Team

Dr. Angélica M. Ramsey became superintendent of the Fort Worth Independent School District in September 2022. She brings to FWISD a wealth of experience as a champion for students, a strong educator, and a results-oriented leader.

Dr. Ramsey most recently served as superintendent of schools in the Midland Independent School District in Midland, Texas. Prior to that, she was superintendent of the Pleasant Valley School District in California for almost five years.  Her education career began as a classroom teacher in the Socorro Independent School District in El Paso. She became an assistant principal and a principal at Socorro ISD before being named chief academic officer of the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

Dr. Ramsey is an inclusive and deliberative CEO who places students first. Under her leadership, systems thrive and educational outcomes for students improve. She is visible in classrooms and in the community. In Midland, she served on the Board of Directors for the Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Midland Chamber of Commerce, the Midland Education Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Midland, and the Boy Scouts of America. She was a member of the Midland Rotary Club and Uptown Business & Professional Women’s Group.

Dr. Ramsey received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of the Pacific, her Master’s Degree from the University of Texas at El Paso, and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University.

She served in the U.S. Army, which is where she met her husband Daryton while they were in training.

Dr. Ramsey is excited and humbled to serve Fort Worth ISD as its 21st superintendent.

Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, CPA, CGFM, is the Chief Financial Officer for Fort Worth ISD.  She joined the District in January 2022.  Carmen has over 27 years of professional executive level experience in the public and private sectors.    In addition, she holds a Master Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Accounting degree, both from New Mexico State University.   She has been certified as a Certified Public Accountant in Texas since May 1993. 

In April 2015, she was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors for ReadyOne Industries of El Paso, a non-profit organization and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board.   From April 2016 until January 2022, she was appointed to the board for the University Medical Center of El Paso by the County of El Paso Commissioner's Court.     From August 2015 through March 2019, Carmen served as an appointee of Governor Greg Abbott on the Texas State Lottery Commission.  In May 2013, she was appointed by Texas Education Agency Commissioner to serve on the EPISD Board of Managers due to a state takeover of the district and served for two years.  From 2011 through 2016, Carmen served as a board member of the El Paso Policeman and Fireman Pension Fund.   Carmen has also served on the Finance Committee for the El Paso Chamber of Commerce and was the Chair of the Finance Committee for 2017.   She is the past President of the El Paso Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants, having served from 2013 through 2015 and she is a member of the Texas Society of CPAs, TASBO and the GFOA.  She previously served on the TSCPA Professional Standards Committee for three years.   She received the “She’s Our Hero” award by the Women in Public Finance national organization in January 2013 as well as named the CPA of the Year by the El Paso Chapter of TSCPA in May 2013.   In June 2015, she received the Star on the Mountain Award from the El Paso City Council and, in February 2016, she received the El Paso Inc.’s Community Spirit Award for her service on the EPISD Board of Managers.   Carmen was named as a “Woman of Impact” by El Paso, Inc. in 2016.   In addition to her professional achievements, she is engaged in her community and volunteers her time for various causes.

Maria Chavez, a native of El Paso, Texas joined Fort Worth ISD as the Comptroller in April 2022.   In her current role, she oversees a wide range of finance departments and functions, including the Accounting Department, Accounts Payable, Grant Accounting, Medicaid/SHARS and Treasury Management.

Maria has more than 20 years of progressive career experience in financial management.  She is proficient in providing leadership, direction and continuously improving performance.  Prior to her current role with the district, she served as the Executive Director of Finance at Anthony ISD and the Director of Finance at El Paso ISD.  

Maria earned her Bachelor of Accounting Degree from New Mexico State University.

Her personal interest is her family and her passion for fitness.

Tonya D. Wright currently serves at the Treasurer in the Accounting Department for FWISD which is the 5th largest school district in Texas.

Prior to accepting a position with FWISD, Tonya worked in Banking & Finance for JP Morgan Chase Bank for 25 years in the capacity of Branch Manager of banking centers, Personal Bank and Investments Representative.  She manages a portfolio for the school district in excess of over $700,000,000 and performs various cash management, banking, investing, accounting, and debt management functions.

Tonya was born and raised in Fort Worth.  She is an Alumni of North Side High School in the Fort Worth Independent School District. 

Tonya graduated from Texas Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

Her personal interest is enjoying her first grandchild, spending time with her husband, son and daughter-in law.  She enjoys traveling, volunteering at her church and enjoying life to the fullest.