On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Perry asked the Texas Transportation Commission to consider using part of its $193 million aviation budget to fund the control towers being closed in Texas. Official have estimated that keeping the towers open that are scheduled for closure at the 13 airports would cost a total of $7 million per year. The Texas Department of Transportation announced today, Thursday, that it intends to provide that funding, contingent on Texas Transportation Commission approval in an emergency session next week.

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Vandergriff selected to Texas Transportation Commission

Austin reappointed; both face Senate confirmation to serve through 2019

Victor Vandergriff (pictured) of Arlington, who currently serves as chair of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board, has been chosen by Gov. Rick Perry as a member of the Texas Transportation Commission. Reappointed was Jeff Austin III of Tyler. Both will serve terms that expire on Feb. 1, 2019.

Vandergriff, an attorney and businessman, has served as chair of the TxDMV board since November 2009. He brings transportation experience to his new post after having served as chair and past board member of the North Texas Tollway Authority. Vandergriff holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California and a law degree from Southern Methodist University.

Austin is currently chairman of a Jacksonville bank. His transportation experience includes having served as an officer of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority. He holds a bachelor's degree and Master of Business Administration degree from The University of Texas at Tyler and is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University Southwestern Graduate and Intermediate Schools of Banking and Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.

Caraway new member of TxDMV Board, two others reappointed

One new member has been named to sit on the board of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, and two current members have been reappointed by Gov. Rick Perry. The new member is Luanne Caraway (right) of Kyle. Reappointed are Robert "Barney" Barnwell III (center) of Magnolia and Raymond Palacios Jr. (left) of El Paso. The appointments, which are subject to Senate approval, expire Feb. 1, 2019.

Caraway is the current Hays County tax assessor-collector. She is a member and past president of the Tax Assessor-Collector Association of Texas, a member of the Texas Association of Appraisal Districts and Texas Association of Assessing Officers, a board member of the Texas Association of Counties and a past member of the Texas School Assessor Association.

Barnwell is president of Universal Natural Gas Inc., and president and board chair of Texas Gas Utility Services. He holds a law degree from Louisiana State University. Palacios is president of Bravo Chevrolet Cadillac. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston.

House passes major legislation to finance water projects

With municipal water entities needing an estimated $27 billion in state funds to develop projects outlined in the State Water Plan, the Texas House this week passed legislation to address those needs.

HB 4 would create a revolving fund to help local governments finance water projects. It essentially would set up a water infrastructure bank to allow the Texas Water Development Board more flexibility in financing water projects statewide.

The bill will now go to the Senate for debate. A second bill, HB 11, is expected to be a little more contentious. It would allow for the transfer of $2 billion from the state's rainy day fund into the infrastructure bank. The infrastructure bank can leverage funds because in addition to the $2 billion in rainy day funds, money will continue to flow into the bank as previous loans are paid off.

Stephenson, Parsons join staff at Governor's Office

MacGregor Stephenson (left) has been named deputy chief of staff to Gov. Rick Perry, with Rich Parsons (right), the new deputy director of communications in the Governor's Office.

Stephenson is a former assistant commissioner for workforce, academic affairs and research for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, where he represented the American Association of Community Colleges as their state director and worked with public and private institutions of higher education. He also was previously associate vice chancellor for academic affairs at the Texas A&M University System, managing the System branch campus in Killeen and working with other A&M campuses. His new position is a return to the Governor's Office, after having worked there as a member of the governor's review team and advisor for higher education budgets and policy from 2002 to 2006. Stephenson is also a former interim chief of staff to the Texas Building and Procurement Commission. He holds a law degree from the University of Denver and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University.

Parsons is a former broadcast journalist and reporter for KXAN-TV in Austin, as well as other TV stations in North Carolina, Virginia and Mississippi. His public sector experience includes his most recent post as communications director for the Texas Secretary of State, a position he held since 2011. Parsons also served as press secretary to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington.

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Texas A&M joins partnership to create $91 million vaccine facility

Regents for the Texas A&M System recently approved a partnership with GlaxoSmithKline, a large pharmaceutical company, to build a $91 million facility to manufacture influenza vaccine.

