On Oct. 22, Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Dr. Jesus Amezcua received the 2025 Pinnacle of Achievement Award by the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) at their Annual Conference & Expo. HCDE was honored for the Coolwood Head Start Project and leadership’s innovation in school business management. Amezcua is the only individual in the award’s history to win twice, winning in 2021 for the construction of the ABS West campus.

Through innovative partnerships, grants and local collaboration, Harris County Department of Education restored Coolwood Head Start for the underserved community on Houston’s east side. The result was a brand-new, $9.5 million project currently serving more than 100 students, their families and HCDE staff on a daily basis.

Pinnacle Awards recognize innovative approaches to solving problems with school district projects. Among three Pinnacle of Achievement winners this year, HCDE faced land challenges and natural disasters during the construction timeline. In addition to the award, the Department also received ASBO conference registration and travel funding for two entries and $5,000 in school furniture from Virco, Inc.