Brendon Anthony
Austin, Texas
Brendon Anthony serves as the director of the Texas Music Office (TMO). He sets the agenda for business development, helping music industry professionals navigate their entry into the Texas market, as well as moving their businesses to Texas (including corporations, start-ups, and everything in between). Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2015, Anthony leads the TMO’s economic development work, linking the Office of the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Division executive staff, private sector music industry businesses, and non-governmental music organizations and trade associations. In addition to leading the TMO, Anthony is also the lead executive for the Office of the Governor’s Music Friendly Communities program, which helps connect the various Texas music markets throughout the state with one another, establishes best practices for economic development success, and fosters the development and connection of higher education music programs to real-world music business opportunity. Anthony began playing live music with a variety of Texas acts while attending Texas A&M University, which he graduated from in 1999. In 1997, Anthony began playing full time with Pat Green, with whom he toured nationally and internationally for 15 years. During his decade and a half as a touring musician, Anthony toured both the United States and Europe, played on a gold record and was a member of the band when Pat Green received three Grammy Award nominations. In 2010, Anthony helped start OneLive Media, which began as a primary ticketing company for Texas music venues and festivals before expanding into the e-commerce industry and becoming one of the premier online entertainment sales and marketing companies in the country. Anthony is a classically-trained violinist who has played fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and banjo both in live performances and studio recordings.
John Bellinger
San Antonio, Texas
John Bellinger of San Antonio is the co-founder, with his wife Gina, and the former CEO of Food Safety Net Services (FSNS).
He is currently a Board Member of the recently merged company between FSNS and the Certified Group along with several companies in the U.S., Mexico, and Japan that focus on livestock and the food industry. Mr. Bellinger is the CEO of Agri-West International and Bellinger Development. He is the former Chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, Southwest Meat Association, and a member of the Texas Beef Council. Mr. Bellinger is a member of the TAMU College of Agriculture Development Council and the Animal Science External Advisory Council. He is a former recipient of the Texas A&M Outstanding Alumnus of Animal Science and the College of Agriculture and was inducted into the U.S. Meat Industry Hall of Fame in 2022. Mr. Bellinger received a bachelor’s degree (Agricultural Education) and a master’s degree (Animal Science) from Texas A&M University. Gina ’89 and John ’76 are the proud Aggie parents of Jack ’21 and Lauren ’23.
Mr. Bellinger was appointed as a member of the Board of Regents by Governor Greg Abbott in 2023. He serves as a member of the Committee on Audit and of the Committee of Academic and Student Affairs. His term expires on February 1, 2029.
Mark Bivins
Advisory Board Committee Chair
Amarillo, Texas
Mark Bivins is a rancher and partner in Corsino Cattle Company. He currently serves on the board of the WTAMU Foundation and the Buffalo Council. He is a former commissioner of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the current vice chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. Bivins is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and a member of the University of Texas Chancellor’s Council. He also is a member of the Texas A&M Chancellor’s Council, the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He is past chairman of the following boards: The McDonald Observatory Board of Visitors, St. Andrew’s Day School, the Amarillo Area Foundation, the Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation and the Don Harrington Discovery Center. Bivins also helped establish the Betty Teel Bivins Leadership Scholarship as well as the Teel Bivins Professor of American Politics Professorship at WT.
Blaze Bulla
Vice Chair of the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation Board of Trustees
Bryant Coon
Chair of the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation Board of Trustees
Canyon, Texas
Bryant Coon is a project development director at Grid United.
Prior to joining Grid United, Bryant was responsible for managing stakeholder relationships, permitting, due diligence, right-of-way acquisition, and construction support for numerous energy infrastructure projects in the Texas and New Mexico territories of Xcel Energy. During his time at Xcel, he was instrumental in the development and construction of 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy projects and over 400 miles of greenfield electric transmission.
Bryant is active in his church and is a devoted husband and proud father of two. A seventh generation Texan, he is the Vice Chair of the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation, which works to preserve Panhandle history through its production TEXAS, an official State Play of the State of Texas running for over 56 seasons. Bryant also serves on the board of the Cultural Foundation of the Texas Panhandle, an advisory board that works to preserve the cultural foundation of the Panhandle and the State of Texas.
Bryant holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies from West Texas A&M University.
