force. He is actively involved in the industry, serving on the Board of Directors for the Greater Houston Port Bureau and as a member of the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce. He also supports various community organizations and industry groups focused on the Houston Ship Channel, inland transportation and workforce development.
ERNIE FARRAND
Watco

 

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Jacquie Young Hall Manager, Maritime Education Outreach Jacquie Young-Hall joined Port Houston in 2017 as the Maritime Education Outreach Manager, which focuses on the education and workforce development initiatives for students interested in a career in the Maritime Transportation, Logistics, and other related fields. Jacquie serves as the liaison between Port Houston, Academic, Community, and Industry partners, holding numerous seats on Career and Technical Education and Post-Secondary Advisory Boards. She also chairs the Port of Houston Partners in Maritime Education, 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Her management role also includes spearheading and participating in local events, workshops, seminars, expos, and career fairs that highlight current and future education and workforce outlooks, annually engaging with 10K+ students (k-12) and 500+ undergraduate and graduate students. Jacquie has over twenty-five years of experience in Small Business and Non-Profit Management focused on Community Engagement, Education, Career, Workforce Development. She loves engaging with students and parents regarding the vast academic and career opportunities within the Greater Houston Port Region. Her motto is “Education Outreach is a spark that lights the fire of opportunity/s.”
JACQUELINE YOUNG-HALL
Port Houston

 

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Juliet is a native Houstonian who graduated as valedictorian of the High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. She earned a B.A., magna cum laude, in Political Science, Policy Studies, and Religious Studies from Rice University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law. Her legal career focused on medical malpractice defense and civil litigation, culminating in her role as president of Nagorny & Stipeche, P.C. in 2007. She was elected to the Houston ISD Board in 2010 as the District VIII Trustee. In 2016, Mayor Sylvester Turner appointed her as Houston’s inaugural Director of Education, where she spearheaded initiatives for educational equity and was a key advisor during crises including Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Juliet transitioned to the Houston-Galveston Area Council as the Director of Human Services, overseeing Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions and the Area Agency on Aging. As the executive director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board, she drives strategies to meet the region's diverse employment and training needs, supporting economic development and workforce competitiveness in a service area encompassing thirteen counties and over 7.2 million residents.
JUILET STIPECHE
Gulf Coast Workforce Board

 

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John has been in the Houston maritime industry for over 30 years and holds Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Maritime Business Administration and Logistics from Texas A&M. He started with Bertling in 2002 as Director of North America Vessel Operations. After moving to Bertling’s logistics division, he held various management roles within North and South America. He is currently the North America Chartering Director. John has also been an Adjunct Professor with Texas A&M University since 2002. Active in various industry and education initiatives, John is the current President of the Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association, sits on advisory councils for Houston Maritime Center, Lone Star College, Houston Community College, TSU and San Jacinto College and is a board member of the Port Houston Partners in Maritime Education nonprofit organization and the International Propeller Club. In April 2020, he founded the Houston Supply Chain/Logistics Education Collective to proactively minimize the logistics industry talent gap and foster industry relationships with educators and students in the Greater Houston region.
MODERATOR | JOHN HARK
Bertling North America

Presenting Sponsors

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Gold Sponsors

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Registration Sponsors

legacy community health
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Printing Sponsors

HCC Southeast Logo
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Teacher of the Year Sponsor

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Silver Sponsors

Tenjano Center for Community Concerns
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston Community College Southeast
Port Houston
TPC Group, Inc.
San Jacinto College

Exhibitors

Capital IDEA-Houston

HR&P-Human Resources & Payroll

Houston Community College Procurement

University of Houston – Downtown

University of St. Thomas

Space City Credit Union

Houston Community College Southeast

Student Frame Sponsors

Amegy Bank
Cooper/Ports America
EaDo Family Dental
H-E-B Gulfgate Center
INVISTA
Kacal’s Auto & Truck Service
Logical Innovations, Inc.
Possible Missions
Regions Bank
Segovia Foundation
University of Houston System
West Gulf Maritime Association
Wulfe & Co. - Gulfgate Center

East End Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Paula Mendoza - Chair | Possible Missions

Christopher Rowland - Treasurer | Frost Bank

Trina Silva -Secretary | Harris County Department of Education

Patrick Bradley | TPC Group, Inc.

Becky Chin | Chick-Fil-A 45 & Wayside, 45 & Woodridge

Frances Castaneda Dyess | East End Chamber of Commerce

Eduardo Elizondo | Houston Independent School District

Amy Jo Foreman | Chamberlain Hrdlicka Attorneys at Law

Richard C. Rice | Houston Community College

Dr. Frecia Todd | AAMA

Angela Watson | Watson Wealth Management

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