November 29, 2007

Governor Rick Perry Names 29 to Governor’s Competitiveness Council
Group Will Advise State Agencies on Policies Needed to Drive Texas Economy

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry named 29 industry leaders, public and higher education officials, and representatives of key state regulatory agencies to the Governor’s Competitiveness Council for terms to expire at the pleasure of the governor. The council will be charged with identifying impediments to the state’s ability to remain competitive in a global marketplace and recommending steps the state should take to improve its economic footing.

“To remain competitive in the 21st Century global economy, Texas must create a seamless system of opportunity and innovation, starting when young Texans enter grade school and continuing until they graduate from college, qualified for jobs that will keep our state at the forefront of the global market,” Gov. Perry said. “This council will further support ongoing efforts to enhance Texas’ economic competition by bringing together leaders in state government, higher education and the private sector to ensure we have a blueprint for continued economic growth in Texas.”
Gov. Perry named the following members:

Industry Leaders
Charles Thomas (Tom) Burbage is executive vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.
James M. Epperson Jr. is president of AT&T Texas.
P. Gayle Fallon is president of the Houston Federation of Teachers.
Michael S. Greene is CEO of Luminant, a subsidiary of Energy Future Holdings Corporation.
Johnny Edwin Lovejoy II is president and CEO of Lovejoy and Associates, a professional performance consulting firm.
Gray Mayes is director of public affairs at Texas Instruments Inc.
Ronald N. McMillan is regional vice president of governmental affairs in Texas for Time Warner Cable.
Zebulun Nash is site manager of ExxonMobil Chemical Company.
Joseph I. O’Neill III is managing partner of O’Neill Properties Ltd.
Kip G. Thompson is vice president of global facilities and strategic growth at Dell Inc.
Jeffrey L. Wade is executive vice president and general counsel of Lexicon Genetics Inc.
Paul Zmigrosky is group vice president of procurement and logistics for Frito-Lay.

Ex-Officio Elected Officials
Susan Combs is the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Todd Staples is commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Michael Williams is chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission.
Don McLeroy is chairman of the State Board of Education.

Ex-Officio Public and Higher Education Officials
Phil Wilson is the Texas Secretary of State and will serve as chairman of the council.
Aaron Demerson is executive director of the Governor’s Division of Economic Development and Tourism.
Buddy Garcia is presiding officer of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Sandy Kress is chair of the Commission for a College Ready Texas, a group formed to advise the State Board of Education on ways to improve college readiness programs by aligning high school curriculum with college standards.
Ron Lehman is the commissioner representing employers on the Texas Workforce Commission.
Charles E. McMahen is chairman of the Governor’s Business Council, an independent group that makes recommendations on business, education and other state issues.
Bill Morrow is presiding officer of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund.
Raymund Paredes is commissioner of higher education for Texas.
Robert P. Scott is commissioner of education for Texas.
Barry Smitherman is chairman of the Texas Public Utility Commission.
John W. Sylvester Jr. is chairman of the Texas Workforce Investment Council.
Ric Williamson is chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission.
Bob Wingo is chairman of the Texas Economic Development Corporation.

Contact Robert Black at 512-463-1826