UT Health Northeast selects VP, chief medical officer

UT Health Northeast recently selected Jeffrey Levin, M.D., MSPH (left), as the senior vice president for clinical and academic affairs, and Steven Cox M.D. (pictured) as the chief medical officer and physician-in-chief.

Currently the chairman of the Department of Occupational Health Sciences at UT Health Northeast, Levin also is the Jesse H. Jones Distinguished Professor of Occupational Health Sciences. He also is an adjunct professor at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at The University of Texas at Tyler and in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Texas A&M Health Science Center. He is dean of Community Health and Health Professions at UT Health Northeast.

Cox has been the chairman of the Department of Surgery since 2008 and an associate professor of surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and served as medical director of the Surgery Clinic and the Breast Diagnostic Clinic. Cox also has been an instructor and helped train residents in the residency program for Family Medicine at UT Health Northeast. 

Head officially named chancellor of Lone Star College System

After being named lone finalist on June 10, Dr. Steve Head (pictured) this week was unanimously approved by the Lone Star College System Board of Trustees as the next chancellor of the System. He will replace Dr. Richard Carpenter, who announced he will retire this summer. Head becomes the fourth chancellor in Lone Star's history.

Dr. David Holsey, LSCS board chair, said Head was the board's first choice and that he was at the top of the trustees' list when the search process began. "He is really connected to our students and to the community as a whole." Head is not a newcomer to Lone Star. He has been serving as president of the Lone Star College-North Harris since 2007. He is also the former executive vice chancellor, acting chief operating officer and president of Lone Star College-Kingwood.

Head holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Lamar University and a Ph.D. from Texas Tech University.

Abilene creates committee for possible 2015 bond election

Abilene City Council members recently began submitting their nominations for citizens to serve on a special committee created to study the feasibility of asking voters to approve bonds in 2015 to upgrade infrastructure.

Voters last passed bonds in 2005. Bond committee members will study which capital upgrades should be prioritized and how much money is needed to make those improvements. If committee members determine a bond election is needed, they plan to report those findings to council members in time to call a bond election in May 2015. 

Alamo Colleges board picks two new campus presidents

The two largest campuses of the Alamo Colleges have new leadership. Robert Vela (left) has been named president of San Antonio College and Ric Neal Baser (right) is the new president of Northwest Vista College.

Vela, who currently is San Antonio College's vice president for student and academic success. will replace SAC President Robert Zeigler. A licensed professional counselor, Vela previously was a community supervision and corrections officer in Kingsville. He is also a former dean of student development for San Jacinto College-North Campus in Houston and has held positions at Coastal Bend College in Kingsville, Texas A&M-Kingsville and taught counseling and other subjects at other institutions. Vela holds a doctorate from a joint program at Texas A&M University and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Baser will replace Northwest Vista College President Jackie Claunch. He most recently was vice president and chief academic officer at Tulsa Community College in Oklahoma. Baser was vice president for academic affairs and vice president for student affairs at Rose State College in Oklahoma and previously served as director of alumni and school relations at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. He holds a doctorate from Oklahoma State University. 

KIPP Schools wins Broad Prize for public charter schools

KIPP Schools was awarded the Broad Prize for Public Charter Schools this week during the National Charter Schools annual conference. The award honors the public school network that has demonstrated overall student performance and has helped close achievement gaps for low-income and minority students.

This marks the second time in the three years the award has been presented that a Texas Charter Schools Association member has won. Presented by the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the award includes $250,000 to put toward college readiness efforts for low-income students. KIPP Schools will be sharing the prize money with their fellow finalists for scholarships for students to further their mission of Students To and Through College.  

"KIPP Schools believes in every child succeeding and achieving, and this prize highlights their long history and hard work in the charter school landscape to close the achievement gaps among low-income and minority students," said David Dunn, executive director of the Texas Charter Schools Association.

