ABEC Staff

Susan Carlson
Executive Director
(602) 261-6700
susan@azbec.org

Susan became executive director of the Arizona Business & Education Coalition (ABEC) in October, 2002. As executive director, Susan plays a pivotal role in school reform by serving on key committees including the Governor's P-20 Council, the P-20 Pathways subcommittee as co-chair, the High School Renewal committee for the Arizona Department of Education and the Career and Technical Advisory Committee to the State Board of Education. Since her arrival, ABEC has achieved significant credibility at both state and national levels.

Susan's efforts have led ABEC to influence state legislation on performance based compensation and AzLEARNS, the law that governs the education accountability system. Susan and her team led ABEC to successfully launch the Arizona Academic Scholars Initiative that is influencing policy regarding minimum graduation requirements for Arizona students.

A native Arizonan, Susan began her teaching career in a 5th grade classroom in Guadalupe. She also taught Kindergarten for 15 years in the Kyrene Elementary School District. Susan was elected to the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board where she served six years on the board, two years as board President.

She has also worked in the private sector, as a consultant in public relations, crisis communications and educational issues. She was the director of public affairs for the Adams Twelve Five Star School District in Northglenn, Colorado and served as chairman of the regional council for the Denver area School-to-Work grant, guiding the development of educational strategies to connect classroom learning to business application. Fluent in Spanish, she has provided training for educators on connecting with their Latino communities and with business leaders on the culture of Mexico and its people.

Patrick Contrades
Director, Projects and Committees
(602) 261-6701
patrick@azbec.org

Patrick is the most recent addition to ABEC. Along with his strong passion for education, he brings to ABEC a wealth of experience and expertise in college admissions, financial aid and student loan programs. His strong project management skills, research capabilities, and technological expertise are also a welcome addition to ABEC.

Before joining ABEC, Patrick served as the senior manager of product management and outreach initiatives for Southwest Student Services Corporation, a subsidiary of Sallie Mae. While there, he built a reputation among the high school counseling community as being a key resource for financial aid information and has presented at numerous financial programs throughout Arizona.

Patrick also brings to ABEC more than 15 years of experience as a higher education administrator in California. He was the director of enrollment services at Woodbury University for six years and has served in enrollment management positions at Whittier College and Loyola Marymount University. He is a member of numerous professional education associations and has volunteered to serve in various leadership capacities, most recently as the inaugural chair for the Greater Phoenix National College Fair and has co-chaired the University of Arizona President's Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee since 2004.

Patrick and his family first moved to Arizona in 1972. He is a graduate of Brophy College Preparatory and received his B.B.A. degree with an emphasis in marketing and management from Loyola Marymount University (CA).

Karen Kehlenbach
Executive Assistant
(602) 261-6702
karen@azbec.org

Karen joined ABEC in March 2007. She brings to ABEC extensive experience in the information technology and customer service industries.

Karen's professional expertise focused on project development and management of business applications for large corporations like Federal Express, Schering-Plough, American Express, and Motorola. She has received numerous awards from her employers for bringing outstanding integrity, dedication, and excellence to her work in both project management and customer service.

Along with her valued knowledge of the business sector, Karen brings much professionalism to her position with her excellent organizational skills, impeccable attention to detail, clarity in direction, and great customer service.