Hunter named 'Officer of Year' by conservation association

Game Warden Ryan Hunter receives his "Officer of the Year" award from TPW Commission Chair Dan Friedkin (left) and TWPD Executive Director Carter Smith. (TPWD photo by Chase Fountain)

Texas Game Warden Ryan Hunter, who began his career with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 2010, has been named recipient of the Texas "Officer of the Year" by the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

He was presented his award at the quarterly meeting this week of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

Hunter was a member of the 55th cadet class at the Texas Game Warden Training Academy three years ago and was assigned to Moore and Sherman counties in the Texas Panhandle. Hunter has participated in a variety of law enforcement scenarios from helping to conduct outreach events to helping reduce hunting and fishing violations to curbing the illegal sale of game animal meat and illegal fishing activity. He also helped establish a Law Enforcement Explorers Club for young people in the Moore County area.

Hunter is a magna cum laude graduate of Hardin-Simmons University and is currently pursuing a master's degree in criminal justice-public safety.

DPS opens fifth driver license mega center near San Antonio

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officials recently opened the new San Antonio-Leon Valley Driver License Mega Center. The new mega center features 22 customer service stations located in a 24,000-square-foot facility staffed with 36 full-time employees able to process more than 700 transactions daily.

Legislators allocated $63 million to DPS to build six mega centers, to buy equipment, to upgrade technology and hire 266 additional personnel to improve efficiency and customer service in the driver license system. The first mega center opened in Pflugerville in October 2012. Mega-centers in Spring, Rosenberg and Garland began service in December and DPS plans to open a new mega center near Fort Worth later this month, according to Steven McCraw (pictured), director of DPS.

The new mega centers use technology for a new queuing system that allows those seeking service to reserve a place in the line by using a cell phone, land line telephone or online tools and then to make adjustments if running late, McCraw said. Walk-in customers also have an option of setting an appointment time and returning if able to communicate by text or a phone call, he added.

Houston Community College taps Byas as interim chancellor

Houston Community College officials recently appointed General Counsel Renee Byas (pictured) as the interim chancellor to replace Chancellor Mary Spangler while Spangler is on medical leave.

Spangler is expected to take leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act until March.

Trustees expressed confidence that Byas would be able to lead the system as it begins a $425 million project to expand and improve facilities and upgrade technology approved by voters in November until Spangler returns.

UT System appoints Huie to interim vice chancellor position

The University of Texas System has chosen Stephanie A. Bond Huie (pictured) as vice chancellor, ad interim, for strategic initiatives, replacing Dr. Sandra K. Woodley, who left the UT System last month to become president of the University of Louisiana System. Huie, former director and then assistant vice chancellor for Strategic Initiatives, will lead a team of research and policy analysts responsible for monitoring higher education issues at the System, state and national levels. The office will make recommendations on trends and best practices in higher education. She will also oversee the UT System Productivity Dashboard, a Web-based business intelligence system that provides analytics for policy decisions and measures productivity and accountability in higher education.

Huie has seven years of experience in higher education administration and four years of experience as a research professional. Before joining the UT System, she served in several roles at Huston-Tillotson University, including interim associate provost for academic affairs, director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment and accreditation liaison.

Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin joins LBJ School

Atlanta, Georgia, two-term Mayor Shirley Franklin (pictured) has joined The University of Texas at Austin's Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs as the Barbara Jordan Visiting Professor in Ethics and Political Values. Franklin also will be keynote speaker for the 17th annual Barbara Jordan Forum, scheduled for Feb. 19.

Franklin will teach in the areas of ethics and political values, city government, sustainable urban development and the role of women in politics. She will also participate in lectures and dialogues on important public issues and play a leading role in encouraging students from under-represented communities to choose careers in public service.

The former mayor will also be instrumental in the creation of a new urban management program at the school.

Franklin served as mayor of Atlanta from 2002 to 2010. She began her public service career in 1978 as the commissioner of cultural affairs under Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson. She was later appointed city manager.

UC President Mark Yudof, former UT chancellor, to step down

Citing health issues, University of California President Mark Yudof is stepping down after five years as head of the 10-campus California system. Yudof was chancellor of The University of Texas System from 2002-2008 before moving to the post at UC.

