Secco leaving Supreme Court job; to be replaced by Newton

Marisa Secco (left), court rules attorney for the Texas Supreme Court, has announced her departure from the Court to return to work for Vinson and Elkins LLP's Austin office. She will be replaced by the Court's mandamus attorney, Martha Newton (right). Secco had served the Supreme Court since June 2011. Newton has been an employee of the Supreme Court since May 2011.

Secco drew praise from Justice Nathan L. Hecht for her "skill in drafting rules and organizing them, her understanding of wide-ranging areas of law and her good judgment" that "have improved the functioning of the Texas civil justice system."

Cedel to retire in 2014 as president of Concordia University Texas

Tom Cedel (pictured), president of Concordia University Texas in Austin, will retire in August 2014 from the post he has held since 2002. Regents for Concordia are conducting a nationwide search to find a new president to replace Cedel, who will participate in the search, according to the university Web site.

Under the leadership of Cedel, Concordia relocated its campus from 23 acres near downtown to a 389-acre campus in the northwestern area of Austin. As a result, enrollment has almost doubled and the private Lutheran college also now offers a bachelor's degree in nursing and a master's degree in business administration.

Cedel previously was a chief academic officer and dean at Concordia University Ann Arbor in Michigan. He also served as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force and worked for a defense contractor.

UTHSC-San Antonio's Kidd named to FEMA advisory council  

Emily Kidd, M.D. (pictured), assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Health Sciences at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, was recently appointed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Advisory Council (NAC).

The NAC is an advisory committee established to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters. Members provide recommendations on a variety of issues within emergency management to the FEMA administrator.

Kidd is one of 10 new appointees to the 33-member committee and will serve for three years.

Hardin-Simmons picks Stone for university relations position

Hardin-Simmons University has named James Stone (pictured) to the university's newly created post of executive director of university relations. Stone has been serving as interim executive director of marketing and communications at the university.

Stone has been with the university for more than five years in other positions. In his new role, Stone will leads HSU's strategic communications division as well as community engagement initiatives.

Stone earned his bachelor's degree from Abilene Christian University and his Master of Divinity from the Logsdon Seminary. He is currently working on his doctorate.

Search committee named to find next Texas A&M president

A nine-member presidential search advisory team has been announced as Texas A&M University begins a search to replace President R. Bowen Loftin, who announced in June that he will step down in January 2014. The team includes seven voting members and two ex-officio members who are charged with delivering a minimum of three recommended candidates for the presidency to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. The System has hired a senior executive search team with a specialty in higher education to lead the search process and work with the advisory committee.

The search committee includes: Regent Cliff Thomas of Victoria, Chair of the Committee and CEO of Thomas Petroleum, LLC; Regent Elaine Mendoza of San Antonio, president and CEO of Conceptual MindWorks, Inc.; Dr. John Gladysz, Distinguished Professor and Dow Chair in Chemical Invention, Texas A&M University; Dr. Joanne Lupton, Distinguished Professor, Regents Professor, University Faculty Fellow and William W. Allen Endowed Chair in Nutrition, Texas A&M University; Dr. John Stallone, professor in the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University; Dan Allen Hughes of Beeville, president and CEO of Dan A. Hughes Company, LP and Hupecol Operating Company, LLC; and Cindy Taylor of Houston, president and CEO of Oil States International, Inc. Ex-officio members are Lisa Blum, chair of Staff Council, Texas A&M University and Reid Joseph of Dallas, TAMU Student Body President.

UT-Tyler to establish new College of Pharmacy

Regents for The University of Texas System recently gave their final approval to establish a college of pharmacy at The University of Texas at Tyler.

Regents also designated the name as the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy and authorized UT-Tyler officials to begin design work on a building to house the new pharmacy school, said Dr. Rodney Mabry (pictured), president of UT-Tyler.

UT-Tyler officials also selected Dr. Lane Brunner as the dean of the new college of pharmacy to head up the accreditation process with a goal of enrolling the first class of pharmacy students in fall 2015, Mabry said.

Lex Frieden Employment Award winners for 2013 announced

Winners of the 2013 Lex Frieden Employment Awards have been announced by the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities. The awards are named after disability rights champion, independent living movement leader and one of the architects of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - Lex Friedan. Friedan currently serves as The University of Texas Chancellor's Health Fellow on Disability, a professor of biomedical informatics and rehabilitation at UT Health and director of the Independent Living Research Utilization Program at TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital.

The Governor's Trophy, the committee's highest honor, is awarded annually to the person who achieved the highest success in enhancing the empowerment and employment of Texans with disabilities and in recognition of a long-term commitment and outstanding efforts at both the community and state levels. This year's winner is Carroll Schubert, president and CEO of Professional Contract Services Inc. in Austin.

