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Sponsor Spotlight: Rice & Gardner Consultants



We are proud to shine a spotlight on Rice & Gardner Consultants, a dedicated community partner of the Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (LEAF) and Lamar CISD.


As a longtime partner of Lamar CISD, Rice & Gardner Consultants has been a steadfast supporter of the Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (LEAF) and our mission to provide meaningful opportunities for Lamar CISD students and educators.


Since the inception of Golf Fore Greatness, Rice & Gardner has proudly served as the event’s Title Sponsor, helping make this signature fundraiser possible year after year for the last 10 years. Their continued partnership reflects a strong commitment to investing in Lamar CISD and the educators who make a difference in the lives of our students every day.


Golf Fore Greatness brings together business leaders, community partners, sponsors, and players for a day of friendly competition, connection, and philanthropy, all united by a shared commitment to supporting Lamar CISD educators and strengthening educational opportunities across our district.



- About Rice & Gardner -


Founded in 2005, Rice & Gardner Consultants serves primarily as an Owner's Representative for school districts, helping guide facility projects from concept to completion. Their work spans every stage of the construction process, from planning and design to procurement, permitting, utility coordination, and construction management.


Since partnering with Lamar CISD in 2015, Rice & Gardner has worked alongside the district through a staff augmentation model, serving as an extension of the district's facilities team. Together, they help oversee major bond projects and ensure new schools and facilities are delivered efficiently and thoughtfully.


While students may never see the countless meetings, permits, schedules, and problem-solving efforts that happen behind the scenes, Rice & Gardner's work helps create the environments where learning takes place every day.


From the very beginning, Rice & Gardner was founded on more than technical expertise. It was built on a vision of serving clients while making a meaningful difference in the communities they call home. That commitment continues to guide the firm's work today, as they partner with school districts to create spaces that support learning, foster collaboration, and positively impact future generations.


What began as a firm has grown into a multidisciplinary team of project managers, engineers, architects, and construction professionals, all united by a shared mission: "to be Houston’s go-to firm for program and project management, building commissioning, facilities assessment, and beyond."


Meet Jim Rice

President, Rice & Gardner

For Jim Rice, education has always been at the heart of his work.


After spending much of his career working with school districts, Jim founded Rice & Gardner Consultants with the goal of helping districts navigate the increasingly complex process of designing and constructing educational facilities.


Today, he continues to lead the company while mentoring younger project managers, solving challenges, and helping projects stay on schedule and within budget.

Over the past two years, Rice & Gardner has celebrated the completion of several transformational projects across Lamar CISD.


Among the most memorable accomplishments are the openings of:


For Jim, seeing students and teachers walk through the doors of these completed buildings is the greatest reward.


Each campus represents years of planning, collaboration, and dedication; all with one shared purpose: creating learning environments where students can succeed.

A Look into Jim's Role

No two days look alike. Whether coordinating with architects, contractors, district staff, or consultants, Jim describes his role simply:

"I help solve problems and get rocks out of the way so everyone else can do their job."

His leadership philosophy centers around urgency, adaptability, and teamwork. Construction projects are constantly influenced by factors outside anyone's control; from changing regulations and permitting requirements to weather events and utility delays. Because of that, Jim believes every day matters.

Rice & Gardner believes strong schools are built through more than bricks and mortar. While their team helps construct educational facilities, LEAF helps equip those spaces with opportunities that inspire students and empower educators. Jim appreciates that LEAF provides resources teachers may not otherwise have access to, allowing them to bring innovative ideas to life in their classrooms.


He believes education should extend beyond preparing students for standardized tests. For him, meaningful education is about developing problem-solvers, encouraging creativity, and giving students opportunities to apply what they've learned in real-world situations. That's why Rice & Gardner proudly supports LEAF's mission of funding innovative classroom grants and educational initiatives that help students grow far beyond the textbook.


LEAF Favorites

As a proud sponsor of LEAF's annual Golf Fore Greatness tournament, Rice & Gardner is investing in opportunities that extend far beyond a day on the golf course.


The event brings together community leaders, businesses, educators, and supporters who share a common goal: strengthening education throughout Lamar CISD. Funds raised through Golf Fore Greatness directly support LEAF's grants, educator programs, and initiatives that enrich classrooms across the district.


For Rice & Gardner, supporting the tournament is another way to give back to the community they have proudly served for more than a decade. Their partnership reflects a shared commitment to investing in educators, supporting students, and helping schools continue to thrive.

Did You Know?

  • Rice & Gardner has partnered with Lamar CISD since 2015, serving as an extension of the district's facilities team to help oversee major bond and construction projects.

  • Their team has helped deliver numerous Lamar CISD facilities, including new schools, transportation centers, administrative buildings, and career and technical education spaces that will serve students for decades.

  • Through their support of LEAF and Golf Fore Greatness, Rice & Gardner helps make innovative classroom grants and educational opportunities possible for teachers and students across Lamar CISD.


LEAF is grateful for partners like Jim and Rice & Gardner Consultants, whose dedication to supporting educators and students helps make a lasting impact throughout Lamar CISD. If you would like to learn more about deepening your partnership with LEAF, please send an email to LEAF@LCISD.ORG to schedule a discovery meeting.



 
 
 

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