La Kesha Drinks, Chief of Staff
La Kesha Drinks serves as the Chief Of Staff.
Ms. Drinks has spent her career as an educator serving the С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD community, beginning as a classroom teacher before serving as a campus administrator, Executive Director of С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Leadership and Campus Support and most recently, as Assistant Superintendent of Elementary С»ÆѼµ¼º½s. She is passionate about creating a culture of support and high expectations for all students. She has a track record of empowering marginalized student groups to achieve high academic excellence through systematic support of the whole child and partnerships with their families.
As a result of her effective leadership, Ms. Drinks received the С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Independent С»ÆѼµ¼º½ District's Darlene Westbrook Leadership Award and has been selected to participate as a panelist during the keynote address at the Texas Association of С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Administrators (TASA) Midwinter Conference. In 2020 and 2024, Ms. Drinks was awarded the University of Texas at С»ÆѼµ¼º½â€™s Dr. Nolan Estes Leadership & Ascension Award. Ms. Drinks is an active volunteer with the Girl Scouts of Central Texas and was the founding troop leader for Troop 598, which was established to provide scouting opportunities to the girls attending Guerrero-Thompson Elementary. She was also a founding member of the Capital Area Alliance of Black С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Educators and volunteers with various other organizations in her community
She earned a master's degree in education administration from Concordia University at С»ÆѼµ¼º½ and a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is currently a doctoral student in the Cooperative Superintendency Program at the University of Texas at С»ÆѼµ¼º½.
Contact: lakesha.drinks@austinisd.org
Ali Ghilarducci, Senior Executive Director of Communications and Community Engagement
Ali Ghilarducci leads С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD’s Department of Communications and Community
Engagement, which includes AISD.TV, Community Engagement and Outreach, Community Events and Marketing, Family Support, Media Relations, Social Media, Translation and Interpretation, and Web Services.
Ms. Ghilarducci first joined the district in 2017, serving on and later leading the Community Engagement team as assistant director. She’s led various district engagement efforts, including the annual С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD budget and the 2017 and 2022 Bond Programs.
Ms. Ghilarducci holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and international relations from Scripps College in Claremont, CA.
Ms. Ghilarducci’s work is guided by the belief that we make better decisions when they are made with and not for those who are affected, and that engaged families and communities create stronger schools and student outcomes. Her goal is to create a greater sense of belonging and connection to the district and our schools.
In her free time, she enjoys reading fiction, social dancing, existential conversations and loving on the neighborhood cat.
Contact: alison.ghilarducci@austinisd.org
Brandi Hosack, Talent Strategy Officer
Brandi Hosack leads Talent Strategy, which encompasses Talent Strategy Systems and Employee Development & Sustainability. The Talent Strategy 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, Talent Strategy develops programs and initiatives to ensure the well-being of each of С»ÆѼµ¼º½ 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 Talent Strategy Systems and the Assistant Superintendent of Employee Development & Sustainability. She joined С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD in 2004 and has also served as principal at McCallum High С»ÆѼµ¼º½ and Akins High С»ÆѼµ¼º½. 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:
Joshua Jeon, Executive Director of Governance, Accountability and Board Services
Joshua Jeon serves as the Executive Director of Board Services and Intergovernmental Relations. Before assuming this role, Jeon served 11 years in С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD in the following roles: Special Assistant to the Superintendent, Executive Director of С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Programs in Student Support Services; and, assistant principal, math department chair, and instructional coach at Eastside Early College High С»ÆѼµ¼º½.
Jeon began his teaching career in Chicago Public С»ÆѼµ¼º½s after finishing a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering and Masters in Teaching Secondary Math. While in Chicago, he also taught Quantitative Reasoning as an adjunct at DePaul University. Before teaching, he was a web and database programmer for Northwestern University.
Jeon is a proud father of two secondary students in С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD.
Contact: joshua.jeon@austinisd.org
Katrina Montgomery, Chief Financial Officer
Katrina Montgomery is an experienced financial leader with over 30 years of accounting and finance expertise. She brings over two decades of strategic leadership experience and a proven track record of cultivating high-performing teams to her role as Assistant Superintendent of Finance at С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD, where she served for three years. Known for her commitment to creating opportunities for students in underserved communities, she has been a transformational, people-focused leader throughout her career.
Before joining С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD, Montgomery was the interim Vice President of Administration and Finance and Controller at Huston-Tillotson University. She earned her B.S. in Accounting from Grambling State University and her MBA from the University of Phoenix.
