Our Leadership

Passionate. Innovative. Dedicated.

At IDEA, we invest in people who bring 100% every day and are motivated to inspire others to believe in themselves and do their best work. We currently have leadership teams overseeing our district-wide, regional, and board operations.

Senior Leadership

Dr. Jeff Cottrill

CEO and Superintendent

Cody Grindle

President

Dolores Gonzalez

Deputy Superintendent

Chiefs

Dr. Ernie Cantu

Chief Schools Officer

Layne Fisher

Chief Operating Officer

Phillip Garza

Chief College Officer

Jessica Hess

Chief Governance Officer

Marlon Shears

Chief Information Officer

Dr. Colleen Stearns

Chief Academic Officer

Martin Winchester

Chief Human Assets Officer

Kathleen Zimmermann

Chief Financial Officer

IPS Leadership

Adam Miller

National Executive Director of IPS

Executive Directors

Simaran Bakshi

Executive Director, IDEA Jacksonville

James Hartman

Executive Director, IDEA Tampa Bay

Matthew Robinson

Executive Director, IDEA Cincinnati

Texas Leadership

Area Superintendents

Jill Dominguez

Area Superintendent

Andrea Fernandez

Area Superintendent

Dr. Dionel C. Waters

Area Superintendent

Executive Directors

Angie Arismendi

Executive Director, San Antonio

Michael Battle

Executive Director, IDEA Greater Austin

Jeremy Beard

Executive Director, Greater Houston

Frankie Gray

Executive Director, El Paso

Dr. Annette Macias

Executive Director, Permian Basin

Rian Townsend

Executive Director, IDEA Tarrant County