Past Presidents
2023-24 Megan Overman (more info)
2022-2023 Rebecca Villarreal (more info)
2021-2022 Veronica Sopher (more info)
2020-2021 Veronica Castillon (more info)
2019-2020 Monica Faulkenbery (more info)
2018-2019 Kristin Zastoupil (more info)
2017-2018 Melissa Tortorici (more info)
2016-2017 Ian Halperin (more info)
2015-2016 Lorette Williams (more info)
2014-2015 Denise Blanchard (more info)
2013-2014 Patti Pawlik-Perales (more info)
2012-2013 Craig Eichhorn (more info)
2011-2012 Tim Carroll (more info)
2010-2011 Steve Valdez (more info)
2009-2010 Julie Jerome (more info)
2008-2009 Brad Domitrovich (more info)
2007-2008 Christy Willman (more info)
2006-2007 Kari Hutchison (more info)
2005-2006 Candace Ahlfinger
2004-2005 Pascual Gonzalez (more info)
2003-2004 Kirk Lewis
2002-2003 Katherine Cernosek
2001-2002 Mary Ann Simpson
2000-2001 Julie Thannum
1999-2000 Bill Britcher
1998-1999 Lynda Queen
1997-1998 Julie Zwahr
1996-1997 Linda East
1995-1996 Charles Rogers
1994-1995 Dorian Martin
1993-1994 Chuck Hornung
1992-1993 Ann Spears
1991-1992 Riney Jordan
1990-1991 Billie Koetter
1989-1990 Nancy B. Long
1988-1989 Cindy Randle
1987-1988 Judy Williams
1986-1987 Terry Cannon
1985-1986 Steve Knagg
1984-1985 Susan Dacus
1983-1984 Doris Bowman
1982-1983 Mike Bennett
1981-1982 Sharon Cox
1980-1981 Terry Cannon
1979-1980 James Boyett
1978-1979 Bonnie Ellison
1977-1978 Allen Lewis
1976-1977 Rodney Davis
1975-1976 Jack Daniels
1974-1975 Jerry Smith
1973-1974 Forrest Watson
1972-1973 Ron Whitlock
1971-1972 Don Agnew
1970-1971 Bob Newbill
1969-1970 Virginia Cutter
1968-1969 Paul Pearson
1967-1968 Lorene Roby
1966-1967 Lorene Roby
1965-1966 E. A. Savage
1964-1965 J. J. Pearce
1963-1964 H. W. Goodgion
1962-1963 Don Matthews
2023-2024 President
Megan Overman
Megan Overman, APR, CPC, serves as Executive Director of Communications in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD. She transitioned to the world of school communications and public relations in 2000, following nearly 10 years as a newspaper reporter and editor in three states. She quickly joined TSPRA, where she found lifelong mentors and friends who have helped shape her career. Since then, she has had the opportunity to serve the diverse and unique communities of four North Texas school districts during her tenure.
Her year as president-elect and president were highlighted by the hiring and onboarding of a new executive director for TSPRA. As president, she worked to strengthen and enhance professional development for members to prepare the organization for transition to a new generation of school PR leaders. Her vision was to support members in growing them into leaders in whatever role they currently serve, adding professional capacity to help them advance in their careers, and building strong candidates for future TSPRA service. This work continues through the Professional Advancement Committee in coordination with the Executive Committee and the State Office.
Prior to her presidency, Megan’s TSPRA service included two terms as the North Texas regional vice president (SPRINT) as well as serving as chairperson or member on numerous committees. She also has won multiple awards, including several Best of Category awards and Crystal Commendations, and has presented at the state and national conferences on multiple occasions.
Click here to read Megan’s profile in Texas School Business magazine.
2022-2023 President
Rebecca Villarreal
Rebecca M. Villarreal, APR, Fellow PRSA, is the Executive Director of Communications for New Braunfels ISD. She joined TSPRA in 2002 and previously worked for Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD and North East ISD (San Antonio).
Over the years, she has served in several capacities to serve TSPRA, including At-large Vice President, Central Area Vice President, zone coordinator, and a chair or member of several committees. She consistently mentors other aspiring APR candidates across the country, has been the TSPRA APR chair, and currently serves on the NSPRA APR Committee.
