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HHSC appoints Halfmann new deputy executive commissioner
Suehs also names Muth, James to new posts in health, human services agency
   Health care reform and the challenges that will go with it have led Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Executive Commissioner Tom Suehs to name Bobby Halfmann (left) to a new deputy executive commissioner position. Halfmann, who previously served as HHSC's chief of staff, will in his new position focus on improving the coordination and delivery of information technology services across all of the five health and human services agencies. Other appointments announced by Suehs include a new chief of staff, Stephanie Muth (center), and new head of the Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities, Joyce James (right). "Information technology will play a defining role in our efforts to transform our eligibility system, meet the demands of health care reform and redesign our state's public health and mental health system," said Suehs. The commissioner said he could think of no one better to lead the effort in Texas than Halfmann, who Suehs said has both "the experience and the vision" necessary for this job. Halfmann is a veteran of 38 years in state government. In addition to having served as HHSC chief of staff, he has also served the agency as budget and fiscal policy director and was chief financial officer at the Department of Human Services. He holds an accounting degree from Tarleton State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
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Ramirez-Duarte named new CFO of Texas Youth Commission
 Janie Ramirez-Duarte has been appointed as chief financial officer of the Texas Youth Commission (TYC). In making the appointment, TYC Executive Director Cherie Townsend said Ramirez-Duarte will not only manage the agency's budgeting, accounting and payroll functions, but will also oversee procurement and contracts, construction repair and maintenance functions, facility business management and food services.
Ramirez-Duarte joined TYC in 1996 as a budget analyst and was promoted to budget manager in 2004. In 2007, she was named the agency's budget director. She has a total of 22 years experience in governmental budgeting, including also having worked with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Travis County Juvenile Court.
Ramirez-Duarte holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Southwest Texas State University. She is also a graduate of the 2006 Texas Fiscal Officers' Academy, a prestigious state training resource. |
TETF invests $12M in businesses in San Antonio, Houston
$9.2M going to companies moving to Texas; $2.9M to biomedical-related firms
 Investments of more than $12 million from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF) were announced this week, with implications for business in both Houston and San Antonio. The TETF has invested a total of $9.2 million in three companies from InCube Labs for the development and commercialization of medical treatments. Those treatments will be used to treat conditions such as iron-deficiency anemia, epilepsy and atrial fibrillation. The InCube companies are currently in talks with the Institute for Preclinical Studies at Texas A&M University to develop these treatments as they move from California to San Antonio. "At the end of the day, this collaboration will boost our growing bioscience profile and create jobs in San Antonio," said San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro (pictured). The TETF has awarded: - Corhythm Inc. $3.1 million for an implantable device that detects early onset atrial fibrillation and chronic heart failure;
- Fe3 Medical Inc. $2.8 million to commercialize a drug-delivery technology for anemic patients; and
- $3.2 million to Neurolink Inc. for the development of an implantable device that predicts seizures and treats epilepsy.
Another $2.9 million from the TETF was allocated this week to three Houston-area companies to develop and commercialize biomedical technologies. Funds have been awarded to the following entities:
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AuricX Pharmaceuticals Inc. will receive $250,000 to commercialize a treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections, such as MRSA. The corporation will work in conjunction with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to develop the drug.
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Blue Box Health Inc. will garner $250,000 in funds to commercialize a disease-management device that monitors heart function in patients recently discharged from the hospital. Blue Box will work with the University of Houston on the project.
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Oncolix Inc. will net $2.4 million to develop and commercialize Prolanta, a non-chemotherapy drug for the treatment of ovarian cancer, in a partnership with UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.
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Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars
 Oliver Bell, chairman, Texas Board of Criminal Justice
Career highlights and education: Chairman, Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ), 2008-Present; Member, TBCJ, 2004-present; Entrepreneur 2000-present. Currently CEO - Oliver J. Bell, Inc; a labor relations management consultant. Formerly CEO of Global Labor & Employment Strategies, Inc. and E Team Communications, Inc.; served as a human resources professional at Mobil Oil from 1990-1992; served on the Board of the Austin Chamber of Commerce; past president of the West Point Society of Central Texas and a founding member of the Army Historical Society. Former U.S. Army officer, primary specialty Armor & Armored Cavalry, Secondary Specialty - Operations, Plans, & Training. Airborne & Ranger Qualified. Commanded K Troop 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (patrolling the then East-West German border), A Troop 2nd Squadron, 10th Cavalry, and served as the Officer-in-Charge of the U.S. Army Scout Platoon Leaders Course. Graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
What I like best about my job is: TDCJ is a vertically integrated correctional system that interacts with offenders, parolees, probationers, families and victims. Offenders are assisted with rehabilitation, education, employment training and life skills development to help learn new behaviors that can help them avoid returning to prison. The staff of TDCJ is completely dedicated to this mission and are some of the finest employees of the State of Texas.
