Governor Abbott Names Three To University Of Texas System Board Of Regents
Texas Governor Greg Abbott today appointed two new members to The University of Texas System Board of Regents, Sara Martinez Tucker and David Beck, and reappointed current Regent and Vice Chairman of the Board Steve Hicks. These appointments will be effective Feb. 1, 2015.
Sara Martinez Tucker is the CEO of the National Math + Science Initiative, where she oversees the Initiative’s work to transform schools into centers of college readiness, produce and excellent STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) teachers and engage students to develop strong interests in STEM fields. Martinez Tucker was born and raised in Laredo and received a Bachelor’s degree and MBA from The University of Texas at Austin. She has also received honorary degrees from the University of Notre Dame, Boston College, and the University of Maryland. Martinez Tucker previously served as the Undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Education in the final years of the Bush administration after spending nearly a decade as CEO of the California-based Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Martinez Tucker currently resides with her family in Dallas.
David Beck is a senior partner at Houston-based law firm Beck Redden and has been recognized as one of the top trial lawyers in the country. He has been named in Best Lawyers in America each year since 1985. Beck graduated from The University of Texas School of Law and received the University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2010.
Governor Abbott will reappoint R. Steven “Steve” Hicks to the Board of Regents. Regent Hicks was appointed by Governor Rick Perry in 2009 and reappointed in 2011. Hicks owns and is Executive Chairman of Capstar Partners, LLC, an Austin-based private investment firm. Hicks, a veteran of the radio industry, founded and served as chief executive officer of Capstar Broadcasting Corporation, where he pioneered changes to broadcast industry management practices. Hicks graduated from The University of Texas at Austin.
These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.