Meet Your Team.
Jeff is delighted to lead the most revolutionary and innovative SHARS company in Texas. A native Texan from Corpus Christi and a graduate of the University of Texas Austin, Jeff leads the industry with his expertise in K-12 software and solution services. Jeff brings an outstanding record of consulting districts to facilitate technology planning, identifying program needs and implementing lasting solutions aimed to improve school district project development. His experience in designing and establishing programs and providing active support through business analytics, account management, district on-boarding, engineering and technical support, and implementation of best practices has helped build the foundation for Onward Medicaid Solutions.
An industry trailblazer, Charlene brings 29 years of experience in school-based Medicaid to Onward Learning. Not only a Medicaid historian, but also one of the most revered names in SHARS, Charlene served as an essential member of the founding team who implemented SHARS in Texas in 1992. Her passion has always been to ensure the maximization of Medicaid reimbursements to enable school districts to focus on providing the best quality of health-related services to their students.
Jeff Dominguez
President and Owner
Charlene Carroll
VP of Operations and Business Development
Highly accomplished and experienced, Karla brings 22+ years of health care experience, including 11 years of school-based Medicaid experience & 10+ years of Information Technology, to the Onward team. Karla's desire to develop new, secure & innovative designs has led Onward to develop the most revolutionary product on the market. She is driven by her passion to ensure our clients use technology as a tool to positively enhance their entire SHARS experience. Karla received a Bachelor in Computer Information Systems from the University of Houston and a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Texas Woman's University.
With 27 years of experience in Texas school-based Medicaid, Aprel brings an array of experience from every aspect of (SHARS) including technology, finance, and account management. With a program overview perspective, she draws from all her experience to identify needs, gaps, and innovative solutions to streamline the (SHARS) process. She received a Bachelor’s degree in History and Education from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Karla Fernandez
VP of Information and Technology
Aprel Dobson
Director of Finance
Nora joins the Onward team bringing 26 years of SHARS, MAC and RMTS experience & has supported school districts in the Houston, DFW & Rio Grande Valley regions of Texas. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Nora is able to provide training to providers of various backgrounds throughout our state. SHARS policy is one of her greatest strengths as she is passionate about audit compliance. Nora desires to not only bring your district maximum Medicaid reimbursement, but she is dedicated to ensuring your district keeps that reimbursement. Her strong relationships with TEA & HHSC officials is a true benefit to her school district clients.
Susanne (Susie) brings 37 years of experience in Special Education to the Onward Team. A native El Pasoan and retiree from one of the largest school districts in El Paso. She spent 10 years as a special education teacher, 12 years as diagnostician and 15 years as Coordinator of Assessment and Transition. She has trained and mentored countless teachers, assessment personnel and administrators throughout her years in education.Susie is based in El Paso, TX.
Nora Garcia
Director of Client Success
Susie Flores
Director of Compliance
For over 15 years, Shawn has been a prominent leader in the SHARS industry. Driven to influence and make a difference in the lives of those she is privileged to work with, Shawn aims to provide valuable support to Texas school districts. As a Senior SHARS Account Manager, her key goal includes ensuring districts are facilitating their SHARS program in a compliant manner. In addition to her primary job function, Shawn's Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication fuels her passion for conference planning and marketing. A native Houstonian, Shawn loves to make the most of her free time by reading, taking long walks, bike riding and relishing in family time.
Lynda is proud to bring 40+ years of experience in customer support & bookkeeping to Onward. For 7 years, Lynda provided Texas school districts with compliant SHARS Medicaid training, primarily working with school districts located in the Valley. Lynda joined the Onward team after leaving Taylor ISD’s Central Administration Office. Driven by the desire to put the needs of the client first, Lynda draws from all her experience to identify the needs of each client & how to help each provider feel empowered to participate in the SHARS Medicaid program.
