Meet the Board
Gary Blizzard, Board President, Position 3
Term started: May 2022
Term ends: May 2025
Email: gblizzard@magnoliaisd.org
Gary Blizzard has lived in Magnolia since 2006 and has worked in the greater Houston area since 1987. He has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas and a Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University. Gary currently teaches several senior-level Chemical Engineering undergraduate courses at Texas A&M. Before joining the faculty at Texas A&M, Gary had 30+ years of experience as an accomplished energy industry executive with diverse experience in international business development, marketing, and project management. Gary was part of the 2012 Magnolia ISD Parent Leadership Committee and graduated in 2016 from the Texas Association of School Boards Leadership Program, earning the designation of Master Trustee. He and his wife, Mickie, have been married since 1989 and have two children Sydney and Sam, who were both educated from K-12 in Magnolia ISD. Gary has enjoyed being a leader in Bible Study Fellowship as well as the deacon chairman and children's teacher in his church. He also enjoys spending time with his family. Gary's hobbies include salt-water fishing and outdoor activities.
Dacia Owens, Vice President, Position 1
Term started: May 2022
Term ends: May 2025
Email: dowens@magnoliaisd.org
Dacia Owens and her family have been residents of Magnolia since 2014 where they relocated from Dallas. This will be the 8th year that their kids have attended school within the Magnolia Independent School District.
Dacia graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the College of Business. She currently stays at home with their children. Previously, she worked for Verizon Communications as a senior marketing manager, leading nationwide campaigns that consisted of mass media in top national media markets, nationwide direct mail, and internal communications. Dacia was a member of the 2016 Magnolia ISD Parent Leadership Committee. Most recently, she enjoyed serving as President for the past 4 years for the Magnolia Education Foundation. MEF and its mission will always hold a huge place in her heart and will continue to be an organization she is passionate about in the many years to come. Dacia also enjoyed stepping in over the last couple of years as a substitute teacher within the district.
Dacia and her husband Patrick have been married for 16 years and have two children, Ava (14) and Drake (12), who currently attend Bear Branch Junior High. Ava is an active student who has a love for art, cheer, dance, and band while being on the all-A honor roll. Drake is also a very active student who stays busy with baseball, football, band and is a leader in the classroom. Dacia and her family are members of the Montgomery United Methodist Church. In her free time, she is always looking forward to squeezing in some time with her friends and family, traveling, dining and shopping!
Sonja Ebel, Secretary, Position 2
Term started: May 2022
Term ends: May 2025
Email: sebel@magnoliaisd.org
Sonja Ebel and her family moved to Magnolia from Houston, Texas in 2010. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA and a Masters in Industrial Relations. Sonja worked at ExxonMobil for 20 years and is currently a stay-at-home mom. She has been active on the Nichols Sawmill Elementary PTO since 2011, a member of the 2012 - 13 Magnolia ISD Parent Leadership Committee, and the 2015 Magnolia Facility Planning Committee.
She and her husband Steve have four children, Sophia, Grant, Faith, and Jon who have all received their education in Magnolia ISD. Sonja enjoys spending time with her family, the Joy Sisters Bible Study and they are members of Magnolia's First Baptist Church.
Stacia Norris, Assistant Secretary, Position 5
Term started: May 2023
Term ends: May 2026
Email: snorris@magnoliaisd.org
Stacia Norris and her family moved to Magnolia in 2013. After graduating from Pasadena High School, she attended Houston Baptist University. She graduated with a BBA in Management.
Stacia has served in Magnolia ISD as the President of JL Lyon PTO, Co-chair of the MWHS MVP's, MWHS Cheer Booster Club president, and the Magnolia Education Foundation President. She was a member of the 2019 Parent Leadership Committee, DEIC, and the 2022 Bond Committee.
Stacia and her husband, Scott, have 5 children. Sophie is a 2022 MWHS graduate and was a member of the MWHS band for 4 years. She will graduate from SHSU with a teaching degree. Gracie is a 2023 MWHS graduate and is a UCA All American Cheerleader. She will pursue a degree in Global Hospitality at U of H. Lillie will graduate from MWHS in 2025 and is a MWHS Cheerleader. Sallie will graduate from MWHS in 2027 and is a saxophone player in band and on the tennis team. Lucas will graduate from MWHS in 2029 and is a percussionist.