She joined the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) in 2018. In NSPRA, she stays active at a national level, representing her state and region on national committees.
Click here to read Rebecca’s profile in Texas School Business magazine.
2021-2022 President
Veronica Sopher
TSPRA’s 2021-2022 president is Veronica Sopher of Fort Bend ISD. She received her education at the University of North Texas and before coming to school PR worked in finance marketing and public relations for a public health charity system. Her first school PR job was as director of public information at Arlington ISD, later moving to Leander ISD as assistant superintendent of community and government relations, before going to Fort Bend.
Her prior service with TSPRA was as parliamentarian on the executive commitee and as vice president on the central Texas region, as well as serving on numerous committees. The goal of her presidentcy during the Covid pandemic is to support TSPRA members as they respond to the needs of there constituents.
Click here to read Veronica’s profile in Texas School Business magazine.
2020-2021 President
Veronica Castillon
Veronica Castillon, APR, works in Laredo ISD as their Executive Director of Communications. She served as TSPRA Parliamentarian for 2018-2019 and has chaired TSPRA’s Scholarship and Bylaws committee in previous years.
She has won multiple Gold and Best of Category Star Awards. She was inducted into the Communications Hall of Fame by the City of Laredo Commission for Women in 2010 and has received awards from the Literacy Volunteers of Laredo, United Way of Laredo, Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association and Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas. She earned her Accreditation in Public Relations in 1999.
2019-2020 President
Monica Faulkenbery, APR
Monica Faulkenbery, APR, is the Assistant Director of Communications at Northside ISD. She has served as San Antonio Area Vice President and an At-Large Vice President, chaired the TSPRA Scholarship Committee, worked as an APR mentor in the San Antonio area and throughout the state, and has been the Chair of the Texas Welcome Committee for the NSPRA National Seminar. She is active in the San Antonio chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and is a frequent guest lecturer at local universities and organizations. She has received TSPRA’s Professional Achievement and Most Valuable Member awards, as well as the San Antonio PRSA Lifetime Achievement Award. Monica is a twenty-year veteran of TSPRA.
Click here to read Monica’s profile in Texas School Business magazine.
2018-2019 President
Kristin Zastoupil
Kristin Zastoupil works at Forney ISD as an Executive Director of Marketing and Communications. She has served on the TSPRA Executive Committee as an At-Large Vice President for four years as well as on the Conference Planning Committee, Website Ad Hoc Committee, Budget Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. She has also been a conference Day Chair. Kristin is a member of NSPRA, the Texas Education Foundation Network, American School Foundation Alliance Member, National School Foundation Association Member. She has received numerous Star Awards for graphic design, websites, school communications and education foundation initiatives, and received a 2016 TEFN Outstanding Achievement Award. She is active in the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce and teaches public relations to undergraduates at Baylor University.
Click here to read Kristin’s profile in Texas School Business magazine.
2017-2018 President
Melissa Tortorici
Melissa Tortorici is the Director of Communications at Texas City ISD and a nineteen-year TSPRA veteran. She has previously served as Houston/Beaumont Regional Vice President from 2013-2016. During her time in TSPRA she has been a member of the Conference Planning Committee and has chaired the TASA/TASB Convention Committee and the 2016-2018 Strategic Planning Committee, among others. Melissa presented at the 2017 TSPRA Annual Conference on developing relationships with the news media. She is active with her children’s scout troops, the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club.
Click here to read Melissa’s profile in Texas School Business magazine.
2016-2017 President
Ian Halperin
Ian Halperin is the Executive Director of Communications/Community Relations at Wylie ISD and a twenty-year TSPRA veteran. Ian has previously served as North Central Regional Vice President from 2010-2012. During his time in TSPRA he has been a member of the Bylaws Review Committee, Conference Planning Committee, Marketing Committee, Mentor Committee and has chaired the Star Awards Review Committee and the 2013-2014 Professional Awards Committee. Ian has presented on topics ranging from open records to crisis management, and his team’s efforts have garnered more than 140 awards from state and national groups, including TSPRA’s Platinum Award.