President's Award winner George Rios (right) is congratulated by TASSCC President David Cook and Texas' Chief Information Officer Karen Robinson.

George Rios, Information Technology (IT) director at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, was named winner of the President's Award for IT Excellence at the recent Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications (TASSCC) annual conference in San Antonio. The award recognizes individual leadership and excellence in IT by a state agency or higher education employee in Texas. Rios was selected for his outstanding information services leadership to the state over a number of years.

"Aside from being completely surprised at receiving the award, I was really humbled to be in such amazing company in being honored with this IT Excellence award," said Rios. "Top to bottom, TASSCC is a quality organization that is led by some really dedicated people that I have so much respect for. Winning this award is something I will always remember, but it is really a reflection of the outstanding team that works with me every day at Parks and Wildlife to deliver outstanding IT services." 

Gilmer ISD to ask voters approval of $36.2 million in bonds

Gilmer Independent School District trustees recently called a $36.2 million bond election in November to provide funding for a new multipurpose facility, additional classrooms at a junior high school and building a new high school.

The ballot will contain three separate propositions, with the first asking approval of $30.6 million to build a new 122,000-square-foot high school at the same location of the existing high school. With a $3.3 million price tag, proposition two would provide funding to build new classrooms for science, fine arts and other classes at a junior high school.

The third proposition seeks $2.3 million to build a new multipurpose facility at the new high school. The new multipurpose facility would be built only if voters approve the first proposition for the new high school building, district officials said.

El Paso County seeking company to study status of downtown jail

El Paso County commissioners recently agreed to hire a consulting company to help determine whether to replace or renovate the downtown jail.

Commissioners requested public works department staff to recommend an expert to perform the analysis and plan to hire the firm within a few weeks. With a well-designed jail, the county could save about $11 million annually in operating costs, Sheriff Richard Wiles (pictured) said. County officials also expect to spend as much as $5 million to repair the downtown jail in the next three years and the downtown facility also needs new plumbing and electrical systems in the next 10 years that could cost as much as $30 million, the county sheriff said.

The county auditor noted it now costs nearly as much to house 1,000 inmates at the downtown jail with a yearly operating budget of $33.7 million compared to the $36.9 million annual cost of housing 1,400 prisoners in a jail annex in East El Paso.

Abilene approves $1.2 million "streetscape" project for downtown

In a continuing effort to upgrade the downtown area, Abilene City Council recently approved a $2.1 million "streetscape" project on South First Street to upgrade the southern entrance to the downtown area.

The project design contains many of the same enhancements such as renovating sidewalks, adding new medians and installing landscaping the city used in upgrading the approach to the northern area of downtown, said Chad Carter, the city engineer.

The project most likely will begin later this year or in early 2014 as the city is still waiting approval of the Texas Department of Transportation for the project to enhance the downtown area, Carter said.

Houston Community College to offer robotic training program

Houston Community College (HCC) officials recently announced plans to offer a new advanced-level training program in robotics in its new workforce building at the HCC South Campus in 2015.

The Certified Education Robot Training (CERT) program at HCC will be one of a small number of institutions offering advanced robotic training at a time when more American and foreign companies are using robots that resemble mechanical arms to perform many tasks in the manufacturing cycle, said Paul Quinn (pictured), associate dean of instructional programs at HCC Central. The CERT program will work in conjunction with its entry-level robotics training now available in its Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program as strong demand continues for employees able to design, implement and use intelligent, industrial robots in the manufacturing process, Quinn said.

HCC officials also are in the process of creating partnerships with universities in Mexico that asked for assistance in offering training programs in robotics, according to the interim dean of instruction at HCC Central.

Round Rock asking voters to approve $123 million bond package

Round Rock City Council members recently agreed to ask voters to approve a $123.6 million bond proposal in November to pay for new public safety facilities, sports fields and upgrades to libraries. Council members rejected a $20 million proposition to build a new performing arts center that had been recommended by a citizen's bond committee.

The largest of the four propositions is the second proposition seeking $56.5 million for parks, including $16.5 million to build Heritage Trail to downtown along Brushy Creek to connect with the Brushy Creek Regional Trail system planned to connect Cedar Park to Hutto when completed. Additional bond funding would pay for more sports fields and expansion of an aquatic facility as well as buying new equipment for existing parks.

Proposition 1 seeks $16.5 million to build three new fire stations, relocate a fire station and renovate a fire station, while the fourth proposition asks for approval of $27.4 million to build a joint fire and police training facility. The third proposition asks voters to approve $23.2 million for libraries, including a new library facility.