The best advice I've received for my current job is: First and foremost, serve the interests of Texas and Texans. Be a "straight shooter" with the offices and agencies that oversee your business, with the state partners you interact with and with the public you serve. Candor is appreciated. Knowing and sharing the facts of a given situation, be it operationally related or budget-related, with those who need to know will improve your credibility with all.
Advice you would give a new hire in your office: When you join the organization, work for the brand - leaders support your employees and employees support your leaders. Follow the rules as they are often derived from lessons learned...some of those lessons have been very costly. Never be afraid to ask questions - first, so you can be as clear as possible on why we do things the way we do and second, because your question may lead to a change that will help the organization be better. Never lie about anything that happens on the job. The truth keeps all of us and the public safer.
If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: watching my kids play sports, appreciating the beauty of the Hill Country from the seat of my Harley or working in the yard - I love good-looking landscaping.
People would be surprised to know that I: am a pretty decent cook. My father was a food service professional and owned a few restaurants. I have been hanging around professional kitchens since I was 10 years old. Cooking is therapeutic to me and takes my mind off to new places. I can cook indoors or out. I make a mean spaghetti and meatballs and a heck of a brisket!
One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: Not only does the Texas Board of Criminal Justice oversee the state prison system, but we also serve as the Board of Trustees for the Windham School District, the largest geographic school district in Texas. WSD is a great organization that provides adult education on many levels and gives almost 20 percent of the GEDs in the state of Texas as well as providing opportunities for higher education. Education is the key to self improvement. It is the one thing that a person can acquire in life that can never be taken away. Education is life-altering in all settings and almost always has a positive impact on people and their future ability to achieve.
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TAMUHSC renames graduate school, selects new dean
 The Texas A&M Health Science Center's (TAMHSC) Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is set to be renamed the School of Graduate Studies in a bid to more accurately reflect the scope of programs offered there.
Additionally Dr. David S. Carlson (pictured), vice president for research at the TAMHSC and interim director of the TAMHSC Institute of Biosciences and Technology in Houston, has been named dean of the school. Both moves were recently approved by the A&M Board of Regents.
Carlson said the name change and his appointment as dean should "alleviate ambiguity about the scope and importance of graduate programs in the Texas A&M Health Science Center."
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Legislative Communications Conference coming up next week  With hot-button issues such as the state budget deficit, redistricting and other issues of importance, next week's 7th Biennial Legislative Communications Conference is an event you won't want to miss!
 Hosted jointly by Strategic Partnerships, Inc. and The University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs, the Oct. 5 event will feature an outstanding lineup of speakers that includes legislators and legislative committee chairs, key legislative staff and a variety of state agency experts. Among them is a panel that includes Blaine Brunson (right), chief of staff to the lieutenant governor, and Denise Davis (left), chief of staff for the House Speaker, who will discuss expectations, preparation and delivery as they relate to working with the state leadership.
Sen. Kirk Watson will deliver one of the keynote addresses on the upcoming legislative session from the hometown vantage point. State Rep. Jim Pitts, who chairs the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee, will deliver the opening keynote address. To view the complete agenda, click here.
The pre-legislative conference is being sponsored by Accenture, Cisco, HP and Texas.gov. For more information, please call 512-471-0820.
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UT-Austin School of Social Work dean White to step down
 Dr. Barbara W. White (pictured), dean of the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin, has announced plans to step down in August 2011. She will pursue personal goals while on sabbatical for a few months.
White, who holds the Centennial Professorship in Leadership, began her charge as dean of the school in 1993, overseeing what university Provost Dr. Steven Leslie called a "march toward excellence resulting in what is now one of the finest schools of social work in the nation."
White formerly worked as associate dean at the School of Social Work at Florida State University. She is the former president of both the 155,000-member National Association of Social Workers and the Council on Social Work Education, the only person in her profession to have held both of these leadership distinctions.
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Saxon, dean of UT-Arlington libraries, to step down in fall 2011
 Gerald Saxon (pictured), dean of The University of Texas at Arlington libraries, has announced he will step down from his post in fall 2011 to pursue research endeavors and return to teaching western and southwestern history as a Department of History faculty member. A new dean has not yet been named.
Saxon began his tenure as dean in 2004, where he expanded the libraries' acquisition expenditures to about $6 million a year. He joined the UT-Arlington faculty in 1986 as assistant director for Library Special Collections and development. He began serving as an adjunct professor of history there in 1987.
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$7.36 million headed to Texas for rural community projects
Seven entities in rural areas of Texas will share $7.36 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture funding to be used to create jobs and improve rural communities. The funds, administered by USDA Rural Development, will fund public facilities in Texas such as fire stations, municipal buildings and emergency operations centers. The Texas funds are part of $499 million being distributed nationwide and that have been matched with $65.2 million from other sources.
