HHSC chooses Hupp to head up veterans services efforts

Former State Rep. Suzanna Gratia Hupp (pictured) has been named the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's (HHSC) new associate commissioner for veterans' services. In that position, she will lead a multi-agency effort to strengthen services for veterans.

Hupp will review programs and benefits available for veterans and recommend ways to improve and better coordinate those services. She will work with staff from the five state health and human services agencies and other state agencies and community-based organizations that serve veterans. HHSC Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek said Hupp has "a unique insight" into veteran concerns because her former House district included parts of Killeen, where many veterans now reside.

Hupp, a chiropractor, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1996 and served six terms.

Vandergriff resigning from board of North Texas Tollway Authority

Victor Vandergriff (pictured), a businessman from Arlington, recently announced his resignation from the board of directors of the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA).

Vandergriff, who joined the NTTA board in 2007, resigned as chairman of the board more than a year ago after leading efforts to reduce the reliance on certain attorneys, engineers and financial advisers as consultants and hire in-house professionals for those jobs.

He plans to continue as chairman of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, created in 2009 to manage motor vehicle services for the state.

Corgey selected to commissioner for Port of Houston Authority

Houston City Council members recently tapped Dean Corgey (pictured), vice president of the Seafarers International Union's Gulf Coast Region, to serve as a commissioner on the Port of Houston Authority.

Corgey replaces Janiece Longoria, who was recently selected to chair the commission.

Corgey, who began his career with the Seafarers union in 1973, also is vice president of the Texas AFL-CIO, secretary-treasurer of the West Gulf Ports Council of the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Committee and a former member of the Area Maritime Security Committee, created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to advise ports in Houston and Galveston.

Fort Hood wins $50M for new training facilities and drone complex

The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2013 recently awarded more than $50 million to Fort Hood to pay for construction of two new training facilities and a new "drone" complex, a first for the Central Texas Army base. In the last two years, Fort Hood won appropriations ranging from $80 million to $100 million for this type of construction, according to Brian Dosa, director of the Fort Hood Directorate of Public Works.

The new unmanned aerial system complex, expected to cost about $22 million, will be located near the Robert Gray Army Airfield and used by two drone units operating within the 1st Calvary Division's Air Calvary Brigade. The Army base also is building a 14,900-square-foot administrative building and a motor pool that were funded to accompany a UAS hangar funded in 2011, Dosa said. A portion of the new aerial, or drone, complex will be opened in mid-2014, while the first-of-its-kind complex is expected to be completed in June 2015.

Bruce A. Austin (pictured), trustee for District II, has been elected chair of the Houston Community College Board of Trustees. Austin has been a member of the HCC board since 1989. He served as chair from 1990 to 1992 and from 2000 to 2002 and was deputy secretary in 2006.

Austin is a U.S. Navy veteran and served in the U.S. Department of Justice in the Offices of Administrative Counsel, Information Technology, Controller and Personnel and as a staff assistant in the Office of the Assistant Attorney General for Administration. While in Houston, he was special assistant to Commissioner El Franco Lee and later was Harris County's director of Housing and Community Development.

Austin holds a bachelor's degree, an MPS in public administration and a Juris Doctorate from Texas Southern University.

Austin ISD begins review of proposed $889.9 million bond proposal

Austin Independent School District trustees recently began reviewing a proposed $889.9 million bond proposal preliminary planned in May.

The preliminary bond proposal, one of the largest in the history of the school district, includes: $131.6 million for health, environment, equipment and technology projects; $264.1 million for safety, security and expanding overcrowded schools including five elementary schools and two middle schools; $369.4 for infrastructure renovations such as repairing roofs and upgrading heating and cooling systems at several district facilities; and $144.9 million to upgrade academic programs, including athletics and fine arts programs.

The 2013 bond proposal also recommends building four new schools and acquiring land and studying the need for a new high school in South Austin, a new fine arts addition at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders and an athletics addition to Anderson High School. Another $20 million would renovate the current Alternative Learning Center into a proposed School for Young Men that has not yet won approval of trustees to become an all-boys school. Trustees face a deadline of March 1 to schedule a bond election in May of this year.

Willow Park eyeing project to improve waste water system

Willow Park City Council members recently began making plans to advertise for bids this month for improvements to the sewer lift station of the city's wastewater system. The project is expected to cost from $600,000 to $900,000.

