LONGVIEW ISD - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Wilcox was chosen to lead Longview ISD in 2007, after serving at the helm in Waxahachie. He began his career in the classroom in 1973 and has served in various capacities through the years, including principal and superintendent. Wilcox holds a B.B.A in general business administration and an M.Ed. in educational administration from Lamar University. He became a Doctor of Education in 1987 at Texas A&M University.
Wilcox came to Longview from Waxahachie ISD in April 2007. Though many new academic and career and technology programs, including districtwide International Baccalaureate and Montessori programs, were established under his watch, the highlight of Wilcox's tenure was a $267 million bond election that brought seven new elementary campuses, three new middle school campuses and extensive improvements at Longview High School. Wilcox also oversaw the district rezoning - reducing the previous 28 attendance zones to six - which paved the way for a federal court to relax a 40-year-old desegregation order.
Job Titles:
- Vice President ( Place 3 )
Samir and his wife Dr. Gana Germanwala have two children who are current Longview ISD students, and he is a cardiologist at Longview Regional Medical Center. In addition, Samir is involved in multiple organizations throughout the community, including "Simple Bare Necessities," a non-profit started by his daughter to create hygiene packets for students in need. He received his medical degree from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been a board-certified physician for more than 20 years.
Job Titles:
- Board Secretary ( Place 7 )
- Local Dentist
Dr. Simmons is a local dentist who was first elected to the board in 1986. Dr. Simmons has served the board in various capacities, including assistant secretary, vice president and president. He has also served as president of the Texas Association of School Boards. An ordained minister, Dr. Simmons has a long career of community service that spans decades. Dr. Simmons and his wife Kathleen are the parents of four children, all of whom are Longview High School graduates.
A 2007 graduate from Longview High School, Dustin returned to LISD in 2019 as the Managing Editor for the district newspaper The Longview Voice. Before graduating high school he served two years as a reporter for the school newspaper, then went on to become an award-winning editor at Kilgore College with The Flare. He is a lifelong East Texan who has worked on several local newspapers and has helped The Voice become a national award-winning newspaper.
Elizabeth Ross is a two-time graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University. She graduated with a double major; Bachelor's of Arts in Journalism with an emphasis of Public Relations and Speech Communication (2002). Ross continued her education and earned a Master's of Arts in Mass Communication (2004). She has worked in advertising, art licensing, higher education, but her true love is public relations, event logistics, social media marketing, and volunteering for the non-profit sector. In her spare time, Ross is an avid photographer. She holds a strong interest in the cultural life and well-being of youth in Longview.
Kacy has worked for the district in many facets, but assumed her position within Community Relations in 2019. Prior to that she was a stay-at-home mom and Pre-K teacher at Forest Home Baptist Church Mother's Day Out program. She has a passion for kids and education. She attended Texas A&M University, where she studied Agriculture Leadership and Communications. A native of Kilgore, she is married and has three children who attend Longview ISD. Go Lobos!
Matthew came to Longview ISD in 2015 after an award-winning career as a journalist, most recently serving as an editor for the Longview News-Journal. Prior to that he was a nationally-recognized coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, working as Regional Director for Clubs in the Baltimore and D.C. area. He attended the University of Oklahoma and St. John's College, where he studied Philosophy and Religion. A native of the East Texas area, Matthew is married and has five children. He also serves on numerous local boards and committees in the greater Longview area.
Brett is a Longview native, local attorney, and third-generation graduate of Longview High School. He and his wife, Laura, have two children in LISD schools and a third entering in a few years. An attorney with Ward, Smith, & Hill law firm, Brett earned his business degree, magna cum laude, from Texas Christian University before receiving his law degree, cum laude, from Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law.
Job Titles:
- Board President ( Place 1 )
- Partner at Gans & Smith Insurance Agency
Michael is a Partner at Gans & Smith Insurance Agency and was elected to the Longview ISD Board of Trustees in 2018. He and his wife Julia have 4 children, two are current Longview ISD students and the younger two will be soon. Michael is also involved in multiple organizations throughout the community, including the Longview Chamber of Commerce, Longview AMBUCS, Longview Greggton Rotary Club, Greater Longview Soccer Association, Longview Boys Baseball Association, and many more.
Beard was elected to the Longview ISD Board in 1998 and has served in various capacities, including assistant secretary, secretary, vice-president, and twice as president.
He earned a bachelor's in human services from LeTourneau University. Beard is a retired sergeant major from the United States Army and a combat veteran of Desert Shield/Storm and Iraqi Freedom. He also retired from the Social Security Administration, where he worked as a technical expert and equal employment opportunity counselor.
Ted currently serves as the immediate pas president of Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and in 2007, he was appointed to the TASB Risk Management Fund Board and currently serves as chair. He is a 2012 graduate of Leadership TASB and a past president and current member of the Texas Caucus of Black School Board Members.
Ted and his wife Rosalind are the parents of three sons and two daughters.
Crista is a graduate of Texas A&M University where she received her undergraduate in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Early Childhood as well as a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She later received her Administration Certification through Stephen F. Austin University. Crista and her husband, Michael, have called Longview home since 2005 and have two children currently in LISD schools. Crista has served in education since 2001 in both Frisco I.S.D. and Pine Tree I.S.D. as a teacher and an administrator.
Throughout her time in Longview, Crista has a passion for volunteering her time with local agencies and organizations. She has served the Longview community through numerous non- profits such as the Junior League of Longview, East Texas Literacy Council, Heartisans Marketplace, Longview I.S.D. Education Foundation, Hudson Pep PTO, and Foster Middle School PTO. She has helped develop projects and served in leadership roles within each. In 2018, she was honored as a Star Over Longview as well as a recipient of the Champion in Community Award. She and her husband are active members of First Baptist Church where they volunteer with various ministries.
Crista is proud to call Longview home and considers it a joy to walk alongside so many inspiring individuals in our community. "As a graduate and educator within public schools, I recognize the significance of the educational system we serve in shaping our future.
Lateefah Pruitt was elected to the Longview ISD Board in 2023. A local businesswoman and community advocate, Lateefah earned a degree from Texas Southern University. She is a real estate broker, working in her family's 43-year-old business, State Realty, serving the Longview community.
With over a decade of experience in publicity and media production, Pruitt has worked with high-profile music and film industry clients. Since starting her family, she returned home to Longview to raise her two daughters in the local school system as she did growing up.
During her time on the board, Pruitt hopes to focus on increasing community engagement and supporting student success. Her motto is "Education is the key in the 903" and she strives to provide opportunities for community voices to be heard regarding education in Longview.