Fort Worth ISD approves $490 million bond election

Fort Worth Independent School District trustees recently agreed to ask voters in November to approve three propositions in a $490 million bond proposal. The bond issue would fund new construction, upgrade technology and buy new vehicles.

The first proposition for $386.6 million, if approved, would be used to build a new high school, add new field houses at 13 schools, provide pre-kindergarten for all 4-year-old children residing in the school district and add classrooms at several campuses.

Proposition 2 asks approval of $73.3 million to build an academy for performing and fine arts and a science, technology, engineering and math academy. Proposition 3 seeks approval of $30 million to buy new buses, maintenance trucks, band instruments and uniforms.

Navarro County officials call $7.5 million bond election

Navarro County commissioners recently called a $7.5 million bond election for November to pay for renovations to the county courthouse.

If approved by voters, the $7.5 million in bonds will allow the county to lease a facility, remodel an existing facility or build a new annex facility while the restoration of the courthouse takes place, said County Judge H.M. Davenport Jr. (pictured).  An annex also may be necessary to accommodate county employees after the project is completed because a historical renovation will remove some existing offices and spaces to return the courthouse to its historic, original look.

County officials also plan to use a $4.4 million state grant and a $1 million grant from the Navarro Community Foundation to help pay for the courthouse restoration project that is expected to take three years to complete.

Navarro Co. group promises $1 million for courthouse renovation

The Navarro Community Foundation recently agreed to donate $1 million to Navarro County to help pay for a renovation of the county courthouse in Corsicana.

The donation, however, is contingent on voter approval of a November bond election to fund the county's share of the renovation project, said Bruce Robinson, executive secretary of the foundation.

Robinson also reminded voters that the county could lose $4.4 million in state grants earmarked for the courthouse restoration if voters reject the bond proposal. The $1 million contribution from the Navarro Community Foundation will be spread over a four-year period with coordination with county officials to help meet needs during construction and renovation, Robinson said.

Comal ISD to ask voters to approve $451 million in bonds

Board members of the Comal Independent School District recently scheduled a $451 million bond election in November.

If voters approve the bonds, district officials plan to use the funding to build two new high schools, two new middle schools and two new elementary schools or a third middle school.

Calhoun County ISD calls $65 million bond election

Trustees for the Calhoun County Independent School District recently called a bond election in November to ask voter approval of a $65 million bond issue to be used over a 10-year period.

If voters approve, trustees plan to use the bond funding to build a new middle school and to pay for other capital improvement projects.

Austin Independent School District officials recently announced plans to begin construction on an estimated $193 million in repairs at 21 elementary schools, five middle schools and six high schools during the next two years.

Voters in May approved $490 million in bonds to pay for new construction, campus renovations, repairs and the purchase of equipment.

The projects include plans to spend about $81 million for technology upgrades as soon as district officials develop a plan with input from other departments in the school district. District officials also plan to replace roofs at six campuses, expand libraries at two elementary schools, spend $17.8 million for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and other upgrades to athletic and support facilities as well as at three special campuses and to purchase 66 new buses at a cost of $6.2 million.

Friendswood to ask voter approval of $24 million bond proposal

Friendswood City Council members recently agreed to call a $24 million bond election to pay for four capital improvement projects.

The first of the four propositions on the ballot will seek almost $6.6 million to build a new fire station and expand another fire station. Proposition 2 will ask for $2.5 million to improve and expand the library.

Proposition 3 will ask for approval of almost $7.3 million to expand and improve two parks and buy new land for parks, while the fourth proposition will seek approval of $7.7 million for road improvements throughout the city.

Jacksonville ISD to ask approval of $22 million bond proposal

Board members for Jacksonville Independent School District recently approved a $22 million bond election in November.

If voters approve, trustees plan to use the bonds to pay for construction of a new elementary school and a new band hall at an intermediate school.

Robinson ISD calls $21 million bond election to build new school

Board members for Robinson Independent School District recently called a $21 million bond election in November.

The ballot will ask voters to approve funding to replace a 50-year-old intermediate school with a new facility. The existing campus is comprised of several buildings that were added as enrollment grew and that has led to concerns about safety issues. The new intermediate school will house all students in one building for the entire school day and provide a more secure environment if voters approve the bond proposition, the superintendent said.

Abilene ISD calls $87 million

bond election in November

Abilene Independent School District recently agreed to ask voters to approve an $87 million bond proposal on Nov. 5 to repair and replace district facilities.

Trustees first considered projects totaling $237 million for the bond issue, but deleted more than half of those projects to gain more voter support. Voters in 2004 approved $76.5 million in bonds, but have rejected two bond proposals since then.