City Administrator Matt Shaffstall told council members that staff members are looking at options to pay the almost $500,000 difference in the original estimate for the wastewater project to the most current estimate of $900,000 if bids are on the high end. Developers of two residential projects also are expected to contribute funding to help pay for upgrading three lift stations to meet current and future needs, Shaffstall said.

Fegan to retire as CEO of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Jeff Fegan (pictured), chief executive officer of the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport since 1994, recently announced plans to retire from leading the fourth busiest airport in the world.

DFW airport, which earns about $650 million a year in revenue, features 175 gates, seven runways and five terminals, currently is undergoing a $2.3 million renovation and improvement program to modernize some of the older terminals and Fegan said this is the time to pass leadership to a new generation.

The chairman of the board of directors plans to appoint members to a CEO Search Working Group to find a new chief executive officer to take over when Fegan leaves his post on Sept. 1.

El Paso begins reviewing three-year plan for quality-of-life bonds

El Paso City Council members recently agreed to begin reviewing a proposed three-year plan for projects included in a $473 million quality-of-life bonds approved by voters. The bonds will be used to pay for building and expanding parks, sports fields, swimming pools, senior centers and recreation centers as well as building a new children's museum and a new events center in the downtown area.

Council plans to approach the three-year plan by moving forward first with projects already designed, such as expansions of parks and recreation centers and then with projects that are ready to be designed such as the 50-meter swimming pool. Projects for which the city must allocate funding or buy land, such as the children's museum and multipurpose arena in the downtown area, will come later, City Manager Joyce Wilson said. Plans are to complete the majority of the quality-of-life projects within 10 years, Wilson said.

Victoria Co. looking at partnership to build new multi-use facility

Victoria County Commissioners recently expressed support building a 500-acre, multi-use event center with a full-service hotel (as shown in accompanying artist's rendering) to attract concerts, athletic events and trade shows to the city. Two local business owners urged the use of a public-private partnership to build the events center and hotel.

Preliminary plans presented by representatives of an architectural firm and construction company call for building an event center to seat 8,000 for concerts and 6,500 for rodeos or sporting events as well as for hosting trade shows for industries such as boating, oil and gas and other outdoor industries. The proposal contained no suggestions for funding, but argued that the entire community would need to be involved to build the proposed project.

While commissioners supported the proposed multi-use facility in a letter titled "cooperative expression of interest," the letter is not a commitment to funding, county officials said. The next step in the process is to create a business plan and prepare an economic analysis of the proposed event center and hotel. Project supporters also are working with Victoria College and University of Houston-Victoria along with county, city and community representatives.

Bexar County pushes forward on incentive plan involving VIA

Bexar County commissioners recently authorized negotiations for a tax incentive package that includes public transit, retail and residential development to help a struggling mall development. Crossroads Mall Partners, Ltd., owner of Wonderland of the Americas, has agreed to contribute $8 million to renovate the third level of a facility into office retail space and to build a new parking garage, according to a spokesperson for the mall owner.

Jeff Arndt, interim president of VIA Metropolitan Transit, said VIA board members have not yet voted on the preliminary plan that includes participation by VIA Primo, a recently launched rapid bus transit service. Arndt also expressed disappointment that VIA officials were not told of the presentation and did not attend and added that he hopes the partners in the plan work more closely in the future.

The proposed tax incentive plan includes building an enhanced VIA Primo bus stop at the mall located in Balcones Heights as well as relocating an existing park-and-ride to another mall location to increase accessibility to the mall. The plan included in the application for the incentives also contains a statement that VIA officials would exchange and/or participate in a 250-unit multi-family project at the mall site. County officials expect a contract under consideration for the tax incentive will be considered for approval within two to four months.

$1 million grant to UNT will fund cyber security program

The National Science Foundation has awarded nearly $1 million to the University of North Texas for scholarships for doctoral students studying cyber security and information assurance in the Colleges of Engineering, Business and Information. The program, which will begin in the fall, will serve six students in the program. Each will receive approximately $50,000 per year in scholarship monies.

UNT is one of only a few institutions across the country to be designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Research. Those in the program will take core courses from the three colleges. It is hoped that their education in cyber security and information assurance will lead to careers in social and security engineering, which can impact numerous industries.

Tyler ISD may ask voters to approve $160.5 million bond proposal

Tyler Independent School District trustees recently agreed on a proposed draft of propositions for a $160.5 million bond proposal as early as May to pay for six new school campuses.

District officials supported building three middle schools, two elementary schools and a career and technology center with proceeds from the proposed bond election, said Superintendent Gary Mooring (pictured).