The Texas recipients and the amount of their awards include:
- Calvert Volunteer Fire Department - $154,500 loan and $450,000 grant to build a new fire station;
- Chicota Volunteer Fire Department - $47,450 loan and $25,500 grant to build a new fire station;
- City of Alton - $500,000 loan and $500,000 grant to build a new fire station;
- City of Elmendorf - $1.272 million loan and $250,000 grant to build a municipal building to be used as a city hall, public facility and police department;
- City of Mercedes - $1.549 million loan and $500,000 grant to build a new fire station;
- Culberson County Hospital District - $96,000 grant to purchase medical and exam equipment; and
- Houston County - $1.514 million loan and $500,000 grant to construct an emergency operations center.
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Gas company donates $5M to UT-Arlington special events center
 Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc. has donated $5 million to The University of Texas at Arlington toward the completion of a 6,500-seat special events center. The event marks the single largest cash commitment in UT-Arlington's history.
Carrizo, a Houston-based, independent energy company, contributed $1 million to UT-Arlington last fall that established a graduate research fellowship program. The institution's Maverick Match program allows philanthropic partners who make endowment gifts of $25,000 to have their contributions doubled through natural gas royalty matching funds.
Thanks in part to Carrizo's partnership, "we are fortunate to have six new doctoral fellows this fall who have brought their talent to UT Arlington," said President James D. Spaniolo (pictured).
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Harris County mulling privatizing county jail operations
 Harris County commissioners recently agreed to study a proposal to turn over management of the Harris County Detention System to a private company.
Steve Radack (pictured), Precinct 3 commissioner, proposed jail privatization as one of several options to reduce its budget rather than increase taxes. The county's budget officer also is projecting a $34 million loss in revenue for the county, but that could grow to a $51 million loss by the end of the fiscal year, Radack said. The county currently has a $200 million budget for jail operations, he added.
Sheriff Adrian Garcia and another commissioner warned against putting all jail operation under management of a private company, although the sheriff said he supports privatizing certain support services for jail operations. Currently, private companies manage more than 50 local, state and federal detention facilities in Texas.
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Waldner named Houston's first chief service officer
Cameron Waldner has been selected to serve as the City of Houston's first chief service officer. He will be charged with developing and implementing a plan to increase citywide volunteerism in his new role.
The city was one of 10 to receive a Cities of Service Leadership Grant last June. The two-year, $200,000 grant, a philanthropic effort, promotes volunteerism to address community needs.
Waldner, who holds a bachelor's degree and master's degree from the University of St. Thomas, previously worked as the city's director of the Volunteer Initiatives Program and as advisor to the Mayor's Youth Council. He is an active member of Volunteer Houston, where he assists with the mayor's spring-annual Volunteer Houston Awards.
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UTHSC honors Montfords through cancer research fund
 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has established the $600,000 John T. and Debbie Montford Cancer Research Fund, named in honor of the senator/philanthropist and his wife (pictured). The Fund comprises part of the $5.6 million raised at the Health Science Center's fourth gala held recently.
"We want to be acknowledged among the very best academic health centers in our country," said Dr. William L. Henrich, MACP, president of the Health Science Center. In the last four years, out of 131 academic medical centers in the U.S., the Health Science Center ranked eighth in terms of scientific peer-reviewed research growth.
Henrich went on to thank support from the community and the Montfords in particular for their generous contribution. John Montford served as president of the Health Science Center Development Board from 2007 until this year, when he stepped down.
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Odessa exploring purchase of 300 new radios for public works
Odessa City Council members recently discussed whether to hire a consultant to help the city replace its current radio system for public works employees and other non-emergency city workers.
Purchased in the 1990s, the current analog system no longer has replacement parts to repair radios, said Rick Roach, city communications manager. In addition to urging the city to buy about 300 new radios, Roach requested city leaders replace a leased backup signal tower the city now uses with another tower north of town.
Because some city employees will often use their cell phones rather than a radio to communicate with supervisors and other city employees, the consultant should explore which departments can use cell phones rather than radio communications in some instances because the newer radios as very expensive, Roach said.
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Weis starts job as general manager of Austin Energy
 Larry Weis (pictured) has begun his job as general manager of Austin Energy, the ninth largest community-owned electric utility in the nation.
Weis previously served as general manager and CEO of Turlock Irrigation District in Turlock, Calif. His resume boasts more than 29 years of electric and water utility industry experience. He began his electric utility career in 1981, conducting energy audits and working with large commercial and industrial customers in Washington state.
Weis replaces Robert Goode, who has served as interim general manager since March. Goode will meanwhile return to his position as assistant city manager.
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Texas rural-community libraries to receive ARRA funds for upgrades
A total of four Texas libraries will garner $379,000 in loans and more than $734,000 in grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced the investments, which will be used to create jobs by building and upgrading libraries in rural communities.
Vilsack said the funds will serve rural residents for years to come. "Libraries are the centerpiece of rural community life," he said, "but in many cases they need additional funding to provide rural residents with computer access, modern equipment and new training."
