Fund Members' Conference 2026
More than 300 attendees representing Fund member organizations from across the state came together April 26-28, 2026, at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Round Rock, Texas to network with peers, learn with (and from) each other, and celebrate their shared success as Fund members.
Video Highlights
Save the Date
Fund Members' Conference 2028
April 23-25, 2028
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
Round Rock, Texas
Questions? Contact fund.training@tasb.org. We look forward to seeing you in 2028!
The Fund is a community of Texas public education entities who share risk, succeed together, and celebrate each other's accomplishments. Fund member recognition was woven throughout the two-day conference agenda, including a special member awards dinner:
- Risk Management 101 Participants
- 2026 Fund Excellence Award Recipients
- A Day in the Life of the San Marcos CISD Transportation Team
- Fund Risk Management Education Grant Recipients
Risk Management 101 Participants
The Fund designed its Risk Management 101 pilot program for new school risk managers, administrators, educators, and support staff recently assigned risk management responsibilities. Participating in monthly, one-hour virtual sessions on fundamentals such as Liability Basics and Employment Practices, members gained the confidence they need to manage risk and compliance.
Fund Risk Management 101 pilot program participants: Jessica Alaniz, Executive Director of Administration, Del Mar College; Emily Dowty, Benefits Specialist, Arlington ISD; Shelby Lampley, Nurse Manager, ESC Region 11; Stephanie Skinner, Risk Manager, Magnolia ISD; Vanessa Turner, Human Resources Coordinator, Medina Valley ISD; Kimberly Fredrickson, Employee Benefits Specialist, Needville ISD; Raquel Lozano, Risk Management Specialist, Fort Bend ISD; Emily Cook, Benefits/Risk Management/Leave Coordinator; Hutto ISD.
Read about the Risk Management 101 program on page eight of TASB's Texas Lone Start magazine.
Not pictured
Cindy Torres, Leave and Benefits Specialist, Bastrop ISD; Cheryl Ballard, District Accountant, Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD; Eleonora Mujica, Risk Manager, Edgewood ISD-Bexar County; Bradley Berry, Director of School Safety and Security, Education Service Center Region 11; Shelby Lampley, Nurse Leader, Education
Service Center Region 11; Alicia Harrison, Generalist Risk Management Business Services, Fort Bend ISD;
Natalio Oliva Jr., Occupational Safety Manager, Fort Bend ISD; Angela Rivera, Office Supervisor, Garland ISD; Ellen Akers, Director Employee Health and Wellness, Goose Creek CISD; Nancy Hernandez, Risk Management Coordinator, Goose Creek CISD; Tricia Times, Director of Safe and Secure Schools, Goose Creek CISD; Kevin Murphey, Senior Safety Manager, Gregory-Portland ISD; Amy Arcos, Human Resource Specialist, Hondo ISD;
Jennifer Venanzi, Senior Director of Purchasing and Materials Management, Leander ISD; Angelia Watson, Director of Human Resources, Marion ISD; Abigail Headstream, Director of Personnel and Business Operations, Pawnee ISD; Clay Wolff, Business Manager, Pawnee ISD; Manuel Marin, Operations Supervisor, Plainview ISD; Shawn Hiatt, Executive Director of HR and Operations, Sealy ISD; Brian Supak, Director of Purchasing, Temple College; Sherry Smith, Executive Director of Finance, Waco ISD; Shannon Troester, Risk and Contract Manager, Wichita Falls ISD
2026 Fund Excellence Award Recipients
The Fund is a community of public education entities that come together to share and manage risk. The Excellence Awards program honors members who implement innovative solutions to risk management challenges. Join the Fund in congratulating the 2026 Fund Excellence Award recipients.
Arlington ISD
Read about Arlington ISD's Excellence Award-winning near-miss reporting program.
Beeville ISD
Read about Beeville ISD's Excellence Award-winning community-wide active shooter response simulation.
Hawley ISD
Read about Hawley ISD's Excellence Award-winning transportation safety initiative.
Irving ISD
Read about Irving ISD's Excellence Award-winning loss control committee.
Prosper ISD
Read about Prosper ISD's Excellence Award-winning driven to safety initiative.
A Day in the Life of the San Marcos CISD Transportation Team
Every school day begins and ends with an important responsibility: getting students to and from school safely. This behind-the-scenes look at the day-to-day operations of the San Marcos CISD transportation team shows the dedication and care that school transportation professionals bring to their work, from early morning pre-trip inspections to the relationships built with students and families along the way.
Fund Risk Management Education Grant Recipients
As part of its commitment to supporting its members, the Fund distributed nearly $100,000 in Risk Management Education Grants among qualifying members in 2025. Kerrville ISD Transportation Director Ken Noles and his team invested grants in training delivered by reputable organizations such the Texas Association of Pupil Transportation. In this short video, Hutto ISD, Wimberley ISD, and Salado ISD explain how the grant program further equipped their teams to manage risk.
Fund Members' Conference attendees enjoyed a lineup of events featuring meaningful networking and a celebratory dinner recognizing members for their outstanding contributions to risk management.
Sunday, April 26
TASB Risk Solutions Consultant Javier Cano (maroon shirt) caught up with former co-workers from Laredo College Martin Santos, Joya Vidaurri, and Veronica Cardenas during the welcome reception.
First-Time Attendee
4-5 p.m.
First-time attendee orientation offered an opportunity to meet TASB staff, connect with peers, and learn insider tips for maximizing the conference experience.
