Governor Abbott Appoints Three To The Texas Tech University System Board Of Regents
Governor Abbott today announced the appointment of J. Michael Lewis and John B. Walker and the reappointment of John D. Steinmetz to the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents, effective Jan. 31, 2017, for terms set to expire Jan. 31, 2023.
J. Michael Lewis of Dallas is a private investor and the general partner of Coronado Resources, Olympia Royalty, and Wellspring Royalties. He was previously appointed by Gov. Abbott to the Governor’s University Research Initiative Advisory Board. He is a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America and the Financial Executives Institute. Currently, he serves on the board of directors of the State Fair of Texas, Texas Tech Foundation, and the West Dallas Community School. Additionally, he is a member of the Texas Tech Investment Advisory Committee and the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. In 2014 Mr. Lewis received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University. Lewis received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.
John B. Walker of Houston is chief executive officer of EnerVest, Ltd., and executive chairman of EV Energy Partners, L.P. An Eagle Scout and veteran of the United States Navy, he is a previous gubernatorial appointee to the Texas Tech Board of Regents and was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas Tech University. He is the previous chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association of America and is a member of the National Petroleum Council and All-American Wildcatters. He has served on the boards of PetroLogistics LP, the Houston Producers’ Forum, the Petroleum Club of Houston, and the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association. In November 2007, he received the oil and gas industry’s highest award, the Chief Roughneck Award. He is a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, the Distinguished Eagle from the Boy Scouts of America, the Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones International Citizen Award and the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. Walker received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from New York University.
John D. Steinmetz of Dallas is president and CEO of Vista Bank. He is a gubernatorial appointee to the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents and currently serves as chairman of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Facilities and Regents' Rules Committees. He is an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and past recipient of the Small Business Administration's Financial Services Champion Award. Steinmetz received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University where he served as president of the Student Government Association.
These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.