The four Texas libraries to receive funding include the following:
- The Bailey H. Dunlap Memorial Library of La Feria (Cameron County) was awarded a $379,000 loan and a $464,431 grant for the expansion of the existing library;
- The Brooks County Independent School District received a grant for $58,850 for library tables, chairs, shelving and computer desks;
- Friends of the Carnegie received a $51,932 grant for basement repairs and exterior drainage improvements; and
- The City of Hidalgo received $159,486 in grant funds for library tables, chairs and a new circulation and reference desk.
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Ratepayers may decide whether to dissolve S.A. water utility
 If the Texas Legislature approves, Bexar Metropolitan Water District ratepayers will decide whether to dissolve the utility and let a new entity take over.
Among other issues, the troubled utility company recently corrected $3 million in alleged falsely recorded impact fees and launched an investigation into reported stolen account funds totaling $25,000. The utility also saw its bond rating drop amid officials' discovery that BexarMet's general manager is reportedly part of a federal investigation looking into the previous utility he worked for in Detroit.
Richard Perez (pictured), president and CEO of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, said the utility's transparency issues and higher rates compared to the San Antonio Water System may hamper economic growth since BexarMet serves some of the fastest-growing areas in San Antonio.
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San Antonio airport to close economy lot as city tightens budget
 Officials at San Antonio International Airport have announced the closure of its economy parking lot beginning Sept. 30. The move comes as part of an economic realignment strategy designed to make operations more cost-effective.
"The airport was not immune to these tough decisions," said Frank R. Miller (pictured), Director of Aviation, referring to the city's 2011 budget-trimming. He said customers will likely find more convenient parking, such as the long-term covered parking garage located closer to the terminal complex.
The closure will not result in job losses, according to Miller.
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Brownsville ISD approves architects for four building projects
Trustees for the Brownsville Independent School District recently approved architectural contracts for four proposed school construction projects.
The projects are:
- Building a permanent campus for the Brownsville Academic Center now located in 40 portable buildings at an estimated cost of about $7.7 million;
- Adding a new instructional fine arts performance auditorium at Hanna High School with an estimated price tag of $7.4 million;
- Constructing a new instructional wing at Porter High School with an estimated $3.8 million cost; and
- Building a new campus for Brownsville Early College High School at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College at a cost of about $6.1 million.
The project design specifications are to be submitted in November. |
Denton may downsize its original plans for new animal shelter
 Citing the current economic climate, Denton city officials recently began discussions on downsizing by about one-third a proposed new animal shelter.
The city needs to set a construction date soon and build the new facility because some grant funds are good for only two years and donors to the project are beginning to question the long delay, said Mayor Pro Tem Pete Kamp (pictured). Kamp also serves as chair of the Denton Animal Shelter Foundation. In 2007, city officials and animal shelter foundation officials signed an agreement to share the costs of the new shelter, with the city agreeing to provide land, oversee construction, manage the facility and pay a small portion of the construction costs. The foundation agreed to help pay for construction of the building. The foundation has raised about $400,000 of its $2 million goal since fundraising began last fall.
The downsized animal shelter is expected to cost from $3.3 million to $3.8 million, said a spokesman for the police department, which oversees animal services for the city. The suggested 14,000- to 15,000-square-foot reduction in space will be primarily taken from office areas although animal housing and adoption space also will be scaled back a little from current plans, city officials said.
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Nine community colleges garner $388,067 from Job Building Fund
The Texas Comptroller recently awarded grants from the Job Building Fund totaling more than $388,000 to nine community colleges to help pay for equipment for new career and technical education programs.
The entities and their awards include:
- $33,605 to Alamo Community College in San Antonio for its manufacturing technician program;
- $42,450 to Austin Community College for its biology/biotechnology lab technician program;
- $45,000 to Coastal Bend College in Beeville for its computer systems networking and telecommunications programs;
- $44,985 to Galveston College in Galveston for its industrial technician program;
- $45,000 to McLennan Community College in Waco for its associate degree in nursing program;
- $44,373 to North Central Texas College in Gainesville for its engineering technician program;
- $43,400 to Texarkana College in Texarkana for its associate degree in nursing program;
- $45,000 to Texas State Technical College in Harlingen for its associates degree for welding technicians program; and
- $44,254 to Tyler Junior College in Tyler for its associate degree in nursing program.
The purpose of the grant is train employees for careers in high-demand occupations. The community colleges are required to provide matching funds in the form of cash, equipment, materials supplies or personnel costs to qualify for the grants, according to a spokesperson for the Comptroller's Office.
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Arlington exploring improvements to Central Library
 Arlington city leaders recently held a public meeting to discuss services and features library patrons would like in the downtown Central Library. They are trying to decide whether to renovate and add on to the existing facility or build a new library.
