Savoy leaving Texas Youth Commission for job with school district

Texas Youth Commission (TYC) Communication Director Tim Savoy (pictured) will leave the state agency to become spokesman for the Hays school district.  

Savoy, who worked seven years with TYC, previously served as the chief media spokesman at the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal school district, where he was named administrator of the year in 2002. Savoy has also worked as a television reporter in Columbus, Ga., and a news anchor on the National Public Radio affiliate in Austin.
 

He holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin.

$11 million in CPRIT cancer prevention grants awarded

The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) recently awarded more than $11 million to create 22 new cancer prevention programs and another $2 million for a cancer research scholar, who will be recruited through UT Southwestern Medical School.
 

The 22 programs, which target more than 600,000 Texans, provide a variety of cancer-prevention efforts that include an increase in screening services, education about lifestyle risk factors and the needs of cancer survivors.
 

The institute, the nation's second-largest cancer research funding source, was created in 2007, when Texas voters OK'd spending $3 billion over 10 years on cancer prevention and research.

Texas awarded grants for education, health care in rural areas

The United States Department of Agriculture recently awarded rural communities across the nation more than $34.7 million - including $1.7 million in Texas - for technology that supports telemedicine programs and distance learning.
 

In Texas, one home health care business will receive about $52,000 for equipment that allows nurses to monitor patients between visits; and four educational service centers will get a combined $1.2 million to establish or expand high-speed Internet in underserved rural areas.
 

These grants from the USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program provide educational and medical opportunities that might not be available otherwise, said Paco Valentin (pictured), USDA Rural Development State Director of Texas.
 

"Schools and health care systems in rural Texas have increasingly tighter budgets each year," he said.

Lee will serve in University of Houston's new Cabinet-level position

Veteran University of Houston administrator Elwyn C. Lee (pictured) has been appointed to the new Cabinet-level position of vice president for community relations and institutional access.
 

In his new role, Lee will work to make the university more accessible to talented low-income and first-generation college students.
 

"I am honored to use my experience to strengthen the university's commitment to equal opportunity and diversity," said Lee, UH System vice chancellor for student affairs and UH vice president for student affairs.
 

Lee earned a bachelor's degree from Yale College and a law degree from Yale Law School. He practiced law for three years in Washington, D.C., before embarking on a career in higher education in 1978. Since then, he has served as a law professor at the University of Houston Law Center, interim director for the UH African American Studies Program, vice president for student affairs, and in 1998 was assigned the dual appointment of student affairs vice president and UH System vice chancellor for student affairs.

Lone Star College adding two new buildings, renovating others 

Officials of Long Star College-Kingwood recently updated plans for a new 62,000-square-foot Student-Conference Center and a new 23,000-square-foot Music Instructional Building. The college also plans to expand and renovate the Student Fine Arts Center and the Performing Arts Building, said Dr. Bill Coppola (pictured), executive director of Academic Partnerships and Initiatives.

The new, two-story Student-Conference Center, scheduled for completion this fall, will include offices and areas for student services and activities as well as space for a conference center. The Music Instructional Building will feature five classrooms, 10 student practice rooms and eight faculty offices, Coppola said.  

Renovations at the Student Fine Arts Center call for expanding the Fine Arts Gallery and building new classrooms. The Performing Arts Center renovation will be done in two phases with the building to be converted into classrooms for general use and performing arts use and a fourth academic division office suite. The tutoring center and computer lab will remain in the facility, which is scheduled for completion in December 2011, Coppola said. College officials also are adding the Lone Star College-Atascocita Center to offer credit, continuing education and workforce courses.

McClendon offered VP spot by A&M officials

Texas A&M University leaders have offered the vice president for administration position to Rodney McClendon (pictured), who served the university as chief of staff under former president Robert Gates. The board of trustees must confirm the decision before McClendon begins. 

McClendon currently works at the University of North Texas in Denton, where he has served as senior vice president for operations since 2009. Previously, he served as acting vice president of the Texas A&M Galveston campus, and has held several positions at Texas A&M since beginning there in 1995.
 

In his new position, McClendon will oversee all non-academic units. He succeeds Alexander Kemos, who resigned last year amid allegations that he lied on his resume.

Texas Tech awarded $600,000 for cancer prevention programs

Texas Tech University recently received state grants totaling nearly $600,000 for two cancer prevention programs in rural West Texas communities. The grants come through the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), which awarded a total of $11 million to rural health programs across the state.
 