Shawn Gibbs
Director of Business Development
Lynda Wallace
Client Support Manager
A proud native Houstonian, Victoria is excited to bring her 20+ years of clerical support and 4 years of Texas SHARS experience to Onward. After receiving her Associates in Teaching from Houston Community College, Victoria was recruited by Onward to serve as a Client Support Manager. Dedicated to problem solving & patience, Victoria is enthusiastic about assisting districts, especially low funded districts, in reclaiming the expenses used to assist SPED students & put the funds back into their district's programs.
Bringing 15 years of SHARS data entry, customer service and quality control management experience, Amy joins the ONWARD team to further advance the exceptional service of the client management team. Amy embraces client support with a positive and optimistic attitude. Her ability to problem solve as well as her exceptional attention to detail make her a leader in her field. Born and raised in Austin, TX Amy continues to call Austin her home where she, and her husband, enjoy watching their daughters play on several school sports teams and on their free weekends, visiting the Texas coast.
Victoria Cruz
Client Support Manager
Amy Peebles
Client Support Manager
Veronica is a native and current resident of El Paso, TX with 31 years of special education experience. She served 26 years as a certified Speech Language Pathologist working with students ranging from 3 to 21 years of age. For 5 years, she was part of the administration team in the role of Special Education Coordinator. Among her many duties, she supervised Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists. Veronica is excited to partner with Onward's amazing west Texas school districts to provide SHARS support to special education professionals.
With 17+ years of experience in the customer service and support world and a good handle on the medical billing ropes for speech, physical, and occupational therapy, I'm diving headfirst into the Texas school-based Medicaid scene! I've worn a variety of hats, delving into technology, finance, and account management along the way. Picture me as your go-to problem-solver, aiming to make the (SHARS) process smoother and simpler. As a brand new mom, I'm all about connecting and making a positive impact, and I'm excited to seamlessly integrate myself into all the departments at Onward. Let's make a real difference in the SHARS Medicaid/Special Education domain, together!
Veronica Arellano
Client Support Manager
Lyndsey Knudsen
Denise R. Garza is a dedicated individual born and raised in Brownsville, TX. She is passionate about Public Education positively impacting the future of children. With 20 years of experience in the public education system, she has acquired valuable knowledge and skills that can be useful in shaping policies that promote quality education as a Client Relations Manager, where she assists districts and staff throughout the valley in receiving reimbursements for services delivered to special education students. As an active community member, Denise sits on various boards advocating for children and is passionate about ensuring that our special needs community has a voice. She has supported Senate Bill 776, also known as Zariah's Law, named after a BISD student. Denise continues to visit the State Capital to advocate for Public Education & strongly believes in working together.
Niki has worked in special education in a school setting for over 15 years. Her experience in Special Education leadership has given her valuable perspective and insight into the intricacies and importance of accurate SHARS documentation. She is passionate about supporting districts in achieving a smooth and accurate SHARS process. Niki has a Bachelor's degree in Community Health and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. She and her husband Matt have two wonderful children, and together they enjoy a quiet life in the Texas hill country.
Denise Garza
Niki Kelly
With a dedicated career spanning three decades in the dynamic landscape of Texas school-based Medicaid, she is a seasoned professional who specializes in SHARS Cost Reporting, MAC, & Finance. Her passion for ensuring children’s access to school-based services in an educational setting has been the driving force behind her journey. Her goal is to maximize district reimbursement while maintaining the highest standards of compliance & integrity. She is well-versed in the intricacies of the SHARS program, assisting districts in accurate documentation and reporting, while helping districts navigate the complexities of Texas Medicaid. Her knowledge of Cost Reporting/MAC procedures & protocols has enabled districts to streamline their administrative processes & optimize reimbursements. She has provided comprehensive training and guidance to district personnel, empowering them to understand & efficiently manage Medicaid-related processes, reducing the risk of costly errors.