The 40-year-old, 63,000-square-foot building would need about $7.5 million in repairs, noted Cary Siegfried (pictured), director of libraries. Building a new library most likely would cost about $10 million in addition to the cost of demolition and designing the new facility, a consultant said. City officials discussed adding to the library such features as high-tech community rooms to allow library patrons to watch movies, hold meetings or take classes, fireside seating areas to enjoy a book with a cup of coffee and specially zoned children's areas.
The proposed renovations to the Central Library include repairing a leaking roof, accessibility issues, the electrical system, plumbing, elevator problems and a shortage of public restrooms, Siegfried said. The renovation would also require the city to remove asbestos now in the facility, Siegfried said. City officials also discussed adding a third floor to the current library.
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Arlington seeking $30.6 million in federal funds for roads
Arlington city officials recently agreed to seek federal funding to help pay for two major road projects to improve traffic flow near the airport and two sports stadiums in the city's entertainment district.
City officials will ask federal transportation officials for $11.4 million to build a bridge over I-20 in the southeast area of the city and $19.2 million to build an underpass on Stadium Drive to permit traffic to go under train tracks. The underpass will help ease traffic congestion near Rangers Ballpark and Cowboys Stadium, city officials said.
Council members are scheduled to vote on the appropriation requests in mid-October. The federal appropriation requests also include $2 million for flood control improvements on Johnson Creek, $3.84 million to buy buses powered by natural gas and $1.3 million to improve public safety radio systems. Council members also approved a $131,600 contract with a consulting firm to serve as the city's federal lobbyist.
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Hutto selected as future home to higher education center
 The City of Hutto has been selected to serve as the new home of the East Williamson County Higher Education Center. The city was in the running with Taylor as a potential site for the Center, which will offer classes from Temple College and Texas State Technical College. Classes should begin in 2012, and construction could begin as early as next summer.
Taylor withdrew its bid to host a site as city officials plan to build a new high school there.
Hutto City Manager Ed Broussard (pictured) said the city will ask voters to approve a 5-cents-per-$100 of assessed property valuation tax to help lease buildings for the Center.
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InnoTech planning October conference, expo
InnoTech, Austin's premier technology innovation conference and expo, will be held on Thursday, Oct. 28, at the Austin Convention Center. A list of national and local speakers will be listed here as they are confirmed. Some of the InnoTech conference tracks and special events include: social computing such as Facebook, Twitter and more; cloud computing; wireless and mobile applications; Microsoft Partner Pavilion and demos; virtualization and desktop virtualization and startup topics. Discounted registration options include the General InnoTech Conference Pass. (To register, use code TGI999 in the Discount Code Field), CIO Gala luncheon and CIO workshop "Enabling Social Media (use Discount Code CIO49G) and eMarketing Summit @InnoTech featuring a full day of Internet marking-related topics and networking. Steve Patrizi of LinkedIn Corp. will be the luncheon speaker. (Use Discount Code EM67 for a reduced rate.)
TML setting sail for Corpus Christi, Oct. 26-29
The largest municipal event in the state kicks off Oct. 26 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, as the Texas Municipal League hosts its 98th Annual Conference and Exhibition. This ocean-front event will focus on "Charting New Horizons" by addressing topics such as Professional Ethics, Capital Budgeting, Negotiating Successfully and Engaging the Community. Wednesday will have attendees sailing through the aisles of the Municipal Marketplace when the TML Exhibit Hall opens at noon, followed by a powerful message delivered at the Opening General Session. Thursday's events will feature the traditional TML Risk Pools' Breakfast to jumpstart a variety of concurrent sessions. The day will also include keynote speaker John Sileo, America's leading professional speaker on identity theft prevention and corporate data privacy. Friday will begin with the Women in Government Breakfast, followed by additional concurrent sessions. The final delegate luncheon will send attendees home with a smile after Tim and Kris O'Shea use motivational humor to present the ups and downs of dealing with change. For more details and registration information, click here. Executive Women in Texas Government plan annual conference
The Executive Women in Texas Government 24th Annual Professional Development Conference will be Monday, Nov. 22, at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort in Lost Pines, Texas. This year's theme, "EWTG: Creating Leaders, Delivering Value," focuses on an investment in yourself. The event will feature a full day of keynote speakers, workshops and networking to enhance professional development, professional connections and personal growth. The event will begin with a 7:30 a.m. registration. The first keynote speaker, Merrie Spaeth, will be heard during the opening general session at 8:30 a.m. followed by the EWTG Woman of the Year presentation and one morning workshop. The second keynote speaker, Janet Sue Rush, will speak during lunch followed by two afternoon workshops. For more information on the conference and registration, click here.