One of the grants to Tech will put $295,000 toward a nutrition program that features educational information sessions at local supermarkets in Dalhart and Muleshoe. Shoppers will learn how healthy diets can reduce and fight cancers.
 

The second grant of nearly $300,000 will teach physicians how to counsel patients who want to quit smoking. Also, doctors will learn how to unite the potential quitters with mental health and addiction specialists.

Health Science Center researchers get $1.19M in research grants

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio recently received $1.19 million in state grants to fund two cancer prevention programs. The grants are funded through the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, which was created in 2007 by voters.
 

Almost $900,000 will go toward a program researching the health benefits of exercise to cancer survivors. Participants will receive complete physicals and individualized fitness programs, under the program of Stacey Young-McCaughan (pictured).
 

A second grant of nearly $300,000 will fund an HPV vaccine education program that aims to prevent cervical cancer. The program, created by Deborah Parra-Medina, targets Latinas living along the Texas-Mexico border.

Fisher will serve as new director of PJC-Sulphur Springs

Paris Junior College trustees recently named Andrew Fisher (pictured) director of the Sulphur Springs Center. The position became available when long-time director Linda Bennett retired. 

Most recently, Fisher served as chair of developmental studies and director of the Quality Enhancement Plan at Panola College. While there, he helped the college capture grants and also taught writing, reading and math.
 

Fisher earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas and a master's from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

New interim dean for UTHSC-SA School of Health Professions

Long-time dental hygiene educator Juanita "Nita" Wallace recently began serving as interim dean of the School of Health Professions at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She takes over for Douglas Murphy, who left Jan. 31. 

Wallace, who most recently served as assistant dean for faculty and staff development, has been an educator for more than 35 years and chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene for 30 years. Wallace has also created the nation's only annual clinical teaching workshop for dental hygienists and also developed a Web-based clinical education program for health educators.
 

She earned an associate's degree from St. Petersburg Junior College in St. Petersburg, Fla., a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master's degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin.

Candidates for VP of Student Affairs visiting UTPA this week

Students, faculty and staff of The University of Texas-Pan American have the opportunity this week to meet the four finalists vying to become the next vice president for student affairs.
 

The position, which was previously called the vice president for enrollment and student services, became available after the retirement of John Edwards in December.
 

The four candidates are:

• Calvin Phillips (center), UTPA dean of students and associate vice president of enrollment and student services since 2009. Phillips earned a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University a master's from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania;
• Gary M. Biller (left), vice president for student services at Arkansas Tech University since 2000. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas;
• Magdalena Hinojosa (right), UTPA associate vice president and dean of admissions and enrollment services since 2005. She holds a bachelor's degree from then-Texas A&I University in Kingsville, a master's from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University-Kingsville/Corpus Christi; and
• Maria Maricela Fuentes-Martin, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students at The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College.

Sanders to take over as Rice's vice provost of academic affairs

Rice University history professor Paula Sanders (pictured) was recently appointed vice provost of academic affairs, a position focused on faculty-related initiatives.
  

She will continue to serve as dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies, a post she has held since its inception in 2007.
  

"I'm very excited about being able to work closely with my faculty colleagues while continuing my work with graduate students," said Sanders, who joined the Rice faculty in 1987.
 

Sanders, who has also taught at Harvard University, holds a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and a master's and Ph.D. from Princeton University.

Two new University of Texas System regents appointed

Austin engineer Alex Cranberg and Dallas businessman Wallace Hall were recently appointed to The University of Texas System Board of Regents. Dallas businesswoman Brenda Pejovich was reappointed to the board.
 

Cranberg and Hall, who will hold terms that expire in February 2017, replace Janiece Longoria of Houston and Colleen McHugh of Corpus Christi.
 

The appointees await approval from the state Senate.

Steinmetz appointed regent for Texas Tech University System

Lubbock businessman John D. Steinmetz (pictured) was recently appointed to the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents. He replaces Regent Dan Serna.
 

Steinmetz, who will serve a six-year term, is president of a West Texas bank and has served as a board member of several groups such as the Texas Lyceum, Brazos River Authority and Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.
 

While earning a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech, Steinmetz served as president of the university's student government association and founded RaiderGate, the official student tailgating party.

Two Texas Tech regents were also reappointed to six-year terms - Plano insurance executive Larry Anders and San Antonio's Debbie Montford.

Cedar Park, TxDOT approve pass-through agreement to widen road

The Cedar Park City Council and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently agreed on a cost-sharing plan to widen a two-mile section of RM 1431 from four to six lanes.
 