Click here to read Ian’s profile in Texas School Business magazine.
2015-2016 President
Lorette Williams
Lorette Williams is the Director of Communications at Corpus Christi ISD. A 10-year TSPRA veteran, she has previously served on TSPRA’s Executive Committee as Gulf Coast Area Vice President and Parliamentarian. She has previously served on TSPRA’s Conference Planning Committee, presented at numerous TSPRA conferences and the TASA Midwinter Conference and had her writing featured in TASA’s INSIGHT Magazine and Texas School Business. She was named TSPRA’s Most Valuable Member in 2011. In addition to her TSPRA work, Lorette has volunteered with Spaulding for Children and March of Dimes, and is active in the Junior League of Corpus Christi.
Click here to read Lorette’s March 2015 Texas School Business magazine article.
2014-2015 President
Denise Blanchard
Denise Blanchard has been the Program Director of Community Partnerships at Amarillo ISD since 2000. She has been a member of TSPRA for 14 years, serving as the Northwest Area Vice President since 2010 and on the TSPRA nominating committee in 2009. Blanchard has also led workshops and roundtable sessions at the TSPRA annual conference and helped host a number of Ammerman workshops in her area. Blanchard is active in the Amarillo community, serving on numerous foundation and non-profit boards, and has been honored for her volunteer efforts by organizations such as Kids, Inc. and the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce.
Click here to read Denise’s March 2014 Texas School Business magazine article.
2013-2014 President
Patti Pawlik-Perales
Patti Pawlik-Perales is a communications specialist with Alamo Heights ISD. She has been a TSPRA member for 20 years and a NSPRA member for 10 years.
Patti’s involvement began as a co-chair of the first Television Track for the TSPRA Annual Conference and continued through the years as she chaired and co-chaired more than 10 TSPRA and NSPRA committees.
Additionally, she has presented at many TSPRA conferences and workshops. Patti’s work has been recognized with multiple TSPRA and NSPRA awards, including two Crystal Commendation Awards in 2010. She previously served as the San Antonio vice president.
2012-2013 President
Craig Eichhorn
Craig Eichhorn, APR, was installed as the 51st president of the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) on February 14, 2012. He currently serves as public relations specialist for Alief ISD. Prior to that, he served in the Beaumont and Galena Park school districts. Craig joined TSPRA 21 years ago when he came to Aldine ISD to serve as the district’s production assistant for public information, working with former TSPRA President Judy Williams.
Craig, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas A&M University, began his professional career as a sports writer/editor in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. He returned to Texas in 1990, working as the editor of three weekly newspapers in north Houston. It was in that role that Craig met Williams and former TSPRA President Jerry Smith, who sold him on the idea of changing careers from journalism to school public relations. Thanks to their guidance, he quickly learned the ropes of school public relations and was named Rookie of the Year in 1992.
He became Galena Park ISD’s Director of Communications in June 1998 and was named Director of Communication in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in June 2002. He returned to Galena Park ISD as Director of Communications in July 2006 prior to assuming the Beaumont position in February 2010.
Active in TSPRA from the time that he joined, Craig has served two previous terms as a TSPRA regional vice president. He has also served as conference photographer for several years and has chaired TSPRA’s TASA/TASB booth committee.
Craig is a loyal supporter of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) since 1991 and he received his Accreditation in School Public Relations (APR) in 2000. He is currently serving on NSPRA’s Executive Board Search Committee. Craig has also presented numerous sessions on APR Accreditation at TSPRA conferences and also sessions at TASA/TASB Conventions.
Craig has served multiple times as chairman of the education committee for the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce and he has been involved in the Rotary Club and now the Southeast Texas Press Club in Beaumont. An avid sports fan, Craig also assists with the American Heart Association fund raising and awareness campaigns.
2011-2012 President
Tim Carroll
On February 24, 2011, Tim Carroll, APR, stepped up to the podium at the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) annual conference in Arlington and was installed as the association’s fiftieth president, ushering in a major milestone in the life of TSPRA.
