TASA has announced the upcoming retirement of TASA Executive Director Johnny L. Veselka, who has served the association for 43 years.
“Today marks a turning point in TASA’s history,” says TASA President Buck Gilcrease, superintendent, Alvin ISD. “Dr. Veselka has steered the association through many changes and helped our organization to grow not only in numbers, but in reputation. TASA has become a highly respected and influential force in Texas under his leadership.”
Veselka will retire February 28, 2018, after having served as TASA’s executive director for 31 years.
“I will always value the personal and professional relationships that I have developed over the years through TASA,” Veselka said. “I’m proud that TASA has built a formidable reputation as an advocate for Texas public schools, the 5.2 million children we serve, and for TASA members.”
Veselka says that he is most proud of TASA’s mission to develop leaders who create student-centered schools and develop future-ready students. Among the highlights of his career has been “witnessing the passion of TASA members across the state who are committed to transforming the learning opportunities for the students they serve.”
A former classroom teacher in the North East Independent School District in San Antonio, Veselka joined the TASA staff in 1974. From 1979 to 1981, he participated in the Cooperative Superintendency Program, a doctoral superintendency program jointly sponsored by The University of Texas at Austin and the Texas Education Agency, earning his Ph.D. in educational administration in 1982.
The TASA officers and Executive Committee will conduct a search to select the association’s next executive director.