Under the agreement, Cedar Park will pay upfront costs for the $23 million project, but once the road is complete TxDOT will reimburse the city up to $13.6 million. The payments, which last 12 years, will be determined by the number and distance vehicles travel on the road. TxDOT will pay a minimum of $680,000 and a maximum of $1.36 million each year.
 

The city will pay for pre-building plans and studies with $2.2 million from the fund balance, but will need to issue bonds to pay $21.3 million in construction costs, which is expected to be complete in 2015.

Boerne to make adjustments when sewage plant bids run high

Bids to build a new sewage treatment plant in Boerne recently came in higher than expected, which has forced city officials to revise original plans.
 

Mayor Dan Heckler (pictured) and other leaders expected the facility to cost $30 million - so the city sold that much in bonds to fund the plant, which will treat up to 5.2 million gallons per day. Instead, bids came in between $33 million and $41 million.
 

Now, city workers are looking to cut costs by eliminating non-vital components or substituting less expensive materials. Construction was planned to start this spring and finish by late 2012.

Aransas County seeking bids to build four wind turbines

Aransas County is seeking bids to build four 2.4-kilowatt wind turbines, which are expected to generate enough power to offset the air conditioner and most of the lights at the county road and bridge office.
 

The turbines will be purchased through an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant that totals about $86,000. County leaders initially planned to spend the money on solar panels at the detention center, but that project proved too costly.
 

The turbines, if approved, are expected to save the county about $4,500 a year in energy charges. They could be up and running by July.

Seadrift to sell $1.5 million in bonds to upgrade streets, drainage

Seadrift City Council members in 3-2 vote recently agreed to sell $1.5 million in bonds to pay for drainage and street improvements. Voters in November approved the bond issue.
 

Several council members who opposed the bond sale said citizens are concerned that most of the bonds will be used for drainage projects rather than improving or rebuilding their residential streets. Unless the drainage project is successful in ensuring that streets drain following rains, the city will not rebuild streets, the mayor said. He also suggested that city officials develop a map with priorities and that city staff do some of the drainage work itself to lower the cost.
 

City officials also applied for a $700,000 grant to prevent flooding in a four-block area. This could free up more bond funding to upgrade streets, the mayor added.

HISD technology officer Greg Valdez terminated from position

Houston school district leaders recently decided to terminate technology information officer Greg Valdez (pictured) seven months before his contract ended.
 

The decision is "not a reflection on Greg's performance," district spokesman Jason Spencer said. Valdez has more than 25 years experience in information technology and has worked for the Houston district since 2009.
 

Now, the district wants to hire a new technology officer, who will report directly to the superintendent, instead of to the chief financial officer as Valdez did.

Proposed Southlake multi-purpose center to cost up to $31 million

A Denver-based consultant recently presented Southlake City Council members with two options for a multi-purpose center ranging in cost from $29 million for a new facility to $31 million for renovating a donated facility. City officials paid the consultants about $200,000 to determine whether the city should build a new 80,000-square-foot complex or purchase a former church and convert that into a multi-purpose center.
 

Renovating the former church into a facility with a full-sized basketball court with fitness areas on both sides, a second-story walking track, 400-seat banquet area, event hall with catering kitchen and a children's play area would cost about $31 million, with land costs factored in, the consultant reported. Building a new facility on 10 acres near Bicentennial Park would cost about $29 million. That facility would feature a private veranda with a view of a pond at Bicentennial Park that could be used as a site for weddings and other occasions. The new multi-purpose center also would complement youth baseball and tennis programs at the park, the consultant said.
 

While one council member argued that the city should not build a new gymnasium at the church, but instead build a performing arts center as the church already has more than $1 million in video and audio equipment that could be used, other council members argued that citizen surveyed indicated they prefer a gymnasium over a performing arts center. Council made no decision on the two options for the multi-purpose center.

Horseshoe Bay looking at $15 million street improvement plan

Horseshoe Bay Mayor Bob Lambert (pictured) recently said he expects council members to approve a $15 million plan to upgrade local streets in spite of an expected tax increase.
 

The proposed plan, which could take up to five or six years to complete, calls for sealing, widening, adding ribbon curbs and other improvements to streets serving areas where about 97 percent of the homes in the city are located, Lambert said. The city already has about $4.5 million in funds to pay for about a year of work on the road improvements. A local resort also plans to donate $1 million for street upgrades over the next four years, he added. City officials also plan to sell certificates of obligations to raise another $9.5 million for the street repairs, Lambert said.

