The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Thursday selected Jay Kimbrough as interim chancellor and deputy chancellor.
Kimbrough, who currently serves as a special advisor to the Board of Regents, will start the interim position July 1st as the selection process for chancellor continues.
Regents Chairman Richard Box says Kimbrough was the only candidate, explaining it was keeping a promise made by another Regents member before he was on the board.
Comments from Richard Box.
Box says Kimbrough is not a candidate for the chancellor position on a permanent basis. Kimbrough told reporters that was his decision, saying he can assist the Regents best at an operations level. Kimbrough added he did not want to make a long term commitment as his 64th birthday approaches in September.
Jay Kimbrough on not seeking the permanent Chancellor’s position.
Box told reporters he did not have an update on the chancellor’s search because he wanted to stay out of the way of the Regents search committee. Box repeated his goal of hiring a permanent chancellor by the end of the year.
Kimbrough disagrees with professors and lawmakers who say there are problems in the A&M system.
Jay Kimbrough on comments from professors & legislators.
Kimbrough, a former chief of staff for Rick Perry, says it’s an exaggeration to say the Governor has too much influence on A&M and the University of Texas systems.
Jay Kimbrough comments about Rick Perry.
Kimbrough, who has pulled other state agencies out of crises, says that’s not the case with the A&M system.
Jay Kimbrough says A&M System is not having a crisis.
Click HERE to listen to the news conference with Richard Box and Jay Kimbrough.