Yudof served as a faculty member and administrator at The University of Texas at Austin for 26 years and was also dean of the UT School of Law from 1984 to 1994. He served as the university's executive vice president and provost from 1994 to 1997. He joined UT in 1971 as a member of the UT Law School faculty. Yudof is also a former president of the University of Minnesota, serving in that position from 1997 to 2002.

Yudof plans to step down from his position at UC on Aug. 31 and will assume a new job teaching law at UC Berkeley.

Fort Worth group approves $2.5 million to buy land for parking garage

The Lancaster Tax Increment Finance District recently approved spending $2.5 million to buy land on 15th Street in Fort Worth, as part of a project financed by the Fort Worth Local Development Corp. to build a five-story parking garage.

The mixed-use project, backed by the Fort Worth Local Development Corp. using a loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), includes building two five-story buildings featuring shops and retail space on the ground floor, more than 130 apartments on the upper floors and a parking garage for the development. Some apartments in the project will be available for rates below market rates. When the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth withdrew from the project, city officials were forced to find a new site for the parking garage, which was initially to be located on land owned by the diocese.

Local Development Corp. officials plan to close the loan from HUD by the end of this year and begin construction in January 2014, said Jay Chapa, director of the Housing and Economic Development Department of the city.

Michael Smith to serve as vice provost at UT-El Paso

Michael R. Smith (pictured) recently won appointment as vice provost for The University of Texas at El Paso. His responsibilities as vice provost include development and expansion of new and existing academic programs and initiatives, public-private partnerships and coordination of programs for active military and veterans by working closely with Fort Bliss.

A former police officer, Smith previously was dean and vice provost at Georgia Southern University and a department chair at the University of South Carolina.

He has a J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law and a Ph.D. from Arizona State University and is nationally recognized for his expertise on racial profiling.

Lakeway City Council members are expected to vote soon on a proposed budget that includes revenue from a hotel occupancy tax (HOT) that could raise more than $400,000 during its first year to build and maintain convention center facilities. It could also pay for marketing efforts to attract more conventions and visitors to the city.

The newly organized Lakeway Visitors Commission (LVC), proposed the city budget allot 50 percent of HOT revenue to pay for building a convention center, with HOT generating about $224,00 by the end of 2013 if council approves the proposed budget. LVC also urged the city to set aside 38 percent of the HOT revenue for advertising and promoting the city. The remaining revenue would be divided among promoting the arts, historical restoration, preservation projects or activities and administrative fees.

While the city now has only a few hotels, two more hotels are planned in the near future and the revenue from HOT should increase in the future, noted Julie Oakley, an LVC member. The current plan is to begin construction of the new convention center without waiting for LVC to acquire all the revenue needed to pay for the project, city officials said.

Sugar Land mayor reveals projects for $50 million bond election

Mayor James Thompson (pictured) of Sugar Land recently announced four park projects that council members voted to include in a $50 million quality-of-life bond election in November.

The proposed projects are a new festival site near the University of Houston in Sugar Land, an adult, multi-sport recreation center, expansion of Brazos River Park and implementation of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan, Thompson said.

City officials also are seeking volunteers for the citizen's bond committee to help prioritize projects, study phasing of the projects and evaluate funding before making a final recommendation to city council, he said.

More resignations, terminations from El Paso ISD cheating scandal

The fallout among top-level administrators in the El Paso Independent School District continues on the heel of a cheating scandal uncovered in the district. Last week, the school district confirmed that Maria Flores, associate superintendent of elementary schools who previously worked at Bowie High School, where the cheating scheme was uncovered, is stepping down. That same day, EPISD officials voted to terminate Anna Luisa Kell, an assistant principal at Bowie. Kell had been on administrative leave since November.

Additionally, this week EPISD Chief Business Officer Kenneth Park announced his retirement. He had been set to leave the district at the end of February after delaying his retirement, but now has said he will leave the district on Jan. 31. The district has also voted to begin the necessary processed to terminate Assistant Superintendent James Anderson for his failure to notify authorities about the alleged cheating. According to the El Paso Times, employees reportedly involved in the cheating incidents could face criminal investigation by the El Paso District Attorney's office. 

Record keeping, reporting, adherence to rules important in public sector... 

Lubbock survey indicates support for temporary sales tax increase

The results of a recent postcard survey by the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce showed that a majority of those who responded support the city approving a temporary increase in the sales tax to pay for priority infrastructure improvements.