Welcome Reception
5-7 p.m.
The Kalahari Event Barn was the perfect spot for games, great food, and good company. Members tested their skills in yard games such as ladder golf, horseshoes, and cornhole while enjoying a tempting spread of hors d’oeuvres.
Monday, April 27
Attendees engaged in a fun, interactive activity during the keynote by comedian, author, and Texan Joel Zeff.
General Session Keynote
Joel Zeff
8-9:45 a.m.
Joel Zeff, renowned for his energetic and humorous approach to leadership and teamwork, introduced attendees to the power of TA DA. This simple yet profound concept encourages individuals and organizations to celebrate everyday successes, foster a culture of positive support, and unlock their full potential.
Membership Luncheon and Panel Discussion
12:30-1:45 p.m.
The membership luncheon was the perfect setting to network and exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. After lunch, the group dove into a timely panel discussion where industry experts shared actionable strategies for navigating compliance changes, mitigating emerging risks, and preparing for the future.
Pflugerville ISD Procurement Specialist Nicole Ayer celebrated her peers during the member awards dinner.
Members Awards Dinner
6-8 p.m.
Associate Executive Director of TASB Risk Management Services Mary Barrett shared an update on the current State of the Fund. The Fund’s Excellence Awards recipients. Risk Management 101 program participants were honored for their commitment to innovation and risk management excellence.
Tuesday, April 28
During the coverage credit raffle, Marilysa Estrada of Taft ISD, Kacee Green of Belton ISD, and Lacey Chandler of Diboll ISD won $5,000, $3,000, and $1,000, respectively, toward their districts' 2026-27 Fund coverage contributions.
General Session Keynote
Devon Harris
8-9:30 a.m.
Devon Harris, an original member of the Jamaican bobsled team and motivational speaker, shared his powerful story of perseverance and success.
Announcements, Coverage Credit Raffle, and Closing
10:45-11:15 a.m.
Members completed the short conference survey for the chance to receive $1,000, $3,000, or $5,000 toward next year’s coverage (September 1, 2026-August 31, 2027).
Joel Zeff: Humorist, Motivational Speaker, Native Texan
Monday, April 27
8 a.m.
Joel Zeff is a force of nature and a catalyst for change who brings unrestrained energy and a refreshing blend of humor, insight, and heart to the conference stage.
Through his work as a journalist and corporate communications consultant, Zeff discovered that what organizations often need most is a renewed sense of joy, passion, and perspective. He draws on improvisational comedy and interactive storytelling to introduce the concept of TA DA!
This simple yet profound concept encourages individuals and organizations to celebrate everyday successes, foster a culture of positive support, and unlock their full potential.
Devon Harris: Olympian, Actor, Advocate for Change
Tuesday, April 28
8 a.m.
Devon Harris’ journey from a violent environment in Kingston, Jamaica to the Olympic stage is a testament to resilience, leadership, and the belief that attitude can shape destiny.
As a founding member of the Jamaican bobsled team, immortalized in the film Cool Runnings, Harris competed in three Winter Olympics. Today, he channels his experiences and passion into empowering children.
Harris' work as an athlete ambassador with Right to Play helps children in refugee camps build confidence and community through sport. His Keep On Pushing Foundation enhances education in disadvantaged communities, as well as supports breakfast and school supply programs in his old neighborhood.
No-Cost Resources Exclusively for Fund Members
Fund members receive not only tailored, comprehensive coverage but also access to a spectrum of no-cost resources designed to help them manage risks. New to this year's conference was Resource Row, where members learned how to take advantage of the suite of no-cost benefits that come with their coverage.
Fund Training and Learning
Regionally based risk solutions consultants provide tailored trainings, hazard surveys, and consultations. The team can direct you to the right services and training for your specific needs.
Special Risk Consultants
Special risk consultants bring expert knowledge about school safety, cybersecurity, workers' compensation, and school risk management to their relationships with Fund members.
Resolver
Keeping accurate inventory and appraisal records is a foundation to risk management and can save money by extending the life of property and vehicles. The Fund supports these efforts with the Kroll Resolver platform. This resource provides details about the Resolver platform. Questions? Contact tasbrmf@tasbrmf.org for more information.
Unemployment Compensation Attorney
TASB Unemployment Compensation Attorney James Ezell is a former Texas Workforce Commission Hearing Officer who supports Fund members in preparing for appeals and hearings, protesting claims, and contesting fraudulent claims.
Fund Website
The Fund's website serves as a hub for learning about and taking advantage of the no-cost benefits of membership. Here just five reasons to bookmark tasbrmf.org:
- Report claims quickly and easily, without administrative burdens
- Quickly access the tools you need to do business with the Fund from your secured risk dashboard
- Save your spot for member-exclusive training opportunities
- Access expert-written articles and resources that will help you control risks and their associated costs
- Learn how the Fund supports you with compliance guidance, facility inspections, driver observations, loss trend analyses, and other risk solutions and services
PublicSchoolWORKS
Trained employees are among every organization's strongest defenses against compliance violations, workplace injuries, cybercrime, and other risks. The Fund collaborates with PublicSchoolWORKS to deliver a suite of online training courses as a no-cost benefit exclusively for Fund members.
Funds Data Center
The Data Center gives members secure access to detailed claims reports and other coverage program resources. Whether you're tracking workplace injuries, analyzing trends, or preparing GASB documentation, the Data Center is your go-to resource.