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John Fitzpatrick
Executive Director, Educate Texas
Favorite quote
"Keep On Movin"
Favorite Aspect of CFT
"My three favorite things about working at CFT are the people, the impact of our work in education statewide and the autonomy we are given to be creative. I am proud of so many things at CFT, from North Texas Giving Day to game-changing Caruth Fund grants such as those to Dallas Children's. At Educate Texas, I love that we work statewide from El Paso to Texarkana and the Rio Grande Valley to Austin in both program and policy. I believe wholeheartedly that we make a huge difference in North Texas and statewide."
Joined CFT
2005
John is the executive director of Educate Texas, CFT’s statewide education initiative. His role spans five areas: strategy, fundraising, advocacy, culture/talent and what he calls Team CFT.
From 1997-2004, John had a dual role as the executive director of Skillpoint Alliance, a central Texas nonprofit, and vice president for education and workforce development at the Austin Chamber of Commerce.
John moved to Texas in 1994 to attend grad school at the LBJ School at UT Austin, where he met his wife, Kristen Vassallo. Before that, he worked on Capitol Hill for Republicans and Democrats on education, workforce development, trade and other issues.
John taught eighth-grade English and U.S. history for a year in Long Island, New York. He holds a bachelor’s in sociology from Wesleyan University, where he also played soccer.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP / BOARD SERVICE
John serves on the board of the national Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation, a neuromuscular disease that impacts members of his family. He served as a member of the Austin ISD school board from 2002-06.
John’s Favorites
Cause
Education and opening doors for students
Local Restaurant
Curras, Shoal Creek Saloon
Place to take out-of-towners
Salt Lick, Town Lake, LBJ Library, strolling my hood down SoCo, seeing my wife's baby photo at the State Capitol
Activity
Spending time with my wife Kristen and 13-year-old twins Jack and Ellie, reading, working out and napping on the couch while watching sports (especially New York teams — go Giants, Mets and Knicks!)