In five and one-half years, the Center of Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing (CIADM) with the vaccine facility as an anchor is expected to generate $31 million in revenue for the state and $14 million in revenue for local governments, TAMU System Chancellor John Sharp said. In 25 years, the CIADM is expected to produce revenues of about $850 million for the state and $340 million for local governments. To be located on a 196-acre corridor near Easterwood Airport in the Bryan-College Station area, the manufacturing and research facility is expected to create almost 7,000 jobs, Sharp said.

System officials plan to use $91 million from $285.6 million in federal funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to build the center. The federal authority was created using the public-private formula to construct three vaccine centers to develop vaccines and medicines for biological and pandemic threats. The A&M System, the state, the pharmaceutical company and others plan to contribute half of the cost of the new vaccine facility, Sharp said.

Erwin, Walker honored for book on Texas State Cemetery

Will Erwin (left) and Jason Walker are presented an award by Nancy Avellar of the San Antonio Conservation Society. The award was presented in recognition of the Erwin-Walker book, Texas State Cemetery, and their contribution to preserving Texas history.

Austin authors Will Erwin and Jason Walker were recently honored at the Publication Awards Ceremony of the San Antonio Conservation Society for their contributions to preserving Texas history through publication of their recent book, Texas State Cemetery. The book and its authors were recognized at the Society's recent banquet.  

Erwin and Walker were among a number of authors acknowledged for their various works on Texas history. The Society honors recipients at an event held every other year, with this year's ceremonies held at the historic Argyle Club in San Antonio.  

Erwin and Walker, both employees of the Texas State Cemetery, created a book that walks readers through the cemetery by way of page after page of stories of some of the greatest Texans buried in the historic and pristine cemetery. The stories become even more real through pages of vibrant color photographs of various tombstones and monuments on the grounds as well as historic photographs that tell the story of notable and often legendary Texans buried there - from Stephen F. Austin, the father of Texas, to Gov. Ann W. Richards, from legendary Dallas Cowboys Coach Tom Landry to civil rights leader with the unmistakable voice, Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. The Texas State Cemetery is the final resting place for governors, senators, legislators, Congressmen, judges and other notables who have shaped the state's history since the 1800s. 

"All Texans owe these authors and publishers our gratitude and praise for capturing and immortalizing the important times and people of our past, to help us better understand our society today," said Nancy Avellar, Society president, of this year's winners.

Navarro College taps Kavalier as new president

Navarro College officials recently selected Dr. Barbara Kavalier (pictured) as the lone finalist for president. Kavalier was selected over two other finalists for the post.

Currently the president of San Jose City College in California, Kavalier will replace Dr. Richard Sanchez, who is retiring in August. She previously was an administrator at San Diego Mesa College.

Kavalier has an associates degree from Mountain View College, a bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University, a master's degree and a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin.

UTSW Medical Center's Gilman named inaugural AACR fellow

Dr. Alfred Gilman (pictured), Nobel Laureate and Regental Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, has been elected one of the inaugural Fellows of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). The association is the world's first and largest professional organization that seeks to advance cancer research with a goal of preventing and curing cancer.

As a result of his work identifying G proteins and their role in how cells communicate to function properly, Gilman in 1994 shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Gilman is former Chief Scientific Officer of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and previously served UT Southwestern as Dean of UT Southwestern Medical School, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost for the Medical Center, and as Director of the Cecil H. and Ida Green Comprehensive Center for Molecular, Computational and Systems Biology.

The AACR Academy was created to recognize and honor distinguished researchers whose major scientific contributions have encouraged significant innovation and progress against cancer.

Deputy City Manager Paul Cain (pictured) recently asked Burleson City Council members to approve $32 million in capital improvement programs for 2014 through 2019 for including in a possible November bond election.

City staff chose the proposed $32 million in projects from $89 million in capital improvement projects based on priorities and affordability, Cain said.

A $1.8 million new communication system for the police department is the top priority and $2.4 million for drainage improvements were among the projects recommended by city staff. Other projects in the staff recommendation were upgrades to traffic signs, sidewalks and rehabilitation of neighborhood streets. Council members will review the recommendations before deciding whether to ask voters to approve bonds in November and issue the first of the bonds in spring 2014.

Midwestern State University seeks $400,000 for new baseball field

Midwestern State University officials recently requested the Wichita Falls 4B Sales Tax Board to contribute $400,000 to help build a new baseball field to help attract more students and visitors to the city.

