EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
 BRUCE GEARING, Ed.D
President • Leander ISD
Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. has served as the Superintendent of Leander ISD since September 2019. Leander ISD, a fast-growing district north of Austin, added more than 1,000 new students for the 2019-20 school year, totaling more than 41,000 across its roughly 200-square mile district.
Previous to his time at Leander ISD, he was named Region 13 Superintendent of the Year and served as the Dripping Springs ISD superintendent since February 2012. During his tenure, he oversaw a fast-growth district, growing by approximately 50 percent, while supporting students with state and national success in academics, arts and athletics.
Before moving to Dripping Springs, Gearing served as superintendent of Marshall ISD from 2009-2012, three years as an assistant superintendent at Mount Pleasant ISD, one year as a junior high principal, and four years as an elementary principal. A native of South Africa, Gearing started his career teaching science and math at the high school level, including three years at international schools. He proudly became a United States citizen in 2010.
Gearing earned his doctorate degree from Texas A&M – Commerce, master’s degree from Texas A&M – Texarkana, and bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and chemistry from the University of Witwatersrand.
DR. MARTHA SALAZAR-ZAMORA
Immediate Past-President • Tomball ISD
Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora has been an educator in Texas for the past 34 years. Currently she serves as Superintendent of Schools for Tomball Independent School District after working as their Chief Academic Officer for three years. Previously she served the Round Rock Independent School District as Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Administration and the Houston Independent School District as the Assistant Superintendent of School Support Services. She also served Spring ISD as an Assistant Superintendent and Kingsville Independent School District as the Superintendent of Schools,
She was recently nominated and selected for three years as the Texas representative for the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), an appointed member of the Texas Education Agency Commissioner’s Cabinet, an elected member of the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Executive Committee representing Region 4, the Region 4 Texas Council for Women School Executives (TCWSE) Vice President of Membership and the Past President of Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (TALAS) where she was a founding member.
Dr. Salazar-Zamora earned a doctorate of education at Texas A&M University, a master of education in educational administration and a master of education in special education at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and a bachelor of science at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas.
 Dr. Justin Terry
Vice President • Forney ISD
Dr. Justin Terry has more than 22 years of experience in education. He is currently in his 6th year as superintendent of Forney ISD, which is the largest district in the fastest growing county the nation.
During his time in Forney ISD, Dr. Terry developed a systemic approach to the Forney ISD Collaborative Learning Community involving students, parents, businesses and community partnerships to ensure student success. Dr. Terry was also instrumental in the redesign of the District Career and Technology Education (CTE) Program as well as the development of a Future Ready curriculum. Forney ISD successfully passed two bonds in November 2019 for $623 million by 72% and May 2022 for $1.29 billion by 66%.
In addition to his appointments on the Texas Teacher Vacancy Task Force and the Industry Based Certifications Committee, he was named a 2022 National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Superintendent to Watch.
Dr. Terry received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Kinesiology from East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas and he earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Study from the University of Texas in Arlington. He earned his Doctorate of Education from Texas A&M Commerce in Commerce, Texas. He has a Texas Superintendent Certification, a Texas Principal Certification, a Texas Teacher’s Certification in Mathematics, an Instructional Leadership Development Certification and a certification in the Professional Development and Appraisal System and the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System.
 Dr. Holly Ferguson
Treasurer • Prosper ISD
Dr. Ferguson began her career with Prosper ISD in 1998 as an elementary school teacher and has dedicated her professional life to serving the district in various capacities. She has progressed through roles as campus principal, executive director of curriculum and instruction, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, and associate superintendent before being appointed superintendent in July 2020.
Her educational foundation includes a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies and a master's in educational administration from the University of North Texas, followed by a doctorate in educational leadership from Texas A&M Commerce. Prior to her extensive tenure with Prosper ISD, Dr. Ferguson gained valuable experience at Frisco ISD, where she served as a teacher, ESL cluster teacher, reading interventionist, and assistant principal.
Dr. Ferguson's leadership has been recognized with the prestigious 2022 Superintendent of the Year award from the Texas Education Technology Leaders. Her commitment to student welfare extends beyond traditional academics through her service on the National Hope Squad Board, which champions mental health awareness and suicide prevention initiatives. Her educational philosophy centers on the fundamental belief that every student deserves access to a high-quality education that opens doors and windows to endless possibilities.
Under Dr. Ferguson's visionary leadership, Prosper ISD has achieved remarkable milestones, including being named a 2024 Top Workplace Industry Winner in Dallas-Fort Worth and receiving the H-E-B Excellence in Education Award for large school districts. Her tenure has been characterized by extraordinary growth, with the district expanding from approximately 19,000 to over 32,000 students, establishing itself as one of Texas's most dynamically developing school systems.
A significant achievement during her leadership was the successful passage of a $2.7 billion bond in November 2023, accomplished through collaborative efforts with her team. Dr. Ferguson expresses deep gratitude for the Prosper ISD community's support of this historic initiative, which will further advance the district's commitment to educational excellence.
Embodying the district's core principle of "Excellence Every Day Every Way," Dr. Ferguson continues to drive continuous improvement, transforming Prosper ISD into a model of educational innovation and student-centered leadership.
 Dr. Mark Foust
Secretary • Northwest ISD
Dr. Mark Foust is in his 31st year in public education and 3rd year as Superintendent of Northwest ISD. In his role, Dr. Foust leads one of the fastest-growing school districts in North Texas. Northwest ISD’s total enrollment now grows at an annual rate of 1,200 additional students per year. With boundaries that encompass 234 square miles combined with the district’s reputation and a robust housing market, current projections indicate the district’s growth will last for decades. Also, Dr. Foust is proud to serve with the ESC Region 11 School Board of the Year, 2025.
Prior to joining Northwest ISD, Dr. Foust was superintendent of Kerrville ISD for six years, where he earned a reputation as a strong instructional leader who places student needs first. During his tenure as superintendent, Kerrville ISD earned distinction as an HEB Excellence in Education Small District State Finalist and a top-10 UIL Lone Star Cup finisher.
Dr. Foust spent the first 21 years of his professional career in Fort Bend ISD, a fast-growth school district in the Houston area. He began his career as an English teacher and coach in 1995 before becoming an associate principal and principal at the high school level. He transitioned into a district leadership role as an assistant superintendent before serving as Chief of Schools and overseeing educational services for 74 schools in the FBISD.
Dr. Foust earned his Doctor of Education in professional leadership from the University of Houston and he earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Texas A&M University. He and his wife Shannon have been married for 26 years and have two daughters and a yorkie.
|