The district's facilities plan calls for building four new elementary schools. Trustees are expected to vote in February on whether to call a bond election in May.

San Antonio city plan addresses minority businesses

A plan was approved this week by the San Antonio City Council that supports increasing the percentage of minority- and women-owned businesses that are awarded contracts by the city. A local organization, the Fair Contracting Coalition, pushed for the changes and although pleased with the recent action, pledged to advocate for even more related changes.

The approved plan calls for including a neighborhood advocacy group, San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside, to be named to the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation board. To do so, the Foundation established a new membership category with fees of $1,500 a year instead of the $3,000 to $100,000 membership fees for some businesses.

The newly approved plan will initiate a pilot program aimed at African-American-owned businesses and, if effective, the plan would also include Asian-American, Hispanic and women-owned businesses.

A couple of recent postings include the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board advertising for a Program Director, Community Colleges, and Ector County seeking a managing librarian for adult services. Click here to view jobs. Free job postings for state and local governments, nonprofits and other public sector entities. Send your posting to editor@spartnerships.com. 

Ellis County looking at private company to run detention center

Ellis County commissioners recently began considering a proposal for a five-year contract with a private company to operate the Wayne McCollum Detention Center. Under the proposal, LaSalle Correctional would be responsible for providing medical service, food service, routine maintenance costs, transportation, salaries, benefits and other operating costs, a company spokesperson said.

Information was provided showing that privatizing jail operations also could help commissioners in adopting a budget because the cost of jail operations will be known. The proposed contract also would allow the sheriff's office to concentrate on law enforcement rather than on jail management. La Salle currently manages 11 correctional facilities with a total population of 7,500 inmates in Louisiana and Texas, including jails and law enforcement centers for Burnet, Jefferson and Johnson counties.

San Marcos ISD study reveals need to upgrade facilities

San Marcos Independent School District trustees recently learned that a three-month facilities study conducted by a consulting firm indicates the school district does not comply with state requirements for classroom size or with federal disability laws. Trustees plan to use results of the study to decide whether to ask voters to approve bonds this year to upgrade district facilities and to help decide which projects to include in the bond proposition.

The facilities study found the district needs to spend about $1.6 million alone to replace the roof at one elementary and noted that shifting concrete slabs at several schools have created non-compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The study also revealed that the high school is within 300 students of reaching capacity. Members of a Citizens Advisory Committee will review the facilities report for several weeks and then make a recommendation to board members on Feb. 11 on whether to schedule a bond election, Superintendent Mark Eads (pictured) said.

Lubbock mayor backs 2014 bond election for new police, fire facilities

In a recent State of the City speech, Lubbock Mayor Glen Robertson said he expects city officials to ask voters to approve bonds in May 2014 to help pay for a new police headquarters and fire station in the downtown area.

While Robertson said council members and city staff plan to thoroughly study infrastructure needs before approving any bond proposal, he sees a real need for the community to pay for maintaining adequate infrastructure.

Tom Green County to seek grand funds for library project

The Stephens Central Library in San Angelo would benefit from grant funding being applied for by Tom Green County. The funding, being sought from the San Angelo Health Foundation, would help defray the cost of an expansion and completion of the library's upstairs community room and rooftop patio.

The Foundation has been a primary funder of the library in the past. When the library was originally constructed, funds were depleted before the patio area could be finished. Officials estimate it will cost about $400,000 to complete the patio, which would provide an outdoor area for meetings and other community activities. The project would take about four to five months to complete.

Hartley County hospital district sets vote for emergency department

Dallam-Hartley County Hospital District board members recently agreed to ask voters to approve a proposal to use 1.7 cents of the current tax rate set to repay a loan to build a new emergency facility at Coon Memorial Hospital.

Hartley County residents who reside in the Moore County hospital district are not eligible to vote on the proposal to re-allocate a portion of the tax for maintenance and operation to fund an emergency facility, according to the administrator of the Coon Memorial Hospital.

Buses, security top list for proposed Midway ISD bond proposal

Trustees for the Midway Independent School District recently selected the purchase of new buses and security cameras as the top priorities in a list of 38 projects under consideration to be included in a proposed $20 million bond election this year.

Board members also ranked technology upgrades and offering iPads to all students, upgrading the athletic and fine arts programs and several maintenance projects as high on the list of priorities for the bond proposal. Projects included in the list of priorities, however, total more than $20 million now being considered by trustees, noted Superintendent George Kazanas (pictured).

