Jeff Miller - Vice Chair
Potentia – Founder & CEO

I was introduced to former Gateway Principal, Scott Adams via Autism Speaks. I was looking to learn more about the autism spectrum community in Houston as I launched my autism employment consulting firm. As a parent of a teenager on the spectrum and a service provider, I care deeply about this community and want to learn from the best.

Jennifer Albanese – Treasurer
Hilcorp – IT Business Relationship Manager

I first learned about Gateway Academy through a good friend. The school’s mission and vision resonated with me due to my own family experiences. My younger brother was diagnosed with ADHD as a young child. In the 1970s, the understanding of children and students with special needs was very different. Education was not specialized to fit these students’ needs. Today, the work that Gateway does to give middle school through high school students access to education, social skills, and physical education is a community I wanted to be a part of. They create a positive environment for all students to learn, thrive, and contribute as young adults. It is this environment that makes Gateway stand out from others, and I am glad to be of service.

Suzanne Reyes, Ph.D. - Secretary
Alumni Parent and Community Advocate

After moving to Houston, we had a difficult time finding the right school for our teenage daughter. She tried several schools over the course of three years, but none were the right fit until we found Gateway Academy, where she thrived. This unassuming school fills a void left by other specialty schools in the Houston area by welcoming students with learning differences who may also need extra assistance and understanding. After graduation, alumni continue to receive guidance and academic help from their dedicated teachers to help ensure their success. Our daughter has experienced this incredible level of support and we are forever grateful. Houston needs Gateway and I want to help the program continue to serve as many students as possible for many years to come.

Jack Bellinger
eCORP International, LLC – General Counsel & Executive Vice President

We heard about Gateway when my special needs daughter graduated from another great Houston special needs school. Leaders at the previous school and other practitioners recommended us to Gateway Academy. Gateway has been a Godsend to our daughter and our family. I am forever impressed by the school’s ability to constantly improve and benefit our community. By serving as a Gateway board member I hope to contribute to Gateway’s continued success and growth.

Thomas Massey
Katz Coffee - Director of Operations

In late 2019 Gateway Academy approached me about having Katz Coffee becoming an internship program site. Getting to see Gateway students create success outside of the school’s walls and hearing from parents and staff about how those students display increased confidence and independence has been wonderful. The opportunity to join the board and participate with this community of passionate families and educators working towards better opportunities for their children is one that I can only hope is as beneficial to Gateway as it is fulfilling for me.

Jennifer Mohr
Launchpad Services - Owner & Consultant; Alum Parent

We were looking for the right place for our son, David, during his freshman year of high school. We were directed to Gateway by both our Educational Consultant and by the head of Alexander Smith Academy. Gateway means very much to me and I want to make sure that other families have a great place for their students with learning differences. Through serving on the Board of Gateway Academy I can make Houston a better city and help other families with children who need a different school experience for their middle and high school students.

David Newman
Wellfleet Holdings - Founder and Managing Member; Current Parent

We found Gateway when our son was transitioning from middle to high school, and the school has been a blessing for both him and our family. Gateway provides a blend of education, counseling and training that is as diverse and unique as the student body they serve. In addition, Gateway provides a wide range of extracurricular activities and clubs like track, basketball, field hockey, bowling, running as well as an annual school play and talent show. But the dedicated, highly trained and supportive staff and administration at Gateway is what continually impresses us the most.

Ruth Woody
Current Parent and Community Advocate

Before my son was a student at Gateway, I volunteered at his previous schools supporting yearly events including the gala fundraisers, scholastic book fairs, fall carnivals, and the school yearbook. At another private special school, I was part of a group of parents that created a new parent group with support from school leadership.

I have worked for 15+ years providing accounting and HR administration for several small businesses. My husband, Jim, and I are passionate Gateway parents and enjoy traveling with our son to National Parks, learning about geology, and taking photos wherever we travel.