Harker Heights selects five projects for priority list

Harker Heights City Council members recently narrowed a list of projects to be paid for by a $9 million loan from 21 potential projects to five.
 

The five priority projects, which have an estimated cost of approximately $7.5 million, include a new sewer system, a U-turn bridge, upgrades to two parks and reconstruction of a portion of Indian Trail. The city could lower the certificate to that amount before the loan is awarded, city officials said.
 

One council member argued that rather than upgrading the two parks, city officials should consider renovating the heavily used Summit Soccer Complex by adding a concession stand and rehabilitating several of the fields. The mayor pro tem then urged city staff to return to council with information on usage at the soccer complex and a cost estimate on the renovations before a final decision is made on selection of the projects. The actual loan amount and projects must be chosen before March 1, the finance director said.

Port San Antonio selects

Ferris to be new CFO

Port San Antonio leaders recently hired Dan Ferris, who has more than 20 years of commercial real estate experience, to serve as vice president and chief financial officer.
Previously, Ferris worked as CFO of two mid-sized, privately owned companies. He has also worked as a consultant.
 

In his new role, Ferris, who holds an active CPA license, will be responsible for all of the Port's accounting and finance functions.

Plano city manager finalist

drops out, leaving four finalists

One of five finalists for city manager of Plano, City Manager Kenneth Chandler of Portsmouth, Va., recently withdrew his name for consideration for the post. The new city manager will replace City Manager Tom Muehlenbeck, who retired this week.
 

The four remaining finalists for city manager are Bruce Glasscock and Frank Turner, who both serve as deputy assistant city managers in Plano; Jon Fortune, an assistant city manager in Denton; and Jim Nichols, deputy city manager in Las Vegas. Council members are scheduled to interview the four finalists on Feb. 11 and 12.

Nichols appointed Adjutant General of Texas

Major Gen. John F. Nichols (pictured) of Spring Branch has been appointed Adjutant General of Texas. As such, Nichols will be commander of the Texas Military Forces, subordinate only to the governor in matters relating to the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard and Texas State Guard.
 

Nichols has been serving as assistant Adjutant General for Air, and commander of the Texas Air National Guard at Camp Mabry. He is an active member of the Air National Guard, and served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force.
 

Nichols earned his bachelor's degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, Air War College and U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons Instructor School at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. His appointment, which will expire Feb. 1, 2013, is subject to senate confirmation.

Brooks Development Authority names new chairman

San Antonio attorney Manuel Pelaez-Prada (pictured) was recently named the chairman of Brooks Development Authority, which is redeveloping the 1,500-acre Brooks City-Base from a military facility to a science, business and technology center. 

Pelaez-Prada, who will be the fourth person appointed to the position, replaces Darryl Lyons, who stepped down to spend more time with his family.

Marble Falls ISD targets Aug. 1 deadline for new superintendent

Marble Falls Independent School District trustees recently set an Aug. 1 target date for a new superintendent to be in place to assume the duties of Dr. Ryder Warren, who left in July 2010 to serve as superintendent for Midland ISD. Last month, board members agreed to delay selection of a new superintendent until after the election on May 14, when two positions are up for re-election.
 

Under the new timeline adopted by the council, a search firm will solicit applications from February to May and trustees will meet with a representative of the search committee to select candidates to be interviewed, district officials said. Board members plan to interview candidates in June and July and name a lone finalist on July 20. Dr. Jim Boyle, who has served as interim superintendent, said he will remain in that position until a new superintendent is selected.

Denison officials pick Hanna

to take over city manager post

Denison city leaders have named Robert Hanna (pictured), assistant city manager of Weatherford, the new city manager to replace Larry Cruise, who announced his retirement in September.
 

Hanna, who begins March 7, has worked in Weatherford since 2008. Previously, he served as the Denton airport operations manager and city administrator of Hudson Oaks.
 

Hanna earned a bachelor's and a master's degree from the University of North Texas.

Aransas Pass ISD selects Avery as lone finalist for superintendent

Trustees for the Aransas Pass independent School District recently selected Royce Avery (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent. Avery currently is the executive director of secondary education for Waco ISD. He also previously served as a high school principal.
 

Crawford Helms, a retired superintendent from West Oso ISD, had served as interim superintendent for the Aransas Pass school district until his death in September. Trustees then selected Assistant Superintendent Kathy Berryhill to serve as interim superintendent.

Leiper to take over as new

city manager in Baytown

Longtime City of Baytown employee Bob Leiper (pictured) has been named city manager. He has served as interim city manager since December 2010. 

