Governor Abbott Names Chair And Appoints Seven To Brazos River Authority Board Of Directors
Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Jarrod Smith and appointed Jennifer “Jen” Henderson, Judy Krohn, Ph.D., Alan Sandersen, Traci LaChance, Royce Lesley, and Wayne Wilson to the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors for terms set to expire on February 1, 2023. Additionally, the Governor named Cynthia Flores chair of the board. The board formulates plans deemed essential to the operation of the District and its administration in the control, storing, preservation and distribution of the storm and flood waters of the Brazos River and its tributary streams. In addition, the authority may discover, develop, and produce groundwater in the Brazos River basin for the use of its customers.
Jarrod Smith of Danbury is the owner of Law Office of Jarrod D. Smith. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Brazoria County Bar Association, and Texas Land Title Association and a board member of the Alvin Community College Foundation. Previously, he was secretary of the Brazoria County ESD #3, secretary of the Angleton Downtown Revitalization Corporation, and member of the Angleton Area Emergency Medical Corporation. Smith received a bachelor’s degree from University of Houston, Clear Lake and a Juris Doctor degree from Texas Southern University.
Jennifer “Jen” Henderson of Round Rock is a project manager and land development engineer at M&S Engineering. She is a member of the American Society of Professional Engineers, Round Rock Noon Rotary, and Round Rock ISD School Health Advisory Council. In addition, she is the vice president of scholarships for the Professional Women of Williamson County, alternate vice-chair of the Round Rock Planning and Zoning Commission, the community coordinator for Healthy Kids Running Series Round Rock and parliamentarian of Herrington Elementary PTA. Henderson received a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Texas Tech University.
Judy Krohn, Ph.D. of Georgetown is retired after a career in public education. She is currently a volunteer with the Georgetown Police Department. Krohn received a Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Educational Health and Psychology from The University of Texas at El Paso and a Doctor of Philosophy in education administration from Century University.
Alan Sandersen of Sugar Land is a CPA and a partner with Sandersen & Scheffer PLLC. He is a former appointee to the Texas Veterans Land Board. Sandersen served with the Texas Army National Guard as a Corps of Engineers officer for eight years until he was honorably discharged. He is a member of the American Institute of CPA’s and the Society of American Military Engineers. He has served the public in the past as an elected official with infrastructure related entities as well as appointed positions such as president of Fort Bend County Housing Finance Corporation and on the Houston-Galveston Area Council Committee on Aging. Sandersen received ahis Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Texas A&M University.
Traci LaChance of Danbury is the US Production Lead for RiceTec, Inc. She has been in the seed rice business for 25 years. LaChance and her husband are owners of Sonic Drive-Ins in Brazoria and Galveston counties. She is a member of Share the Harvest Foundation, The Alliance of Brazoria County, and a life-long member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Additionally, she volunteers with Military Moms & Wives of Brazoria County, RiceTec Community Outreach and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. LaChance received a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from the University of Houston.
Royce Lesley of Comanche is the owner operator of his family farm and ranch. He previously served on the Comanche Central Appraisal Board of Directors. Lesley received a degree in agricultural education form Tarleton State University.
Wayne Wilson of Bryan is the owner of Wilson Cattle Company, a diversified stocker operation. He currently serves on the board of directors of RVOS Farm Mutual Insurance Group of Companies and Chair of the Region G Regional Water Planning Group. In addition, he served as the former board chair of Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach, Brazos County AgriLife Extension Beef & Forage Committee, Brazos County Farm Bureau Board, and Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District. Wilson also served as a past director of Capital Farm Credit. He is a member of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, National Cattleman’s Beef Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, and the National Rifle Association.
Cynthia Flores of Round Rock is a professional case manager and coordinates the social services programs at the Round Rock Area Serving Center. She is a member of the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, serving two years on the board of directors and an ambassador for eight years. Flores is a 2008 graduate of Leadership Round Rock and now serves as Community Involvement and County Government Day Chair. In addition, she is a community representative on the Allen Baca Center Advisory Board, member of Professional Women of Williamson County, Catholic Business Networking, and Williamson County Non-Profit Networking Group. Flores received a Bachelor of Science from University of North Texas.
These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.