• Willie T. Burroughs is the Director of Management Services for the Council of the Great City Schools. In that capacity, he provides Strategic Support Teams and manages operational reviews for superintendents and senior managers; convenes annual meetings of Chief Financial Officers, Chief Operating Officers, Human Resources Directors, and Chief Information Officers and Technology Directors; fields requests for management information; and maintains a Web-based management library.

    Prior to joining the Council in April 2022, Willie served as the COO for the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD), heading the Operations Services Division with more than 1,600 employees. In this position, he was responsible for the maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction of more than 10 million square feet of educational and administrative office space, transportation, child nutrition, purchasing, and real estate. 

    Willie also worked for 11 years in a number of leadership roles in manufacturing for Cooper Industries.  After a successful career in manufacturing, he made the transition to the service industry where he was employed by Aramark as General Manager for maintenance operations with the Houston Independent School District (HISD).  After five years of service with Aramark, Willie became an employee directly with HISD, serving in a number of capacities including: general manager of construction services (bond), senior manager of contract administration, and senior manager of special projects.  He served HISD for nearly 11 years before joining the Dallas Independent School District as executive director with responsibilities for maintenance, HVAC, grounds, environmental services, custodial, capital improvement, and energy management, where he served for 3.5 years

    Driven by his belief that equity and access is crucial for all, Willie is actively involved in various initiatives to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion.  To this end, he shared his personal story in the "Living in My Skin" documentary that explores the realities of being a black man in America; co-created WHATSM - We’re Here And Talking an organization aimed at a call to action for social justice; and regularly contributes on panels and editorials (Scales Of Justice) around issues of race and equity; and serves on the Racial Equity and Inclusion (REI) Committee for SAISD.

    In 2018 – 2019, Willie was recognized and selected as a Leadership San Antonio (LSA) delegate.  LSA is a premier leadership program where delegates actively engage present and future decision-makers in both the public and private sectors in order to gain a broader understanding of San Antonio’s diverse community as well as identify fit for purpose community-based solutions.  He is also known for his community involvement in the San Antonio Area African American Community Fund (SAAACF) Renaissance with The Stars 2019 celebrity dance competition fundraiser and serves on the Board for SA2020, which is a nonprofit organization that drives progress toward a shared Community Vision for San Antonio.  In 2021, Willie was recognized by d-mars.com as a Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs of Texas.

    His passion for education and the way in which it provides a “level playing field” for personal/professional growth, inspired him to sponsor an annual scholarship in honor of his late wife. The Tracie Washington Burroughs “Shining Star Scholarship” is merit based and is awarded to minority students in pursuit of a postsecondary education.  Willie also serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater San Antonio Architecture Construction and Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program.

    He holds both a bachelor’s of science in Industrial Engineering (BSIE) and an MBA from Clemson University; he is a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army Signal Corps; and a life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.  Willie resides in San Antonio, and in his leisure time -- enjoys playing golf, running, reading, and spending time with his family.