Governor Abbott Names Chair And Appoints Two To Texas Veterans Commission
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Mary Lopez Dale and Mike Hernandez to the Texas Veterans Commission for terms set to expire on December 31, 2025. Additionally, the Governor named Laura Koerner as chair of the commission. The commission serves as the state appointed advocate of Texas veterans as they attempt to secure the benefits rightfully earned in exchange for their service in our nation's armed forces.
Mary Lopez Dale of Cedar Park serves as general counsel for Family Hospital Systems and Family Emergency Room. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Fifth Circuit of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. She continues to serve her community as a member of the Board of Directors for the Austin Community College Foundation and the Leander Education for Excellence Foundation, and is a current member and former Post Commander of American Legion Post 911. Dale received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Ohio State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Cleveland Marshall College of Law. She was honorably discharged from the United States Army Reserves and the United States Army at the rank of Captain.
Mike Hernandez of Abilene is retired from the Texas Workforce Commission. He is very active in his community as a board member for Abilene Habitat for Humanity and the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Heritage Committee and is the Chapter Adjutant for the Military Order of the Purple Heart 1937. Hernandez received an associate’s degree in sociology from Cisco College. He was honorably discharged and medically retired due to his combat injuries, from the United States Marine Corps.
Laura Koerner of Fair Oaks Ranch is a project manager, engineer, and a Councilwoman for the City of Fair Oaks Ranch. She served in the United States Navy as a Surface Warfare (Nuclear) Officer onboard USS MAHAN (DDG 72) and USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), earning 2 Navy Commendation Medals and a Navy Achievement Medal. She is a Blue & Gold Officer with the Admissions Department of the United States Naval Academy and a member of Project Management Institute, United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, and the Navy Officer Spouses Club of Greater San Antonio. Koerner received a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and was qualified as a Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator at the Naval Nuclear Power School.