TCIS Founding Members

Karen Phillips

President
President Karen Phillips is the founding Executive Director of Texas IB Schools (TIBS). She holds a B.A. from the University of Texas at Arlington and a M.Ed. from the University of North Texas. She has served on multiple boards including the Commissioner’s Council for Gifted and Talented and currently serves on the Board of ConnecTeach.

Linda Buie

Secretary to the Board
Secretary to the Board Linda Buie is the TCIS Executive Director for Longview ISD and International Baccalaureate® Head of School at Longview High School. As a lifelong resident of Longview, Ms. Buie has been an educator with the Longview ISD for her entire career. She also serves on the Board of Texas IB Schools. She received her B. A. from the University of Arkansas and an M. A. and M.Ed. from the University of Texas at Tyler.

Walter Sorensen

Vice President of Operations
Vice President of Operations Walter Sorensen is the Head of School at Alcuin School in Dallas, Texas. He recently served on the Board of ISAS (Independent Schools of the Southwest) and has served on the Boards of other independent schools. A native of Houston, Mr. Sorensen earned his B.S. at Utah State University and his M.S. in Educational Administration at the University of Houston at Clear Lake.

Bill Thomas, Ph.D.

Treasurer
Treasurer Bill Thomas is a retired Professor of Accounting and Business Law at Baylor University. He received his B.B.A. in Accounting and M.B.A. in Business Administration from Baylor University. He earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Thomas is widely published and serves on numerous boards.

Dolph Briscoe IV, Ph.D.

Vice President of Membership
Vice President of Membership Dolph Briscoe is a Lecturer of History at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. He received his B.A. and M.A. in History from Baylor University. Dr. Briscoe earned his Ph.D. in History from The University of Texas at Austin. As a native of the San Antonio area and a descendant of Andrew Briscoe, for whom Briscoe Elementary School is named, Dr. Briscoe is closely connected to San Antonio ISD.

Courtney Gober Ed.D.

San Antonio Liaison
San Antonio ISD Liaison Dr. Courtney Gober earned a B.A. from Morehouse College, a M.A. from The University of Michigan and a Ed.D. from The University of North Texas. He was a former Head of School for an IB-Diploma Program, a past board member for Texas IB Schools and is an Assistant Superintendent for a north Texas school district.

Margaret Davis

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Margaret Davis is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Texas Council for International Studies. She holds a B.A. and M.S. from Baylor University and has completed graduate institutes at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She served on the Board of Texas IB Schools and has more than a decade of experience, as an administrator and a consultant, in the implementation of IB programs at public and private schools.

Judd Pritchard, J.D.

General Counsel, J.D.
Judd Pritchard is an attorney with Barlow Garsek & Simon, LLP Barlow Garsek & Simon, LLP. He received a B.A. from Princeton University and a J.D. with honors from the University of Texas – Austin School of Law. He serves on the Boards of First Tee Ft. Worth and Campfire USA First Texas Council.

Ben Barlow, J.D.

Counsel for Education Law
Ben Barlow is an attorney in private practice. He holds a B.A. from Vanderbilt University and a J.D. with honors from the University of Texas – Austin School of Law. He has a unique specialization in the area of school law, having represented various large and small independent school districts and their boards of trustees, educational institutions, administrators, and teachers in Texas.