Vice President Howard Farrell of MSU said college officials have agreed to contribute $400,000 to the baseball complex that should boost its baseball program. That program has 24 players competing in 65 games each year with an estimated $4.9 million impact on the city's economy. MSU officials originally discussed asking for $500,000 from the 4B Sales Tax Board, but reduced that amount to $400,000 to be distributed over a three-year period, Farrell said.

The baseball field project most likely will not continue without help from the city, said Farrell, who pledged the field will be available to high school teams and others in the community.

Mary Spangler leaving as chancellor of Houston Community College

Chancellor Mary Spangler (pictured) recently agreed to retire after Houston Community College board members approved a $650,000 settlement agreement to buy out her contract that ran through May 2014.

While still on medical leave, Spangler notified board members she is ready to retire after six years as chancellor. The settlement, which was amicable, covered the remaining salary, benefits and unused paid leave time due Spangler, said Bruce Austin, the chairman of the board.

Board members plan to hire a search firm to to find a new chancellor, Austin said.

Nabers, Robinson to keynote LinCP Forum slated in Bastrop

Mary Scott Nabers (left), president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., and Carroll G. Robinson (right), a member of the board of trustees of the Houston Community College, will deliver keynote presentations at the 5th Annual Leadership Capital Project (LinCP) Forum April 2 and 3 in Bastrop. The theme for this year's event, to be held at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort, is "Conquering Waste and Inefficiencies in Capital Projects."

Three key topics round out this year's forum: Waste and Inefficiencies-Identification and Impacts, BIM Integration-From Design through Construction to Facilities Management; and The Evolution of Capital Project Design and Delivery on the Public Sector.

LinCP forums are organized by the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP), a nonprofit headquartered in Austin, whose mission is to evolve the capital projects industry through sharing of knowledge for optimized leadership, delivery and performance. The event, which is open to all LinCP members, is free. More information is available here.

ERCOT announces two additional vice presidents

Two new vice presidents have been approved by the board of directors of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

Ken McIntyre, ERCOT's director of Standards and Protocol Compliance, will become the vice president of Grid Planning and Operations. In that role, he will oversee all planning activities and control center operations. He succeeds Kent Saathoff, who plans to continue his ERCOT service as an executive advisor. McIntyre has been with ERCOT since 2007. He previously worked some 11 years in the Australian power industry.

Brad Jones, current vice president of Government Relations for Energy Future Holdings Corporation, will be ERCOT's new vice president of Commercial Operations. He will oversee Market Operations, Settlement and Retail Operations, Market Design and Development and Client Relations. Jones has more than 25 years of electric industry experience. The two new appointments are effective April 1.

S. Texas College approves two new buildings, campus expansion

South Texas College trustees recently approved plans to construct two new buildings at the Pecan Campus and expand current facilities at the Nursing & Allied Health Campus. The constrtuction plan, which includes 11 additional projects, is necessary to address enrollment expected to reach 42,000 by 2020.

Trustees also discussed scheduling a $159 million bond election in November to help fund some of the construction projects. College officials plan to begin a series of community meetings in April to help explain why the bonds are needed, said President Shirley Reed.

Del Mar College begins planning new campus, student housing

Del Mar College regents recently began discussion on building a new campus on the city's south side to replace its current East Campus, creating more student housing and athletic facilities and using a new technology and business partnership to expand the Northwest Center in Calallan. Regents also discussed expanding service in the North Bay area, improving facilities on the West Campus and adding classes at the Northwest Center.

Del Mar officials have not decided how to pay for the new projects or which projects are priority, but most agree that a bond election and some private funding will be needed to make their expansion plans a reality. Regents instructed staff to gather data and begin work on a plan that includes new technology and business partnerships that span the region. The goal is to develop a plan for the next 50 years rather than 10 or 15 years as the region is growing rapidly due to the recent Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas boom, said Trey McCampbell, chairman of the board of regents.

Arlington seeks public feedback on 10-year parks, recreation plan

To identify parks and recreation projects on the community wish list for the next 10 years, Arlington City Council members recently began a series of five public meetings. The meetings are designed to give residents an opportunity to provide their ideas for projects to include in the Park and Recreation and Open Space Plan to be adopted in 2014.

The public meetings on the proposed park plan are scheduled to continue until April 15 and Council members plan to use that information to decide on projects to include in a possible bond election in November 2014.

