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Keith Bilski, senior associate with the Caldwell Companies Commercial Development team, was installed as a new board member for the CyFair Chamber of Commerce at the CyFair Celebration installation banquet.

Bilski earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and his MBA from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. He is an active candidate for Certified Commercial Investment Members and Society of Industrial and Office Realtors designations.

He is a member of Urban Land Institute, National Association of Office and Industrial Properties Developing Leaders Group, Commercial Exchange, Texas A &M Association of Former Students, Reveille Club of Houston, Texas Exes, McCombs MBA Alumni Houston Chapter, Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce and Young Texans Against Cancer.

Susan Higgins, principal at Arnold Middle School, was named the new principal at Jodie Smith Middle School, which will open in the 2009-10 school year.

“Susan Higgins understands the instructional needs of middle school students,” said Roy Garcia, associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction and school administration. “With 12 years of administrative experience in middle school, she is most capable of a flawless opening of Smith Middle School. ”

Higgins has worked in education for 20 years. She began her career in Alief ISD as a middle school assistant principal for four years, then arrived in Cy-Fair ISD in 1993 as an assistant principal at Cypress Falls High School. Higgins held that position for seven years before working in a one-year administrative internship. In 2001, she took over as principal at Arnold.

Roy Sprague, assistant superintendent of facilities and instruction, was invited by the U.S. Department of Energy to attend EnergySmart Schools ’ National Financing Roundtable.

Sprague is one of only 15 experts in the field of financing high performance schools who was invited to the event. The purpose of the Roundtable discussion was to bring together a select group of individuals with diverse knowledge of high performance school financing to discuss and develop innovative strategies, best practices and lessons learned from building energy-efficient schools. The key issues and recommendations from the Roundtable sessions will be compiled in the form of best practices for innovative financing of high-performance schools and shared nationally with stakeholders and policy makers.

Becky Cook, Cy-Fair ISD’s elementary technology coordinator, was named the new director of instructional technology. With the December retirement of Nancy Lee, coordinator of instructional technology for secondary schools, the elementary and secondary technology coordinator positions were consolidated into one director position that took effect Jan. 5.

“In addition to the consolidation, the new role will increase our effectiveness through streamlined coordination and a unified, integrated approach throughout all grade levels, ” said Harold Rowe, associate superintendent for technology and school services.

Representatives from the CenterPoint Energy SCORE (Schools Conserving Resources) Program presented Cy-Fair ISD with an incentive check for $155,788.50 during the regularly scheduled board meeting on for incorporating energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling equipment into several facilities.

Incentives from the SCORE Program are determined by the total amount of energy saved. The high-efficiency lighting and air conditioning systems installed will save more than 1.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, compared to standard equipment. This is equivalent to preventing the carbon dioxide emissions of almost 140,000 gallons of gasoline, according to Environmental Protection Agency calculations.

“The financial incentives from CenterPoint Energy certainly encouraged our investment in energy efficiency, ” said Roy Sprague, Cy-Fair ISD assistant superintendent of facilities. “It’s important that our school district sets a positive example for our community, and reducing our energy use is a critical step. In addition, the savings we will realize from the efficient equipment can be directly reinvested in our students. ”

Since joining the program in 2006, CFISD has earned nearly $250,000 in financial incentives.

“Energy efficiency just makes sound financial sense,” Sprague said. “Even though higher-performing equipment can cost more initially, the reduced energy use offsets that very quickly. ”

(L-R) Claude Yoas, CFISD director of facilities planning and energy management; Glen Rhoden, CFISD energy manager; Cheryl Bowman, CenterPoint Energy program manager; Dr. David Anthony, CFISD superintendent; Roy Sprague, CFISD assistant superintendent of facilities; and Fred Wu, program consultant of CLEAResult Consulting.

Christie McWilliams, a Cy-Fair High School English teacher, has been selected to receive two separate educator awards. The Sam Houston State University College of Education named McWilliams the 2009 Distinguished Secondary Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes alumni educators who have made a significant contribution to the field of education. Nominees must be an alumnus of the SHSU College of Education and demonstrate expertise or outstanding service in the classroom, school, district and/or community. McWilliams will receive the Distinguished Educator award during a banquet on March 7 in Huntsville.

The opportunities and educational experiences SHSU gave me prepared me well for my successes that followed, ” said McWilliams, who received both a B.A. and M.Ed. from Sam Houston State. “I am excited and honored to accept this award, and I look forward to thanking all the faculty and staff who contributed to my education and encouraged me. ”

She also won a 2009 Crystal Award from the Houston Chronicle and Walmart. The award is given to teachers who stand out from the crowd and go beyond the daily challenges of educating children. McWilliams will receive $750 and a Waterford Crystal Apple while being honored at a Crystal Award banquet on March 6.