During 33 years with the city, Leiper has served as interim city manger, deputy city manger, assistant city manager and fire chief. He began his career with the city in 1977 as a firefighter.
 

Leiper holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston and a master's from Grand Canyon University. 

El Paso delays final decision

on solar power project

El Paso City Council members recently delayed a decision on a request by El Paso Electric officials for city officials to support a new method to pay for a proposed 200-acre solar power project.
 

El Paso Electric officials are seeking changes in legislation to allow a new process to replace traditional rate cases to pay for construction of 50 megawatts of solar power and about $275 million for gas-fired generation, and sought support from city council for the legislation. City council members, however, expressed concern for funding more than solar generation using the new method and said the utility has been unclear if it will build a 200-acre solar array without being able to use it to construct gas-fired generators.
 

City staff and power company officials plan to continue discussions on whether the city will support the proposed legislation to allow the new funding method.

Austin to apply for $10 million grant to upgrade Plaza Saltillo

Austin city officials recently agreed to seek $10 million in federal funding for economic development and environmental cleanup of the Plaza Saltillo Transit Oriented Development District. Plaza Saltillo is the closest Red Line stop on the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority's new rail service between downtown Austin and Leander.
 

The grants and loans from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would be leveraged with approximately $46.6 million in private sector investments, city officials said. The proposed project also is expected to help create about 209 jobs from local businesses at Saltillo Plaza. Further development of the plaza has been slowed by environmental remediation concerns.
 

Current plans are to build a 40,000-square-foot boutique hotel near East Sixth and Waller streets and a 50,000-square-foot, 40-unit condominium and mixed-use development at East Seventh and San Marcos streets, city officials said. A recent Capital Metro report indicates that another 10 acres owned by the transit authority are in limbo until market rental rates rise and lending increases, city officials noted.

Grants awarded to study

renewable energy

Four Texas companies recently secured federal grants through the United States Department of Agriculture to study the feasibility of renewable energy projects that could help farmers and businesses become more self-sufficient.
 

Nationwide, the USDA awarded 68 such study grants.
 

In Texas, one business in Chambers County and another in Mills County were each awarded more than $45,000 to study wind energy and the possibility of becoming wind farms. In Hale County, a business will receive $17,500 to analyze an anaerobic digester project while a Bexar County company secured $50,000 to evaluate a solar power system.

• Brigettee Henderson of Lufkin, Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents
• Ken Schaefer of Brownsville, Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents
• Ralph C. Todd of Carthage, Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents
• Thomas Suehs of Austin, reappointed, executive commissioner, Health and Human Services Commission
• Robert Scott of Austin, reappointed, Texas Commissioner of Education
• Richard "Dick" Scott of Wimberley, Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
• Dan Friedkin of Houston, reappointed, Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
• Gail Lowe of Lampasas, chair, State Board of Education
• Debbie Unruh of Austin, reappointed, Texas Youth Commission Independent Ombudsman

HISD will offer free SAT

testing for all juniors

The Houston Independent School District, with financial help from the Texas Education Agency, will pay for all HISD 11th-graders to take the SAT college entrance exam at their own high schools this April.
 

Houston is the third district in the nation to make the test so available to students. Usually, students must register for and pay a $47 fee to take the exam, which is given on a weekend at a specific testing site.
 

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier hopes the changes will encourage more students to take the SAT and, ultimately, attend and graduate from college. Of last year's HISD graduates, less than half took the SAT.

Haberstroh named chair

of Green Building Council Board

Boerne businessman and city councilman Jeff Haberstroh (pictured) was recently named chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council's Central Texas-Balcones Chapter Board of Directors.  

Haberstroh, who is in his second term on the 15-member board, has been in the building industry for more than 30 years and has specialized in sustainable building design for 10 years.
 

The USGBC, which is comprised of 78 local chapters and branches, aims to accelerate the transformation toward sustainable building practices.

Matagorda County group approves $8,850 for study

The Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) recently agreed to provide $8,850 toward the cost of a $26,500 feasibility study for a wellness center to be developed in Bay City.
 

Preliminary plans call for including a doctor's office, basketball courts, swimming pools and cooking classes at the facility. The City of Bay City, the Matagorda County Hospital District and the Bay City Independent School District all participate in the Wellness Matagorda mission of promoting citizens to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Officials plan to seek assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for grants that could cover up to 75 percent of the building's cost if the facility also can be used as an emergency shelter.