City officials plan to use information gathered at the public meetings and an online survey to ensure the city is focusing its limited funding on parks and recreation projects residents really want, said Matt Young, assistant parks director. After reviewing public input, city officials plan to provide a draft plan in another series of public meetings to help Council identify the projects for the proposed bond election, he said.

An outdoor pool and a recreation center in the southeast area of the city as well as more hike and bike trails and playgrounds appear to be high on the wish list of many residents, Young said.

 

By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.

The much-anticipated Report Card for America's Infrastructure was recently released. This report, produced every four years by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), assigns grades to the nation's progress in dealing with its infrastructure needs.

There's not much good news to report...and the bad news is staggering. Read on at your own risk

The good news is that the cumulative grade for infrastructure nationwide has increased slightly over the last report. The bad news is that the cumulative grade is a D+ and ASCE estimates it will take a $3.6 trillion investment by 2020 to address just the critically needed improvements.

The report again warns that investments must be made for local economies to grow, job opportunities to increase and the nation's infrastructure to remain viable.

"Without prioritizing our infrastructure needs, deteriorating conditions will become a drag on the economy," says the report.

Here's a quick look at some highlights from the report:

• Drinking water's grade improved slightly to a D. The nation's drinking water infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life. To replace aging pipes, as much as $1 trillion will be needed.
• The grade for hazardous waste remained unchanged at a D. Annual funding for Superfund site cleanup alone is estimated to be as much as $500 million short.
• Solid waste recorded the highest grade, with a B-. Americans are only recycling about 34% of the 250 million tons of trash that are generated each year.

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Panhandle voters approve

bonds to upgrade hospital's ER 

Voters in the Dallam Hartley Counties Hospital District recently agreed to issue bonds to pay for renovating the current emergency department and building a new emergency department at the Dallam Harley County Hospital.

Winning by a 105 to 99 vote, bond funds will be used to repay loans and will not increase the tax rate, hospital district officials said.

Krum ISD selects Carroll as

lone finalist for superintendent

Krum Independent School District trustees recently selected Cody Carroll (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent.

Previously the assistant superintendent, Carroll stepped up as interim superintendent in January when he replaced former Superintendent Mike Davis, who retired in January.

Carroll served as superintendent of Meadow ISD for five years before joining the Krum school district.

Boling ISD seeking bids

for new softball field lighting

Trustees for Boling Independent School District recently agreed to seek bids to install lighting for the softball field.

Lighting is needed as the softball program now attracts enough players for a junior varsity and varsity team that play two games on the same day, Superintendent Wade Stidevant said. District officials said the project will require providing electricity to the site and installing the lighting.

Chalaire appointed as superintendent for Chisum ISD

Tommy Chalaire recently agreed to serve as superintendent of Chisum Independent School District to replace outgoing Superintendent Diane Stegall. Stegall will continue in that post until her resignation becomes effective on June 30.

Chalaire, a 19-year employee of the district, has been the assistant superintendent for four years and also served as a principal, coach and teacher at the school district. He has a bachelor's degree and master's degree from East Texas State University. Chalaire will assume his new duties on June 30.

Bailey leaving job as city engineer in San Angelo

The city engineer in San Angelo, Clinton Bailey (pictured), recently resigned to accept a post as director of public works and utilities in Fredericksburg.

Bailey joined the city of San Angelo as a staff engineer in 1995 and promoted to city engineer in 2004.

In addition to his current responsibilities that include engineering, water and waste water services, sanitation and streets, Bailey also will oversee the city's electric utility in Fredericksburg when he begins his new duties on May 6.

Gill resigns as Potter County

director of information technology

Shawn Gill, the director of information technology for Potter County, recently resigned after eight years in that post to accept other employment.

Potter County commissioners appointed a committee comprised of two commissioners, the director of human resources, an assistant county attorney and the county auditor to search for a new director of information technology.

Mercedes EDC terminates

jobs of director and an assistant

Mercedes Economic Development Corporation board members recently terminated the employment of Executive Director Albert Gonzalez and his executive assistant.

That action leaves the Mercedes EDC with two employees, the marketing director, who is now temporarily in charge of day-to-day activities of the EDC, and a project manager. Board members are expected to discuss the search for a new executive director and establish a time line soon, a board member said.