Of the 15,000 households receiving the survey, 21.5 percent responded to the poll. Of those responding, 60 percent supported a temporary increase in the sales tax to pay for new projects. And by a two-to-one margin, residents also supported using a voter-approved, time-specific sales tax that would end once a project is complete.

Those surveyed also ranked infrastructure upgrades as the top priority for the city followed by career preparedness, technical workforce training and education as the second-ranked priority. Citizens ranked retail expansion opportunities, recreation/green spaces and more arts and entertainment projects lower in priority.

Aransas County asking for bids for shoreline enhancement project

Aransas County Commissioners recently agreed to seek bids for the Live Oak Peninsula Shoreline enhancement on Little Bay once an agreement with the Aransas County Navigation District (ACND) is finalized.

The agreement for the project to build an oyster reef in the bay includes funding from a grant from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program. The funds were awarded to the county because the reef will be located on a site owned by ACND. The reef project also is expected to help stabilize the shoreline and provide benefits of the wetland habitat.

An attorney for ACND and the county attorney currently are negotiating the agreement and support beginning the project as soon as possible, noted Keith Barrett, harbormaster for ACND.

Canyon ISD forms group to study facility upgrades

Canyon Independent School District trustees recently appointed a facilities committee to help prioritize proposed upgrades to district facilities.

Committee members will evaluate replacement of air conditioning and heating systems, roof repairs, stadium improvements, electrical repairs and building safety, said Randy Darnell (pictured), chairman of the school board. The list of projects submitted to the committee includes a cost estimate of $6.28 million for the projects that will be completed over a three-year period, he said. The upgrades will be paid for with current revenue rather than raising taxes or using bond funding, Darnell said.

Alamo RMA to eliminate or downsize jobs; ED to resign

Alamo Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) board members recently agreed to downsize operations of the toll authority by eliminating some top jobs and using more part-time employees beginning the first of March.

The decision came a year after Bexar County officials called for downsizing the tolling agency until 2016 when Alamo RMA, created by the Texas Transportation Commission in 2003, expects to collect revenue from two projects stalled by environmental studies. At the request of the Federal Highway Administration, Alamo RMA agreed to take over stalled environmental studies from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which delayed construction of toll roads and collection of toll revenues.

Positions eliminated at Alamo RMA include the chief financial officer, public information manager, community development director and director of engineering, who will remain with the agency until completion of the interchange of US 281 and Loop 1604. It only took a couple of days after the Authority named the employees who would lose their jobs, that Executive Director Terry Brechtel announced she would resign by May 1. The comptroller will remain on the job. The office manager now will work part-time and the attorney continues on a contract basis. Without the budget cuts, the agency would run out of funds from the TxDOT by the end of this fiscal year or next year, the chairman said.

Midland College, Midland Memorial Hospital to share Dent

For a six-month trial period, Bob Dent (pictured), current vice president of patient care services at Midland Memorial Hospital (MMH), recently agreed to perform double duty as the acting dean of the health sciences division of Midland College (MC) for a six-month trial period.

Following the resignation last year of former the former dean, Becky Hammack, college officials explored innovative ways to fill the position and began looking at Dent, said Steve Thomas, president of MC. After learning Dent was conducting research on the benefits of local hospital administrators managing academic health programs to help bridge the experience between the classroom and the hospital, college officials agreed to the pilot program.

At the college, Dent will be the chief instructional leader responsible for managing programs and overseeing curriculum, budget and accreditations for the health sciences division of MCC. At the hospital, Dent will continue to manage clinical functions, including budgeting and meeting goals for growth.

MacFarland to be new commander at Fort Bliss

U.S. Army officials recently selected Maj. Gen. Sean B. MacFarland (pictured) as the new commander of Fort Bliss.

MacFarland will replace Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard as the base commander as soon as May.

MacFarland is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, the Command and General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He also has a master's degree from Georgia Tech.

Pflugerville approves $2.14 million for improvement projects

Pflugerville City Council recently agreed to use $2.13 million from the city's Capital Reserve Fund to pay for improvement projects and one-time purchases. The largest share of the $2.14 million, $200,000, will be used for a thoroughfare plan and transportation model evaluation, closely followed by $150,000 to build new trail segments, $140,000 for an analysis of undeveloped parks and trail gaps and $120,000 to add 34 additional parking spaces at the north shore of Lake Pflugerville.

