AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced the appointments of Aaron Alejandro, of Wichita Falls, Sheri Bonds, of Taylor, and Dr. Michael Webster, of Houston, to the Industry-Based Certification Advisory Council. Upon making the appointments, Lt. Gov. Patrick issued the following statement:

“In order for the Texas economy to continue to flourish, it is vital that our high school career and technical education programs are aligned with the future needs of our workforce. I am confident that my appointees will make recommendations to the Texas Workforce Commission that guide our career and technical education programs to be the best they can be.”

Aaron Alejandro, of Wichita Falls, Lt. Gov. Patrick’s Industry Representative appointee, is the Executive Director of the Texas FFA Foundation, where he works with businesses and trade associations to connect students to career and scholarship opportunities.

Sheri Bonds, of Taylor, Lt. Gov. Patrick’s Public Career & Technical Education Teacher appointee, is the Director of Career & Technical Education for Round Rock ISD. She previously served as College & Career Readiness Coordinator for Lake Travis ISD and as an agricultural sciences teacher at Stony Point High School.

Dr. Michael Webster, of Houston, Lt. Gov. Patrick’s Junior College appointee, is the Associate Vice Chancellor of Workforce for Houston Community College, where he oversees all work force programming. Previously, Webster was the Regional Workforce Director for the Greater Houston Partnership and Assistant Superintendent of Houston ISD.

The Industry-Based Certification Advisory Council advises the Texas Workforce Commission regarding the alignment of public high school career and technology education programs with current and future workforce needs across the state and develops an inventory of industry-recognized credentials and certificates that may be earned by a public high school student through career and technology education programs.