Dr. Tom Kelchner, Ed.D.

Founder & CEO | Education Leader | Strategic Advisor

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• Doctorate-level leadership expertise: Ed.D. in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas, plus master’s degrees in Educational Administration and Special Education and superintendent certification. His doctoral work also included Computer Education & Cognitive Systems, which supports Empowered Network’s education/technology work.

• Founder & CEO of Empowered Network: His CV specifically describes Empowered Network as providing education, health and wellness programs and services for children, adults, and communities throughout the United States.

• Business development and growth experience: As Vice President of Business Development for Yellow Folder, he was responsible for the national expansion of a digital records-management program for K–12 schools. That is highly relevant to building partnerships, scaling services, and bringing solutions to new markets.

• Large-scale operational leadership: As Director of Special Education for Goose Creek CISD, he managed a multimillion-dollar budget, had direct and indirect supervisory responsibility for hundreds of employees, worked cross-functionally with nearly every district department, and oversaw complex compliance and program systems.

• Organizational systems and process development: Across executive roles in Dallas ISD, he handled personnel, payroll, employee relations, communications, compliance, project development, electronic data systems, accountability systems, and coordination across departments.

• Proven turnaround and strategic leadership: As a principal, he led significant academic and organizational improvements in multiple schools, including taking one of the district’s lowest-performing elementary schools from 19% passing to 65% passing within two years.

• Building networks and partnerships: At E.D. Walker High School, he developed a network of corporate partners, individuals, and disability-service agencies to support a major restructuring initiative. That experience speaks directly to the philosophy behind Empowered Network.

• Community and civic leadership: His service includes Rotary International District Governor, Past District Governor, chairman and board positions with nonprofit and rehabilitation organizations, Junior Achievement, children’s advocacy, education advisory boards, and community committees.

• Complex organizational and financial experience: He participated in initiatives involving multimillion-dollar budget deficits, a $30 million IBM/Oracle systems project, compensation redesign with Deloitte & Touche, employee benefits, activity funds, and data-quality initiatives.

• Advocacy and relationship-building: As Regional Advocacy Director for Raise Your Hand Texas, he worked with educators, families, community leaders, business leaders, and legislators to build support for public education.

• Grant and resource development experience: He collaborated on a $239,000 Meadows Foundation grant and wrote a successful $50,000 grant that established a full-time executive director position for the Dallas School Administrators Association.

• Recognized leadership and service: His honors include Rotary service awards, a U.S. Department of Defense Patriotic Employer Award, the Dallas School Administrators Association Hall of Fame, a Texas educational inclusion award, and administrator/educator awards.