While administrators ranked the iPad initiave and other technology upgrades as the top priority, district officials also are asking a committee of campus representatives from each school to prioritize the proposed projects for the bond election. They also plan to hold public meetings with a bond advisory committee to seek more input from parents and residents of the school district, Kazanas said.

Kilgore to seek state grant funding for citywide trail system

Kilgore city officials have approved application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for a grant to help fund the first of seven lengths of a citywide trail system.

The deadline for application for the grant is coming soon and Kilgore City Manager Scott Sellers offered the proposed multi-phase, multi-year, $1.3 million trail project. Sellers said citizens of the city strongly support multi-use paved trails as a priority for the community.

The funding being sought is part of TWPD's Recreational Trails Grant. Deadline for application is Feb. 1. If the city wins the grant, TPWD would provide $200,000 in funding, which would have to be matched with $50,000 in local funds. Sellers said that funding could come from $70,000 remaining from work on two other projects.

Brazos County, College Station agree to increase hotel/motel tax

Officials of Brazos County and College Station recently agreed to increase the hotel/motel tax by 0.75 cents to raise an estimated $36 million to help pay for renovating Kyle Field on the Texas A&M University campus.

In exchange, officials of the Texas A&M System and Texas A&M University agreed to increase access to residents of College Station, Brazos County and the public to university facilities and meeting spaces at a reduced cost. County, city and university officials agreed to create a committee to help decide who will be eligible, and for what purpose, to use university facilities, which facilities will be rented to the public and what to charge for renting Kyle Field, Reed Arena, the Rudder Theatre Complex, Memorial Student Center and the softball complex, all among facilities under consideration.

Plans for renovating Kyle Field call for beginning construction when the 2013 football season ends in November and for the renovation to be completed in 2015.

Midland College names construction manager for dining project

Midland College trustees recently selected a construction manager-at-risk to manage an estimated $2.94 million renovation and expansion of the Jack E. Brown Dining Hall. College officials expect to seek bids for the dining hall project this month and select a winning bid on Feb. 12.

Plans call for expanding the kitchen and serving areas to add more tables and chairs to accommodate the additional number of students who now eat on campus. College officials also plan to create a new entry to the dining hall and a shaded, outdoor eating space. Construction on the dining hall project is expected to begin in mid-May and be completed by mid-August in time for classes to begin on Aug. 27, college officials said.

The city manager said a project to create a gateway into the city that will include new brick arches and trees, will be completed with a $75,000 state grant the city received several years ago.

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Seguin moving forward

with new public library

Seguin City Council members recently approved hiring a consultant to help find a site and begin planning for a new public library. Mayor Don Kell also expressed support for placing a bond proposal on the ballot in November to ask voters to approve an estimated $10 million for the new library. Council members are expected to vote on Feb. 5 on a contract with a Dallas-based design firm to help with site selection for the proposed library.

Sprague resigning as Dallas ISD communications chief

Jennifer Sprague (pictured), the communications officer for the Dallas Independent School District, recently said she is resigning from that post after only one semester.

Some controversy arose when Superintendent Mike Miles recruited Sprague, who had worked with him at a Colorado school district, without interviewing other applicants for the job.

Arlington allots $295,000 to improve Burle Wilkes Park

Arlington city officials recently agreed to spend $295,000 in federal and local funds to improve Burl Wilkes Park by adding a new, looped walking trail, a pavilion and irrigated practice field.

The three-acre neighborhood park, located in east Arlington, also will feature new lighting installed around the new, looped walking trail, a skate-board feature, new picnic areas and grills, a water fountain and new entryway signage, city officials said.

Corpus Christi interviews five

for assistant city manager

Corpus Christi city officials recently interviewed five applicants to serve as assistant city manager. The new assistant city manager will replace Troy Riggs, who accepted a post in Indiana. The five finalists are:

• Herb Canales, library director in Corpus Christi, who has served as the interim assistant city manager since Riggs left;
• Susan Thorpe, a deputy city manager in Peoria, Arizona, who also served as city manager in Rowlett and Bedford, Texas;
• Terrence Moore, a city manager in Morgantown, West Virginia, who previously served as city manager in Las Cruces, New Mexico;
• Michael Morales, a former assistant city manager and interim city manager in Yakima, Washington, who previously was special projects manager for the Rio Grande Empowerment Zone Corp. in McAllen, Texas; and
• Rick Conner, a former city manager for two cities, Portland and Marble Falls, who now lives in Bradenton, Florida.