TWDB cites new environmental process for state-funded projects 

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is cutting the red tape. The state agency, which administers cost-effective financial programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control and agricultural water conservation projects, has announced a change in its environmental review process for state-funded projects. Applicants may now complete a new, shorter, simplified Environmental Data Form instead of the usual Environmental Assessment to ensure projects comply with regulations and program requirements. 

TWDB officials say the new format, which has already been scrutinized by regulatory agencies, should decrease review time and reduce the time spent by applicants on the preparation of documents. The new process also allows TWDB and regulatory agencies time to comment and require additional analysis, protection or mitigation if necessary.

The new form Environmental Review data form is required for projects receiving state funding from the Water Development Fund, Rural Water Assistance Fund, Water Infrastructure Fund, State Participation Program, Economically Distressed Areas Program and Agricultural Loan Program.

Darlage retiring as president of Tarrant County College campus

Larry Darlage (pictured), president of the Northeast Campus of Tarrant County College (TCC), recently notified board members he is retiring on Aug. 31. After nearly 20 years at TCC, Darlage said he has accepted an offer to serve as the principal at a school in Colleyville operated by a religious organization.

TCC officials appointed a search committee comprised of vice presidents, deans, students, faculty members and support staff to assist in a nationwide search, according to Chancellor Emma Johnson Hadley. The panel has selected five candidates for interviews on July 7 and 9, Hadley said. Three of those finalists will be invited to speak at a forum on July 14 or 15 before a new president is selected, she said.

Darlage previously taught at a liberal arts college in Kentucky, served as a divisional dean of science and math at Brookhaven College and also was interim chancellor at TCC in 1997. He became president of the Northeast Campus in 1996.

Odessa to seek proposals for new hotel and convention center

Odessa City Council members recently approved issuing a request for qualifications to architectural companies to use the design-build method to develop a new downtown hotel and convention center.

City officials are looking at several options, such as using land as an incentive to attract potential builders or granting tax incentives to the developer of the new hotel and convention center, noted Assistant City Manager Michael Marrero (pictured). Preliminary plans call for the hotel to have at least 200 rooms, a restaurant and possibly a bar and conference rooms.

The design-build method allows council members to receive and review the qualifications and negotiate with that architect on the proposed design, construction and budget for the new hotel and conference center. Council members will then select an architect who will be responsible for overseeing the selection of a contractor to build the hotel and conference center and even help finance the project, he said.

Buda panel backs $50 million bond election in November

A bond committee in Buda recently agreed to recommend that city council members schedule a $50 million bond election in November to pay for a new $28 million municipal complex, improvements to roads and drainage and upgrades to parks and trails.

Committee members also supported separating the recommended projects into three propositions: one for roads and drainage, a second for downtown improvements and upgrades to parks and trails and the third proposition to upgrade facilities, including a new municipal complex to house city hall, the library and the police department.

While bond committee members expressed concern that having the police station in the same complex could pose safety issues, committee members also expressed doubt that voters would approve bond funding to pay for a very expensive, separate police facility. 

Texans can donate to veterans fund in license, ID transactions

Texans who apply in person or online for an original driver license or renew a license or personal identification card can now at the same time contribute to a fund to assist Texas veterans and their families. Legislation passed during the last legislative session allows Texas Department of Public Safety driver license customers to make voluntary contributions to the Fund for Veterans' Assistance (FVA).

Applicants simply pick an amount to donate in whole dollar amounts and pay the donation at the time of the transaction. "Through the generous contributions of all those interested in supporting veterans, we can make a significant difference in the lives of Texas veterans and their families," said Thomas P. Palladino, executive director for the Texas Veterans Commission.

The Veterans Commission administers the fund and makes awards to eligible organizations and entities that serve veteran and their families. Information on how to donate is available here.

Early takes step toward new wastewater treatment plant

Early City Council members recently agreed to request proposals for a bond counsel, engineering firms and financial consultants to assist in seeking federal and state loans and grants to build a new wastewater treatment plant. City officials estimate the project could cost as much as $10 million, but could be considerably less, said City Administrator Ken Thomas (pictured).

