Almost $500M in new federal funding will launch port modernization projects nationwide
by Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
America’s ports must remain competitive, and the changing modernization needs are noteworthy. Not only do ports boost the economy regionally, they contribute significantly to the country’s GDP.
San Antonio proposes $850M convention center expansion
San Antonio proposes an $850 million expansion of the Henry B. González Convention Center, adding exhibit halls, ballroom space and meeting facilities.
Trinity Metro advances $270M TEXRail expansion into Fort Worth Medical District
Trinity Metro advances a $270 million TEXRail extension into Fort Worth’s Medical District using $38.9 million in unspent federal funding.
Chris Penson returns to HHSC as chief data officer
Chris Penson returns to Texas HHSC as chief data officer, leading data governance, analytics and modernization efforts across agency programs.
TxDOT to widen 28 miles of U.S. 281 in $249M project
TxDOT plans a $249 million expansion of U.S. 281 between Lampasas and Evant, widening 28 miles of highway and adding safety improvements.
Voters to decide in November on planned Dallas police training campus
The new center will occupy 20 acres at UNT Dallas, bringing recruit instruction, continuing officer education and university coursework onto one campus.
Deep East Texas broadband initiative focuses on training, infrastructure coordination
Deep East Texas launches the Pineywoods Broadband Coalition to coordinate broadband infrastructure, digital skills training and workforce development.
Proposal would provide $10B for drinking water, wastewater PFAS treatment
A bipartisan House bill proposes $10 billion for PFAS cleanup, supporting drinking water and wastewater treatment projects.
Transit agencies pursue automated trains in major projects
Cities are advancing major rail projects featuring driverless train technology, expanding passenger capacity.
Hershel Becker
Consulting Partner
Duncanville’s new city manager arrives from California
Ana Alvarez has been selected to serve as Duncanville’s city manager. Council members approved the appointment during their Oct. 20 meeting. Alvarez is expected to start Nov. 2. She has 30 years of public sector leadership experience, having most recently served as city manager for Hayward, Calif. Earlier in her career, she worked as deputy general manager of the East Bay Regional Park District, as well as holding leadership positions with San Francisco Recreation and Parks and the cities of Santa Fe Springs, Calif.; Oceanside, Calif.; Burbank, Calif.; and Santa Barbara, Calif.
Missouri City hires Director of Innovation and Technology
Robert Bowman is Missouri City’s new Director of Innovation and Technology. Bowman most recently served as Operations Manager and Chief Information Security Officer for nearby Sugar Land for the past eight years. He takes over for Jobi Mathew, who remains with Missouri City as Chief Information Officer. Bowman, who has a bachelor’s degree in computer information technology from Purdue University, has more than 25 years of IT experience, including time spent in the public and private sectors.
Crockett fire chief picked to fill constable vacancy
Jason Frizzell has been appointed Precinct 1 constable by Houston County commissioners. The appointment will last until Dec. 31, 2028. In order to assume his new post, Frizzell will retire from his current position as Crockett’s fire chief. He began volunteering with the Crockett Fire Department when he was 18 years old. Morris Luker, the previous Precinct 1 commissioner, retired in September after 25 years of service to Houston County residents.
Longtime Lufkin resident named communications manager
Veronica Amoe starts next month as Lufkin’s communications manager. Her first day is Nov. 9. Amoe will oversee internal and external communications, including media relations. A longtime Lufkin resident, Amoe previously spent a decade managing the Naranjo Museum of Natural History before becoming a division manager in Nacogdoches’s Community Services Department.
Horseshoe Bay city secretary wins statewide award
Susie Quinn, Horseshoe Bay’s city secretary, has been named 2026 Texas Municipal Clerk of the Year by the Texas Municipal Clerks Association. Quinn received the award this month at the association’s annual banquet. Quinn began serving as Horseshoe Bay’s city secretary on an interim basis late last year before officially accepting the position in January. Earlier in her career, Quinn served as city secretary for several Texas cities, including Azle, Eastland, Murphy, Rowlett and Tye.
Princeton police chief promoted to public safety director
James Waters has been promoted from Princeton’s police chief to director of public safety for the city. Waters had led the police department since November 2023. It was his second stint as Princeton’s police chief, having also held the position from 2011 to 2019. He has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, starting as a Princeton patrol officer in 2004. In 2008, he was named a detective for the department.
Governor’s Appointments (Oct. 26 – 30):
State Securities Board
Glenn MacTaggart – San Antonio
Paula Ann Miller – The Woodlands
Texas Woman’s University Board of Regents
Rienke Radler – Fort Worth
For more news and opportunities from the public sector
Click Here!
