EDUCATION
Cristo Rey Orange County High School is excited to announce significant leadership changes to its Board of Directors, including the appointment of Oscar Gonzalez as Board Chair and the addition of Dr. Mary McCullough and Michael Felix as new board members. Gonzalez succeeds founding Board Chair, Tim Psomas, who will continue to serve on the board. These appointments will further Cristo Rey’s mission to empower youth with limited economic resources through its innovative Corporate Work Study program, where students work one day per week at local businesses to help fund their education while gaining valuable professional experience.
Oscar Gonzalez brings extensive business experience to his new role as Board Chair. As Co-President of Northgate Gonzalez Market, he has driven the family-owned supermarket chain’s remarkable growth from a single store purchased in 1980 to 43 stores throughout Southern California with nearly 6,000 associates. Gonzalez understands the transformative power of education and as Board Chair, he will leverage his expertise in organizational growth, strategic planning, and community engagement to guide Cristo Rey’s continued expansion and impact on Orange County’s future workforce.
Dr. Mary McCullough has broad experience in educational leadership, and she currently serves as Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Administration at Loyola Marymount University School of Education. As a Cristo Rey board member, McCullough will contribute her knowledge of K-12 leadership, Catholic education, and social justice to help guide the school’s academic excellence and mission. Her experience with Catholic school leadership and commitment to educational equity aligns perfectly with Cristo Rey’s mission of providing quality education to underserved students.
Michael Felix will bring a long and highly successful career in financial services to his new Cristo Rey board position. He served as global head of investment operations for Los Angeles-based The Capital Group Companies, where he managed a team of more than 900 associates across the world until his retirement in 2019. A USC Marshall School of Business graduate and first-generation college student from Pico Rivera, Felix understands how education opens doors for underserved communities. His experience in building successful teams and his passion for supporting first-generation college students make him a valuable addition to Cristo Rey’s leadership.
“These three exceptional leaders bring exactly the combination of business acumen, educational expertise, and personal commitment to our mission that will help Cristo Rey Orange County continue empowering students from underserved communities to achieve their highest potential,” said Stephen Holte, Founding President.
Founded in 2023, the school is part of the national Cristo Rey Network, which has graduated over 31,120 students with a 99% college acceptance rate. Located in Santa Ana, Cristo Rey Orange County is committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through education and real-world work experience, empowering the next generation of Orange County leaders.
For more information, visit CristoReyOC.org
