Fort Worth, TX – Texans for Excellence in Education (TEE) is pleased to announce the addition of Kara Belew to its Board of Directors. Kara brings over 20 years of experience in education policy and public administration, including service to two governors of the State of Texas.

Kara began her career in Dallas as a CPA for PriceWaterhouseCoopers, focusing on the oil and gas and defense industries. She graduated with honors from The University of Texas School of Law and clerked for two justices at the Supreme Court of Texas. Her extensive career includes roles such as Director of Financial Accountability and Senior Education Advisor in Governor Perry’s office, and Senior Counsel to Attorney General Greg Abbott.

Kara played a key role in Texas school finance litigation and served as Executive Liaison to both the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Upon Governor Abbott’s election, she served as Statewide Budget Director in his office before transitioning to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as Deputy Commissioner of Finance.

Kara holds several TEA certifications, including Lone Star Governance School Board Coach, Research Based Instructional Practices Facilitator, STAAR, TEKS Alignment, and related CPE Trainer. She is also a former CPA, holding a BBA and BA in Accounting and Political Science from Southern Methodist University, and a JD from the University of Texas School of Law. She is currently a candidate for the Rice University Doerr Institute.

“We are honored that Kara has joined our board,” said John Petree, President of Texans for Excellence in Education. “Her distinguished career and expertise in education policy and finance will be invaluable as we continue our mission to enhance the quality of education in Texas through consulting and serving our member school boards.”