In her free time, Stacia enjoys reading, volunteering, and sitting in car rider lines.
Jay Michals, Trustee, Position 4
Term started: May 2023
Term ends: May 2026
Email: jmichals@magnoliaisd.org
Jay Michals moved to the Magnolia area in 2017 after he and his family relocated from the Cypress area. He is a 2005 University of Houston graduate where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with a minor in Finance. Jay is currently serving as the North America Head of Compliance for a private global energy commodity trading and investment company. He has worked in trading, strategic planning, and asset management in multiple fortune 200 energy companies for over 20 years. In the past, Jay has been a youth coach and has volunteered in his children’s baseball, basketball, soccer, and lacrosse. He is a former Parent Leadership and Bond Committee member, volunteered in the Watch Dogs Program at NSE, and has served as a director and president of an HOA.
Jay and his wife Martha have eight children. Austin is a UT graduate with an engineering degree. Morgan is a recent TAMU graduate with a psychology degree. Emily is a 2020 IB graduate of Magnolia West High School, attends UH as an Honors English major, and is on track to graduate in just 3 years this spring. Jack is a senior at Magnolia West High School, is on the swim team, takes IB and AP classes and upon graduation this May has signed with the United States Army, Special Forces, Airborne, and has the goal of becoming a pilot within his initial commitment period. Cody is in the 7th grade at Magnolia Jr. High where he participates in football and golf. Sophie is in 6th grade at Magnolia Intermediate and is in Choir and Student Council. Brady, an avid fisherman, is in the third grade and Vivienne is in 2nd grade at Nichols Sawmill Elementary. Both Brady and Vivienne follow in their ultra-distance running parents footsteps and became grade level finalists in the recent NSE Turkey Trot.
Jay enjoys spending time outdoors with his family golfing, kayaking, running and hiking. Jay and his family worship and serve at Magnolia Cowboy Church.
David McCarty, Position 6
Term started: May 2024
Term ends: May 2027
Email: dmccarty@magnoliaisd.org
David McCarty has lived in Magnolia for 31 years. He graduated from Magnolia High School in 2000 and attended Sam Houston State University. He married his high school sweetheart, Stacy, who is also a graduate of Magnolia. They recently served on the 2024 Parent Leadership Committee and have two daughters, Carley (10) and Eleanor (8). Both girls attend Lyon Elementary, and both enjoy choir, art and playing softball for the Magnolia Elite Organization. Carley is active in 4H and the Magnolia West Chapter FFA.
David began his career at an early age working for his grandfather in the family construction business, where he learned the value of integrity, hard work and the importance of education. This experience ignited his entrepreneurial spirit, which provided him with a constant drive for growth and improvement.
Starting as an assistant superintendent at one of the largest national developers of student housing, he quickly became their General Superintendent and was responsible for the successful completion of thousands of units in multiple states.This provided him with an invaluable experience in leadership and cooperation.
David decided to take his career to new heights, earned a commercial pilot license, and flew private charters while operating his own construction company. He later founded McCarty Development Company is currently the President of the MDC Companies, which operates in downtown Magnolia. He enjoys spending time with Stacy and the girls, traveling, volunteering around the community, and supporting various local events and organizations.
Jordan Blake, Trustee, Position 7
Term started: September 2023
Term ends: May 2027
Email: jblake@magnoliaisd.org
Jordan Blake first moved to Magnolia with his family in 1999 and graduated from Magnolia High School in 2002. Jordan then went on to attend and play baseball for Harding University. After receiving his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Harding he went on to get a Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Healthcare Services Management from Texas Woman's University.
Jordan has spent most of his career in the Senior Living industry and is a licensed Nursing Facility Administrator. He has experience in many roles ranging from managing a single senior living community to providing oversight for many facilities as Director of Operations.
He and his wife, Ashley have been married since 2009 and they have two daughters Addison (10) and Bailey (7). They have lived in Frisco, TX, Norman, OK, Tulsa, OK, and finally relocated back to Magnolia in December of 2021. Addison is in the fifth grade at Bear Branch Intermediate and Bailey is in the second grade at Magnolia Parkway Elementary. Jordan is very active in his church and enjoys attending sporting events, concerts, and spending time with family.