Executive Leadership Bios

  • Leslie Haack, Deputy Superintendent

    Leslie Haack serves as the Deputy Superintendent for Katy ISD and oversees School Leadership and Support for 68 campuses and facilities, as well as district-wide Athletics and Operations.  Leslie began her public school career in 1985 as the financial clerk at Mayde Creek High School in Katy ISD.  After living out of state for several years, she returned to the District in 1998 as a teacher and assistant coach at Taylor High School.  The following year, Leslie transferred to Cinco Ranch High School, where she taught and coached for two years prior to being named Assistant Principal in 2001. Just three years later, she was promoted to Associate Principal at Morton Ranch High School.  In 2008, Leslie was named Sealy High School principal at Sealy ISD and served in that capacity for one year prior to accepting the principal position at Lamar CISD.  While serving at Lamar CISD, she was named Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, and three years later, was promoted to Deputy Superintendent for Support Services.

    Christine Caskey, Ed.D., Chief Academic Officer

    Christine Caskey serves as the Chief Academic Officer for Katy ISD. Christine oversees the Division of Teaching and Learning, which includes the following major areas: Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment and Accountability, Special Education, Campus Instructional Support, ESL/Bilingual Programs, Interventions, Fine Arts, Career and Technical Education, Gifted Services, Guidance and Counseling as well as Federal Grant Programs. The primary function of the Division of Teaching and Learning is to support campuses through the development and implementation of high quality curriculum, research-based instructional practices, programs, and assessments that support student learning. In addition, the Division provides professional learning opportunities for district educators to ensure that they have the content knowledge and instructional skills to effectively deliver and support the implementation of the Katy ISD curriculum.

    Christine has over 25 years of experience in public education in both large urban and suburban school districts. She holds a doctorate in Education Administration from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and believes in providing all students with relevant and engaging learning environments that spark imagination and creativity, which leads to student success.

    Andrea M. Grooms, Ph.D., Chief Communications Officer

    Andrea Grooms serves as the Chief Communications Officer for Katy ISD.  Her primary role is to promote the District's strategic priorities through the design, implementation and leadership of a comprehensive school and community engagement plan.  As such, she oversees district-wide communications initiatives, media relations, crisis management​, strategic planning, Community Education, staff engagement and governmental relations.  These areas entail developing and delivering information and opportunities to families, teachers, staff, media and patrons, through varying mediums, to engage families and the community in activities and involvement that support student learning. 

    Andrea has served in public education for over 20 years and has held positions ranging from teacher to administrator for central office areas, including Human Resources, Research, and Communications.  She holds a B.A. in English and Communications, an M.A. in English,  ​Ph.D. in Administrative and Policy Studies in Education, and certificates in Human Resources.

    Christopher J. Smith, RTSBA, Chief Financial Officer

    Christopher J. Smith serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Katy ISD. His responsibilities encompass all financial affairs of the District including banking, accounting, accounts payable,  auditing, budgeting,  fixed assets, finance,  payroll, purchasing, risk management, and tax collection.

    Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and a master’s degree in Management, School of Business Administration from Texas A&M University – Commerce. He is also a Registered Texas School Business Administrator. Additionally, Smith holds professional memberships with the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO), Gulf Coast School Business Officials, and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).

     

    John Alawneh, Ph.D., M.B.A., Chief Information Officer

    John Alawneh serves as the Chief Information Officer for Katy ISD. John oversees the Technology Division, which is comprised of the following major areas: Customer Support Services, Technology Innovations, Business Intelligence, Enterprise Systems, Infrastructure Services, Print Shop and Project Management. With over 20 years of experience managing information systems in education and healthcare, John brings a wealth of experience and a new perspective on the use of technology for mission critical environments such as education. His vision is to support learning and excellence in teaching through effective technology solutions.

    John has an MBA in Operations Management and a PhD in Computer Engineering. He believes that access to technology can empower learners and educators to realize their full potential and do what they do best. He always encourages his team to find new and innovative ways to improve the learning experience of KISD's students.

    Ted Vierling, Chief Operations Officer

    Ted Vierling serves as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for Katy ISD.  As the District’s COO, Ted oversees Facilities and Planning, Maintenance and Operations, Transportation, Nutrition and Food Services, Facility Rentals, the Distribution Center and the Agriculture Sciences Center.

    Ted is a graduate of Katy High School and has been a Katy resident for over 40 years. He began his career as a teacher at Mayde Creek High School, and went on to serve as an assistant principal there. Ted also served as an assistant principal at Beckendorff Junior High. From 2006 until 2011, he was the principal at Beckendorff Junior High, and then went on to serve as the principal at Seven Lakes High School from 2011 to 2018.  In 2018, Ted was appointed as Katy ISD’s Assistant Superintendent for Operations.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M University and his Master’s Degree from the University of Houston.