For nearly 20 years, LaTonya Vaughn has been a northworthy leader in the SHARS and MAC finance community. Born, raised and currently residing in Houston, TX, La Tonya holds a undergraduate degree in Accounting and a Masters in Organizational Management. With her experience and expertise LaTonya's goal is to assist in making Onward Learning a household name for school district's by providing first-class financial support and direction to all Onward districts. When LaTonya is not wowing clients and colleagues with her experience in school district finance, she is spending time with her children, grandchildren and traveling.
Marsha Twilley
LaTonya Vaughn
Originally from Dallas, TX, David came to the University of Texas Austin in 2016, later graduating in 2020 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Art and Entertainment Technology. David says the best thing about working at Onward is that it allows him to be a part of helping others near and far! Living an active lifestyle, David is either playing video games, dancing, or spending time with his pitbull, Leo.
Kevin is a 2021 graduate of Texas A&M University Kingsville with a Bachelor's in Information Systems. Kevin was dedicated to graduating college and getting a solid job to support his parents, as they both came from Mexico to the United States and provided so many opportunities for him as he was growing up. Kevin enjoys making use of his background in Information Systems at ONWARD to support the ever-changing technology needs of our clients. Some fun facts about Kevin, is that he is an extensive collector of Pokemon cards and figurines. He says "I like to admire the craftsmanship. It's like owning a small piece of art." On nice days Kevin is outside and playing with his four dogs.
David Cha
Senior Data Analyst
Kevin Alarcon
Information Technology Specialist
Arnulfo, or Castro as we like to call him, hails from Corpus Christi, Texas. He recently graduated from Texas A&M Kingsville with a Bachelor's in Business Administration Accounting. Coupling his customer service skills and accounting degree, he looks forward to working with clients on the financial aspects including cost reports, MAC and certifications of funds. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and learning about other cultures. He aspires to become fluent in Chinese.
Arnulfo Castro
Finance Specialist
Jeff Dominguez
President and Owner
Jeff is delighted to lead the most revolutionary and innovative SHARS company in Texas. A native Texan from Corpus Christi and a graduate of the University of Texas Austin, Jeff leads the industry with his expertise in K-12 software and solution services. Jeff brings an outstanding record of consulting districts to facilitate technology planning, identifying program needs and implementing lasting solutions aimed to improve school district project development. His experience in designing and establishing programs and providing active support through business analytics, account management, district on-boarding, engineering and technical support, and implementation of best practices has helped build the foundation for Onward Medicaid Solutions.
Charlene Carroll
VP of Operations and Business Development
An industry trailblazer, Charlene brings 28 years of experience in school-based Medicaid to Onward Learning. Not only a Medicaid historian, but also one of the most revered names in SHARS, Charlene served as an essential member of the founding team who implemented SHARS in Texas in 1992. Her passion has always been to ensure the maximization of Medicaid reimbursements to enable school districts to focus on providing the best quality of health-related services to their students.
Karla Fernandez
VP of Information and Technology
Highly accomplished and experienced, Karla brings over 22 years of Health Care experience, including over 8 years of school-based Medicaid experience and more than 10 years of Information Technology, to the Onward team. Karla's desire to develop new, secure and innovative designs has led Onward to develop the most revolutionary product on today's market. She is driven by her passion to ensure Onward clients use technology as a tool to positively enhance their entire SHARS experience. Karla received a Bachelor in Computer Information Systems from the University of Houston and a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Texas Woman's University.
Aprel Dobson
Director of Finance
With 25 years of experience in Texas school-based Medicaid, Aprel brings an array of experience from every aspect of (SHARS) including technology, finance, and account management. With a program overview perspective, she draws from all her experience to identify needs, gaps, and innovative solutions to streamline the (SHARS) process. She received a Bachelor’s degree in History and Education from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Susie Flores
Director of Compliance
Susanne (Susie) brings 37 years of experience in Special Education to the Onward Team. A native El Pasoan and retiree from one of the largest school districts in El Paso. She spent 10 years as a special education teacher, 12 years as diagnostician and 15 years as Coordinator of Assessment and Transition. She has trained and mentored countless teachers, assessment personnel and administrators throughout her years in education.Susie is based in El Paso, TX.