7th Annual Tee IT Up Texas! Registration Open until Oct. 1
Registration is now open for the 7th Annual Tee IT Up Texas! Golf Tournament scheduled for Friday, Oct. 15. Early signup is encouraged since for the last few years, the teams and sponsorships have sold out fast. As in years past, players are welcome from all IT public sector entities - state and local government, school districts, hospital districts, etc. - and the event provides an opportunity for vendors and government employees to network. All government players are welcome to pay for their own fees for this tournament. Individual player fees are $50/player and include green fees, cart fees, practice range, tournament services, beverages, lunch and heavy appetizers during the awards ceremony. For more information, click here. IT vendors calling on Public Sector accounts are invited to visit the Web site to register and purchase sponsorships. Vendors are encouraged to form teams with at least two government players per team. This year's proceeds will be donated to the Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Fort Hood.
TxDOT Business Outreach & Program Services hosts webinars
In fiscal year 2010, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Business Outreach & Program (BOP) Services implemented a series of webinars offering technical business development opportunities to small, minority and women business - in the field of construction and professional services in the state of Texas. The webinar series topics ranged from how to become a pre-qualified bidder on TxDOT contracts, TxDOT Plans Online, How to Market Your Business To Prime Contractors, Construction Industry Bonding and much more. Each session's goal was to provide valuable information to contractors, suppliers and small businesses on how to do business with TxDOT, how to increase business capacity and improve opportunities to bid and obtain contracts with TxDOT. The final 2010 webinars concluded in August, but the 2011 fiscal year webinar series planning is under way and will be announced later in the 2010 calendar year. Each free Webinar is limited and registration slots are on a first-come-first-serve basis. More information on each webinar can be found here. Questions should be forwarded to TxDOT-BOP-Webinars@dot.state.tx.us or call 1.866.480.2518, Option 2 for more information.
TxDOT announces three Small Business Briefing conferences
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Business Outreach and Program (BOP) Services has announced three upcoming FY 2011 Small Business Briefing conferences. A Nov. 10 conference is set this year in Beaumont, an April 20, 2011, conference is slated in Fort Worth and a July 20, 2011, conference is planned for San Antonio. The conference goal is to provide small and minority-owned business communities an opportunity to learn more about contracting opportunities with TxDOT. Information will be available to help them do business with the agency and the State of Texas. The sessions not only allow small businesses to be introduced to TxDOT and other state agencies, but also allow them to learn more about the economic development opportunities in their regions. It also gives agencies a chance to show the myriad of prospects available for small and minority businesses in the state. For more information and to register, click here or call 512.866.480.2519, Option 2.
National Association of Social Workers, Texas plans conference
The 2010 National Association of Social Workers, Texas Annual Conference is slated for Oct. 8-10 at the Westin Galleria in Houston. Houston Mayor Annise Parker will be the opening plenary speaker and will address "Inspiring Community Action for a Better Quality of Life." Some of the pre-conference sessions planned, for which continuing education hours can be earned, include topics such as suicide prevention and postvention, overview of psychotropic medication for treating mental illness and teaching the next generation of social workers. inspiring community action for a better quality of life. There will also be numerous break-out sessions during the three days that cover everything from motivational interviewing to challenges facing children with incarcerated parents. The closing plenary session will feature Vicki Hansen, LMSW-AP, ACSW addressing "Advancing the Profession: Inspiring Social Workers. The closing plenary will provide attendees with a "State of the Chapter" to bring you up to date with NASW/Texas challenges and accomplishments. For more information on the conference schedules, click here. For registration information, click here.
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Construction projects abundant on college campuses in Texas
 By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Like universities across the nation, state-supported colleges and universities in Texas are reporting record enrollments. Part of the burgeoning student population can be attributed to a sagging economy. A poor job market is causing individuals to seek new skills and new vocations.
Campus facilities are feeling the strain of the increase in enrollment. More of everything is needed - more classrooms, teachers, parking, student housing, security and technology. As a result, construction projects are the norm.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville recorded a 12 percent enrollment increase this year. Because students have been living in local hotels because of a lack of on-campus housing, the A&M Board of Regents allowed the university to move up the start date for a third phase of a campus residence hall expansion. The new facility, which will house 300 students, should be completed by August 2012.
All eight component institutions of the Texas State University System recorded enrollment growth. Lamar University set an all-time enrollment record for the second consecutive year.
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El Campo ISD trustees to seek bids for auditorium upgrades
 El Campo Independent School District trustees have agreed to seek bids for renovations to the high school auditorium, which is set to include new lighting, sound systems and ceiling tiles.
"Bidding these projects under one contract as opposed to bidding them as individual projects should save the district some money," said Superintendent Mark Pool (pictured). Pool said school officials will request one bid from a general contractor for all three projects in addition to requesting separate bids for each.
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Conroe approves design
for new sidewalk project
With a goal of attracting grant funding, Conroe City Council members recently agreed to move forward with a design plan to build 5-foot-wide sidewalks from the railroad overpass on Frazier Street to North Loop 336.
The project has been on a list of capital improvement projects for about 10 years and the city has $229,000 to pay for design plans The cost for building the new sidewalks has not yet been determined, said the director of community development for the city. Because the project promotes both pedestrian and sidewalk mobility and can be shovel-ready very quickly, the sidewalk project is a good project to attract federal mobility funding, he added.
