Windham School District Board of Trustees

The Windham School District Board of Trustees is a nine-member, non-paid board appointed by the governor for staggered, six-year terms. The board governs the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Windham School District. The board develops and defines policies of the TDCJ and WSD.

Scheduled Meetings of Windham School Disctrict Board of Trustees
Minutes, Schedule and Order of Business of previous Windham School District Board meetings

Oliver J. Bell, Chairman

(Term expires 2/2009) -(Chairs the Human Resources Committee; is a member of the Health Care, Legal, Programs and Services, and Victim Services committees.) Mr. Bell was appointed to the Board in February 2004. Mr. Bell chairs the Human Resources Committee and is a member of the Education, Health Care, Legal, and Victim Services Committees. He is the CEO and Founder of E-Team Communications, Inc. Mr. Bell is a former Army officer and graduate of U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He is a member of the the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the SHRM Consultants Forum, the West Point Association of Central Texas and 100 Black Men of Austin and Central Texas. Mr. Bell also serves on the 21st Congressional District - US Military Academy Selection Committee for Representative Lamar Smith (R, Texas).

John "Eric" Gambrell, Member

(Term expires 2/2013) was appointed to the Board December 2007. Mr. Gambrell received his B.A. from Texas A&M University before earning his law degree at the University of Texas School of Law. He currently resides in Highland Park, Texas and is currently a partner with Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. defending and prosecuting the interests of businesses.

Janice Harris Lord, Member

(Term expires 2/2013) was appointed to the Board in December 2007. Ms. Harris is a graduate of Phillips University in Oklahoma and currently resides in Arlington, Texas. She is a National Consultant on Crime Victim Issues and provides technical assistance to State Victim Assistance Academies.

Tom Mechler, Member

(Term expires 2/2011) - (Chairs the Audit and Review Committee; is a member of the Community Corrections, Management Information Systems, Rehabilitation and Reentry Programs, and Business and Financial Operations committees.) Mr. Mechler was appointed to the board in November 2005. He is the presidents of Covenant Contract Services/Makar Production Company; responsible for locating, acquiring and operating oil and gas properties. Mr. Mechler is a registered Mechanical Engineer as well as a Volunteer Prison Chaplain.