Governor Greg Abbott has announced the appointment of Nidia De La Cerda and Rob McClelland to the Texas School Safety Center Board, with their terms set to conclude on February 1, 2025. Alongside these appointments, Governor Abbott has reappointed Isaac "Bill" Avera, Craig Bessent, and Kerri Brady while appointing Rania Mankarious, Edwin Flores, Ph.D., and Adebola "Serah" Sulaiman for terms ending on February 1, 2026. The Commission is tasked with providing financial and technical support to counties in developing effective indigent defense systems.
Nidia De La Cerda from Corpus Christi currently serves as an assistant principal for Tuloso-Midway Independent School District. She holds membership in the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association and volunteers with the Nueces County Veterans Service Office Volunteer Corps. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a Master of Arts in Bilingual Education from UT Permian Basin.
Robert "Rob" McClelland resides in Dripping Springs and works as the director of Business Development at BPI Bauerle Partners Inc. He also serves on the school board for Dripping Springs ISD. His community involvement extends to being a board member for JC7 Foundation, participating in the Hays County Sheriff's Office Training Advisory Board, and serving as a Deacon at Bannockburn Church. McClelland's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Texas A&M University along with notable military service honors including the Bronze Star.
Bill Avera from Jacksonville is engaged as chief of police and emergency manager with Jacksonville ISD. He presides over the Texas School District Police Chiefs’ Association and is involved with various law enforcement associations including those at both state and international levels. His educational history features degrees from Sam Houston State University and East Texas A&M University.
Craig Bessent hails from Abilene where he functions as assistant superintendent with Wylie ISD. His roles include serving as a Texas School Marshal while actively participating in several educational administrative associations across Texas. Bessent's education includes degrees from Texas Tech University along with certification credentials.
Kerri Brady based in Cypress operates as vice president of educational practice at Huckabee. As a registered architect, she holds affiliations with multiple architectural societies alongside her legal education achievements which include earning a Juris Doctor degree.
Rania Mankarious leads Crime Stoppers of Houston as CEO while engaging in various advisory roles within organizations focused on safety including Safe and Sound Schools. Her diverse academic background spans psychology, marriage therapy, law studies among others.
Adebola “Serah” Sulaiman situated in Mesquite contributes professionally within psychiatric care services at Mind Body Optimization holding certifications that affirm her leadership capabilities particularly within AI quality contexts related to clinical practices.
Edwin Flores manages operations at Chalker Flores LLP located out of Dallas carrying memberships within state bar entities pertinent to patent law fields alongside contributions toward medical research boards reflecting his extensive expertise gathered through microbiology & immunology studies further augmented by legal training received thereafter.
