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Texas Staff

  • Jerel Booker

    Executive Director
    jbooker@stand.org
    512.501.2340
    As Executive Director in Texas, Jerel oversees all programs and activities, including policy, organizing, and fundraising.

  • Priscilla Aquino Garza

    Deputy Director
    paquinogarza@stand.org
    512.501.2268
    As Deputy Director, Priscilla helps oversee state operations, organizing, and advocacy. She also works to develop and implement statewide policy that will improve the lives of Texas children.

  • Erin Willig

    Communications Director
    ewillig@stand.org
    512.366.0827
    As Communications Director, Erin helps get the word out about Stand to the community and the media.

  • Luis Angel Garcia-Alvarez

    Assistant Director of Organizing in Houston
    lgarciaalvarez@stand.org
    832.566.7417

    Luis grew up in Cadereyta, N.L. México (near Monterrey) and is a graduate of the Instituto Europeo Campus Stellae in Spain, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Human Rights and International Law. He has lived in Houston for the last seven years. Prior to joining Stand's staff, he spent the three years as the branch manager of the Quitman Branch School at the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans in Houston.

    As an Organizer in Houston, Luis is responsible for developing the leadership of our parent, educator, and community leaders through rigorous, ongoing training and coaching, and educating parents, educators, and community leaders on public education policies that will impact the quality of schools in Houston.

  • Christopher Harvey

    Organizing Coordinator
    charvey@stand.org
    832.491.6259

    Christopher was born in Houston and grew up in Missouri City, Texas, where he attended public schools. He received his B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Speech Communications from Texas Southern University in Houston.

    Christopher has served both his campus and community through a variety of volunteer experiences with local organizations and political campaigns. He has volunteered with Habitat For Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club of Houston, and the Bread of Life Homeless Shelter. In 2011, Christopher became a vocal advocate for the DREAM Act when the immigration status of his fellow fraternity brother came into question.

    Christopher believes education starts at home, but that beyond the home, it is up to the schools and community to inspire students to achieve their greatest potential. He is passionate about Stand for Children’s work advocating on behalf of children.

  • Gabriella Hernandez

    Assistant Director of Organizing in Houston
    ghernandez@stand.org
    832.244.9943

    Gabriella was born in Mexico City. She attended La Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, majoring in Broadcasting and Communications and Social Sciences before moving to Houston in 1989.

    Gabriella began working with the Houston Independent School District (HISD) in 1992, where she worked in a variety of roles, including in the Multilingual Department, Strategic Partnerships, and the Early Childhood Department. Most recently, she worked to in the School Support Services-Parent Engagement Department. These various roles and positions have shaped Gabby’s passion to improve educational opportunities for all families.

    Gabby is excited to be part of Stand, where she can share her experience with Houston schools while mentoring and supporting others as they develop their vision and passion to ensure an excellent education for all children. She is currently pursuing a second degree on Psychology with a minor in Spanish at University of Houston.

  • Fortécia Smith

    Assistant Director of Organizing in Houston
    fsmith@stand.org
    832.289.8822

    Fortécia grew up in Houston, and is a graduate of Kashmere High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Baruch College in New York City. She fully realized her strong inclination for social justice through volunteering and mentoring neighborhood children in New York.

    Compelled by seeing constant and similar instances of social inequity, Fortécia decided to pursue a J.D. and enrolled at Washington University’s School of Law in St. Louis, MO. While in law school, Fortécia continued to volunteer, particularly with education-focused non-profits and programs. Seeking to better understand the broader effects of social inequality, she acquired a graduate certificate from the Netherlands’ Utrecht University Institute of Global Justice.

    In 2010, recognizing that she wanted to help uplift under-served communities through non-profit work, Fortécia obtained a Non-Profit Management certification from the University of Houston. She is enthusiastic about Stand for Children’s work to build a better education system and is passionate about advocating to give all children a voice.

  • Felice Trirogoff

    Development and Expansion Manager
    ftrirogoff@stand.org
    512.576.1945

    Felice hails from a small town in the Texas Panhandle, where she attended rural public schools. She came to Austin to study Public Relations and Women and Gender Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, where she fundraised for LGRL Texas (now Equality Texas) and was active in student organizations.

    After college, Felice taught English and Women's Studies through Teach for America in Philadelphia. After her TFA service ended, Felice returned to Texas to pursue a dual graduate degree in Public Affairs and Advertising at the LBJ School of Public Affairs.

    Prior to joining Stand, Felice worked at the Texas Education Agency, focusing on educator professionalism, recruitment and retention. She managed POWER ON TEXAS, a professional development tool for educational technology and 'The Best Teach in Texas', the state's educator professionalism and recruitment campaign. Felice plays roller derby and enjoys touring Austin's food trailers.