Texans Can Academies Company Culture

A career urban educator, Dr. James Ponce leads Texans Can Academies’ statewide efforts to propel disenfranchised students toward graduation and economic independence. With Texans Can since the Spring of 2016, Ponce brings 28 years’ experience as a teacher, principal, deputy chief of staff, and superintendent. Before coming to Texans Can, Ponce led the McAllen school district to several accolades and awards and was himself honored as a Top Five State Finalist in the 2013 Texas Association of Superintendents’ State of Texas Superintendent of the Year award and most notably the 2012 Texas Outstanding School Board by the Texas Associations of School Administrators. Currently, Ponce serves on the Texas Education Agency’s Alternative Education Accountability Taskforce. At Texans Can, Ponce has guided the school toward innovation and excellence, and is proud of Texans Can’s recognition as D CEO’s 2019 Organization of the Year at its annual Nonprofit and Citizenship Awards.

Marian P. Hamlett is a Certified Public Accountant who has worked in a variety of industries through her 30 year career including publicly traded companies and various school districts. She has been with Texans Can since February 2013. Marian graduated from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University.

Boasting more than 30 years of extensive experience in the technology services industry, Richard Peña is extremely well versed in IT infrastructure technology, services , technical personnel management, and vendor relations. Mr. Peña’s tenure at Texans Can Academies spans over a decade, beginning in 2005 when he was onboarded as an IT Support Services and Service Desk Manager. Presently, Mr. Peña serves among the Texans Can Leadership team as the Director of Technology-Operations and Engineering. His supervisory coverage umbrella encompasses all technology operations, network infrastructure engineering and deployment, and support operations. His knowledge and strategies help ensure innovative solutions and implementations that yield the most effective results for the District. Mr. Peña exhibits leadership and technological aptitudes coupled with a vision dedicated to the success of Texans Can Academies.

Fernando Marino is a highly accomplished and effective thought leader, with international experience in Finance, Technology, Supply Change Management, Marketing, and Sales. Mr. Marino’s professional career in the education field spans more than 10 years. In 2010, Mr. Marino joined Texans Can Academies as an Instructional Coach, where he shaped and managed the educational curriculum and subsequent education team for the organization. Furthermore, he collaborated with various departments across the District to improve efficiencies by way of better process flow and development. More recently, Mr. Marino proudly joined the Texans Can Leadership team as the Director of Business Education Solutions, leading business efforts in the Organization’s Technology Department. Paramount to Mr. Marino’s current mission is to elevate the organization’s solutions to today’s educational process-flow complexities by instituting the innovative technological enhancements that best suit Texans Can.

Norma Allen is a results-driven human resources leader with a passion for innovation and business process improvement. She has over 15 years of executive level human resources experience. Norma earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Urbana University, a master’s in business administration from Franklin University, and a juris doctor from Capital University Law School. She is licensed to practice law in Ohio and Texas and has been admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. Norma holds senior human resources certifications with Society of Human Resources (SHRM) and HR Certification Institute (HRCI) and is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. Before joining Texans Can Academies, Norma served as Vice President of Human Resources and General Legal Counsel at BSM Financial, Vice President of Human Resources at Collin College, Chief Human Resources Officer at Dallas Metrocare Services and Director of Employment Services at University of Texas at Dallas.

Dan Cahalen has over 30 years of nonprofit management. Cahalen's main focus at Texans Can Academies is assisting in working with development directors in the five cities in which Texans Can has campuses: Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Prior to joining Texans Can Academies, Cahalen served as senior vice president of membership development with the Texas Association of Business. Cahalen also serves on the board of the Association of State Chamber Professionals and is a member of the American Society of Training and Development.

Raul E. Machuca Jr. is the Director of Digital Media at Texans Can Academies. He has managed branding and overseen creative direction at Texans Can since 2015. Through the Texans Can – Cars for Kids awareness campaign, Raul helped drive brand following for the fundraising arm to over 78,000. He is a seasoned marketing and advertising professional with a wide range of credible experience. Raul is extremely passionate about delivering customer-centric solutions in fast paced, innovative, and ever-changing verticals. He enjoys concerts, volunteering, and traveling.