Governor Greg Abbott has announced the formation of the Task Force on Early Childhood Education and Care, aiming to improve the quality, access, and affordability of child care in Texas.
“The real reason why we passed this bill, the real reason why we’re having this announcement today, is because of the importance of helping parents across the entire state be able to access quality and affordable early child care and child education for their children,” Governor Abbott said. “Today I am announcing the governor’s task force on early childhood education and care. The goal is to evaluate child care and early learning programs across all state agencies. We must put an end to the endless bureaucracy, the unclear standards of care, and the inflated costs that make it difficult for parents to get the early childhood care and education that they need for their children.”
The announcement event included several officials: Senator Donna Campbell, Representative Alan Schoolcraft, Chairman Peter J. Holt, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza, Representative Mark LaHood, Representative John Lujan, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District superintendent Paige Meloni, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath, and Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth.
House Bill 117 (Schoolcraft/Campbell) modifies state law by creating a governor’s task force focused on addressing operational challenges within Texas’ early childhood education system.
Governor Abbott named Peter J. Holt as chair of the new task force. Other appointees include Jeff Austin III; Leslie Callahan; Lori Gabbert Charney; Grant Coates; Reagan Curran; Tracy Hanson, Ed.D.; Marisela Nava; John “J.” Puckett; Jennifer Stockemer, Ph.D.; and Nancy Windham. Their terms will run until September 1, 2027.
The appointees represent various backgrounds such as business management, banking leadership, public health administration, nonprofit foundations leadership, special education teaching experience, preschool ownership and direction roles as well as regional economic development advising.
Peter J. Holt is CEO and general manager at HOLT Group in San Antonio with a business degree from University of the Incarnate Word. Jeff Austin III chairs Austin Bank Texas N.A., holding degrees from UT Tyler along with advanced training from Harvard Business School among others. Leslie Callahan directs Head Start programs at Region 16 Service Center in Amarillo with degrees from West Texas A&M University.
Lori Gabbert Charney serves as director at Texas Department of State Health Services in maternal and child health policy areas. Grant Coates leads The Miles Foundation in Fort Worth with finance training from University of North Texas and an MBA from TCU.
Reagan Curran teaches special education at Fort Worth ISD with seven years’ classroom experience after graduating from Abilene Christian University. Tracy Hanson owns Education Connection Preschool in Killeen while also serving as principal at Oak Creek Academy—she holds multiple degrees including a doctorate in educational leadership.
Marisela Nava directs childcare services at Texas Southmost College in Brownsville while pursuing further graduate study at UT Rio Grande Valley. John “J.” Puckett previously managed operations at Boston Consulting Group before retiring after earning his MBA from Wharton School.
Jennifer Stockemer operates Ivy Vine Preschool LLC in Prosper following doctoral studies at Texas Woman’s University focused on family studies. Nancy Windham advises regional economic development efforts through her work with Texas Forest Country Partnership after attending Stephen F. Austin State University.
According to information available on the official website, Governor Abbott’s office prioritizes economic development initiatives alongside educational improvements statewide while supporting community-focused projects such as this new task force.
