Gov. Greg Abbott has made numerous leadership changes to the Boards of Directors (BOD) for the San Jacinto and Lower Colorado River Authorities. These government agencies are responsible for their respective river basins, including preserving water resources, managing environmental impacts, maintaining public recreation areas and supporting local development.
Lower Colorado River Authority
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has five appointments with terms slated to expire Feb. 1, 2031. In addition, the authority also has a new chair with an expiration date determined by the governor.
Stephen Cooper is the agency’s new chair. The owner and principal of two companies, Cooper is also the president of the West Wharton County Hospital District, chair of Texas A&M University System Chancellor’s Century Council and a member of the Texas Water Development Board Region P Planning Group. He is also a member of the Texas A&M Legacy Society, Texas A&M Association of Former Students Leadership Council and Texas A&M College of Agriculture Development Council. Cooper has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University.
Curtis Ford, founder and CEO of a media company, is the first new appointment to the LCRA. Ford currently serves on the executive board of The Salvation Army and is licensed by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting from West Texas A&M University.
Aden Lasseter is the second appointment to the authority. Lasseter currently owns and co-owns multiple wildlife properties. He also serves as a member of the Exotic Wildlife Association, the Texas Regional Bank Advisory Board, the Colorado River Land Trust BOD, the Keystone Bank Advisory Board and Lone Star Legacy. Lasseter earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in finance from Baylor University.
Mark Mayo is the final new appointment to the LCRA. Mayo previously served as city manager for the cities of Luling and New Boston. He also previously served as a board member of the TexAmericas Center and Four States Community Health Center and represented the Community and Military Affairs Committee. He has a degree in applied science from Ranger College.
Robert Lewis is Gov. Abbott’s first reappointment to the agency. He served as president of a veterinary hospital until he retired in September 2020. Lewis currently serves as a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Texas Equine Veterinary Association. In addition, he was president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and board chair and AAEP representative for the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium. Lewis earned a doctor of veterinary medicine from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Margaret Voelter is the final reappointment to the board. A prolific volunteer, Voelter previously served as an adjunct professor at Baylor Law School, as an attorney and is a current member of the State Bar of Texas. Voelter currently serves as an advisory director for a bank and as a member of UTeach Advisory Council and the Dell Children’s Women’s Trust. She previously operated as president of the Hills of Austin Chapter for the National Charity League and as a board member for Regents School of Austin. Voelter has a law degree from Baylor University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in business administration in finance from The University of Texas at Austin.
San Jacinto River Authority
The San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) has a new president alongside two reappointments to the BOD, all with terms set to expire Oct. 16, 2027.
Ronnie Anderson has been selected to take over as the authority’s president. Anderson is the semi-retired executive vice president of a credit union and is a director and former board chairman of the Baytown-West Chambers Economic Development Foundation. He is also a former Baytown City councilman and past director and president of the Rotary Club of Baytown. Anderson studied business and banking at Lee College, San Jacinto College and the University of Houston.
Charles Boulware has been reappointed to the SJRA BOD. Boulware is the authority’s current vice president and has been a member since his appointment Feb. 5, 2018. He retired from an oil company after a 38-year-long career. He also previously worked as president of the April Sound Men’s Club. Boulware earned a bachelor’s degree in computing science from Texas A&M University.
Mark Micheletti will continue as treasurer. The former CEO of an eye center, Micheletti retired in 2024 from the Texas Society of CPAs and the Houston Society of CPAs. He also led both the Lake Houston Economic Development Council and the Lake Houston Chamber of Commerce as chairman. Micheletti earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University.