Goffney named as lone finalist for superintendent at Lufkin ISD

LaTonya M. Goffney (pictured), currently the superintendent at Coldspring-Oakhurst Independent School District, recently won selection as the lone finalist for superintendent at Lufkin ISD.

A teacher and administrator for 14 years, Goffney became superintendent of the Coldspring-Oakhurst district in April 2008. She will replace Superintendent Roy Knight, who is retiring from the Lufkin school district after seven years in that post and 39 years in public education.

Goffney holds a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and a Ph.D. from Sam Houston State University.

El Paso OKs $2.1 million to

speed crossing border bridges

El Paso City Council members recently agreed to spend $2.1 million in a pilot program to allow public-private partnerships to work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The program will help pay for increased staffing at border crossings experiencing long wait times that negatively impact the economy in five border cities.

As the second busiest port of entry in the United States generating about $75 million in international trade each year, El Paso has a good chance of being selected as one of the five cities for the pilot program by pledging the $2.1 million in funding to the pilot program, city officials said.

A recent U.S. Department of Commerce study found that long delays at the five busiest southern border ports of entry create an average economic loss of $116 million for each minute of delay, resulting in the loss of 26,000 jobs and $6 million in revenue in the United States.

Marion ISD taps Kennedy

as new superintendent

Trustees for Marion Independent School District recently tapped Edna Kennedy (pictured) as the new superintendent.

In her 28 years in public education, Kennedy has been a teacher for school districts in Sonora, Marble Falls, Dublin, San Angelo and McKinney, an administrator for Garland ISD, and an assistant principal and counselor for Burnet ISD. She also served as director of a Central Texas special education cooperative.

Kennedy holds a bachelor's degree from Tarleton State University and a master's degree from Angelo State University.

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

• TEEX Fire Academy graduates 46 new firefighters
• Contractors to begin work on projects delayed by Ballenger bankruptcy
• Lamar University recognized for community service
• World-class process safety center to come to Texas A&M at Qatar

Coryell County postpones

new jail for another year

Coryell County commissioners recently agreed to postpone for a year a decision on whether to borrow about $11 million in federal funding to build a new county jail.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials approved a $21.95 million rural development loan in May 2011 for a new county jail in Coryell County. Voters also approved $18.8 million in bonds for the jail, but commissioners expressed concern that the cost of operating the new jail could be more than the county can afford.

After the county judge explained that the commissioners could decide to notify the USDA that they do not plan to use the loan or to wait one more year to decide, commissioners decided to wait until next year to determine whether to use the federal loan to help pay for a new jail. The loan is available for only three years.

Ector County ISD selects Sanchez as interim superintendent

Trustees for Ector County Independent School District recently appointed H. T. Sanchez (pictured) as the interim superintendent.

Sanchez will replace Superintendent Hector Mendez, who said he is retiring in June or when a replacement is appointed. Sanchez previously served as the chief of staff to the superintendent.

Two of the three trustees who voted in opposition to appointing Sanchez said their vote was a reflection on their belief that trustees did not need to rush to appoint an interim superintendent as the contract for Mendez calls for him to remain as superintendent until June 30 or until a new superintendent is appointed.

• Joseph "Jody" Gonzalez of Krugerville, Texas Commission on Fire Protection;
• Joseph Gutheinz of Pearland, Texas Commission on Fire Protection;
• John T. McMakin of LaRue, Texas Commission on Fire Protection;
• Leonardo "Lenny" Perez of Brownsville, Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

Solis resigns as assistant to superintendent at Dallas ISD

Miguel Solis, an assistant to Superintendent Mike Miles of Dallas Independent School District, recently announced he is resigning from that job. Solis has accepted a new post at the Dallas office of a nonprofit agency that helps students overcome obstacles to attend college.

Solis previously served as a teacher under the Teach for America program before leaving to obtain a master's degree. He returned to the Dallas district in June as an assistant to the superintendent.

Van Valkenburgh to take reins

as director of aviation in Killeen

Killeen city officials recently appointed Matthew Van Valkenburgh as the new executive director of aviation for the city. Van Valkenburgh currently is the assistant director of aviation in McAllen.

In his new duties, Van Valkenburg will oversee operations at two airports operated by the city, the Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport and Skylark Field, a general aviation airport.

Chosen from four finalists who were interviewed, Van Valkenburg previously worked at El Paso International Airport and the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. He holds two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree in aeronautical science.