Active Members

 

 

Dr. Alzahabi is currently an assistant professor at University of Texas of the Permian Basin. He earned his PhD and MS in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University and also holds an MS from Cairo University. He previously served as researcher and project manager at Energy Industry Partnerships (University of Houston), working in the field of energy to solve complex production optimization problems for the industry (US and Asia).

He is experienced in introducing new technologies in well-placement and fracture stages in conventional and unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. Dr. Alzahabi’s research involved Permian Wolfcamp and Anadarko Basin Data Analytics and petroleum fundamental research. He has contributed a book chapter in Fracturing Horizontal Wells, and served as author of two books on Optimization of Hydraulic Fracture Stages and Sequencing in Unconventional Formations and PVT Property Correlations.

 

Dr. Kim Alexander grew up on a farm near Roscoe, Texas where his family has been farming and ranching since 1917.  Dr. Alexander has farmed and ranched in that area since graduation from college in 1976. He was employed by the Roscoe Independent School District in 1988, where he served as superintendent from 2003 to 2019. Since 2019, he has served as CEO of Collegiate Edu-Nation.

During his doctoral research, Dr. Alexander became involved in a study investigating differentiated instruction for economically disadvantaged learners. This led to additional, extensive research into understanding generational poverty more effectively. As a result of that research, Roscoe Collegiate ISD became the first rural schoolwide Early College High School in Texas in 2009 and a schoolwide STEM Academy in 2012, which evolved into the first rural schoolwide P-TECH Academy in 2017. In 2019, the Roscoe Model became a 501 C (3) Nonprofit, Collegiate Edu-Nation.

Collegiate Edu-Nation currently serves 15 school districts in Texas and West Virginia on 45 campuses with approximately 15,000 rural students. The CEN mission is to assist small and rural schools in Texas and the U.S. with Tri-Agency Alignment leading to postsecondary credential attainment for ALL students. 

 

Dana Cooper is associate professor of history and Academic Innovation Officer at Stephen F. Austin State University. She earned her Ph.D. in history and certificate in women’s studies at Texas Christian University.  

Specializing in women's, gender, and transatlantic history, she has presented papers in Canada, England, Germany, Holland, and Austria and has published with presses in Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United States. Her latest work Informal Ambassadors:  American Women, Transatlantic Marriages, and Anglo-American Relations 1865-1945 (Kent State University Press, 2014), led to an interview for the documentary “Million Dollar American Princesses,” which appeared on the Smithsonian Channel in 2015.

Recent works include two edited volumes, Motherhood and War:  International Perspectives (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014) and Transatlantic Relations and Modern Diplomacy: An Interdisciplinary Examination (Routledge, 2013).  She received the SFASU Teaching Excellence Award in 2010 and a national service award for her role as faculty sponsor of Phi Alpha Theta in the same year.  She currently serves as president of the Texas Council of Faculty Senates. 

 

Originally from Wichita Falls, Texas, Jennifer graduated from S.H. Rider High School before earning both a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance (1997) and a Master of Business Administration in Finance (1999) from Texas Tech in Lubbock, TX.  

Jennifer began her career in the banking industry, serving as the Marketing Director at Plains Capital Bank and later as Director of Marketing at First United Bank. In 2007, she and her husband, Chuck, launched their real estate investing careers, and went on to found Dannheim Realty in 2012. Today, Jennifer serves as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Dannheim Realty, a thriving real estate brokerage and property management company in Lubbock.  

Jennifer and Chuck have three sons: Keller, Kimble, and Kingston. Keller, a Texas Tech University student, plans to continue his studies at the graduate level following his 2024 graduation. Kimble is currently attending the University of Arkansas, while Kingston attends Lubbock-Cooper Liberty High School.  

 

Roger Estlack (BGS ’93, MA ’95) is a graduate of Clarendon High School, Clarendon College, and Texas Tech University; and for the past 27 years has been the owner, publisher, and editor of the Texas Panhandle's oldest newspaper, The Clarendon Enterprise. During that time, the newspaper has been a consistent annual winner of press awards at the regional, state, and national levels.  

Estlack is a past president of the West Texas Press Association and Panhandle Press Association and currently serves on the board of the Texas Press Association. He was recognized in 2017 by the WTPA with the Harold Hudson Award for his contributions to the publishing industry, and he was inducted into the Panhandle Press Hall of Fame in 2022.

Estlack is the current District Governor for Lions International District 2-T1. He serves on the board of the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation and led the restoration of the community’s 1946 Mulkey Theatre.  

 

Jace Hassoldt is the Environmental Director and Vice President of Operations for King Consultants. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies in 2012, and his Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies at Texas Tech University in 2022.  

Moving to Lubbock from Colorado in 2008, Jace started his 17-year career in environmental consulting, working with over a hundred school districts across Texas, dozens of universities, and countless other clients on environmental and regulatory compliance. Jace has specializing in the design and oversight for projects such as the NTS Tower redevelopment in downtown Lubbock, the elevator structural abatement in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and the redevelopment of James Connally Air Force Base for Texas State Technical College in Waco.  