Council also approved $100,000 for new trees and irrigation, $100,000 to renovate the animal shelter, $70,000 to upgrade beach areas at Lake Pflugerville, $50,000 for renovations to recreation center office, $50,000 to update unified development code and $50,000 for message banners for city light poles. Also winning approval were $40,000 for a master plan for Lake Pflugerville, $30,000 for a new electrical system on the north shore of lake and $25,000 for Trailblazer signs.

Kirk announces he will leave Trade Representative post

Ron Kirk (pictured), U.S. Trade Representative in President Barack Obama's Cabinet, announced that he will leave that office in February. The former two-term Dallas mayor has not indicated what he plans to do after leaving the Cabinet.

Kirk was named to the Trade Representative post in March 2009. Kirk said that while serving in the Cabinet, "We have made great strides to bring about the President's vision of a more robust, responsible and responsive trade policy that opens markets to products stamped 'Made-in-America' and enforces Americans' trade rights around the world."

San Benito ISD, city eyeing partnership in $2.5 million pool

San Benito city officials and trustees for the San Benito Independent School District recently held a joint meeting to discuss partnering to build a new $2.5 million swimming pool.

School district officials said the district could offer land near the football stadium to build the proposed pool at a centralized location, which would allow the district to create a swimming team and host the public during the summer. City commissioners plan to further discuss the pool project proposal at their next meeting.

Brownwood City Council members recently approved preliminary design plans for a new $3 million, 14,400-square-foot fire station. The new two-story facility will include an emergency operations center, a weight room and training room. The second story will be used for storage.

City officials are purchasing a building used by the Red Cross and will demolish that building to build the new fire station, said City Manager Bobby Rountree. Construction should begin in six to nine months, once architects complete the final design and specifications.

'Heroes Behind the Badge' to screen at Texas State

The initial screening of "Heroes Behind the Badge," a 90-minute documentary featuring three re-creations of incidents in which law enforcement officers were murdered in the line of duty will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at the Evans Auditorium on the campus of Texas State University-San Marcos. The film, produced by Bill Erfurth, a 26-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Police Department, will also feature three other high-profile cases of near death and survival.

This is one of two screenings of the film, the first a private screening to be held in February at the State Capitol in Austin for members of the State Legislature.

The film is currently being screened around the country after premiering at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference last October. Erfurth said that the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) will be including "Heroes" in its recruit curriculum statewide.

Join educational leaders from across Texas for Leadership Fusion 2013 - Learning in the 21st Century, Leading in Tomorrow's World. Each year, Leadership Fusion focuses on topics that are relevant to current educational trends. This year, the summit explores how emerging technology is motivating and engaging students, how brain-based research can impact higher learning and how the universal principles of exemplary school leadership can accelerate student success. Participants will gain best practices and innovative strategies to help them excel as educational leaders. Featured speakers include: Eric Jensen, a leading authority on the science and applications of brain research in education; Alan November, international leader in educational technology; and Lonnie Moore, leadership development expert and author of The High-Trust Classroom. Visit www.leadershipfusion.net to learn more or e-mail solutions@esc4.net.

Crowell, Walsh re-elected

to ERCOT board slots

Craven Crowell has been re-elected chair and Judy Walsh vice chair of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), positions they have held since 2012.

Crowell is a former chair of the Tennessee Valley Authority and former chief of staff to the chairman of the U.S. Senate budget committee. He also has chaired the Texas Reliability Entity and the Electric Power Research Institute and served on the board of the Nuclear Energy Institute. Walsh, most recently a senior vice president for SBC Communications, has a background in banking. She is a former commissioner for the Public Utility Commission of Texas and serves on the boards of the Midwest Independent System Operator and Western Electricity Coordinating Council and has chaired the audit committees for both entities.

New chairs were named to two board committees at the January meeting. Jorge Bermudez is chair of the board's Finance and Audit Committee and Karl Pfirrmann is chair of the Human Resources and Governance Committee. The board also re-elected Chief Executive Officer Trip Doggett and ratified ERCOT officers during the meeting.

Abilene mayor names $200M

water reservoir as top priority

In a recent state-of-the-city speech, the mayor of Abilene placed development of a long-range water source as the highest priority for city officials in 2013. The city could gain permits by 2017 to build a $200 million dam on the Brazos River to create Cedar Ridge Reservoir, northeast of the city, said Mayor Norm Archibald (pictured).