Houston allots $7 million to renovate neighborhood library

Houston City Council members recently approved a $7.05 million plan to renovate the Eleanor K. Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library over a four-year period.

Plans call for a new interior finish, replacing signage, new furniture and new service desk, upgrades to restrooms and updates to the mechanical system at the library that originally opened in 1988. The renovation will provide quiet spaces for adults and teens and expand public computer capabilities, city officials said.

Round Rock ISD taps Flores as lone finalist for superintendent

The board of trustees for Round Rock Independent School District recently tapped Steve Flores (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent.

Flores now serves as superintendent at Harlingen ISD and had previously worked as an assistant superintendent at the Round Rock school district. He also served as a deputy superintendent at Dallas ISD and as an assistant superintendent at Pflugerville ISD.

Once his contract is finalized after the required waiting period, Flores will replace Superintendent Jesus Chavez, who is retiring from the Round Rock school district.

El Paso to issue $68.5M in debt to relocate city hall, upgrade roads

El Paso City Council members recently agreed to publish notice of their intent to issue $68.5 million in certificates of obligation to pay for upgrades to the transit system, road improvements and to relocate the city hall. Current plans are to issue the certificates in early October.

City officials also plan to use some of the money to renovate a building and begin work on a streetcar project. The city will need to issue more than $348.4 million in debt to finish paying for those projects, city officials said. Voters last November also approved $473.25 million in bonds to pay for quality-of-life projects.

Cedar Park OKs $100,000 to review water, wastewater needs

Cedar Park city officials recently approved $100,000 to pay a California-based engineering firm to review and then make a recommendation for a long-range plan for its water and wastewater systems.

The study and recommendation should be completed by the end of this year and will include a timeline and cost estimates of projects to improve existing utility infrastructure, according to Eric Rauschuber, director of utilities for the city.

Lubbock decides to conduct

search for new city manager

The Lubbock City Council recently voted to use city staff to help coordinate a search for a new city manager to replace former City Manager Lee Ann Dumbauld, whose contract was terminated by a council vote.

The decision to perform an in-house search followed a presentation by Leisa Hutcheson, the human resources director, who told council members that hiring a search firm would cost about $25,000. By contrast, the city would save money by spending about $900 for every 100 packets mailed to potential applicants and paying $1,500 for advertisements seeking qualified candidates for council members to interview for the city manager post, she said.

City officials should expect the hiring process to find a new city manager to take about a year, Hutcheson said.

Eanes ISD appoints Edgar as

new assistant superintendent

Trustees for the Eanes Independent School District recently appointed David Edgar as the new assistant superintendent for business services.

Edgar will replace Larry Keiser, who is retiring as chief of business services in December. Edgar previously was the chief financial officer for Hallsville ISD and prior to that was employed as an auditor in the Houston and Beaumont area.

water line replacement project

Hallsville City Council members recently began consideration of a five-year, $4.2 million plan to rebuild and replace water lines throughout the city.

Mayor Jerri Madrano (pictured) recommended that city officials refund two existing bonds at lower interest rates to raise $4 million needed for the project without raising taxes.

The plan calls for installing a nitrification tower to reduce ammonia levels in the water during winter months and installing new water pipes along major corridors in the city. City staff also recommended replacing eight-inch and 12-inch cast iron pipes with new PVC pipes.

Cooper retires as Wharton emergency management head

Jim Cooper, the emergency management coordinator in Wharton, recently retired from the job he began on a part-time basis in 2006. He became the full-time coordinator in 2008.

City officials also selected Steve Johnson, currently a detective in the police department, as the new emergency management coordinator for the city. Johnson previously worked in a similar job for West Columbia.

Lubbock ISD selects Jackson

as director of development

Lubbock Independent School District officials recently selected Anna Jackson (pictured), as the new executive director of professional development.

Jackson has served as the second in command of the professional development department since 2010.

As the new executive director, Jackson will use that experience to manage a new teachers academy and provide mentors and training for district administrators in an effort to improve student achievement.

Humble proposes $6 million for capital improvements in budget

The Humble City Council recently began considering a proposal to spend $6 million in the next budget year for several capital improvement projects.

Among the projects planned are replacing an underground fuel storage tank, installing LED lighting fixtures at several city facilities, purchasing equipment for the fire and police departments and acquiring more cat cages for the animal control center.

Council members expect to adopt in September the 2013-2014 budget that will include funding projects for capital improvement projects.

Darling selected commissioner

for Port of Beaumont

Commissioners for the Port of Beaumont recently appointed Bill Darling, a bank president, to fill the unexpired term of Nell Clark, who represented Ward 1.