Jace and his wife, Karlie, have been married for 13 years and currently live in Lubbock with their daughter, Layla. The three of them are passionate supporters of Texas Tech, their church, and the Lubbock community. Long live the Matadors!  

 

Elena Quintanilla has served as the City Manager of Ransom Canyon for nine years. In this role, she played a pivotal role in several major initiatives, including the construction of a new emergency road for the community, the building of a new City Hall, and the negotiation of a contract that brought reliable internet services to residents. She also oversaw the implementation of a new wastewater treatment plant, facilitated park improvements, and assisted Buffalo Springs Lake, Water Control Improvement District in securing a grant to rehabilitate their dam. In 1995, Elena earned her Master’s degree in Public Administration, with a fully-funded fellowship from Texas Tech University, where she also received a full-paid scholarship for her Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Elena has been deeply involved in civic and leadership activities. She has served as President of the West Texas City Manager’s Association, President of the Municipal Clerks Association, and a Board Trustee for the Texas Health Pool. Additionally, she is the former Chair of the Lubbock Housing Authority and a member of the Board of Directors for United Way of Lubbock, among other positions.

Her dedication has not gone unnoticed; she was honored as a Woman of Excellence in Government by the YWCA. Elena is married to David Quintanilla, and they have two daughters, Carisa Marie who recently graduated from Texas Tech and Katelyn Quintanilla who is attending the University of Texas in Austin.

 

Gonzalo Ramirez is a retired educator with 42 years of serviced to the students of Texas. He has worked in public schools as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and central office administrator at four public school districts.  As a professor, he has taught at Lubbock Christian University (LCU), Richland College, Texas Tech University (TTU), Texas Women University, University of North Texas, and Wayland Baptist University. He earned a bachelor’s degree from LCU, master’s and doctorate from TTU. He was recently selected to serves on the Lubbock Electric Utility Board. He also coached Little League Baseball for 16 years and youth soccer for four years. Dr. Ramirez is married to Jan Ramirez, has two children and two grandchildren. 

 

Matt Ramon, 1993 graduate from Texas Tech University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Applying his degree has worked in various industries from military, semi-conductors, consumer products and industrial automation designing complex equipment and control systems.  In addition, Matt, has founded two companies with partners and international investors mainly in the distributions of consumer products for both international and domestic retail. 

The experience of entrepreneurship rekindled a lifelong goal of gaining more education through the pursuit of an MBA.  In 2014 Matt, was accepted to the Rawls College of Business Working Professionals MBA program at Texas Tech University, graduating in May of 2016. Currently, employed with Lozier-CASI located in Frisco, Texas as the Vice President of Operations.  Furthermore, Matt sits on the Industrial Automation Advisory Council for Collin County Community College.  Providing insight to industry needs and commenting on course curriculum.

Matt is originally from Ft Worth, TX and currently resides in Wylie, TX a suburb of Dallas with his wife Emma, a Registered Nurse at Parkland Hospital and their daughter Olivia who attend Bishop Lynch High School. 

 

Dr. Jennifer Rojas-McWhinney is the Managing Director within the Department of Psychiatry at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center where she oversees a growing team working with school-based mental health services, pediatric primary care providers, and perinatal providers. The programs focus on clinical services and educational outreach across an 85-county catchment area. This region covers West Texas, Panhandle Plains, and extends slightly into the Big Bend, Hill Country, and Prairies and Lakes.

Dr. Rojas-McWhinney earned her doctoral degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University and taught at the collegiate level for ten years before transitioning to administration. As a Certified Family Life Educator and Mental Health First Aid instructor, she has facilitated trainings with families, schools, community organizations, medical professionals, and university personnel.  She has a passion for educating families and communities and believes knowledge coupled with prevention is a powerful tool to address mental health needs. 

 

Alan Sale is the current Assistant Director of Development for Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, TX. He is responsible for the overall fundraising and development of one of the largest school districts in the country. Alan received his Bachelors in Political Science in 2009 and his Masters in 2011, both from Texas Tech.

During his time in Graduate School, he was a recipient of the Government and Public Service Internship in Washington, D.C. There he had the opportunity to work in a Congressional office supporting legislative staff.  After graduation, Alan returned to D.C. to work in campaign finance for a variety of Congressional campaigns and met his wife, Stephanie who was serving in the U.S. Air Force.  

Alan has been working in Community Relations and Development since returning to Texas at the local, national, and international levels to support a variety of worthy causes. His passions include education, cooking, and travelling.  Alan is originally from California but grew up overseas and calls London home. He currently lives in Hollywood Park with his wife, Stephanie and their two daughters, 5 and 1 years old respectively.  

 

Clar Schacht has been married to his wife Judy for 45 yrs. He was born and raised in Lockney, Texas. He graduated from Lockney High in 1964. Clar went to Texas Tech and was a member of the Goin’ Band From Raiderland. He received his bachelor’s in animal science in 1968 and his masters in agricultural education in 1972. He was a teacher for four years and farmed in Kansas and Texas for ten years. Clar was an insurance agent for 38 years and still farms. Clar is a Deacon and teaches Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church Floydada. Clar served as a City councilman for Floydada for 19 years. Clar worked at Buildings and Grounds while at Texas Tech and worked on building the National Ranching Heritage Center.