Governor Abbott Appoints Four To Business Advisory Council To The Texas Division Of Emergency Management
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Al Philippus and Justen Noakes to the Business Advisory Council to the Texas Division of Emergency Management for terms set to expire on February 1, 2021. Additionally, the Governor appointed Bart McKay and Gina Spagnola for terms set to expire on February 1, 2022 and February 1, 2023, respectively. The council provides advice and expertise on actions state and local governments can take to assist businesses in recovering from a disaster.
Al Philippus of San Antonio is Vice President of Global Security, Facility, and Administrative Services at Valero Energy Corporation. Previously, he served as Chief of Police for the San Antonio Police Department. He is a member of the International Security Management Association and the American Society for Industrial Security. Philippus received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Southwest Texas State University and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Management and Administration from Sam Houston State University. Additionally, he completed executive leadership training at the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Executive Institute and the Senior Executive Leadership Program at the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management.
Justen Noakes of San Antonio is the Director of Emergency Preparedness at H-E-B and serves on the Board of Directors for Texas Search and Rescue, Inc., a nonprofit first responder organization providing trained volunteer support to law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management agencies. He is a Commissioner for Bexar County Emergency Services District #2, providing fire and EMS services for northwest Bexar County. Noakes received a Bachelor of Science in Social Science from Kansas State University.
Bart McKay of Dallas is Vice President and Division General Counsel at Carrollton-based McLane Foodservice, Inc., a nationwide distributor of food and related supplies. He is a native of Wolfe City and a member of the State Bar of Texas. Additionally, he has extensive experience in commercial insurance and risk management, and holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter credential. McKay received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Juris Doctor degree from Baylor University.
Gina Spagnola of Galveston is the President and CEO of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce. She is chair of the Association of Chamber Executives Urgent Response Task Force, a board member of Humanities Texas, Upward Hope Academy, and The Grand 1894 Opera House and an advisory board member of the Salvation Army Galveston County, and a Port of Call Committee member. She was appointed to the National Business Recovery Corps of the U.S. Chamber Business Civic Leadership Center in 2009 and serves on the U.S. Chamber’s Transportation Infrastructure and Logistics Committee. She has remained a leader in Business Recovery helping assist multiple cities and chambers after natural disasters and has earned both state and national recognition. She was one of ten representatives from the United States selected by the East-West Center’s U.S.-Japan Grassroots Exchange Project to travel to Japan for a four-year study on post-disaster community rebuilding. Additionally, she is a member of the Galveston Island Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. Spagnola attended the Indianapolis School of Philanthropy and is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Non-Profit Organization Management.