A dedicated community advocate, Montgomery has held leadership roles in several organizations, including serving as Vice President for the Capital Area Texas Association of С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Business Officials and Treasurer for both the Ann Richards С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Foundation and Measure. She also lent her expertise to Communities in С»ÆѼµ¼º½s of Central Texas, the Community Advancement Network and the Greater С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Black Chamber of Commerce.
Her professional contributions have earned her recognition, including the 2024-25 С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Independent С»ÆѼµ¼º½ District's Darlene Westbrook Leadership Award and an appointment as the С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Chapter's Issuer Ambassador for the 27th Annual Women in Public Finance Conference.
Outside of her professional and community commitments, Montgomery is dedicated to her family. She and her husband, Michael, have two children.
Contact: katrina.montgomery@austinisd.org
Dr. Oscar Rodriguez, Technology Officer
Since taking on the role of Chief Technology Officer for the С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Independent С»ÆѼµ¼º½ District in 2022, Dr. Oscar Rodriguez has been a driving force behind the district's digital transformation and innovation with a focus on Simple, Standard and Secure. He leads the teams responsible for maintaining the district’s enterprise IT systems and maintaining data privacy and security, which have seen significant enhancements benefiting students, families and staff.
A notable achievement under his leadership was the successful implementation of the district-wide Enterprise Planning System in July 2024. Currently, he is guiding the transition to a new special education case management system.
With over eighteen years of experience in education, Dr. Rodriguez's career began as a high school math teacher. He has held various roles in Dallas ISD before joining С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD in 2021. A first-generation college graduate, he is a firm believer in the transformative power of education. Dr. Rodriguez holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas Christian University, along with a Master's in Business Administration and Digital Learning. He has received several honors, including, most recently, the 2025 Amazon Web Services Education Champion.
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 С»ÆѼµ¼º½ 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 С»ÆѼµ¼º½ 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 С»ÆѼµ¼º½ 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:
Christine Steenport, Operations Officer
Christine Steenport has been with AISD for 10 years. Previously, she has served as the Assistant Superintendent of Operations and as the Executive Director of Food Service & Warehouse Operations for AISD.
During her time at С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD, she has strengthened the Operations teams of С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD by reestablishing organizational structure within various departments. She’s aided organizations such as FEMA, Red Cross and the City of С»ÆѼµ¼º½ in providing relief to С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD students and families after emergencies and natural disasters such as water boil notices and coordinating refugee shelter sites from Hurricane Harvey and Winter Storm Uri.
As a mom of two daughters that are С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD elementary students, Christine is able to merge her points of view as a staff member and a parent to provide creative ideas, community perspectives and dynamic team support into the business and operations of С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD.
Christine holds a bachelor's degree in Nutrition/Dietetics and a minor in Business from Texas State University.
Contact: christine.steenport@austinisd.org
Dr. Angel Vales, Special Assistant to the Superintendent
Dr. Angel Vales was selected to serve as the Special Assistant to the Superintendent in July 2025. Most recently, Dr. Vales served as the Assistant Superintendent of Technology for С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD. Prior to С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD, he held various roles at Dallas ISD including bilingual teacher and school counselor, both at primary and secondary settings. Dr. Vales also served in various central office leadership roles in Student Services and Operations as an Alcohol and Drug Intervention Program Coordinator, Manager of Youth and Family Centers and Director of Service Centers in Student Transportation Services, demonstrating a strong commitment for student welfare and academic success throughout his tenure.
Dr. Vales holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Baylor University, a Master of Education in С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Counseling from Lamar University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. He’s also earned numerous professional certifications, including Texas Superintendent EC-12, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Registered Texas С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Business Administrator from the Texas Association of С»ÆѼµ¼º½ Business Officials (TASBO).
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Dr. Vales enjoys the beach and traveling with his family. His wife is a special education teacher at Bear Creek Elementary and his daughter attends Texas A&M University.
Contact: angel.vales@austinisd.org
Kenneth M. Walker II, General Counsel
Kenneth M. Walker II leads С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD’s legal function as its General Counsel. In this capacity, Walker is responsible for representing С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD in state and federal courts, ensuring legal compliance and providing advice and counsel on myriad matters affecting С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD’s core business—educating students.
Walker began his tenure at С»ÆѼµ¼º½ ISD in September 2023, hailing from Memphis, Tennessee where he served as the General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for Tennessee’s largest school district. Walker is dedicated to serving students and families and has used his legal training to ensure exceptional outcomes for students.
Walker received his Juris Doctor degree from Cecil C. Humphreys С»ÆѼµ¼º½ of Law – the University of Memphis and his Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Memphis. Walker is licensed in multiple state and federal courts where he has achieved successful results on behalf of his clients.
Contact: kenneth.walker@austinisd.org