Preliminary plans for the project are to build a one-mile-deep dam to create a reservoir that will be 130 feet deep and hold three times more water than Lake Fort Phantom Hill, one of the city's three water sources.

City officials plan this year to submit an application to the U.S. Corps of Engineers for a permit for the new dam and reservoir.

Hewitt renews efforts to

replace police, fire facilities

Hewitt City Council members recently renewed efforts to replace four overcrowded and aging police, fire and meeting facilities following the release of a recent facilities study.

The study, conducted by a Waco-based architect, found the current, remodeled police station that had housed a physician's office does not meet current code regulations and cannot be expanded. The police station and fire stations also are overcrowded, the study noted.

Council members, who in 2011 dropped a proposed plan to replace the fire, police, city hall and meeting and events facilities with one new 47,148-square-foot municipal complex at an estimated cost of $9.3 million, discussed whether the city could save money by bidding and building the police and fire buildings at the same time, but took no action. City officials also said the city most likely would need to issue debt to pay for replacing the current police and fire facilities.

Ector County ISD approves

issue of $129.75 million in bonds

Ector County Independent School District trustees recently approved the issue of $129 million in bonds voters approved in November.

The bonds will be used to pay for constructing three new 85,000-square-foot elementary schools and enlarging two high schools to ease overcrowding throughout the district.

District officials plan to spend $19 million for a new elementary school on the west side, $19.2 million for another elementary school on the west side and $18.9 million for a new elementary school in the northeast. District officials estimate the cost of building 117,000 square feet of additional space at each high school to increase capacity by 1,000 students will be $72.65 million.

Throckmorton selects Bellah

as interim superintendent

Trustees for Throckmorton Independent School District recently selected Danny Bellah (pictured) as the interim superintendent to replace Clay Tarplay, who resigned in December 2012 to be superintendent at Hamilton ISD.

Bellah retired as superintendent of Woodson ISD in June 2011 after serving as superintendent for 21 of his 31 years of service with that district. Trustees have not yet begun their search for a permanent superintendent, Bellah said.

Marion ISD appoints Walters

as interim superintendent

Trustees for the Marion Independent School District recently tapped Kelly Walters, a middle school principal, to serve as interim superintendent. A graduate of Marion High School, Walters will replace Mario Sotelo, who resigned as city manager effective on Jan. 31.

District officials have selected a search firm to find a new superintendent, launched an online survey asking residents to describe the qualities they want in a superintendent and plan to hold community meetings to gather input regarding the new superintendent from parents, district staff and other community members.

Krum ISD taps Carroll as

interim superintendent

Krum Independent School District trustees recently tapped Cody Carroll (pictured), the current assistant superintendent, to serve as interim superintendent effective Jan. 29.

Carroll will replace Superintendent Mike Davis, who was released from his contract after agreeing to provide consultant services to the school district. Before joining the school district in July, Carroll said he is considering applying for the permanent post.

Johnson County terminates contract of purchasing agent

After terminating Jamie Brockway as the county purchasing agent, Johnson County commissioners recently selected Margaret Cook, the former purchasing agent for the county, as the interim-purchasing agent until a new purchasing agent is hired.

Commissioners expressed concern regarding purchasing procedures and accountability that arose when voting to terminate Brockway. Brockway was a purchasing agent for North Richland Hills, a buyer for Tarrant County College and a contract administrator for Tarrant County.

El Paso postpones action on parks, recreation master plan

After asking for more information, El Paso City Council members recently postponed for four weeks approval of a new parks and recreation master plan that includes more space, trees and water conservation at local parks.

Marci Tuck, coordinator of parks and trails, said she is hopeful Council will take quick action on the proposed master plan, which is updated every six years, so staff can take advantage of grants and other funding opportunities to help pay for the improvements.

Madrigal tapped as lone finalist

for superintendent at Harlandale

Harlandale Independent School District trustees recently selected Rey Madrigal (pictured), who currently serves as interim superintendent, as the lone finalist for superintendent.

Madrigal replaces Robert Jaklich, who resigned in May. Madrigal began his career as a special education teacher and coach at Harlandale ISD and later became a principal and an assistant superintendent for the district.

