Toni Córdova, Chief of Staff
Toni Córdova works behind the scenes to solve problems, mediate disputes and handle issues before they are brought to the superintendent.
She has more than 15 years’ experience in education, with a large part of her career supporting executive leadership. She most recently served as chief of communications at the second-largest school district in Texas, Dallas ISD, and currently oversees the Office of Innovation and Development.
Cordova has worked for several school districts including Albuquerque Public Schools, NM, as the chief of staff; chief strategy officer at the Santa Clara County Office of Education, CA; and chief of staffs at Socorro ISD, El Paso, and at Tucson Unified School District, AZ.
She has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and Master of Business Administration from the University of Arizona.
Contact: toni.cordova@austinisd.org
Dr. Stephanie Hawley, Interim Chief Equity Officer
Dr. Stephanie Hawley is Austin ISD’s first equity officer. The office was established in 2019 to ensure children receive what they need to develop to their full academic and social potential.
As interim chief equity officer, Dr. Hawley helps the district build its capacity for achieving equitable outcomes by partnering with departments to enhance equity-centered leadership development, strategic and facilities planning, and professional learning, and by engaging marginalized communities to help bring about systemic change.
Dr. Hawley has more than 30 years of experience in K–20 education. Prior to joining the district, she was the associate vice president for equity and inclusion at Austin Community College. At ACC she led the development and implementation of the college’s equity progress report assessment guide to promote and enhance institutional accountability for changes in policies and practices for equity.
Dr. Hawley has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English composition from the University of North Texas and a Master of Science degree in education from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. She received her doctorate in higher education leadership from the University of Texas at Austin.
She is active in her profession, serving on the Principal Leadership Academy Advisory Committee at UT Austin, in the College of Education’s Cooperative Superintendency Program, and as a member of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education.
Dr. Hawley lives in Austin with her husband of many decades and is mother to four awesome adult children and is a grandmother to two amazing 2-year olds. She enjoys reading, hiking, racquetball, crafting, gardening and watching other people cook.
Contact: stephanie.hawley@austinisd.org / Follow: @AISDEquity
Gilbert Hicks, Interim Chief of School Leadership
Gilbert Hicks leads the district’s Office of School Leadership, overseeing all schools and student programs. The office includes Elementary Schools, Secondary Schools, P-Tech, Early College High Schools, and Career & Technical Education.
Hicks has 30 years of experience as an educator and administrator, serving for his entire career in Austin ISD. He has served as a middle school teacher, high school assistant principal, elementary principal, and associate superintendent of elementary and secondary schools.
He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin. He holds a Master of Education Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He is currently completing his Ed.D. in School Leadership at Aspen University.
Contact: gilbert.hicks@austinisd.org
Brandi Hosack, Chief of Human Capital
Brandi Hosack leads the Office of Human Capital, which encompasses Human Capital Systems and Employee Development & Sustainability. The Human Capital team supports the recruitment, development and retention of high-quality, equity-focused, diverse teachers and staff to meet the needs of all students. In addition, Human Capital develops programs and initiatives to ensure the well-being of each of Austin ISD's 11,000 employees.
Ms. Hosack brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this position. She has served as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Capital Systems and the Assistant Superintendent of Employee Development & Sustainability. She joined Austin ISD in 2004 and has also served as principal at McCallum High School and Akins High School. Ms. Hosack has a Master of Education degree in educational administration from The University of Texas and a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University.
Contact: brandi.hosack@austinisd.org / Follow: @WeAreAISD
Heather Petruzzini, Special Assistant to the Superintendent
Heather Petruzzini started her career in education as a teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia, as a first-grade teacher. She became an instructional coach and an educational specialist supporting professional learning communities and teacher leadership. Ms. Petruzzini came to Austin in 2014, when she became an instructional coach in Eanes ISD. In 2016, she became the assistant principal at Sunset Valley Elementary and in 2018 she became the principal at Mary Ellen Cunningham Elementary. Under her leadership, Cunningham earned a grade of A and all six distinctions available from the Texas Education Agency. In July 2022, Ms. Petruzzini began her role as the Director of Academics under the leadership of Elizabeth Casas.
