Board Members
Carol de Cardenas, Executive Director
Carol serves as Executive Director for ASPVA. She has 20 years of teaching and
administrative experience in elementary and secondary education, and undergraduate
studies. From 1999-2001, Carol served as Board Director and Public Relations Chair for
the Lake Travis Education Foundation. During this time she also established the Hip
Hopper Jump Rope Team and served 65 children. Carol earned a B.S. in Elementary
Education with a specialization in Reading from Texas A&M in 1986 and she received a
M. Ed. and Certification in Mid-Management from the University of Houston in 1991,
graduating Kappa Delta Pi; an honor society in education. She has also received ESL
and GT certifications.
Carol serves as Executive Director for ASPVA. She has 20 years of teaching and
administrative experience in elementary and secondary education, and undergraduate
studies. From 1999-2001, Carol served as Board Director and Public Relations Chair for
the Lake Travis Education Foundation. During this time she also established the Hip
Hopper Jump Rope Team and served 65 children. Carol earned a B.S. in Elementary
Education with a specialization in Reading from Texas A&M in 1986 and she received a
M. Ed. and Certification in Mid-Management from the University of Houston in 1991,
graduating Kappa Delta Pi; an honor society in education. She has also received ESL
and GT certifications.
Jorge de Cardenas, President
Jorge de Cardenas serves as Senior Vice President of Information Technology at
American Campus Communities, Inc.. Prior to joining American Campus, he served as
Director of Product Management for Emerging Technologies at Visa. Jorge began his
career developing software for NASA at Lockheed Engineering and Science. From 1991
to 1994, he was co-founder and principal consultant of Everest Technologies, Inc., an
Oil & Gas IT consulting firm which was sold to SAIC, Inc. Between 1994 and 2000, he
served in various capacities at technology startup companies. He received a B.S. in
Computer Science with specializations in Mathematics and Management from Texas
A&M University.
Jorge de Cardenas serves as Senior Vice President of Information Technology at
American Campus Communities, Inc.. Prior to joining American Campus, he served as
Director of Product Management for Emerging Technologies at Visa. Jorge began his
career developing software for NASA at Lockheed Engineering and Science. From 1991
to 1994, he was co-founder and principal consultant of Everest Technologies, Inc., an
Oil & Gas IT consulting firm which was sold to SAIC, Inc. Between 1994 and 2000, he
served in various capacities at technology startup companies. He received a B.S. in
Computer Science with specializations in Mathematics and Management from Texas
A&M University.
Melanie Beninga, Secretary
Melanie Beninga currently teaches in Lake Travis ISD. She has been actively involved
with Relay for Life and has served on the committee as a chair for the last 4 years.
Previously, Melanie served as a Math and Science Campus facilitator as well as writing
the Science curriculum for the Bryan Independent School District. She has earned B.S.
in Elementary Education from Texas A&M University with a specialization in Reading.
Melanie Beninga currently teaches in Lake Travis ISD. She has been actively involved
with Relay for Life and has served on the committee as a chair for the last 4 years.
Previously, Melanie served as a Math and Science Campus facilitator as well as writing
the Science curriculum for the Bryan Independent School District. She has earned B.S.
in Elementary Education from Texas A&M University with a specialization in Reading.
Ane Urquiola , Treasurer
Ane Urquiola currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Private Banking for Frost
National Bank. She is a General Securities Representative with Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority licenses (Series 7 and Series 66) and Group 1 licensed Insurance
Agent. Ane is a graduate of The University of Texas where she earned a B.A. in
Economics with a minor in Finance an Accounting. She also serves on the board for
the Financial Planning Association of Austin, is an active volunteer for GENaustin (the
Girls Empowerment Network), and an Austin Young Chamber member.
Ane Urquiola currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Private Banking for Frost
National Bank. She is a General Securities Representative with Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority licenses (Series 7 and Series 66) and Group 1 licensed Insurance
Agent. Ane is a graduate of The University of Texas where she earned a B.A. in
Economics with a minor in Finance an Accounting. She also serves on the board for
the Financial Planning Association of Austin, is an active volunteer for GENaustin (the
Girls Empowerment Network), and an Austin Young Chamber member.
