We have expanded our community engagement and bond planning consulting team with the addition of Dr. David Young as Communications and Engagement Manager. A retired superintendent and educator for 29 years in the Texas public education system, Young brings significant experience in community engagement, board communications and bond planning, and he will serve as a firm-wide leader based in the Dallas office.
In collaboration with Cody Cunningham, Pfluger’s Director of Communications and Community Engagement, Young will provide communications, bond planning and campaign strategy for school districts and higher education institutions to pass successful school bond programs. With much-needed capital improvements, building renovations and new facilities to accommodate population growth in many areas of Texas, successful bond campaigns are vital to communities receiving the funding necessary for these projects. The expertise Young and Cunningham offer school districts helps them engage and inform the community, effectively budget and plan capital improvement projects, and get the funding needed to invest in healthy, safe learning environments for students and teachers.
“As a lifelong educator in Texas public schools, I believe in the power of communities to come together and create engaging learning environments,” said Young. “Pfluger’s commitment to meaningful relationships, strong communities and innovative architecture has inspired communities across Texas to successfully pass bonds and enhance their education offerings. I’m thrilled to contribute to this team that is transforming education for communities across the state.”
Young received both undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Texas A&M University and his master’s degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He began his career in public education as a mathematics teacher at Waxahachie Junior High School in 1995 and served as an assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent among other roles for schools and districts throughout Texas. He was superintendent at Pampa ISD, serving 3,800 students before becoming superintendent for Abilene ISD in 2015, where he served the 15,750 students for nine years before retiring. As a longtime member of the Texas Association of School Administrators and the Texas School Alliance, and many other professional organizations, Young is well-versed in public policy and engaging stakeholders in a variety of initiatives.
“Pfluger’s dedication to creating meaningful human experiences and engaging learning environments is helping to create positive and lasting impact on communities,” said Cunningham. “Sometimes bonds can be lengthy, complicated projects that require the deep community engagement experience David brings to the team. I’m excited to see our work invigorate the communities we serve.”
With school bond elections on the horizon for Spring 2025, Young has already begun working with schools, like Odessa College, to prepare their communications and engagement strategies to build public trust and bring communities together to pass bonds for districts that need the funding.
