Team

Dr. Peter B. Licata

Dr. Peter Licata is a veteran educator and school superintendent with more than 30 years of experience improving outcomes for students, regardless of their zip code. He most recently served as the Superintendent and CEO of Broward County Public Schools, the sixth-largest school district in the United States, with more than 250,000 students and 32,000 staff members.

Dr. Licata led the district to its first state “A” rating in more than 14 years and eliminated all “D” and “F” schools. He also increased graduation rates and expanded access to advanced academic opportunities, especially for students who had historically been underrepresented. He accomplished these gains while reducing central office costs by more than $20 million, maintaining a classroom teacher vacancy rate of less than 1 percent, and stabilizing long- challenged operational systems.

Before becoming superintendent in Broward County, Dr. Licata served for many years in senior leadership roles in the School District of Palm Beach County, the nation’s 10th largest school district, including Regional Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent for Choice and Innovation. In these roles, he oversaw academics, operations, finance, talent, and community engagement across dozens of schools and consistently achieved strong school performance ratings and graduation outcomes, including in high-poverty and Title I communities.

Dr. Licata began his career as a classroom teacher and coach and later served as a middle and high school principal, where he earned recognition from the Governor of Florida for significant gains in student achievement and graduation rates. He also served as a graduate professor of educational leadership, preparing the next generation of school leaders, and became a nationally recognized presenter on career and technical education, innovation, and leadership.

Throughout his career, Dr. Licata has been guided by a simple but unwavering belief: Trust cannot be broken, values cannot be negotiated, and every decision must be anchored in what is best for students.

“My North Star for Fort Worth ISD is simple and unwavering: every student reading on grade level, mastering mathematics, and graduating prepared for college, career, or military service in a system strong enough to sustain that success long after state intervention ends.” — Dr. Peter Licata

Darla Moss is the Chief Financial Officer of the Fort Worth Independent School District and brings over three decades of financial experience to the position. More than two decades of service has been in the Texas public school system.

Darla leads a team of professionals in managing the district’s annual operating funds and overseeing and managing fiscal operations. As Chief Financial Officer, she leads and manages the Business and Finance Division of the district, including financial services and accounting, payroll and benefits, budget management, grant management, risk management, contracts and procurement. Her responsibilities include providing managerial direction to several essential district functions that include financial reporting, investments and cash management, debt management, and bond oversight.

Prior to joining Fort Worth ISD, Darla served as Chief Financial Officer for the Duncanville ISD. She also served for five years in the Arlington ISD as the Chief Financial Officer and in the Midland ISD for just under three years. Darla joined Midland ISD after thirteen years of service at Liberty‐Eylau Independent School District in Texarkana, Texas. She started her work as an accountant at Liberty‐Eylau before being named Controller. After seven years with the district, she was named the Chief Financial Officer and served in the role for six years prior to joining Midland ISD. She worked in accounting positions in both manufacturing and retail prior to her work in the Texas public school system.

Darla Holds a Master of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M University – Texarkana. She holds a certificate from the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) as a Registered School Business Administrator. She is a member of TASBO, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), and Texas Women in Public Finance (TXWPF). She previously served on the Board of Directors of the Local Government Investment Cooperative (LOGIC) as Treasurer. She also served on the Board of Directors of Edwards Risk Management and as a board member of The Scholars.

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.