John W. Crain
Dallas, Texas
John W. Crain is currently chairman of the board of directors of the Summerlee Foundation in Dallas, Texas, following 20 years as a museum director and 14 years as president and CEO. He was appointed to the Texas Historical Commission in 2006 and was reappointed in 2013. Crain is currently vice-chair of the THC and oversees the Historic Sites Division. Recently, he accepted a position on the Board of the Bryan Museum in Galveston. Crain is a Life Member of the Texas State Historical Association Board and previously served as President. He has served on the Board and as President of the Friends of the Texas Governor’s Mansion and is currently an honorary member. As a former member of the Sixth Floor Museum Board, Crain has served for several years as an ex-officio member. Currently, he is a member of the Clements Center at SMU, the Liberal Arts Advisory Board for Texas State University, the Texas State History Museum Foundation, and the Philosophical Society of Texas.
Heather Friemel
Canyon, Texas
Heather Friemel serves as the Interim Executive Director for the Cultural Foundation of the Texas Panhandle (CFTP), where she exercises chief administrative oversight of both the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum (PPHM) and the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation (TPHF). A native of Canyon, Texas, Heather spent a brief period in Colorado before returning to her roots. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from West Texas A&M University. Heather embarked on her career in the non-profit sector with PPHM in 2013, and her extensive tenure includes her recent role as Director of Business and Finance for the CFTP since its inception in 2021. In her various capacities, she has been instrumental in advancing the mission and goals of both organizations, managing program operations and financials, and fostering partnerships with stakeholders to amplify the organization's impact within the community. Heather is enthusiastic about continuing her dedicated work in her new role. She resides in Canyon with her husband, Kevin, and their two sons.
Joel Hogue
Amarillo, Texas
Joel Hogue is a Senior Member of Sprouse Shrader Smith, PLLC where he practices business and commercial litigation. He is the past president of the Panhandle Plains Historical Society. He previously served on the boards of Catholic Charities, the Turn Center, as well as its foundation, and Martha’s Home, including stints as president of these organizations. Joel developed a love for local history in large part because of his family’s longtime ownership of the local newspaper in Dalhart where he grew up. Joel and his wife, Madonna, moved with their family to Amarillo in 1991.
Ellen Jones
President of the Panhandle Plains Historical Society Board of Trustees
Amarillo, Texas
Tim Leach
Midland, Texas
Tim Leach of Midland holds a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University (1982) and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (1985). Mr. Leach is a member of ConocoPhillips Executive Leadership Team, and a member of the ConocoPhillips Board of Directors. Previously, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Concho Resources since it was formed in 2004. Mr. Leach has led other Permian Basin focused energy companies, including privately held predecessors to Concho, and served in various positions with Parker & Parsley, including Executive Vice President. Mr. Leach was appointed to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors on September 1, 2020, and was appointed to the Cultural Foundation of the Texas Panhandle Advisory Board on January 1, 2021. He serves on the Board of Governors for Midland Memorial Foundation, the Board of Directors for The Scharbauer Foundation, the Advisory Board of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and has previously served on the Board of Directors of The Association of Former Students and the Board of Directors for Midland College Foundation. Mr. Leach is also an Emeritus Council Member of Texas A&M University’s Engineering Advisory Council. He is the recipient of the 2017 TXOGA Distinguished Service Award, the 2011 “Top Hand Award” from the Permian Basin Petroleum Association and was inducted into the Petroleum Museum Hall of Fame in 2013.
Tim Leach and his wife, Amy Leach ‘84, served as co-chairs for Texas A&M’s Lead by Example campaign.
Mr. Leach was appointed as a member of the TAMU Board of Regents by Governor Greg Abbott in 2017. He was elected Chairman of the Board on June 7, 2021, and served as Vice Chairman of the Board from 2019 to 2021. He served as Chairman of the Committee on Buildings and Physical Plant and served two terms as a member of the Committee on Finance. His term expired February 1, 2023. Mr. Leach has also served as a liaison to the Development Foundations of A&M System Members and the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.
Amy McLane
Salado, Texas
Amy McLane worked for the Texas Rangers Baseball Club, the Dallas Stars Hockey Club and the AT&T Cotton Bowl after obtaining her degree in public relations from Texas Tech University. She taught in the Arlington Independent School District as an English as a Second Language instructor. Following her move to Central Texas, Amy was elected to and serves on the Salado Independent School District Board of Trustees. She also serves on the Texas Tech Alumni Association National Board of Directors, the McLane Children’s Medical Center Board, and several area community boards.
Jerry Patterson
Austin, Texas
Jerry Patterson is the former Commissioner of the General Land Office of Texas and a former state senator for District 11. Patterson was elected to the State Senate from 1993 to 1999 and Land Commissioner from 2003 to 2015. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M University in 1969 and received his commission in the United States Marine Corps. Patterson served his country as a U.S. Marine for over 20 years.
