Gene M. Woodard III, Chairman
Gene, eldest son of Gene M. Woodard Jr., started the Fund in memory of his father to support the education of Fort Worth youth with fine arts talent. Gene truly runs the show as the chief fundraiser and administrative contact for the Fund. Gene began drumming and singing in high school, played snare drum in concert band, and performed Schubert's "Aufenthalt" entirely in German during his senior year of high school. During his time in college, Gene taught drum lessons at Swords Music Company in Fort Worth, TX. He completed his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of North Texas (UNT) in 1997. Gene ran for UNT Homecoming King in 1994 while a member of Pi Sigma Epsilon fraternity. He enjoys TV crime dramas, playing the drums, cooking on the grill outdoors, and is a staunch supporter of the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys.
Gene, eldest son of Gene M. Woodard Jr., started the Fund in memory of his father to support the education of Fort Worth youth with fine arts talent. Gene truly runs the show as the chief fundraiser and administrative contact for the Fund. Gene began drumming and singing in high school, played snare drum in concert band, and performed Schubert's "Aufenthalt" entirely in German during his senior year of high school. During his time in college, Gene taught drum lessons at Swords Music Company in Fort Worth, TX. He completed his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of North Texas (UNT) in 1997. Gene ran for UNT Homecoming King in 1994 while a member of Pi Sigma Epsilon fraternity. He enjoys TV crime dramas, playing the drums, cooking on the grill outdoors, and is a staunch supporter of the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys.
Andrew Woodard
Andrew, the younger son of Gene M. Woodard, Jr., pursues a career in semiconductor process engineering and now lives in Ottawa, Ontario. Andrew studied piano for six years, appeared in a production of "Annie Get Your Gun" as Annie Oakley's younger brother Jake, and enjoys drawing with his children. Andrew, as a scientist, engineer, and a dabbler in the arts, believes that creativity and formal systems do not have to be mutually exclusive. Aptly, one of his favorite books from his college years was "Godel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid" by Douglas Hofstadter. Andrew takes responsibility for the Fund's online presence and is credited with creation of the treble-clef-and-notes GMW logo. One piece of advice Andrew has for young music students: "Don't quit your instrument lessons in 6th grade like I did. It's something you can derive pleasure from your whole life if you don't let the talent wither."
Andrew, the younger son of Gene M. Woodard, Jr., pursues a career in semiconductor process engineering and now lives in Ottawa, Ontario. Andrew studied piano for six years, appeared in a production of "Annie Get Your Gun" as Annie Oakley's younger brother Jake, and enjoys drawing with his children. Andrew, as a scientist, engineer, and a dabbler in the arts, believes that creativity and formal systems do not have to be mutually exclusive. Aptly, one of his favorite books from his college years was "Godel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid" by Douglas Hofstadter. Andrew takes responsibility for the Fund's online presence and is credited with creation of the treble-clef-and-notes GMW logo. One piece of advice Andrew has for young music students: "Don't quit your instrument lessons in 6th grade like I did. It's something you can derive pleasure from your whole life if you don't let the talent wither."
Tobi Jackson
Tobi Jackson is a parent, educator, and administrator, and also taught Gene and Andrew face to face at The Oakridge School. A lifelong resident of East Fort Worth, she attended Eastern Hills Elementary, Meadowbrook Middle School, and proudly graduated in 1978 from Eastern Hills High School. Tobi holds a B.A. from The University of Texas at Arlington and an M.S. from the University of North Texas.
With over 4 decades of community service in Tarrant County, Ms. Jackson's focus now is firmly planted in those organizations that move the needle in education. Ms. Jackson's area of interest in education is The Economic Burden of Opportunity Youth. Those students who stop attending school and are aged 16-24. In 2012, The United States of America has 17% or 6.7 million "Opportunity Youth", capable of producing a $4.7 trillion full lifetime burden, which is approximately 33% of the current Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This compelling data certainly demonstrates the importance education plays on all aspects of a community and its ability to thrive.
Her current professional focus is: re-engaging our "Opportunity Youth" in school, work, and civic life. Incentives like the Gene M. Woodard Jr. Memorial Scholarship might encourage a few of them to pick up music or art as a focus.
Tobi Jackson is a parent, educator, and administrator, and also taught Gene and Andrew face to face at The Oakridge School. A lifelong resident of East Fort Worth, she attended Eastern Hills Elementary, Meadowbrook Middle School, and proudly graduated in 1978 from Eastern Hills High School. Tobi holds a B.A. from The University of Texas at Arlington and an M.S. from the University of North Texas.
With over 4 decades of community service in Tarrant County, Ms. Jackson's focus now is firmly planted in those organizations that move the needle in education. Ms. Jackson's area of interest in education is The Economic Burden of Opportunity Youth. Those students who stop attending school and are aged 16-24. In 2012, The United States of America has 17% or 6.7 million "Opportunity Youth", capable of producing a $4.7 trillion full lifetime burden, which is approximately 33% of the current Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This compelling data certainly demonstrates the importance education plays on all aspects of a community and its ability to thrive.
Her current professional focus is: re-engaging our "Opportunity Youth" in school, work, and civic life. Incentives like the Gene M. Woodard Jr. Memorial Scholarship might encourage a few of them to pick up music or art as a focus.