Prior to becoming ASMSA's Executive Director, Dr. Derek McDowell served as director of secondary academics for the Amarillo (Texas) Independent School District, where his main goal was to provide vision, strategy and leadership to improve secondary student outcomes. He previously worked as secondary science curriculum coordinator for the Frisco (Texas) Independent School District. He currently serves on the National Science Education Leadership Association Board of Directors and was the regional coordinator for the Academic Decathlon in North Texas for nearly a decade. He earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and chemistry from Lyon College, a master’s degree in education from Lamar University and a doctorate in physical chemistry from Rice University.