Nancy Painter Paup
Fort Worth, Texas
Nancy Painter Paup manages and directs business, real estate, and ranching interests in Texas. She received a gubernatorial appointment to the Board of Regents of Texas Woman’s University (TWU-Denton, Dallas and Houston), the largest public university primarily for women in the United States and was elected Vice-Chair during her tenure. She is an elected member of The Philosophical Society of Texas. Nancy currently serves on the Board of Directors of Humanities Texas, the Advisory Council of the Jane Nelson Institute of Women’s Leadership (TWU), the Executive Advisory Committee of The Handbook of Texas Women, the Board of Directors of the Center for the Advancement and Study of Early Texas Art (CASETA), and co-founder of Nancy P. and Thaddeus E. Paup Lecture Series at TWU. Formerly, she served on the Board of Directors of the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) at the University of Texas at Austin, the Board of Trustees of Schreiner University, the Advisory Board of the Center for Teaching Excellence at Texas A&M University and was a member of the Leadership Texas Class of 2003. Her academic degrees include master’s and bachelor’s degrees from TWU. Post- graduate work includes attending Dartmouth College, Harvard University, The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, and receiving certifications in development, strategic leadership, and private wealth management, respectively. She has raised funds throughout Texas for the arts, higher education, and historical preservation. Nancy spearheaded the membership and corporate development programs at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, was involved with the completion of a $50M capital campaign at Schreiner University, and was co-chair of a previous state- wide campaign for TSHA.
Donald E. Powell
Amarillo, Texas
Don Powell has more than 50 years of experience in the banking industry, beginning in 1963 with First Federal Savings and Loan of Amarillo. He joined Amarillo’s First National Bank in 1971 and was named the institution’s chief executive officer in 1987. He later bought the Fritch State Bank, moved it to Amarillo as the First National Bank and served as its president and CEO. Powell also was a member of the Board of Regents for The Texas A&M University System, serving as its chairman for four years. In 2001, he was named the 16th chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation by President George W. Bush and the federal coordinator of Gulf Coast Rebuilding in 2005. Powell has served on the boards of Bank of America, Stone Energy, QRE Energy and is currently a member of several private boards. The 1959 graduate of Palo Duro High School earned a bachelor of science degree in economics in 1963 from what was then known as West Texas State University. He also is a graduate of Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.
Karen Price
Amarillo, Texas
Karen Price is a former ABC television anchor and medical reporter. She earned several awards due to her excellence in health reporting. Karen left the broadcasting business to devote full time to her family. She has been actively involved in the Amarillo community for over 30 years. She has served on several nonprofit boards, headed up charity events, school organizations, and is a member of the Junior League of Amarillo. She is actively involved in The State of Texas Legislative Ladies organization. Karen graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism. She is married to State Representative Four Price and they have 4 adult children.
Rodney Ruthart
Amarillo, Texas
Rodney Ruthart is the executive vice president and chief credit officer at First United Bank. As an alumnus of Cal Farley’s Boy’s Ranch, he has served on Cal Farley’s Board of Directors since 2009 and served as chair from 2013-2017. He also serves on the Cal Farley’s Foundation Board of Directors. In addition, Ruthart serves on the Independent Bankers of Texas Board of Directors. Ruthart previously served on the Potter-Randall County Child Welfare Board, Amarillo Education Foundation, Buffalo Club Association and Amarillo Area Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc., the Amarillo Hospital District Board of Managers and the Amarillo Firemen’s Relief and Retirement Fund Board. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance at West Texas A&M University in 1987.
S. Shawn Stephens
Houston, Texas
S. Shawn (“Shawn”) Stephens, B.A.; J. D.; LL.M. (international economic law), practiced law in Houston for 30 years. Stephens headed the Texas appellate practice of King & Spalding LLP. She was both the first Texan and the first woman to earn national certification in appellate law. She is also certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She chairs the Houston Ballet Board, which has an annual operating budget of $33 million. Stephens is the only person to have served in all of Houston Ballet’s major volunteer leadership roles: Board chair, Board president, Ball chair, Nutcracker Market chair, and president of the HB Guild. Stephens led HB through back-to-back crises: Hurricane Harvey (which flooded HB’s theatre) and COVID. Stephens was appointed to two 6-year terms on the Texas Commission on the Arts (vice chair, secretary) and served part of her predecessor’s unexpired term. She twice sat on the Texas Medal of the Arts selection committee. Stephens served on the boards of TUTS, Stages, the University of Houston’s Moore’s School of Music, and Houston Symphony League. She is a member of the Menil Society. Stephens serves on the Hermann Park Conservancy Advisory Board and the Trinity University Parent Council Board. She served two terms on the Houston Museum of Natural Science Board, was a member of the boards of Houston Zoo, the Heritage Society, and Zoo Friends (president). She was a Vestry member of Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal). She sat on the boards of South Texas College of Law, Girls Inc. of Greater Houston (president), South Texas College of Law Alumni Association (president), and the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society. She served on the executive committee of the Texas Lyceum. Stephens was named one of Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women, a Woman of Distinction, and a Woman on the Move.