The city now pays the city of Brownwood about $300,000 annually to deliver about 5 million gallons of wastewater a month to the wastewater treatment plant operated in that city, Thomas said. By treating its own wastewater, Early could sell the treated waste water to customers for irrigation and reduce the amount of water taken from Lake Brownwood, Thomas said. Not only would operating its own treatment plant conserve water, but the project could also generate some income for the city, he said.

Current plans are to apply to the Texas Water Development Board for a loan as well as to seek federal loans, Thomas said. Construction of the wastewater plant could begin as early as the end of this year or early next year and be completed in about a year, said the city administrator. 

Arlington ISD approves $176.3M bond sale for capital projects

Trustees for Arlington Independent School District recently approved the sale of $176.5 million in bonds to begin the first and second phases of several capital projects. Those project include a new Career and Technical Center, new multipurpose activity centers at each high school and the purchase of 36 new buses and 40 fleet vehicles.

Other projects included in the first phase are renovations to a baseball field, two new elementary schools, a classroom addition to a junior high school and renovations to two dual-language/fine arts academies.

District officials also plan security upgrades, improvements to classroom technology, repairs and maintenance at 43 campuses and the purchase of music instruments and uniforms.

Gunter to seek proposals for architectural services for annex

Gunter City Council members recently authorized city staff to request companies to submit proposals for planning and architectural services to assist in building an annex to the community center and fire station to serve as city hall.

After closing an almost 100-year-old city hall, city officials moved the city hall into a temporary facility on Main Street. Current plans are to build an annex to the existing community center on N. 4th Street that should serve as city hall for the next 10 years, according to Tena Brown, city secretary. No timeline or budget for the project has been decided, Brown added.

DPS joins with Kilgore EDC on driver's license testing center

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officials recently approved an agreement with the Kilgore Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to open a commercial driver's license testing center in Kilgore.

The agreement calls for the Kilgore EDC to pay the majority of the $550,000 cost of the facility which will be operated by the Texas Department of Public Safety, according to Amanda Nobles (pictured), executive director of the EDC. The project is expected to create an $8.4 million economic impact on Kilgore due to increased user fees, sales taxes and hotel occupancy taxes as well as increased spending in area dining facilities and hotels from applicants seeking commercial driver's licenses, Nobles said.

Current plans are to build a new 1,700-square-foot facility and an expanded paved area to conduct testing for applicants seeking commercial driver's licenses, according to a spokesman for DPS. While others have proposed opening similar centers, this is the first commercial driver's license testing center for the state, he said. 

Sherman planning for expansion of water treatment plant

Sherman City Council members recently authorized staff to begin planning for an estimated $30 million expansion of the water treatment plant. City officials are working with the Texoma Greater Utility Authority to secure financing for the wastewater plant expansion, according to Clay Barnett, city engineer.

Council members also voted to include the wastewater plant project in the next city budget this fall. The treatment plant expansion, which could be completed as early as the summer of 2017, would almost double the capacity of the current treatment plan at a time when the city is experiencing growth, Barnett said.

Current plans are to use a micro-filtration system and reverse osmosis to treat the wastewater and produce a better product for customers, he added.

Greenville seeks bids to repair wastewater treatment system

Greenville city officials plan to open bids on July 15 on proposals submitted by companies bidding on the first phase of a project to upgrade sewer lines and other improvements to keep wastewater from entering nearby rivers and streams.

Heavy rains, however, caused overflows of wastewater from manholes and bypasses at the treatment plant. A study indicated the city needs to replace 7,500 feet of clay lines with PVC pipe and replace obsolete manhole covers, noted Massoud Ebrahim, director of public works. 

Kenneth Mory to retire 

as city auditor for Austin

Austin City Auditor Kenneth Mory (pictured) recently announced he is retiring following a closed session with city council members who indicated they may not renew his five-year contract set to expire in December.

