Alumni Spotlight: Kevin White (THS, '88)

KEVIN WHITE, Tomball High School, 1988
Assistant Director of Child Nutrition, Tomball ISD

Child Nutrition plays a critical role in the overall success of a school district. Whether it is remaining nutritionally compliant with national lunch programs, coordinating on-time deliveries, or designing menus and recipes for a variety of kitchens, Child Nutrition is key to keeping students healthy and at their best so they can focus on learning.

For Kevin White, his role is just that in Tomball ISD. As the Assistant Director of Child Nutrition, White has dedicated 20 years to serving school district child nutrition departments, 10 of those years in Tomball ISD.

A 1988 graduate of Tomball High School, White attended Tomball Elementary, Hufsmith Intermediate then to Beckendorf Intermediate, followed by Tomball Junior High, spent ninth grade at the campus on Main Street, and then attended the current THS for his final three years.

White was active in band, playing the saxophone, and was a member of the French Club all through high school. He also worked part-time at the McDonalds on Main Street.

“I had a great high school experience,” White said. “Tomball definitely had the small town charm back then and everyone knew everyone! You essentially knew all your teachers and all the students.”

He graduated and went on to attend North Harris Community College (now Lone Star College) before transferring to the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston for his Bachelor of Science degree then Texas A&M University to complete his Master of Science. 

Following college, White made the move to California where he worked in hospital nutrition services as a Registered Dietitian. After eight years, White decided it was time for a job that coordinated better with raising a family as he looked back on being raised in a family that understood the importance of Child Nutrition as his mom served as the Director in Magnolia ISD.

“I grew up hearing all about school foodservice, so I knew it was time to move over to school nutrition services and back to Texas,” White recalls.

From there, he spent nine years in Aldine ISD Child Nutrition before returning home to Tomball ISD where he has been in his current position for the last 10 years.

White wears many hats within the Child Nutrition Department, but according to him, helping others is the best part of his job.

“The best part of my job is helping our managers and department solve each day’s problems,” he said. “With 22 sites serving food each day, the phone is always ringing with a situation that needs assistance. I love helping people.”

Despite being away from his hometown for 17 years, White knew Tomball was the place he wanted to be. 

“Tomball is such a great community. It’s not too big, not too small. It’s grown so much, yet still retains that small town feel. I lived in California for eight years, and when it was time to raise a family, I knew it was time to return to Tomball,” he said.

White and his wife have dedicated a nearly-combined 40 years to education with his wife serving as a bilingual school teacher for the last 20 years. Both of their children also graduated from THS. 

White has used his experience coupled with his educational background to better serve the generation of students in Tomball ISD. 

And for White, Tomball ISD is home and there is no place he’d rather be than here.

“My co-workers are why I love my job so much,” White said. “ I love working with others who have a shared passion for service. Seeing everyone’s dedication and hard work day-in and day-out is inspiring and motivating. We are always there for each other no matter what the day or situation brings. We can depend on each other to work together to solve our problems - truly an amazing team in which I feel privileged to be a member.”