A photo of representatives from HEB alongside district leaders in CTE

Abilene ISD Career and Technical Education (CTE) is celebrating the recognition of several local leaders who have significantly contributed to AISD CTE programs. The individuals and organizations were honored with Region XII’s Career and Technical Association of Texas (CTAT) Impact Awards, recognizing their dedication to fostering partnerships between business and education and their advocacy for CTE.

Whitney Brown and Cassie Crow from H-E-B were honored with the Business-Education Partnership Award. Their collaborative efforts have strengthened CTE programs and positively impacted student achievement and community development.

Two entities were recognized with the Champion for CTE Award:

  • President and CEO Misty Mayo leads the Development Corporation of Abilene staff, whose tireless work has elevated CTE programs and positioned Abilene as a leader in workforce development.

  • Dr. Tikhon Bykov and David Upshaw with McMurry University Engineering, whose innovative partnerships have expanded student opportunities and enhanced the region's engineering capabilities.

These awards highlight the importance of strong partnerships between education and industry in preparing students for future careers. By working together, these organizations ensure that students have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the 21st-century workforce.