Dr. Vanessa Kenon has dedicated her professional life to bringing excellence and access to higher education. She is a published and highly decorated academic leader at all levels of higher education. Beginning her career in education at what is now Hallmark University, where she served over 17 years culminating in the position of Dean of Academics, Vanessa has gone on to earn her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).
Because of the leadership skills she displayed, even as a graduate student, Dr. Kenon was invited to join the academic leadership team at UTSA almost immediately after graduation. Dr. Kenon has successfully led numerous grant and international initiatives since joining UTSA and has constantly progressed leading to her current position as Assistant Vice Provost of Information Technology. In this position, Vanessa oversees an 18 million dollar budget and coordinates support for OIT initiatives supporting student access and success.
Vanessa is active in her church and is consistently found volunteering in the San Antonio community. Her pride and joy is the amazing and growing family she has raised with her husband.
Jerry Valdez is a specialist in understanding how government works. Serving in a number of public positions Valdez has successfully advocated for regulatory and legislative change at the local, state, and federal level. He has coordinated the passage of landmark legislation in diverse areas including; Natural Resources, Real Estate Land Use, Public Finance and Consumer Matters, Higher Education, and Energy. Jerry has a particular expertise in Transportation Planning and Funding, often successfully amending statutes after decades without change. In addition to successful passing legislation, Valdez is as adept at preventing activist actions that are detrimental to his clients.
Jerry serves with the Texas Department of Economic Development as the Deputy Executive Director for Special Projects where he leads efforts for business and industry relocation and expansion in the state. In this role, he acts as a liaison to the governing board and oversees the Executive Office, communications, governmental relations and the agency’s nonprofit corporation.
Jerry is active in his community, serving on the Advisory Board of Caritas of Austin; a nonprofit faith-based organization helping the working poor in Central Texas, the Advisory Board of the Wine and Food Foundation, as well as the Development Council of the Austin Can Academy. He volunteers alongside his wife and young daughter with Eanes ISD, the Junior League of Austin, and Partnerships for Children and their West Austin Church.
Paul Nguyen is the President and CEO of CommuniCare Health Centers. He has over 25 years of progressive healthcare leadership experience in both inpatient and ambulatory services. Mr. Nguyen’s healthcare administration background includes working in two level I trauma centers at Wilford Hall Medical Center and Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. Mr. Nguyen says that he has always loved the education and training environment since being a technical instructor in the Air Force and adjunct faculty at Park University. He has led multiplicative growth at the nonprofit CommuniCare and hopes to contribute to HU’s growth strategy, operation innovation, and position in the healthcare industry.
Brandon Logan is a San Antonio native whose entrepreneurship, advocacy, and public service make him a great fit for HU. In addition to his successful startup called SRG Athletics, Brandon founded a nonprofit SRG Force Sports that serves hundreds of youth through after-school enrichment and mentoring programs. Brandon served as Chairman for San Antonio’s 2016 MLK Commission and his leadership set participation (over 300,000), scholarships (over $400,000), and other outcome records for the nation’s largest MLK march. In addition to serving on other influential boards, Brandon was honored with Rotary’s Service Above Self award in 2016. Brandon hopes to effectively use his platform of influence to make a difference in the lives of others.