Mory previously was chief of audits for San Diego County and has more than 20 years experience in both the public and private sectors. Mory said he had been pondering retirement for a while and wants to ensure a smooth transition to the new city auditor.

TCEQ grants Wichita Falls approval to recycle wastewater

With the prospect of the city continuing to experience unnaturally hot, dry weather conditions for the next decade or longer, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) recently gave conditional approval to Wichita Falls to recycle and treat wastewater. The approval is for six months only and the recycled, treated wastewater will supplement decreasing drinking water supplies in the city.

The city has verified to the TCEQ that it can treat wastewater to meet state and federal drinking water standards.

Without some other sources of water, the Texas Water Development Board estimates that the city's water supply will run out by 2016.

Texas Enterprise Fund 

invests $300K in Maverick Arms

The Texas Enterprise Fund has made a $300,000 investment in Maverick Arms, Inc., a firearms company specializing in shotguns. The company plans to expand its Eagle Pass manufacturing facility. Officials say the expansion will create 50 new jobs and $3.4 million in capital investment.

Maverick Arms is a subsidiary of Mossberg Corp., the largest pump-action shotgun producer in the world and the oldest family-owned firearm maker in America. The Eagle Pass facility currently assembles and distributes firearms for the Mossberg, Maverick and Mossberg International brands. This expansion will consolidate barrel production to the Eagle Pass facility.

Biles resigns as public works director in Corpus Christi

Dan Biles (pictured) recently resigned as public works director in Corpus Christi. His resignation is effective in July.

Biles resigned to accept a job as the first deputy manager for infrastructure in Jefferson County, Alabama.

City officials have not yet named an interim public works director and plan to advertise the opening for the position, according to City Manager Ron Olson. 

Chargois resigns as head

of Beaumont school district

Superintendent Timothy Chargois (pictured) of Beaumont Independent School District recently resigned, with his resignation effective on Oct. 31.

The resignation followed a a $25 million shortfall in the district's budget and a proposal by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to try to replace current school board members with a board of managers. If the current board is still in place when the resignation of Chargois is effective, current board members will appoint an interim superintendent, according to a spokesperson for the TEA. If the board of managers is in place at the time the resignation is effective, that board of managers will select an interim superintendent, the spokesperson said. 

Limestone County seeks operator for its detention center facility

Limestone County has issued a request for proposals for a new operator for the Limestone County Detention Center. County Judge Daniel Burkeen said a company has expressed interest to him regarding operating the facility and is already putting out feelers for housing more inmates from outside the county in case they win the bid. 

IDEA Public Schools select

Gama as superintendent

Officials of IDEA Public Schools, recently selected JoAnn Gama (pictured) as the new president and superintendent of the network of charter schools. She replaces Tom Torkelson, who helped start the K-12 charter schools along with Gama in the Rio Grande Valley in 2000.

IDEA now operates charter schools for almost 20,000 students in Austin, San Antonio and the Valley, with most students from low-income households. IDEA operates two campuses in San Antonio and plans to open two more this fall. Austin ISD ended a partnership with IDEA in 2012, but the group still operates a charter school in Austin.

Gama previously was chief of schools for IDEA. Torkelson plans to continue his duties as chief operating officer of IDEA Public Schools. 

Partner sought to propose reuse of former Taylor school campus

Officials with the city of Taylor and the Taylor ISD are looking for a public-sector partner to propose plans for the reuse of the former Taylor High School/Middle School campus in Taylor. The two have issued a request for qualifications for interested private-sector firms, with deadline for responding to the RFQ set for Sept. 19. The reuse proposal will include design, redevelopment, repurposing and financing a mixed-use project or projects utilizing the structures and land area of the former campus.

The 7th Street Campus, located on 5.6 acres of land, includes 48,000 square feet, including a 30,500-square-foot main building, an 18,000-square-foot annex building, a 6,900-square foot auditorium, a 6,500-square-foot senior center, a 6,500-square-foot gym and a 2,000-square-foot basement. 

