Communities In Schools of Houston Welcomes New Board President Omar C. Reid

This September Omar C. Reid, Senior Vice President of Human Resources (HR) at Harris Health System, took the helm as President to lead our Board of Directors and guide our organization. Omar is succeeding our president of 6 years, David Sambrooks who will remain on the Board of Directors as co-chair of the Development Committee. Omar brings with him an extensive background in leadership, from his 25 years with UPS in various operational and administrative roles, to 6 years as Director of HR for City of Houston, and now with Harris Health System where he oversees 8,000 employees across Harris County.

Omar completed his undergraduate degree at University of Houston Downtown and then went on to receive his MBA from Texas Southern University. He is a published author and a nationally recognized speaker on leadership, transformation and change. Omar's ties to Houston are strong, and he has a passion for putting other’s first and helping Houston’s students realize their full potential and achieve in life.

We spoke to Omar more recently about his time in school growing up, as well as his hopes and dreams for CIS students.

Q: What is your favorite memory of school?

A: I am not sure if this is my favorite, but certainly one of the most memorable. It would have to be going to high school and trying out for the basketball team. We had a larger than life principal named Martin O. Chapman. He came to the gym one day and watched how practice was going. He pulled me to the side and asked me if I knew the definition of the word “tenacity”. Of course, I had no idea what it meant. He told me if I was going to be successful in basketball and in life, I needed to be tenacious. It was a conversation I will never forget.

Q: What was your first job growing up?

A: I picked onions for one day, had a paper route for a few weeks and bused tables at a restaurant in downtown Akron, OH for a few months. When I got to Houston my first job at UPS was checking the oil and water levels in the brown delivery trucks you see on the streets.

Q: What do you understand are the greatest challenges faced by our students today?

A: Food insecurities, health gaps, inadequate and inferior access to technology, mental health.

Q: What is your dream for CIS students?

A: Achieve more than they can imagine. That someone will see the potential in them and help maximize all the knowledge, skills and abilities they have been given. That they know someone is fighting for the future they deserve.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: “Impossible is only impossible until it is done.” - Nelson Mandela

As a member of our Board since 2015, Omar’s passion and commitment to the CIS mission and supporting students across Houston is an integral part of our organization. We could not be more excited and grateful to have Omar leading the CIS of Houston Board through our next chapter, providing his sound guidance as we work together to ensure every student believes in themselves and has the support they need to thrive in school and reach their greatest aspirations.