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| Sheppard AFB gains $6.1M
for energy conservation
The U.S. Air Staff recently awarded $6.1 million to officials of Sheppard Air Force Base to pay for energy conservation projects to be completed in the next six to nine months.
The funding will be used for four projects designed to reduce utility consumption costs by more than $1.5 million a year, said the energy manager at the base located near Wichita Falls. Two of the energy-saving projects will focus on upgrading interior lighting systems in 44 buildings, while the remaining two projects focus on upgrading the chilled water plant.
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| Galveston ISD recipient
of two federal grants Renovations to the student library, development of a parent resource center and purchase of two buses for Ball High School are part of a $737,987 Gulf Coast Recovery Initiative grant recently awarded to the Galveston ISD. The grant also will be used to increase bilingual and English as a Second Language student performance on TAKS tests.
The district also was awarded a $19,400,995 federal grant to spend over a five-year period to develop a performance-based teacher compensation system where educators are rewarded based on the growth of students. Some of the funding also will be used for professional development for faculty and staff, said the director of instructional resources and special initiatives.
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Navasota to use $10,000
grant to improve its parks
Navasota recently won a $10,000 grant to pay for lighting and signage improvements at Hillside Park. The grant program is sponsored by Communities of Texas: Cancer, Activity, Research, Education, Support (CTxCARES) as an effort to increase physical activity as a way to prevent cancer.
City officials plan to use the funds to provide lighting and improve signage on the multi-use trail at Hillside Park to encourage more residents to use the trail and increase physical activity.
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Huston-Tillotson University awarded more than $872K
Huston-Tillotson University will use part of $872,713 in federal funds to renovate its library system.
The funds arrive as part of the Historically Black College and Universities Program and Student Financial Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act and will go toward boosting academic support, library renovations, increasing student retention and developing a communications degree program.
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Where do folks go when they leave government? Some go to work in the private sector or for nonprofits. Some transition to executive-level positions in higher education while others may seek elected local government positions. And some just retire and spend a lot of time with their grandkids at the fishin' hole. This column focuses on where former state government officials and private sector employees are now.
 Stan Knee worked his way up the ranks of the Garden Grove (California) Police Department and in 1988 became chief of police in National City in San Diego County, California. He returned to Garden Grove in 1992 as police chief, serving for five years. Knee then served as chief of the Austin Police Department from 1997 to 2006. He left Austin in 2006 for a job with the U.S. State Department as a mentor to the Minister of the Interior in Afghanistan, helping to build up a professional police force there. He returned to Austin after three years and became a criminal justice consultant. Knee was recently named head of security for the Seton Family of Hospitals in Austin. |
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Adams resigns as superintendent of Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD
Pat Adams recently announced his resignation as superintendent of the Daingerfield-Lone Star Independent School District. The resignation will be effective at the end of this year, he said. Adams joined the district in 2008. He previously served as superintendent of Central Heights ISD.
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Guillory retires as transportation chief of Beaumont ISD
Clifton Guillory, who served as director of transportation for the Beaumont Independent School District, recently retired from that post. Guillory had worked for the school district for 24 years.
District officials appointed Tamraka McGriff, the assistant director of transportation, to serve as the interim director of transportation until a new transportation director is hired. School officials have begun a search to replace Guillory.
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Harris County commissioners appoint Stobb to Metro board
Gary Stobb has been named to the Metro board by Harris County commissioners. Stobb formerly served as executive director of the Harris County Toll Road Authority from June 2007 until February of this year. Stobb replaces Jackie Freeman, whose term has expired.
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Nuse named sole finalist to become San Marcos city mgr.
 Jim Nuse (pictured) has been named sole finalist in the running to become San Marcos' next city manager. The San Marcos City Council will vote on the appointment either Oct. 5 or Oct. 19, according to Mayor Susan Narvaiz. Nuse currently serves as Round Rock city manager. He beat out Jeffrey Howell, city manager of Kilgore, and Scott Moore, city manager of Peoria, Ill., for the candidacy.
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Longview adopts $86 million capital improvement program
Longview City Council members recently adopted a five-year, $86 million Capital Improvement Program listing 49 projects to upgrade streets, bridges, sewer lines and other municipal facilities in the city.
For this fiscal year, council members also approved a $970,000 project to reconstruct or replace four bridges and culverts, a $310,000 plan to relocate utility lines for two state road projects in South Longview and a $1.97 million project to upgrade sewer lines in the southeast area of the city. City officials also plan to clean out debris from Iron Bridge Creek to reduce erosion and flooding.
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Texas Government Insider Archives
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Clarendon ends contract with interim city administrator
The mayor of Clarendon recently terminated the employment of Joe Pence, the city's interim city administrator, after Pence served only three days on the job. Pence's services were contracted through a consulting firm. City council members also began interviews with finalists for the city administrator position.