Tim joined TSPRA 16 years ago when he came to Allen ISD to serve as the district’s director of public information. He previously served in a similar position with the Penn-Harris-Madison Schools in Mishawaka, Indiana for 14 years. This brings Tim to an impressive record of 31 years in school communications and in service to public schools. In 2006, Tim received TSPRA’s Professional Achievement award honoring his creative, dedicated and professional approach to school communications for more than 10 years.
In addition to his public relations responsibilities, Tim also serves as Allen ISD’s community services director, overseeing community education, after school and preschool programs.
Outside of Allen ISD, Tim is an adjunct faculty member of Texas A&M University-Commerce in the public relations department. He also writes a weekly column called The Flipside for the Allen American Newspaper and for seven years was the producer of a weekly music radio show in the Dallas area.
Tim is a loyal supporter of the National School Public Relations Association since 1982 and he received his Accreditation in School Public Relations (APR) in 1985. Before moving to Texas and joing TSPRA in 1995, he served as president of the Indiana School Public Relations Association and also as that association’s executive director from 1990 through 1994. Since that time he has served on state and national PR committees and has presented over 75 workshops and conference sessions.
Tim has written numerous articles for NSPRA and has contributed chapters to “The School and Community Relations” textbook. He has hosted NSPRA Power Hour phone seminar sessions and served and chaired numerous accreditation panels since 1995. Tim has attended 27 of the 31 NSPRA Annual Seminars since 1982.
Currently, Tim is president-elect of the local Rotary Club. He has also served as a PTA president, scout leader and chamber of commerce leadership program coordinator.
Tim holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Murray State University in Kentucky and a Master of Arts degree from Glassboro State College in New Jersey.
2010-2011 President
Our 2010-2011 TSPRA President, Steve Valdez, comes from Weslaco ISD. As a reflection of the organization’s diverse membership, Steve is the organization’s first president to come from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas with a background in TV News and from the electronic media component of our public relations association. He worked as a photojournalist in the Tucson and Phoenix markets before going back to his home in Texas as a general assignments reporter for the local CBS news affiliate.
Steve comes from a family of educators beginning with his father John Valdez, who at the age of 74 is still teaching at the local community college. His mother Elizabeth, now retired, was a County Head Start teacher for 29 years. Steve is a father of five children, Julio, 33, John, 32, Jessica, 25, Josh, 21 and Jed, 19, and two grandchildren, Noah, 13, and Luxy, 7.
During Steve’s 15 years as a TSPRA member, he has proven to be a hard worker. He was taught the value of hard work early in life while he and his family of five brothers and sisters migrated to the north for summer work. His work ethic is evident in the success of his cable access education channel in Weslaco, were his team has won numerous TSPRA awards in video, editing, reporting, and other electronic media categories.
His theme for the year has an interesting twist. Steve has taken what is typically known as the Honor Roll and has altered its meaning by making one simple change. He has exchanged the letter “l” in the word “roll” and replaced it with the letter “e,” Honor Role. As public relations professionals, Steve believes that it is our responsibility to perform our roles as educators with honor. He believes that honor is a contagious characteristic and looks forward to promoting individuals in our public schools that show honorable traits in their daily dealings with our Texas children.
2009-2010 President
Julie Jerome
Our 2009-2010 TSPRA President was Julie Jerome. Julie comes from a long line of writers and journalists. Her mother, Nancy Dugan, was a high school journalism teacher and the first public information officer at Mansfield ISD.
Julie started her professional career as a journalist for daily newspapers in the north Texas area, primarily writing about business topics. After 15 years, she transitioned to a school public relations career at Hays CISD in 2000, where her district responsibilities increased over the years to serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Information, Communications and Student Services. In 2010, Julie left Hays and now serves in Comal ISD.
Since becoming a TSPRA member in September 2000 Julie has chaired committees and served as Area Vice President for the Central Texas Region before becoming President-Elect in 2008. The theme for her year was Education: It’s Heart Work. Encompassing this theme are second chances, a remarkable characteristic of school people noted by Julie. Teachers and other educational professionals really understand that students and adults learn most from their mistakes. Julie encourages everyone to remember the gift of a second chance. That is what education is all about.
This information was updated in March 2011 and is accurate as of that date.