Darling will serve as a commissioner until May 2015 when the next scheduled election for a six-year term will be held. He will be sworn in as the new port commissioner on Sept. 23.

Dallas ISD taps Blackmon

to lead government relations

Dallas Independent School District officials recently tapped Paula Blackmon (pictured) as the new senior executive for intergovernmental relations and community engagement. Blackmon is expected to work to strengthen the relationship of the school district with federal, state and local elected officials and with community organizations in her new job.

Most recently a chief of staff to the mayor of Dallas and previously deputy chief of staff for a previous Dallas mayor, Blackmon also worked for the Real Estate Council, as an aide to two former state representatives and a manager for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART).

Blackmon begins her new duties with the school district on Sept. 9.

Clute to issue $4.5M in bonds for two capital improvement projects

Clute City Council members recently voted to issue $4.5 million in bonds to fund two capital improvement projects.

The bonds will be used to pay for the Liberty Street project and to build a new facility to house the fire department and EMS personnel, city officials said.

DART to spend $50 million to replace rails in downtown Dallas

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) officials recently agreed to spend about $50 million to replace deteriorating rail in downtown Dallas. Work on the rail project is expected to begin in early 2014 and be completed in about 18 months.

To reduce problems for commuters, some of the rail-replacement project will be accomplished by working nights and weekends, DART officials said.

The agency also applied for a $16 million grant from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program of the U.S. Transportation Department. The grant funds would pay for adding areas downtown where trains could be switched to one side of the tracks to avoid accidents and blocked traffic.

Little Elm selects Hyde as new director of parks and recreation

Little Elm city officials recently selected Chad Hyde (pictured) as the new director of parks and recreation for the city.

Hyde currently is a division manager in the Carrollton parks and recreation department and previously worked for the Fort Worth parks and recreation department. He earned his bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University.

Pleasanton ISD seeking approval of $65 million in bonds in vote

After reducing the total by $20 million, trustees for Pleasanton Independent School District recently voted to schedule a $65 million bond election in November. Voters in May rejected an $85 million bond proposition.

Current plans are to build a new high school with a focus on career and workforce curriculum and relocate an elementary school to campuses now used for intermediate and junior high campuses. That move also will require all three campuses to be remodeled. Junior high students would then be moved to the high school campus, which will receive security upgrades, including new, secure entrances and building safer areas to pick up and drop off students.

Wigington named as interim superintendent at Big Spring ISD

Big Spring Independent School District board members recently named Chris Wigington as the new interim superintendent to replace former Superintendent Steven Saldivar.

Selected from a field of four candidates, Wigington was appointed as director of student services for the Big Spring school district earlier this year. A former teacher and coach at school districts in Tahoka, Snyder and Merkel and a principal at Sweetwater ISD, Wigington joined the Big Spring district four years ago as a secondary curriculum specialist.

• David Stith of Corpus Christi, judge of the 319th Judicial District Court in Nueces County;
• Robert Hofmann of Mason, judge of the 452nd Judicial District Court in Edwards, Kimble, McCulloch, Mason and Menard counties;
• Tonya Spaeth Ahlschwede of Junction, district attorney of the 452nd Judicial District in Edwards, Kimble, McCulloch, Mason and Menard;
• Robert "Bob" Barnes of Granbury, Texas Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors.

Hutto approves almost $20M

for capital improvements

Hutto City Council members recently approved a $38.75 million city budget that includes $19.75 million to pay for several major capital improvement projects, including construction of a new wastewater treatment plant.

Other capital improvement projects included in the 2013-2014 city budget are the building of a force main to divert the flow of wastewater from the existing plant to the new plant and installing a new 12-inch water line to serve the new treatment plant. Council members are expected to approve the final reading of the budget on Sept. 5.

Barbers Hill ISD to ask voters

to approve $60 million in bonds

Trustees for Barbers Hill Independent School District recently called a $60 million bond election for November. If voters approve, district officials plan to use the funding to pay for construction, renovation and acquisition of new facilities and to buy equipment and school buses.

Johnson City selects Castillo

as new city secretary

Johnson City officials recently selected Stacy Castillo as the new city secretary. Castillo worked for the Rio Grande Co-op in El Paso before joining the city earlier this month.

Ysleta ISD appoints Perez

as interim superintendent

Board members for Ysleta Independent School District recently appointed Dr. Anna Perez as the interim superintendent to replace former Superintendent Michael Zolkoski, who retired.

Previously an associate superintendent of operations at the Ysleta school district before retiring in 2010, Perez begins her new duties on Sept.1.