Shawn Gibbs
Director of Business Development
For over 15 years, Shawn has been a prominent leader in the SHARS industry. Driven to influence and make a difference in the lives of those she is privileged to work with, Shawn aims to provide valuable support to Texas school districts. As a Senior SHARS Account Manager, her key goal includes ensuring districts are facilitating their SHARS program in a compliant manner. In addition to her primary job function, Shawn's Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication fuels her passion for conference planning and marketing. A native Houstonian, Shawn loves to make the most of her free time by reading, taking long walks, bike riding and relishing in family time.
Nora Garcia
Director of Client Success
Nora joins the Onward team bringing 26 years of SHARS, MAC and RMTS experience and has supported school districts in the Houston, DFW and Rio Grande Valley regions of Texas. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Nora is able to provide training to providers of various backgrounds throughout our amazing state. SHARS policy is one of her greatest strengths as she is passionate about audit compliance. Nora desires to not only bring your district maximum Medicaid reimbursement, but she is dedicated to ensuring your district keeps that reimbursement. Her strong relationships with TEA and HHSC officials is a true benefit to her school district clients.
Lynda Wallace
Client Support Manager
Lynda Wallace is proud to bring over 40 years of experience in customer support and bookkeeping to Onward. For 7 years, Lynda strived to provide Texas school districts with compliant SHARS Medicaid training, primarily working with school districts located in the Valley. Lynda recently joined the Onward team after leaving Taylor ISD’s Central Administration Office. Driven by the desire to put the needs of the client first, Lynda draws from all her experience to identify the needs of each client and how to help each provider feel empowered to participate in the SHARS Medicaid program.
Victoria Cruz
Client Support Manager
A proud native Houstonian, Victoria is excited to bring her 20+ years of clerical support and 4 years of Texas SHARS experience to Onward. After receiving her Associates in Teaching from Houston Community College, Victoria was recruited by Onward to serve as a Client Support Manager. Dedicated to problem solving and patience, Victoria is enthusiastic about assisting districts, especially low funded districts, in reclaiming the expenses used to assist SPED students and put the funds back into their district's programs.
Amy Peebles
Client Support Manager
Bringing 15 years of SHARS data entry, customer service and quality control management experience, Amy joins the ONWARD team to further advance the exceptional service of the client management team. Amy embraces client support with a positive and optimistic attitude. Her ability to problem solve as well as her exceptional attention to detail make her a leader in her field. Born and raised in Austin, TX Amy continues to call Austin her home where she, and her husband, enjoy watching their daughters play on several school sports teams and on their free weekends, visiting the Texas coast.
Veronica Arellano
Client Support Manager
Veronica is a native and current resident of El Paso, TX with 31 years of special education experience. She served 26 years as a certified Speech Language Pathologist working with students ranging from 3 to 21 years of age. For 5 years, she was part of the administration team in the role of Special Education Coordinator. Among her many duties, she supervised Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists. Veronica is excited to partner with Onward's amazing west Texas school districts to provide SHARS support to special education professionals.
Lyndsey Knudsen
Customer Support Manager
With 17+ years of experience in the customer service and support world and a good handle on the medical billing ropes for speech, physical, and occupational therapy, I'm diving headfirst into the Texas school-based Medicaid scene! I've worn a variety of hats, delving into technology, finance, and account management along the way. Picture me as your go-to problem-solver, aiming to make the (SHARS) process smoother and simpler. As a brand new mom, I'm all about connecting and making a positive impact, and I'm excited to seamlessly integrate myself into all the departments at Onward. Let's make a real difference in the SHARS Medicaid/Special Education domain, together!