Robinson to retire as chief appraiser in Harris County

Jim Robinson (pictured), chief appraiser at the Harris County Appraisal District, recently announced he plans to retire, effective on May 31. Robinson joined the appraisal district as deputy chief appraiser in 1985.

Robinson was in charge when the appraisal district won recognition from the International Association of Assessing Officers three times as a distinguished assessment jurisdiction. HCAD is the second-largest property tax appraisal operation in the United States.

San Antonio ISD begin interviews with finalists for superintendent

Board members for the San Antonio Independent School District recently interviewed seven candidates for superintendent after reviewing 88 applicants for the job.

None of the seven finalists are current employees of the San Antonio school district, but are a mix of female and male candidates who represent different racial groups and professional backgrounds, said Ed Garza, board president who declined to release the names of the seven finalists. Board members have discussed, but not decided, whether to release the names of any finalists who move into the next round of interviews, Garza said.

The new superintendent will replace Robert Duron, who left that post in March 2012. Sylvester Perez has served as interim superintendent since March. Trustees earlier set a goal to have a new superintendent on the job in early 2013.

Waco ISD may hire manager

to oversee construction projects

Waco Independent School District board members recently began discussion on whether to create a new administrative position to manage construction projects. District officials also are exploring a new method to more fairly evaluate competitive bids and improve the process of developing job order contracts.

The discussions began after a local contractor voiced concerns to district and state officials about how the district processes requests for proposals, construction and maintenance contracts and bid evaluations and urged the district to hire an architect or engineer to manage building and maintenance projects. Superintendent Bonny Cain (pictured) supported the suggestion to hire a full-time construction manager rather than contracting with an architectural or engineering firm for each project without incurring additional costs.

Tuloso-Midway ISD studies improvements to security

Responding to recent violence at schools, trustees for the Tuloso-Midway Independent School District recently agreed to station law enforcement officers at all four campuses in that district. Previously, officers were stationed only at the high school and middle school, but recent shootings at schools prompted district officials to post officers at intermediate and primary schools.

Additionally, district officials are moving forward with plans to improve security at several campuses after voters approved a recent bond proposal. The plan is to offer an active shooter level of security that includes security lighting, office access points, security cameras, upgraded lock and door systems that use swipe cards and keyless entries, district officials said. Board members plan to seek bids in May or June and approve contracts for the security upgrades as early as July.

Gaona to resign as city auditor

for city of Corpus Christi

Celia Gaona recently notified Corpus Christi city officials that she plans to resign from her post as city auditor, a new position approved by voters. Gaona, who began her duties as city auditor in August 2011, said family medical concerns are the reason for her resignation.

The internal auditor, who reports directly to city council, oversees a team performing internal audits of city departments and conducting surprise cash audits of employees who handle money on a daily basis. The new auditor also established a tip line to report waste or abuse of city resources. City officials selected Kimberly Houston, the current senior auditor, to serve as interim city auditor until a permanent auditor is hired.

Miles names two more administrators for Dallas ISD

Two more members of his Cabinet were recently announced by Dallas ISD Superintendent Mike Miles. Dr. Rene Barajas (top), current assistant superintendent of business operations and chief financial officer for the Garland Independent School District, has been named the district's new chief financial officer and W. Jerome Oberlton (bottom), current chief technology officer of Baltimore City Public Schools, has been named the new chief of staff.

Barajas has been with the Garland ISD for almost five years. Before joining the Garland schools, Barajas worked for seven years with the San Marcos Consolidated ISD. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from The University of Texas at San Antonio and earned his Ph.D. from The University of Texas.

Oberlton started with the Baltimore City School System in 2011. Before taking the job in the Baltimore City Schools, Oberlton was the president of Global Technology Services in Dallas and the chief information officer at Mannatech, Inc. in Coppell. He holds a bachelor's degree from Florida A&M and an MBA from DePaul University in Chicago. In addition, Oberlton has completed both the Public Education Leadership and Executive Leadership Development programs at Harvard University.

Check the GOVERNMENT NEWS section of the SPI Web site for these and other press releases.

• Smitherman wants concealed handgun license courses for employees

• Austin ISD board reviews proposed projects for potential May bond

• Sam Houston State's Brown retires after 48-year career

• Aviation, aerospace career Web site takes off

San Marcos selects Reyes as

asst. director of human resources

San Marcos city officials recently selected Stephanie Reyes as assistant director of human resources, where she will assist in the employment process, training, safety, management of pay and benefits and performance evaluations.