2008-2009 President
Brad Domitrovich
Brad Domitrovich served as TSPRA’s 2008-2009 president while working for Bandera ISD. Currently, he is employed by Georgetown ISD. Brad, who joined the Association in 2001, is a veteran marketing and communications professional with more that 25 years experience in the academic, entrepreneurial and corporate environment.
He began working with Bandera ISD in 1995 and served in the Communications Office since 2001. Brad extensively developed the electronic communications systems for the district. As many parents of Bandera students commute to San Antonio, they find corresponding via the internet and web the best way to know about their children’s school activities and academic progress.
Brad was first elected to the TSPRA Executive Committee in 2004 and served two terms as Area Vice-President for the San Antonio Region. In that position, he worked to recruit new TSPRA members, assist fellow regional members and organize monthly meetings and guest speakers.
Brad and his wife, Gina, have two daughters. He was very active in the Bandera community as a member of the Bandera Business Association, Chamber of Commerce and the Bandera County Planning Committee for Crime and Justice. He also is a founding member of the Bandera Area Lions Club.
“A Million Success Stories Every Day” was Brad’s theme for his presidential year and conference. School districts do so many good things every day. Brad wants association members to continue emphasizing these success stories at every opportunity.
This article was updated on August 5, 2012, and is accurate as of that date.
2007-2009 President
Christy Willman
Christy Willman, former Executive Director of Community Relations in Lamar CISD, served as the 2007-2008 President of TSPRA. She retired in 2012.
Christy is a native Texan who grew up in the Baytown area. She is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State University, with an education degree. Christy began her teaching career in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. She also taught in Austin ISD before moving to the Richmond-Rosenberg area and began teaching at Lamar CISD.
Christy has been a TSPRA member from the beginning of her responsibilities with community relations. “Focusing on the Faces of our Future” was Christy’s theme for her presidential year. She asked TSPRA members to renew their commitment to their jobs, striving to provide the best atmosphere possible for the academic success of all students.
2006-2007 President
Kari Hutchison
Kari Hutchison, director of communications for Comal ISD, served as the 2006-2007 president of the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA). Kari is a graduate of Trinity University where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism. After graduation in 1982, she took a position as an editor and writer for the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio. Later, she became public relations director for Incarnate Word College, now known as the University of the Incarnate Word.
Kari and her family then moved to Anthony, Texas, the town where she grew up. She then took a position as a communications specialist for El Paso Electric. In 1989, she made the move into public school communications when El Paso ISD hired Kari as a communications specialist. A promotion soon made her executive director of communications and business partnerships, a position she held for the next ten years. During this time, Kari earned her master’s degree in communication studies at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces.
In 1999, Kari and her family moved to the New Braunfels area where she was hired by Comal ISD as director of communications. According to Marc Walker, superintendent of Comal, “Kari is really the consumate professional in everything she does. She’s passionate, sincere, honest, modest and sought out by others. And she is a leader of the people.”
At her installation as president during TSPRA’s 2006 Annual Conference, Kari presented “TSPRA, a Voice of Trust” as her presidential theme. One of the goals she set for her year was to increase membership.
2004 President
Pascual Gonzales
Following a 40-year career as a teacher and administrator, Pascual Gonzalez retired in 2017. He served as President of TSPRA in 2004.
As the Executive Director of Communications and spokesman for Northside ISD, Pascual Gonzalez was responsible for keeping the public informed of the news and events of Texas’ fourth largest school district. He also supervised the District’s Web Office, Graphics Office, and NISD-TV and managed the District’s brand.
Gonzalez spent his entire professional career in Northside ISD and has served in various administrative capacities since 1977. A former English and Journalism teacher at Jones and Hobby middle schools and Holmes High School, he served as the Executive Director of Media & Technology before heading the Communications Department.
Gonzalez is a highly respected school communicator who has held various leadership positions in state and national school public relations associations. He is a Past President of the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) and was named a National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) “Front Runner” for 2005. Also, in 2005, Gonzalez was named the “Public Relations Professional of the Year” by the San Antonio Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. In 2014, he was named the Texas Key Communicator by TSPRA.
Gonzalez is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in English and journalism. He earned his master’s degree in educational management and leadership from Our Lady of the Lake University.