Governor Abbott Appoints Five To Texas State University System Board Of Regents
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Duke Austin and Nicki Harle to the Texas State University System Board of Regents for terms set to expire on February 1, 2023. Additionally, the Governor appointed Dionicio “Don” Flores and reappointed Charles Amato and Bill Scott for terms set to expire on February 1, 2025.
Duke Austin of Houston is president and CEO of Quanta Services. He is a member of the CEO Round Table and a governor of the National Electrical Contractors Association. Additionally, he is a board member of the Junior Achievement and the Greater Houston Partnership and a member of the Young Presidents Organization. Austin received a Bachelor of Business Administration in management and accounting from Sam Houston State University.
Nicki Harle of Baird is co-founder of Texas Midwest Community Network (TMCN) for which she served 20 years as executive director. She is a member of the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) and currently conducts orientations for EDC boards in rural areas. She is a member of the Texas Farm Bureau Callahan-Shackelford County Board of Directors and a lifetime member and past president of the Texas State University Alumni Association. She is treasurer of the First Presbyterian Church of Baird, president-elect of the 48 Study Club, and member of the Baird Chamber of Commerce. Additionally she is a former board member of the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau and Frontier Texas! and a former member of the Abilene Regional Airport Citizen Advisory Committee. Harle received a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Texas State University.
Dionicio “Don” Flores of El Paso is president and owner of Flores Media Consulting. He is former president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, former vice chairman of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, former board member of the National Association of Minority Media Executives, former member of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, and a former Pulitzer Prize Jurist. He previously served as vice chairman of the Texas Southern University Board of Regents and as chairman of the Texas State University System. Flores received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Texas State University.
Charlie Amato of San Antonio is co-founder and chairman of Southwest Business Corporation (SWBC). He is a board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas-San Antonio Branch, Lone Star Capital Bank, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care Corporation Board of Directors, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital Foundation, Silver & Black Give Back, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, and a Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity national director. Charlie is also chairman of the Texas State University System Foundation and vice chairman of the Texas Business Leadership Council. Additionally, he is past chairman of the University of the Incarnate Word Board of Trustees, past chairman of the Sam Houston State University College of Business Advisory Council, and past chairman of the Texas Business Hall of Fame. Amato received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Sam Houston State University.
Bill Scott of Nederland is chairman and CEO of Trans-Global Solutions, Inc. He is chairman of the Texas State University System (TSUS) Board of Regents and the TSUS Planning and Construction Committee, board member of the Lamar University Foundation Board, and a member of the Lamar University College of Business Board of Advisors. He is a president of the Gay D. and William F. Scott Family Foundation, past president of the Three Rivers Council Boy Scouts of America, and a member of the West Gulf Ports Association, International Bulk Terminals Association, South East Texas Waterways Advisory Committee, and the American Shoreline Railroad Association. Additionally, he is a former chairman and member of the Jefferson and Orange County Board of Pilot Commissioners, a former board member of the Texas Energy Museum, Foundation for Southeast Texas, Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, and the Symphony of Southeast Texas, and a former member of the Lamar University Campaign Cabinet. Scott received a Bachelor of Science in government from Lamar University.
These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.