Lyndsey Knudsen
Client Relations Manager
Denise R. Garza is a dedicated individual born and raised in Brownsville, TX. She is passionate about Public Education positively impacting the future of children. With 20 years of experience in the public education system, she has acquired valuable knowledge and skills that can be useful in shaping policies that promote quality education as a Client Relations Manager, where she assists districts and staff throughout the valley in receiving reimbursements for services delivered to special education students. As an active community member, Denise sits on various boards advocating for children and is passionate about ensuring that our special needs community has a voice. She has supported Senate Bill 776, also known as Zariah's Law, named after a BISD student. Denise continues to visit the State Capital to advocate for Public Education and strongly believes in working together.
Niki Kelly
Account Manager
Niki has worked in special education in a school setting for over 15 years. Her experience in Special Education leadership has given her valuable perspective and insight into the intricacies and importance of accurate SHARS documentation. She is passionate about supporting districts in achieving a smooth and accurate SHARS process. Niki has a Bachelor's degree in Community Health and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. She and her husband Matt have two wonderful children, and together they enjoy a quiet life in the Texas hill country.
Marsha Twilley
Senior Finance Manager
With a dedicated career spanning three decades in the dynamic landscape of Texas school-based Medicaid, she is a seasoned professional who specializes in SHARS Cost Reporting, MAC, and Finance. Her passion for ensuring children’s access to school-based services in an educational setting has been the driving force behind her journey. Her goal is to maximize district reimbursement while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and integrity. She is well-versed in the intricacies of the SHARS program, assisting districts in accurate documentation and reporting, while helping districts to navigate the complexities of Texas Medicaid. Her in-depth knowledge of Cost Reporting/MAC procedures and protocols has enabled districts to streamline their administrative processes, thus optimizing reimbursements. She has provided comprehensive training and guidance to district personnel, empowering them to understand and efficiently manage Medicaid-related processes, reducing the risk of costly errors.
LaTonya Vaughn
Senior Finance Manager
For nearly 20 years, LaTonya Vaughn has been a northworthy leader in the SHARS and MAC finance community. Born, raised and currently residing in Houston, TX, La Tonya holds a undergraduate degree in Accounting and a Masters in Organizational Management. With her experience and expertise LaTonya's goal is to assist in making Onward Learning a household name for school district's by providing first-class financial support and direction to all Onward districts. When LaTonya is not wowing clients and colleagues with her experience in school district finance, she is spending time with her children, grandchildren and traveling.
David Cha
Senior Data Analyst
Originally from Dallas, TX, David came to the University of Texas Austin in 2016, later graduating in 2020 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Art and Entertainment Technology. David says the best thing about working at Onward is that it allows him to be a part of helping others near and far! Living an active lifestyle, David is either playing video games, dancing, or spending time with his pitbull, Leo.
Kevin Alarcon
Information Technology Specialist
Kevin is a 2021 graduate of Texas A&M University Kingsville with a Bachelor's in Information Systems. Kevin was dedicated to graduating college and getting a solid job to support his parents, as they both came from Mexico to the United States and provided so many opportunities for him as he was growing up. Kevin enjoys making use of his background in Information Systems at ONWARD to support the ever-changing technology needs of our clients. Some fun facts about Kevin, is that he is an extensive collector of Pokemon cards and figurines. He says "I like to admire the craftsmanship. It's like owning a small piece of art." On nice days Kevin is outside and playing with his four dogs.
Arnulfo Castro
Finance Specialist
Arnulfo, or Castro as we like to call him, hails from Corpus Christi, Texas. He recently graduated from Texas A&M Kingsville with a Bachelor's in Business Administration Accounting. Coupling his customer service skills and accounting degree, he looks forward to working with clients on the financial aspects including cost reports, MAC and certifications of funds. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and learning about other cultures. He aspires to become fluent in Chinese.
Take the First Step
Don’t just read about the amazing things Onward can do for your school district, make it a reality. Reach out to us today to take the first step towards moving your Medicaid reimbursement potential Onward.
LEARN MORE