Leadership - IDEA Public Schools

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.

Al Lopez

Acting Superintendent/ Chief Executive Officer

Phillip Garza

Chief College and Diversity Officer

Phillip is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin where he studied music and art history. The first in his family to graduate from college, Phillip knows the value proposition of an undergraduate degree.

Sam Goessling

Chief Advancement Officer

Sam is a graduate of the University of Richmond, the Harvard Graduate School of Education (M.A.), and the University of Texas at Austin (Ph.D.). He joined IDEA’s founding teaching team at IDEA Quest College Prep where he taught 6th grade.

Dolores Gonzalez

Chief Program Officer

Dolores is a Texas native, and was raised throughout the state of Texas until she and her family ultimately settled in Kingsville.

Collin Sewell

Acting Chief Operating Officer

Collin Sewell is a son, husband, father, leader, and entrepreneur. His responsibilities span from serving his family to leading a team of over 500.

Martin Winchester

Chief Human Assets Officer

Martin serves as the Chief Human Assets Officer
at IDEA Public Schools, leading the
organization’s strategic efforts in recruitment,
staffing, professional development, talent management, compensation and benefits,
and retention.

Lisa T. Garza

Chief Schools Officer

As Chief Schools Officer, Lisa leads IDEA Public Schools’ vision and strategy to ensure all students graduate college ready and our schools earn an “A” Rating. The Chief Schools Officer manages Executive Directors and Regional Superintendents and is responsible for setting and embodying IDEA culture in our schools.

Leanne Hernandez

Chief Financial Officer

Cody Grindle

Chief Information Officer

Candice Burns

Chief Communications Officer

Tom Torkelson

Founder and CEO Emeritus

Upon graduating from Georgetown University with a degree in economics in 1997, Tom joined Teach For America and taught fourth grade in Donna, Texas for three years, after which he successfully launched the IDEA Academy in 2000, serving as the first board president and founding principal.