Ms. Petruzzini has a bachelor’s degree in art, a master's degree in elementary education, and a second master's degree in educational leadership. She is currently working on her doctorate in educational leadership and policy at the University of Texas at Austin. She is particularly interested in how districts support and develop leadership content knowledge.
Her professional interests include literacy education and how it is leveraged across the curriculum. She is passionate about increasing opportunities and outcomes for all students. She looks forward to working and learning alongside the Austin ISD community.
Contact: heather.petruzzini@austinisd.org
Eduardo Ramos, Chief Financial Officer
Eduardo Ramos serves the district as the Chief Financial Officer. He manages the financials of Austin ISD, including the budget, purchasing, state and federal grants, the historically utilized business program and more. Ramos has worked in school finance for 25 years, including as chief of operations at Pflugerville ISD and deputy superintendent of finance and operations in Hutto ISD.
He has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from St. Edward's University with a double major in Accounting and Finance.
Contact: eduardo.ramos@austinisd.org
Dr. Jacob Reach, Chief of Governmental Relations & Board Services
Dr. Jacob Reach was appointed by the superintendent to lead a new office to support trustees and the district. Dr. Reach has 15 years working as an education professional, most recently serving as the district’s chief of staff.
He began his career in Lubbock ISD at Alderson, a middle school identified as Title 1. While at Alderson, he started a chess program for students, who won the inaugural Lubbock ISD chess tournament that following year.
He also worked for the Texas Education Agency, where he oversaw the grant programs for the state. He has worked for AISD for 10 years in various leadership roles in finance, the school's office, and now leading our legal office, governmental services and board services.
When not working, he enjoys fly fishing, and will commonly visit fishing spots in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. He and his wife have two girls, one who will attend Bear Creek Elementary this fall.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and sociology and a Master of Public Administration degree from Texas Tech University. He received his doctorate of education from Northeastern University in Boston.
Contact: jacob.reach@austinisd.org
Oscar Rodriguez, Chief Technology Officer
As chief technology officer for the Austin Independent School District, Oscar Rodriguez is driving a digital transformation across all information systems districtwide. Under his leadership, the district’s cybersecurity is being significantly enhanced and work efficiency is improving to benefit all staff, families and students.
Rodriguez has dedicated his whole career to education and brings more than fifteen years of experience to Austin ISD. He first joined the district in 2021, serving as the executive director of enterprise applications before taking on the role of CTO in 2022.
Prior to joining Austin ISD, Rodriguez worked with the Dallas Independent School District for nine years, serving in various capacities, including the role of director of business operations for the district’s transportation department.
Rodriguez has also spent time in the classroom. He began his career in education as a math teacher for Texan Can Academies. He is a first generation college graduate and believes in the impact education can have on students and their families.
Rodriguez is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree from Texas Christian University (TCU). He also holds an MBA in information systems and operations from TCU, an MS in global e-learning from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a BA in operations management from the University of Texas Arlington.
Contact: oscar.rodriguez@austinisd.org
Wayne Sneed, Chief of Police
Wayne Sneed serves as the district’s chief of police. He leads 76 full-time police officers, including 43 School Resource Officers (SROs), eight patrol officers and four detectives. There are two SROs assigned to every high school campus and one SRO assigned to every middle school campus. The department also employs 75 civilian staff, including dispatchers, office support staff, and unarmed security guard personnel.
Chief Sneed has been with the Austin ISD Police Department for the past 10 years, most recently leading the mental health and community engagement unit. He also teaches law enforcement at Texas State University. He has more than 40 years of experience, including as a former police officer in Austin and San Marcos.
Sneed also served as a Special Agent with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, and served as Director of Internal Affairs, Office of the Inspector General with Texas Health and Human Services.
Contact: wayne.sneed@austinisdpolice.org / Follow: @AISDPolice