Madrigal has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a master's degree from Texas A&M University at Kingsville and earned his superintendent's certification at the Region 20 Texas Superintendents' Certification Institute.

Floresville picks Ramirez as interim development director

Floresville city officials recently selected Raymond "Ram" Ramirez, a former mayor, to serve as the interim executive director of the Floresville Economic Development Corp.

El Paso ISD extends deadline

for superintendent applicants

The El Paso Independent School District board recently changed its deadline for superintendent applicants from Feb. 1 to May 17.

The board plans to pick a finalist on June 25, with a planned date to hire the new superintendent on July 23. The board is seeking a replacement for former Superintendent Lorenzo Garcia, who was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for a cheating scandal that rocked the school district and has led to the resignation or termination of several other administrators.

Corpus Christi select Susan

Thorpe assistant city manager

The Corpus Christi City Council recently selected Susan Thorpe (pictured), a deputy city manager in Peoria, Arizona, as an assistant city manager. She will replace Troy Riggs, who resigned in September to be the director of public safety in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Thorpe will oversee public safety, neighborhood services, libraries and parks when she begins her new duties on March 18. She holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from the University of North Texas.

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

• TCEQ lifts restrictions on water right
• TPWD cites $1.33M in local outdoor grants
• Civilian Conservation Corps exhibit at Bullock Museum

Fugua to retire from post

as Big Spring city manager

City Manager Gary Fuqua of Big Spring recently told city officials he plans to retire at the end of this year. A 38-year city employee, Fuqua assured council members that Assistant City Manager Todd Darden is more than capable of handling long-term projects through completion.

Faulkner selected as superintendent for China Spring

China Spring Independent School District recently named Marc Faulkner (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent. Faulkner previously was a high school principal and assistant superintendent for the China Spring district. Faulkner will replace former Superintendent Jason McCullough, who resigned.

Faulkner has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Tarleton State University, where he also earned his certification as a superintendent. He currently is working on a Ph.D. at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Cooper stepping down as superintendent of Lake Worth ISD

Superintendent Janice Cooper (pictured) recently agreed to step down from the Lake Worth Independent School District after 14 years as superintendent and 18 years with the district. Cooper will be on paid leave until she officially leaves at the end of this month, district officials said.

Trustees plan to discuss the appointment of an interim superintendent at their next meeting, the president of the board said.

League City council members

to use videoconferencing

The City Council in League City may be starting a trend. Council members recently voted that they can conduct city business remotely.

A majority of the council members voted to allow members to participate in city council meetings via videoconferencing calls. As a result, members no longer will have to be physically present at council chambers for meetings.

Denton selects Springer

as new finance director

Denton city officials recently tapped Chuck Springer (pictured) as the city's new finance dirrector. Springer, a former interim town manager in Flower Mound, will replace Bryan Langley, the former finance director who won promotion to assistant city manager.

Springer previously worked as an administrator for the city of Arlington and as chief financial officer and assistant town manager for Flower Mound. He has a bachelor's degree from Indiana University and a master's degree from the University of North Texas.

• William McCrae of San Antonio, chair, State Committee of Examiners in the Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Instruments

Mike Evans retiring as

city manager in Justin

City Manager Mike Evans of Justin recently announced he is retiring. Evans was employed by the city for 15 years in public works, administration and other city departments and assumed the post of interim city manager and then city manager after voters in November 2012 approved creation of the city manager position.

City officials plan to move quickly to name an interim city manager and select a new city manager within two months.

Vasquez to be new planning director for city of Galveston

Galveston city officials recently hired Rick Vasquez as the new planning director for that city. Vasquez replaces Lori Schwarz, who has been the interim planning director for eight months.

Strong resigns as city

manager for city of Ferris

Eric Strong (pictured), city manager of Ferris, recently resigned from the post he held since July 2009. Strong has agreed to become an assistant city manager in Richland Hills effective in mid-February.

Strong, previously an assistant to the city manager in Ennis, has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from the University of North Texas.

Corpus approves contract

to relocate fire station

The Corpus Christi City Council this week approved a $2.2 million construction contract to relocate Fire Station No. 5 next to Miller High School. The project is the result of a partnership between the city and the Corpus Christi ISD.

The project includes tearing down an empty building on the school campus to build a new fire station and classroom for the school to use for its Fire Science Academy.