Rich Elsasser
Georgetown,TX
Summary
Executive leader and CEO of Region 13 Education Service Center with a track record of statewide impact, strategic governance, and collaborative execution. Partner to the Texas Education Agency and State Board of Education to translate policy into practice for districts, charters, private schools, and higher education institutions. Recognized for building cross-agency coalitions, scaling research-based services, and developing leadership pipelines that strengthen instructional quality and operational effectiveness.
Executive leader with deep experience driving organizational success and fostering collaboration. Skilled in strategic planning, financial oversight, and stakeholder engagement. Known for adaptability, resilience, and delivering results in evolving environments. Strong interpersonal skills, effective communicator, and results-driven approach.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
5
5
Certifications
Work History
Executive Director (Chief Executive Officer)
Region 13 Education Service Center
Austin, TX
01.2015 - Current
- Serve as CEO of Region 13 ESC, providing strategic direction, operational leadership, and alignment with statewide priorities.
- Collaborate with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and State Board of Education (SBOE) to implement policy and advance instructional quality.
- Support a client base of 60 Independent School Districts, 23 charter schools, 19 private schools, and 8 institutions of higher education across Central Texas.
- Lead the Thompson Executive Leadership Academy, supporting high-performing superintendents across Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alabama.
- Chief executive oversight of the TEKS Resource System, a curriculum management platform supporting more than 1,000 school districts statewide.
- Serve on the E3 Alliance Board and the McREL International Board of Directors; provide advisory leadership to Texas Tech University’s College of Education.
- Adjunct Professor (Abilene Christian University), teaching doctoral-level organizational leadership.
- Drive program innovation and service modernization—expanding research-based professional learning, digital delivery models, and customer-focused solutions for districts statewide.
- Led strategic planning initiatives to align organizational goals with mission-driven objectives.
Deputy Executive Director, Academic Services
Region 13 Education Service Center
Austin, TX
08.2014 - 01.2015
- Advised the Executive Director on Center-wide operations and strategic priorities; represented Region 13 to internal and external stakeholders.
- Provided oversight of educator certification programs and regional professional development for campus and district leaders.
- Directed development of tools and systems for teacher and principal appraisal; expanded technology-enabled content delivery.
- Researched legislative changes and translated policy into actionable guidance for districts and charters.
Superintendent of Schools
Fayetteville Independent School District
Fayetteville, TX
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Directed all instructional, business, maintenance, technology, and construction programs; collaborated with the Board on budgets and strategic priorities.
- Delivered strong fiscal outcomes: Year 1 placed 11% of operating budget into fund balance while raising each teacher pay scale level by $1,000 and granting 3% raises to support staff; Year 2 increased district TRS health insurance contributions and provided raises while placing 8.5% into reserves.
- Managed Chapter 41 (recapture) obligations (~15% of operating costs) and advanced capital planning for future bond readiness.
- Turned around a construction project initially 37% over budget, delivering within needs and restoring fiscal balance.
- Founded the district Education Foundation; raised ~$60,000 in first 4 months to expand opportunities beyond the general fund.
- Modernized technology infrastructure—expanded bandwidth and wireless capacity; increased device availability by 175% through grants and budget prioritization.
- Presented a four-day professional learning series using Marzano’s Classroom Instruction That Works; strengthened curriculum and instructional practices.
- Implemented cafeteria management software and online parent payments portal to improve service and transparency.
- Chaired District 26-A UIL academic/athletic district and led regional collaborations, including a Special Education SSA partnership and advisory roles with ESC Region 13.
- Fostered collaborative partnerships with community organizations to support student engagement and success.
- Oversaw budget management processes ensuring alignment with district goals and educational standards.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making frameworks to improve academic performance across all grade levels.
Program Coordinator, Administrator Certification
Region 13 Education Service Center
Austin, TX
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Coordinated the Texas Superintendent Certification Institute (with ESC Region 20): managed curriculum, facilitator training, and intern support through a 12-month blended program; authored a statewide superintendent newsletter.
- Administered the Principal Certification Network; developed partnerships (e.g., Tarleton State University master’s pathway; Austin ISD cohort) and led statewide alternative certification collaboration.
- Designed and delivered leadership development and school improvement content, including the Leadership Institute on School Improvement (SREB).
- Served on the Regional Turnaround Team, training Campus Intervention Team (CIT) members to support low-performing campuses and exit intervention status.
Education
Educational Leadership Doctoral Program (Ed.D.) -
Texas Tech University
Marble Falls & Fredericksburg01.2014
Superintendent’s Certification Program - undefined
Texas Tech University
Marble Falls & Fredericksburg01.2005
M.A. - Curriculum & Instruction (Technology in Education specialization)
ESC Region 13 & Houston Baptist University
Austin, TX01.2003
B.S. - Wildlife Management; Minor: Biology
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX01.1997
Appointment - undefined
U.S. Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO01.1994
Skills
- Community engagement
- Program management
- Strategic planning
- Project management
- Operations management
- Budgeting and financial management
- Staff management
- Public speaking
- Innovation and creativity
- Leadership development
Affiliations
- Commissioner’s Cabinet of Regional Service Centers (Texas Education Agency)
- E3 Alliance — Board Member
- McREL International — Board of Directors
- Texas Tech University, College of Education — Advisory Board
- Adjunct Professor — Abilene Christian University (Organizational Leadership, Doctoral Cohort)
Certification
- Texas Superintendent, Principal, and Biology Teacher Certifications
- PDAS, T-TESS, and T-PESS Certified
- Certified Investment Officer; Public Information Officer
- Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Certified Trainer
- Texas CDL; CHL
Core Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Planning & Governance
- Statewide Program Leadership
- Stakeholder & Government Relations
- Curriculum & Instructional Systems (TEKS Resource System)
- Organizational Development & Change Management
- Budget & Operational Oversight
- Leadership Development & Talent Pipelines
- School Improvement & Accountability
- Digital/Blended Service Delivery
AI Innovation & Pulse Development
- Developer and executive sponsor of Pulse, Region 13’s generative-AI platform transforming statewide access to data, instructional resources, and decision-support tools.
- Designed Pulse to streamline curriculum alignment, policy interpretation, data analysis, and professional development planning—reducing educator workload and improving accuracy.
- Positioned Pulse as a statewide model for responsible AI in education, with scalable benefits for rural, urban, and under-resourced districts.
- Integrated Pulse with TEA priorities, enabling rapid interpretation of legislative changes and real-time guidance for district and campus leaders.
- Created governance and ethical-use frameworks to ensure safe, effective AI adoption across Texas educational systems.
Timeline
Executive Director (Chief Executive Officer)
Region 13 Education Service Center
01.2015 - Current
Deputy Executive Director, Academic Services
Region 13 Education Service Center
08.2014 - 01.2015
Superintendent of Schools
Fayetteville Independent School District
01.2011 - 01.2014
Program Coordinator, Administrator Certification
Region 13 Education Service Center
01.2007 - 01.2011
Superintendent’s Certification Program - undefined
Texas Tech University
B.S. - Wildlife Management; Minor: Biology
Texas Tech University
Appointment - undefined
U.S. Air Force Academy
Educational Leadership Doctoral Program (Ed.D.) -
Texas Tech University
M.A. - Curriculum & Instruction (Technology in Education specialization)
ESC Region 13 & Houston Baptist University