The first interview was with Jeff Johnson, currently a plans analyst with the city of Lubbock. Council members also plan to interview David Dockery, a city administrator and public works director in Johnson City; K. M. Waterstreet, a city manager of Aransas Pass; Lambert Little, a city administrator of Hico; and Mark C. White, a probation officer for the 100th Judicial District. Council members expect to select a new city administrator within two weeks after the interview process is completed, the city secretary said.
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Port Arthur wins $2.25 million grant for emergency response
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently approved a $2.253 million grant to the police and fire departments in Port Arthur. The funds are intended to improve the city's disaster response capabilities to hazardous materials incidents, industrial fires and other emergency events.
City leaders plan to purchase emergency and disaster response equipment, including two industrial fire engines and a 25-foot Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) Marine response boat with the grant funding.
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| Clute selects Gary Beverly
as its new city manager Clute City Council members recently selected Interim City Manager Gary Beverly as the new city manager. Beverly's job performance as interim city manager was the deciding factor, the mayor said.
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Comptroller issues $600K to El Paso technical training programs
Texas State Comptroller Susan Combs recently announced more than $600,000 in state funds will be issued in El Paso toward high-demand technical careers, which may not require a college degree. The funds arrive as part of a $25 million package known as the Jobs and Education for Texans program, which provides training in technical fields. Two groups in El Paso will split the money. A total of $500,000 in scholarships will go to Project ARRIBA, a nonprofit group that trains low-income residents for high-skill jobs. El Paso Community College will net $107,025 to buy equipment and issue scholarships in technical fields.
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Dallas superintendent loses bid for Clark County schools chief
 Superintendent Michael Hinojosa (pictured) of the Dallas Independent School District recently lost his bid to become the new superintendent at the Clark County School District in Nevada. Hinojosa was one of two finalists for the Clark County position.
Hinojosa, who has served as the superintendent in Dallas since May 2005, noted he now plans to sign a contract extension with the Dallas school district very soon.
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| United ISD wins $44,000
grant to improve safety
The United Independent School District in Laredo recently won a $44,000 grant from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services of the U.S. Department of Justice.
The grant will be used to improve safety of students in the district by helping pay for the purchase and installation of safety equipment such as closed circuit surveillance systems, lighting, locks and metal detectors.
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Athens to seek $275,000 to improve city sewers system
Athens City Council members recently agreed to seek $275,000 through the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program to pay for improvements to the city sewer system. The grant, which is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will require the city to contribute $55,000 in matching funding to help pay for the sewer improvements, city officials said.
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Chehadi resigns as head Workforce Solutions Alamo
Chakib Chehadi, executive director of Workforce Solutions Alamo, recently resigned from that position, effective at the end of this year. Chehadi said he is leaving the agency to launch his own consulting firm.
Workforce Solutions Alamo board members appointed Belinda Gomez and Francisco Moncivals, deputy executive directors, to oversee the agency effective on Jan 1, 2011. The board has begun a nationwide search for a new executive director who will oversee the agency's $70 million budget and 35 employees.
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Northside ISD wins $239,707 grant to upgrade security
The U.S. Department of Justice recently awarded a $239,707 grant to the Northside Independent School District to upgrade safety and reduce child predator attacks.
The grant from the Justice Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services will help pay for the purchase and installation of surveillance systems, metal detectors, locks, lighting and other safety features for schools.
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Cleveland terminates city manager Cook's contract
 Cleveland City Council members recently voted to terminate the contract of City Manager Philip Cook (pictured), who had served as city manager for nine years. The council is slated to meet today, Friday, to name an interim city manager.
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| November election dates
Important dates for upcoming November General Election:
- Saturday, Oct. 4 - Last day to register to vote
- Oct. 18-29 - Early voting in person
- Oct. 26 - Deadline for applying for ballot by mail to be received by early voting clerk
- Nov. 2 - Election Day
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Hunt Co. moving environmental officers to new department
Hunt County commissioners recently agreed to move the supervision of the county's three environmental enforcement officers from the Sheriff's Office to the county's Homeland Security Department. The transfer of responsibilities began in late September.
Moving the environmental enforcement officers to the Homeland Security Department will provide more opportunities for grant funding, the county judge said.
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Corrections, clarifications
In last week's edition of the Texas Government Insider, a story noted that a $1.6 million investment from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund was being made in Health Management Systems, Inc. as the company shifts its headquarters to Irving. The investment was not from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, but from the Texas Enterprise Fund.
Also in last week's edition, a story ran saying that Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) could soon become privatized. The privatization being considered is for delivery of paratransit services, not for the entire public agency. The agency already contracts with a private firm to provide paratransit services. The issue is not the use of a contractor, but the delivery of service.
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The Texas Government Insider is a free weekly e-newsletter detailing important happenings throughout the state and summarizing current political issues relevant to individuals interested in government.
Publisher: Mary Scott Nabers
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