Team

Dr. Jesus J. Amezcua is the assistant superintendent for Business Services at HCDE. Amezcua holds a bachelor’s degree in business and accounting from Tarkio College, a master’s degree in business administration, accountancy and logistics from Texas A&M International and a doctorate in education administration from Texas A&M University. Before joining HCDE in 2009,  He worked as chief financial officer at Laredo Independent School District. Amezcua’s achievements include earning multiple certificates of achievement for financial reporting and excellent budget document awards.

James Colbert Jr. is an educational leader with a passion for students and a strong background in collaboration, communication and child advocacy. A visionary and systems-oriented thinker, Colbert is skilled at implementing comprehensive plans that reflect the current and long-term needs of an organization and is dedicated to building positive relationships with all stakeholders.

Colbert has more than 20 years of diverse educational experience in multiple states including being a special education teacher, coach, high school administrator, district administrator, superintendent and county superintendent.

Colbert joined Harris County Department of Education in 2014 as Superintendent, where he is responsible for programs and services that support 25 districts and benefit 1 million students, representing approximately 20% of the students in the state of Texas.

Colbert is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he competed in NCAA Division 1 athletics as a triple-jumper, and holds a Masters of Education Administration from Texas State University.

Dr. Michelle Williams, a long-time administrator in facility management, construction and safety and security, is the executive director of Facilities for the Harris County Department of Education.

Dr. Williams previously served as operations director at Fredericksburg Independent School District. She joined HCDE in 2024 with 27 years of experience in education, beginning her career as an agricultural science and natural resource instructor in Sinton ISD and later in Tuloso-Midway ISD.

She moved to the private sector in 2007 before returning to Tuloso-Midway ISD as a classroom teacher and also serving as the school district’s career and technology coordinator for two years.

Dr. Williams moved into administration in 2013, serving as director of technology and career and technical education for Tuloso-Midway ISD.

In 2018, Dr. Williams was named director of technology for Fredericksburg ISD and in 2020, she assumed the role of operations director, overseeing the maintenance, facilities and custodial departments.

During her time in the classroom, Dr. Williams helped in the state adoption of agriculture curriculum as science credit. While at Sinton ISD, she became the first competitive female Agricultural Mechanics coach in the state. She was instrumental in implementing career programs for trades at Tuloso-Midway ISD that were relevant to the district and Coastal Bend region.

Dr. Williams earned her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and her Master of Agricultural Education from Texas A&M University. She earned her Doctor of Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Lewis is a Managing Director of Public Finance at U.S. Capital Advisors.

Marcus is a a partner at Orrick

Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) Chief Financial Officer Ann Westbrooks is a long-time administrator in fiscal leadership, operational efficiency and strategic planning.

Westbrooks most recently served as deputy superintendent of business services at Spring Independent School District. She joined the district in 2006 and previously held key leadership positions, including assistant superintendent of financial services and controller and chief financial officer, before assuming her role as deputy superintendent in 2025.

During her tenure, Westbrooks has been instrumental in long-term budget development and aligning financial strategies with organizational goals and priorities. Spring ISD has maintained an “A” rating in financial accountability, established healthy financial reserves and increased its credit rating, saving taxpayer dollars. She also helped lead the successful passage of a major bond initiative in 2022.

Westbrooks’ fiscal management has earned multiple Awards of Excellence in Financial Management and Awards of Merit for Purchasing Operations from the Texas Association of School Business Officials.

She currently serves as a board member of the Texas Association of School Boards Benefits Cooperative and as treasurer of the Ethel Hedgeman Lyle Foundation of Texas, which supports communities across North Houston and provides funds to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Educational Advancement Foundation.

Westbrooks is a licensed certified public accountant and earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Sam Houston State University and her Master of Business Administration from Tarleton State University.