137 Millennium - Eighteenth Edition EDUCATION EDUCATOR Cleveland Independent School District Conroe, TX PRESIDENT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER VIP Leadership Services LLC Encinitas, CA CATHERINE L. BURNS, PHD As an experienced educator, Dr. Catherine L. Burns strives to make mathematics enjoyable for her students. She has taught mathematics and accounting in the Cleveland Independent School District since 2023. Prior to her current position, she was a substitute teacher for the New Caney Independent School District and a PhD student at Northcentral University, where she performed tax research. Dr. Burns is highly educated in her field, having earned a BA in mathematics, a master’s degree in accounting and an MBA in finance at the University of Houston. During her collegiate years, she also worked as a teaching and research assistant. In 2019, she achieved a PhD at Northcentral University, which allowed her to conduct higherlevel research and broadened her foundational knowledge. Well-regarded for her scholarly output, Dr. Burns has written numerous articles, papers and presentations over the course of her career. In the coming years, she looks forward to continuing in her role as an educator and writer. Likewise, she aims to become a certified public accountant within the next year and hopes to continue her research into business and finance. After retiring in 2019, Vincent J. Christakos established VIP Leadership Services LLC, with the acronym VIP representing his commitment to vision, integrity and passion. For three decades, he worked in the California education sector, drawing on his extensive experience as an assistant superintendent and former president of the California Association of School Business Officials. Prior to that, he honorably served as an officer in the United States Army for 15 years. Mr. Christakos’ outstanding achievements include spearheading the construction and renovation of a new school facility. During his tenure as the chief business official of the Hemet Unified School District, he successfully managed the redevelopment of the district’s oldest school, turning it into the jewel of the community. To commemorate his achievements, he won the Distinguished Eagle Award from the Association of School Business Officials International in 2015. Currently, Mr. Christakos is writing a book on the influence of leaders and their ability to enact meaningful change. Tentatively titled “VIP Leadership,” the book aims to shed light on the pivotal role of leadership in shaping a brighter future. VINCENT J. CHRISTAKOS
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