Dr. Neil Terry
Canyon, Texas
Dr. Neil Terry serves as the executive vice president and provost at West Texas A&M University. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics from California State University at Sacramento in 1992, a master’s degree in economics from Texas Tech University in 1996 and a doctorate in economics from Texas Tech University in 1997. His post-doctoral training includes completion of the M.D.P. program at Harvard University in 2006. Dr. Terry joined WTAMU in 1997. He served as the dean of the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business at WT from 2006 through 2020. He helped lead the school to initial AACSB accreditation in 2012 and played an integral role in the 2017 naming of the college.
Richard Ware
Amarillo, Texas
Richard Ware is the chairman of Amarillo National Bank, the largest family-owned bank in the United States. Ware earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in 1968 and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He has served on the board of trustees for SMU, and was voted Trustee of the Year on four occasions. In addition, Ware is currently Director of Atmos Energy, Harrington Foundation and the Engler Foundation and is Trustee of the Bivins Trust. He is the former director of Texas Lyceum and Big Brothers of America. In 2018, Ware was named Community Banker of the Year by the American Banker Newspaper. Texas Monthly magazine named Ware and his family the Bankers of the Century in 1999. Ware and Amarillo National Bank are huge supporters of WT, having made gifts to virtually all areas of the University. They provided the lead gift for the Amarillo Center and were awarded the Pinnacle Award in 2017.
Dr. Walter V. Wendler
Canyon, Texas
Dr. Walter V. Wendler currently serves as president of West Texas A&M University since his appointment to the position in September 2016. He comes to WTAMU from Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale, where he served as chancellor from 2001- 2007. He later returned to teaching architecture and retired as director of the School of Architecture at SIU at the end of 2015. Before joining SIU, Wendler served as vice chancellor for Planning and System Integration at The Texas A&M University System. He previously had served as executive assistant to the president, dean of the College of Architecture and other administrative and faculty roles at Texas A&M University in College Station.
Suzanne Wheeler
President elect of the Panhandle Plains Historical Society Board of Trustees
Suzanne is the managing director and senior wealth advisor for Mariner Wealth Advisors. For more than two decades, Suzanne has served as a trusted partner to clients as they navigate divorce, death, retirement, inheritance, legacy planning and the day-to-day challenges life can bring. Her passion lies in being an advocate for clients as they develop goals. She creates plans that use a range of strategies to help clients meet those goals. She works with high-net-worth individuals, families and foundations. Previously, she was cofounder and director of Adams Hall Wealth Advisors.
Suzanne has a bachelor’s degree in finance with an emphasis in financial planning from Northeastern State University.
Dr. David Yoskowitz
Austin, Texas
David Yoskowitz, Ph.D., serves as the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), a position he has held since November 14, 2022.
At TPWD, he is responsible for overseeing an agency of 3,300 professionals in 13 different divisions, including Wildlife, Law Enforcement, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, and Inland Fisheries. Yoskowitz has been actively engaged in the areas of private lands conservation, the acquisition of additional state parkland and wildlife management areas, securing state funding for state parks, children in nature initiatives, coastal conservation and mitigation initiatives stemming from the Deepwater Horizon incident, and the state’s management response to chronic wasting disease.
Prior to joining TPWD, Yoskowitz was the Senior Executive Director of the Harte Research Institute (HRI) for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, where he was also HRI’s founding Endowed Chair for Socioeconomics and held positions in both faculty and administration over the past 20 years.
Yoskowitz also held the position of Chief Economist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (2014-2015), where he co-chaired an interagency task force under the auspices of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy that developed a research agenda around coastal green infrastructure and ecosystem services. Working with the NOAA Social Science Committee, he helped develop the agency’s first Social Science Vision and Strategy.
David, his wife, Carolyn Walker, and their son, Max, enjoy all the outdoors has to offer. Yoskowitz is also an avid fisherman, hunter, camper, backpacker, implementer of native grasses and plants, and is slowly becoming a birder.