Reyes joined the city in 2001 and since then has served as an assistant to the city manager, interim economic director for six months in 2007 and 2008, and worked on several special projects. She holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Texas State University.

Beeville taps Lofthouse as finance director, Trevino as city secretary

Beeville City Council members recently named Gary Lofthouse as the director of finance and Barbara Trevino as the new city secretary.

Lofthouse previously worked at a bank, Coastal Bend College, Kenedy Independent School District, Bexar Metropolitan Water District and a private medical equipment company. Lofthouse, who holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, replaced former City Manager Deborah Balli, who left in November.

Trevino, who replaced Mel Bernardo as city secretary, previously was employed at a maximum-security prison near Beeville and eventually won promotion to assistant director of Region IV of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Pilot Point superintendent

Glenn Barber to retire

Pilot Point school district Superintendent Glenn Barber (pictured) has announced his retirement, effective Aug. 30. His retirement will bring to a close an education career that spans 40 years. Barber joined the Pilot Point school district in 2007. He had previously served as superintendent for the Greenwood school district. When he was hired in 2007, he replaced former Superintendent Cloyce Purcell, who retired at the end of that school year.

Barber began his education career in 1975 as a teacher and coach in a Fort Worth Catholic school and served as superintendent in three separate school districts for a total of 17 years. He holds a bachelor's degree, a master's and a doctorate from the University of North Texas.

Copperas Cove issues $7.3 million in bonds for capital projects

The Copperas Cove City Council recently agreed to issue $7.3 million in bonds to purchase new equipment, renovate the library and relocate a fire station.

City officials plan to use a $2.6 million bond to buy new police vehicles, construction equipment, renovate the library and buy equipment for other city departments. A $4.7 million bond will be used to relocate a fire station and buy two fire trucks, including a ladder truck.

Farris chosen as assistant city manager for city of Killeen

Ann Farris (pictured) will bring a 27-year  career in administration to her new post as assistant city manager of internal services for the city of Killeen. After earning a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University, she taught school in Killeen for two years. She then earned her master's and doctorate from A&M and continued her career in school administration with the Killeen ISD.

Her last seven years with KISD, Farris served as the district's deputy superintendent for human resource development. She left KISD in 2004 to accept a faculty post with Tarleton State University-Central Texas. She most recently was associate professor of professional education and policy studies and in her new post with the city will oversee finance, human resources, information technology and support services departments.

Prosper selects Jefferson

as new town manager

Prosper City Council members recently selected Harlan Jefferson as the new town manager, effective Jan. 21. Jefferson previously served as town manager and in several other positions in Flour Mound where he was employed for the last 12 years.

Galveston city secretary

resigns post after two years

Galveston City Secretary Doug Godinich has resigned from office after spending two years working for the city.

Godinich was named city secretary last March and was one of two finalists for the post who were interviewed by the city council. He replaced former City Secretary Barbara Lawrence. Godinich ran an unsuccessful campaign for Galveston County Clerk last year. His final day with the city was Wednesday.

• Diane B. Smith of Cedar Park, State Employee Charitable Campaign Policy Committee;
• Alan Johnson of Harlingen, Veterans' Land Board;
• Terri Flow of Austin, Texas Skill Standards Board,
• Carol "Missy" Rainey of Keller, Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners;
• Troy Allen of Edcouch, Rio Grande Regional Water Authority;
• Lance Neuhaus of Mercedes, Rio Grande Regional Water Authority.

Chapman a finalist for superintendent at H-E-B ISD

Trustees for the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District (H-E-B ISD) recently selected Steve Chapman (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent.

Chapman will replace Gene Buinger, who is retiring after leading the district for 19 years.

Chapman previously worked as a teacher for San Angelo ISD, H-E-B ISD, a principal for Odessa ISD, returned to H-E-B ISD in 1996 as an assistant superintendent and became deputy superintendent in 2001.

Mindy Bruce resigning

as city secretary in Krum

Mindy Bruce, the city secretary of Krum, recently resigned from that post, effective Jan. 18. She has accepted a job in the private sector. City officials have posted an announcement searching for a new city secretary to replace Bruce, who worked for the city about 18 months.

Etheridge selected as new

city secretary in Rusk

Rusk City Council members recently selected Cinda Etheridge as the new city secretary. Currently an employee at the Rusk Police Department, Etheridge replaces Fran Wendborn, who retired from that post.