Juanita Budd, Director
Juanita Budd, has more than 18 years of non- profit experience in various roles
including, volunteers, board member, and staff. Currently serving as a Consultant for
TANO (Texas Association for Non-Profit Organizations), where she provides training on
Standard Operating Procedures and HR issues. Previously, Juanita served as a
Human Resources Director, Administrative & Operations Director, Chief Operations
Officer and Vice President of Program Pathways for GS of Central TX. Her experience
includes knowledge in strategic planning, project management, conflict resolution,
budgets and training. Juanita holds a B.A. from Bucknell University; Human Resources
Management Certification – LBJ of Public Administration; a Mediator-, trained by the
Dispute Resolution Center of Austin; and is currently pursuing an MBA from American-
InterContinental University.
Juanita Budd, has more than 18 years of non- profit experience in various roles
including, volunteers, board member, and staff. Currently serving as a Consultant for
TANO (Texas Association for Non-Profit Organizations), where she provides training on
Standard Operating Procedures and HR issues. Previously, Juanita served as a
Human Resources Director, Administrative & Operations Director, Chief Operations
Officer and Vice President of Program Pathways for GS of Central TX. Her experience
includes knowledge in strategic planning, project management, conflict resolution,
budgets and training. Juanita holds a B.A. from Bucknell University; Human Resources
Management Certification – LBJ of Public Administration; a Mediator-, trained by the
Dispute Resolution Center of Austin; and is currently pursuing an MBA from American-
InterContinental University.
Trey Gillespie, Director
Trey Gillespie serves as the Senior Workers Compensation Director for Property
Casualty Insurers. Prior to PCI, Trey served as Staff Counsel for the Austin Regional
Office of Zenith Insurance Company. For twenty-five years, he was a litigator in the
private practice of law representing employers and insurance carriers throughout the
State of Texas. He was board certified in administrative law from 1994-2004 by the
Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He achieved an AV rating from his peers in the
Martindale-Hubbell directory of Texas attorneys which represents the highest rating
for legal skills and ethics. Trey Gillespie received a B.A. from Rice University in 1974
and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Texas in 1977.
Trey Gillespie serves as the Senior Workers Compensation Director for Property
Casualty Insurers. Prior to PCI, Trey served as Staff Counsel for the Austin Regional
Office of Zenith Insurance Company. For twenty-five years, he was a litigator in the
private practice of law representing employers and insurance carriers throughout the
State of Texas. He was board certified in administrative law from 1994-2004 by the
Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He achieved an AV rating from his peers in the
Martindale-Hubbell directory of Texas attorneys which represents the highest rating
for legal skills and ethics. Trey Gillespie received a B.A. from Rice University in 1974
and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Texas in 1977.
Nathaniel Mayfield, Director
Native Austinite Nathaniel Mayfield is the founder and Executive Director of The
Austin Brass Center. He serves as Director of Music for ASPVA. He earned a
Presidential Scholarship in the Arts which included a solo performance at the
Kennedy Center for President Clinton. Nathaniel was accepted into Columbia
University and The Juilliard School in 1994, and attended both schools until receiving
his B.A. in History from Columbia University in 1997. He was awarded a 1998
Fulbright Scholarship, and studied for two years at the Staatliche Hochschule fuer
Musik in Karlsruhe, Germany. Prior to higher education, Nathaniel received his High
School Diploma from Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, MI, after having
attended the academy for four years. An active performer in Austin, he has
performed with the Austin Symphony, Austin Lyric Opera, Ballet Austin, as well as
many other notable local ensembles such as Chorus Austin, La Follia, Texas Consort
and Conspirare.
Native Austinite Nathaniel Mayfield is the founder and Executive Director of The
Austin Brass Center. He serves as Director of Music for ASPVA. He earned a
Presidential Scholarship in the Arts which included a solo performance at the
Kennedy Center for President Clinton. Nathaniel was accepted into Columbia
University and The Juilliard School in 1994, and attended both schools until receiving
his B.A. in History from Columbia University in 1997. He was awarded a 1998
Fulbright Scholarship, and studied for two years at the Staatliche Hochschule fuer
Musik in Karlsruhe, Germany. Prior to higher education, Nathaniel received his High
School Diploma from Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, MI, after having
attended the academy for four years. An active performer in Austin, he has
performed with the Austin Symphony, Austin Lyric Opera, Ballet Austin, as well as
many other notable local ensembles such as Chorus Austin, La Follia, Texas Consort
and Conspirare.
Follow us on your favorite social networking site.
| text |
| text |
The Austin School for the Performing and Visual Arts (ASPVA) admits students of any race,
color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally
accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions
policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally
accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions
policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Copyright ©2006 The Austin School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Inc. All rights reserved
