Carl Sherman, Jr. | President

Carl Sherman, Jr., is a Christian and prominent, nationally recognized progressive thought leader in education and a trusted consultant among Young Elected Officials and members of Local Progress. Carl offers close to a decade of political experience as a campaign strategist, elected official, and negotiator in the public, private and non-profit sectors from local municipalities to state legislatures. He is an alumnus of Leadership TASB, former Co-Chair of Local Progress’s Public Education lobbying committee, and nominating member for the Council of Urban Boards of Education.

After many successes in public office, Carl has leveraged his experience, network, and reputation to introduce policy reform and contracted services to municipalities school districts and the Texas House of Representatives. As a member of organizations such as Leadership TASB, Local Progress, Young Elected Officials and the Council of Urban Boards of Education Carl’s network includes policymakers and government officials from school board to U.S. Congress. Featured on WFAA-Dallas/Ft. Worth, Inside Texas Politics and Y’all-itics Carl’s insight has proven valuable to a wide audience receiving official recognition from the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas Legislature for his part in lobbying for public education finance reform.

A graduate from Northwood University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Carl has successfully launched a privately held company XO Guardian Intelligence and represents national Christian recording artist Jonathan Traylor.

RJ Boatman's career and leadership span over four decades at the municipal, county, state, and national levels. He has worked as a Chief of Police, Organized Crime Board Governor, Federal Task Force Director, Emergency Management Coordinator, State Education Director, Adjunct University Professor, Chief Government Officer, and Municipal Judge. He is a graduate of the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas, the Department of State Diplomatic Security Services Academy, the DEA Drug Unit Commander's Academy, the FBI Command College, Sam Houston State, Dallas Theological, and Purdue Global.   

Mr. Boatman is the Co-developer of the nation’s first Center for Safe and Secure Schools at the Harris County Department of Education, the former Director of the Texas Education Agency's Persistently Dangerous Schools Project, and the former Executive Director of the Texas Safe Schools Alliance.    

Mr. Boatman has worked in public and government affairs since 1999, assisting clients with political relationships, public policy, and risk mitigation. His work to elevate his clients’ brand in government arenas and to increase market share, has garnered over $150M in direct to government sales.    Mr. Boatman’s real estate firm has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial and residential real estate brokerage, investment, and development.    

“RJ is truly a master negotiator”, stated BAHEP President, Bob Mitchell. “If you are leasing, buying, building, investing or selling, he’s the guy you want representing your interests”.    

Mr. Boatman has served in Christian ministry since 1976 as a volunteer, a deacon, and a pastor.