Charles Clines
Board President
Charles Butt Foundation
Since 2016, Charlie has served as the Chief Financial Officer in the Office of Charles Butt, where he coordinates financial and investment planning on behalf of Charles and acts as the financial liaison between Charles and his philanthropic activities.
Previously, he was a partner in the Houston office of RSM, LLP (formerly Margolis Phipps & Wright). In this role, he directed the delivery of the firm’s financial and tax planning services to its high net worth clients. Charlie began his career with the Houston office of KPMG, rising to partner before joining Margolis Phipps & Wright.
Charlie also serves on The Holdsworth Center Board of Directors, and as Chief Financial Officer for Raise Your Hand Texas. Charlie is also a member of the Boards of the San Antonio Zoological Society and Capital Creek Partners.
He is a longtime advisor to Charles Butt and has been involved with the Foundation since its inception.
Dr. Brian Woods
Board Vice President
Northside ISD Superintendent
Dr. Brian T. Woods, a longtime Northside ISD educator, became Superintendent in July 2012. He began his career in Northside in 1992 as a social studies teacher and has also worked as an Assistant Principal, Vice Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent. Dr. Woods has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
He is past President of the Texas Association of School Administrators and is a member of the Go Public Steering Committee, the Board of P16Plus Council of Greater Bexar County, and the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as President of the Texas School Alliance. Dr. Woods and his wife Meredith have a son who is a graduate of NISD schools.
Beverly Powell
Board Secretary
Former Texas State Senator District 10
Beverly Powell is a fourth generation Texan, a determined advocate for public education, and a successful real estate professional and small business owner.
A graduate of Texas public schools and the daughter of a respected public school teacher, Beverly is committed to quality educational opportunities for all Texans. As a Senator and a former school board president, Beverly is a respected leader on education issues. During her first session, Beverly worked across party lines to pass historic school finance reform, increase teacher pay, and reform Texas’ controversial standardized testing system.
As a non-traditional student and working single mother, Beverly went back to college at 39, graduating from her parent’s alma mater, Texas Wesleyan University, with a BS in Psychology and an MBA. Her commitment and belief in the power of higher education earned Beverly a position on the school’s Board of Trustees. In the Senate, she worked to promote higher education and career training. Beverly passed the Texas WORKS program to provide on-the-job training opportunities for students enrolled in Texas universities.
The daughter of a highly decorated World War II veteran and the granddaughter of a Gold Star Family, Beverly’s legislative priorities are influenced by her life experience. She led efforts to preserve the Operation Welcome Home Program for returning service members and authored legislation to streamline loan funds for military communities.
Powell and her husband Charlie are involved in civic organizations throughout Tarrant County and are active in their church. The Powells are parents to three sons and have seven grandchildren.
Mickey Gerdes
Board Treasurer
Southwest Underwriting Counsel & Uvalde High School Class of 1994
Mickey is a 1994 graduate of Uvalde High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and his Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University. Mickey is an eigth generation Texas, born and raised in Uvalde, and a father to his three children that attend UCISD schools. Mickey maintained a successful law firm in Uvalde from 2006 until 2018 and is currently the Southwest Underwriting Counsel for Agents National Title Insurance Company. Mickey served on the Uvalde CISD school board for two 4-year terms and currently serves as the steering committee chairperson for the Uvalde Together We Rise Fund, a fund that was created to receive and distribute financial assistance to those directly affected by the Robb Elementary tragedy.
Rodney Ellis
Board Member
Harris County Commissioner
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis was born and raised in Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood.
The proud son of a yardman and a maid, Ellis attended Texas public schools from grade school through law school. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Southern University, a master’s degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and a law degree from the University Of Texas School Of Law.
As Commissioner of Harris County Precinct One, Ellis has played a critical role on the Court by securing misdemeanor bail reform, flood equity guidelines, stronger worker protections and economic opportunity provisions, funding for indigent defense and COVID-19 recovery funding, including direct relief for residents, small businesses, emergency rental assistance, shelters for those experiencing homelessness, as well as other innovative programs, including providing computers to low-income students, among other achievements.
Before serving as a County Commissioner, Ellis was elected to Houston City Council and served three terms before being elected to the Texas Senate in 1990. For 26 years, he represented Texas’ 13th state senate district and he passed over 700 pieces of legislation. On November 8, 2016, Ellis was elected county commissioner and sworn into office on January 1, 2017.
Luis Fernandez
Board Member
UCISD School Board President
A lifelong learner, Luis earned two associates degrees from Southwest Texas Junior College, a bachelor’s degree from Texas A & M University – Kingsville, a master’s degree from Sul Ross State University – Rio Grande College, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Since 2005, Luis rose through the ranks at Southwest Texas Junior College and is currently leading as the Business, Industrial, and Technical Studies Division Chair and the Title III Full STEaM Ahead Project Co-Director. Luis was elected to the Uvalde CISD School Board in 2016 and currently serves as the Board President. Luis has also served the Uvalde community as the Treasurer, Secretary, and President of the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce. Luis has one son Dominick who is in 8th grade and attends Morales Junior High in UCISD.
Gary Patterson
Board Member
UCISD Interim Superintendent
Mr. Patterson is a well-respected former superintendent, having led East Central Independent School District in the San Antonio area for 14 years. In his time at East Central ISD, a 260-square-mile school district, he championed several successful bond packages to modernize the district and also oversaw an increased focus on dual-language programs. He retired in 2014 and has since gone on to serve as interim superintendent at other school districts such as Pflugerville ISD, La Vernia ISD and Falls City ISD. His career in education began in 1976 as a teacher. In addition to East Central ISD, he reached the ranks of superintendent at two other school districts, Valley Mills ISD and Taylor ISD.