Herrington resigns as head

of Meyersville ISD for new job

Superintendent Tina Herrington (pictured) of Meyersville Independent School Diistrict recentlly resigned to accept a new job as an assistant superintendent for Wharton ISD.

Trustees for Meyersville ISD appointed Michael Lanier, a retired superintendent, as the interim superintendent while the district works with a search firm to find a new superintendent. Herrington's resignation was effective at the end of June. 

Blinn decides against buying 

land identified in College Station

Blinn College officials have decided not to spend $24.5 million for a more than 50-acre tract of land in College Station. The Board of Trustees recently voted to terminate the purchase contract for the land and authorized Blinn College administrators to put a group in place to study other properties in Brazos County for expansion of the growing community college.

Blinn will put together a real estate assessment team that includes administrators and external consultants to identify potential land options for campus expansion opportunities.

Mission Redevelopment Authority selects Silva as new director

Mission Redevelopment Authority (MRA) board members recently selected Daniel Silva (pictured) as the new executive director. He will replace Richard Perez, who will remain with the MRA for an undetermined time to work with Silva during the transition.

Silva previously worked on projects in the city's Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, where he worked closely with the redevelopment authority, noted Richard Hernandez, chairman of the MRA.

During the one-year contract with Silva, Perez will assist in training Silva and in transferring responsibilities, Hernandez said. This transition process was used when Perez replaced the previous director, he added. 

Eight new representatives 

join board of Texoma COG

Eight new representatives recently joined the board of directors of the Texoma Council of Governments.

Board members welcomed to the board five new directors, including Phyllis James, a county commissioner in Grayson County; J.D. Roane, city council member in Valley View; Bill McFatridge, Grayson College trustee; and Sarah Somers, representing community members in Grayson County. Three other new board members - Kate Whitfield of the Sherman Independent School District, Teresa Adams, a council member in Denison, and Chris Burch, the mayor of Ladonia, were unable to attend the meeting.

Board members also re-elected Creta L. Carter, Fannin County judge, as president, and John Roane, Cooke County judge, as vice president of the board of directors. Cary Wacker, mayor of Sherman, also won re-election as the secretary to the board.

Two added to key leadership

positions at Houston ISD

The leadership team for the Houston ISD has some new nameplates at the table. Dr. Andrew Houlihan (top) has been selected as chief human resources officer, succeeding Dr. Rodney Watson, who left HISD for the job of superintendent of Spring ISD. Chief High Schools Officer Dr. Shonda Huery Hardman (bottom) will take over Houlihan's current position of chief school support officer. 

Houlihan previously served as chief major projects officer, school support officer and principal of Parker Elementary School. He is a former assistant director of the Leadership Development Center in the Austin ISD and the director of the Education Leadership Institute at the International Center for Leadership in Education in New York. He began his career in North Carolina as a second-grade teacher. 

Huery Hardman was assistant superintendent of HISD's Futures Academy and was moved to chief high School officer in May. She began her education career as a teacher in Washington, D.C., later serving as a principal, assistant principal, instructional coach and English language arts teacher in the HISD. A graduate of HISD's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Huery Hardman also served as an academic superintendent in Boston, where she coached, supervised and supported principals, and was a chief of schools in Chicago Public Schools.  Her replacement has yet to be named. 

• Blanca Burciaga of Fort Worth, Crime Victims' Institute Advisory Council;
• Victoria Camp of Austin, Crime Victims' Institute Advisory Council;
• Dottie Carmichael of College Station, Crime Victims' Institute Advisory Council;
• Rodman Goode of Cedar Hill, Crime Victims' Institute Advisory Council;
• Henry "Stephen" Porretto, Crime Victims' Institute Advisory Council;
• Richard Reynolds of Austin, Crime Victims' Institute Advisory Council;
• Debbie Unruh of Austin, Crime Victims' Institute Advisory Council;
• Mary Anne Wiley of Austin, Crime Victims' Institute Advisory Council.