During Thursday’s severe weather in Bryan/College Station, the Texas A&M system board of regents conducted a conference call special meeting.
There was no public discussion before approving eight items that followed 27 minutes in executive session.
That includes three personnel decisions, one of which is the new dean of the Bush School. Taking over August 15 for Ryan Crocker is the current chief of staff of the Air Force. General Mark Welsh the third is retiring July 1. Welsh has also served as the Commandant of the Air Force Academy and commander of the air forces in Europe and NATO’s air command.
The regents also approved president Michael Young’s recommendations for two new vice presidents…one covering human resources and organizational effectiveness, and the other for chief marketing and communications officer.
Also out of the special meeting, the regents revealed no details before giving the president the authority to enter into preliminary agreements for the potential development of a health science center research facility.
The only item discussed in public was increasing the amount of bond refinancing issue from $705 million to $1.2 billion dollars, in order to save and estimated $30 million in interest expense.
Click HERE to read and download information about bond refinancing.
News release from the Texas A&M system of the new dean of A&M’s Bush school:
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents today approved the appointment of General Mark A. Welsh III as the new Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service. Welsh, currently the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, was appointed based on the recommendation of Texas A&M President Michael K. Young, Provost and Executive Vice President Karan L. Watson, as well as a search advisory committee. Welsh has announced an Air Force retirement date of July 1 and will assume his new position at the Bush School on August 15.
Welsh will succeed current Bush School Dean Ambassador Ryan Crocker.
“I could not be more pleased with, or thankful for, today’s announcement that General Mark Welsh will succeed Ryan Crocker as Dean of the Bush School,” says George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States and namesake of the Bush School. “Like Ryan, General Welsh has demonstrated uncommon leadership and an unwavering commitment to service throughout his distinguished career. I salute our wonderful partners at Texas A&M for making the absolute best decision for our students and faculty.”
Provost Watson says, “I am pleased that General Welsh will be bringing his vast experience and dedication in leading young people in service to our country through the military to the Bush School of Government and Public Service. I wish to thank the members of the search advisory committee, the faculty, staff and students of the Bush School, and the outstanding candidates whom we were able to attract.”
Welsh became the 20th Chief of Staff of the Air Force in August 2012, serving as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 664,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the General and other service chiefs function as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council, and the President. His most recent previous post was Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Commander of NATO’s Air Command, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. He also served as Associate Director of Military Affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency, and as Commandant of the United States Air Force Academy.
Welsh, who was born in San Antonio, says he and his wife, Betty, are thrilled to return to Texas. “Betty and I are incredibly excited about coming home to Texas, honored to join President Young and Provost Watson’s team at this great university, and privileged beyond belief to be associated with the remarkable faculty, staff and students of the Bush School. It was a thrill to even be considered for this position; being selected is a wonderful challenge! I’m so thankful for the tremendous standard Dean Ryan Crocker set during his tenure and excited about the future of the Bush School and Texas A&M University. I’ve got a lot to learn…I can’t wait to get started!”
Welsh earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a Master of Science degree in computer resource management from Webster University, and graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College, the Air War College, and the National War College. He was a fellow of Seminar XXI at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a fellow of the National Security Studies Program of Syracuse University and Johns Hopkins University, a fellow of Ukrainian Security Studies at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, a fellow of the Pinnacle Course of the National Defense University, and a graduate of the General Manager Program at the Harvard Business School. He has received numerous awards and decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, and the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster.
Provost Watson expressed enormous gratitude on behalf of the university for Crocker’s service as Bush School dean. “I want to recognize Ambassador Ryan Crocker for his almost six years of service as dean,” she notes. “His commitment to the college and to Texas A&M University has been critical to advancing our mission of teaching, research and service. His leadership has helped increase the school’s outstanding reputation of offering new approaches to public service for a complex and changing future.”
News release from the Texas A&M system of A&M’s new senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer:
Amy B. Smith, a global communications executive with both Fortune 500 corporate communications and government expertise, has been named Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Texas A&M University. Smith’s appointment, effective July 1, was approved on Thursday (May 26) by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents following the recommendation of Texas A&M President Michael K. Young.
Young says Smith was selected following a nationwide search conducted by a broad-based university advisory committee that included former students, faculty and staff.
“I am extremely pleased that Ms. Smith has accepted our offer to join Texas A&M to serve in this critical role leading our communications efforts,” Young says. “She brings a wealth of industry and international experience, which will undeniably help us to further elevate Texas A&M’s reputation, both nationally and globally.”
Smith will report directly to President Young.
During her distinguished communications career, Smith has consulted and worked for some of the world’s largest and most prestigious organizations, including senior leadership roles at Raytheon, a Fortune 500 company, and Burson-Marstellar, one of the world’s largest public relations firms. She has provided consulting services for organizations including The Coca-Cola Company, Intel, American Express, the U.S. Secret Service, NASA, the U.S. Treasury and the National Science Foundation.
She also served a one-year term as Director of Communications for the U.S. Army’s Program Management Office in Iraq, for which she was awarded the Joint Civilian Meritorious Service Award for outstanding service. Additionally, Smith is co-founder of The Legacy Mission, a nonprofit corporation that helps people with life-threatening illnesses create hopeful videos as a gift for loved ones.
“Texas A&M is a remarkable institution with an outstanding reputation as a leader in teaching, research and service, and students and former students who share an incredible loyalty to each other and service to others,” says Smith. “I am thrilled to join this new endeavor as a member of President Young’s senior leadership team and look forward to working with marketing and communications teams throughout campus and the university system to continue to position Texas A&M worldwide.”
Shane Hinckley, recently appointed as Texas A&M’s Vice President of Brand Development, has served as Interim Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the past three years, and will report directly to Smith.
“We are extremely grateful to Shane Hinckley for his dedicated service as interim vice president over the past three years,” notes Young. “Mr. Hinckley will continue to play a vital role in elevating the Texas A&M brand, as well as in helping Ms. Smith transition into her new role. His excellent service and deep commitment to the university will no doubt prove valuable to Ms. Smith as she begins her tenure here at Texas A&M.”
News release from the Texas A&M system of A&M’s new senior vice president of human resources and organizational effectiveness:
Barbara A. Abercrombie, who currently serves as Associate Vice Chancellor for Administration and Chief Human Resources Officer at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, has been named Vice President for Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness at Texas A&M University by President Michael K. Young. The appointment, effective August 1, follows action by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on Thursday (May 26) to grant the president authority to appoint the Vice President for Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness.
Abercrombie was selected following a nationwide search conducted by a broad-based university advisory committee. The new position was created by President Young last year and marks the first time in the university’s history that human resources will benefit from the elevated leadership of a vice president who reports directly to the president.
“I am truly delighted that Dr. Abercrombie is joining Texas A&M University as the first-ever Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness, a tremendously important position for fulfilling our vision of an even more supportive and engaging workplace for our thousands of invaluable employees,” Young said. “Our goal is to build and maintain an environment that empowers each and every employee through cutting-edge work-life programs, and we have the utmost confidence that Dr. Abercrombie brings the expertise and enthusiasm necessary to achieve this.”
During her distinguished career in human resource administration, Abercrombie has also served as Director of Human Resources at the University of Oklahoma at Tulsa and Director and Affirmative Action Officer in Human Resources at Northeastern State University. She earned two advanced degrees—a master’s degree in human relations from the University of Oklahoma and a doctoral degree in workforce education and human resource development from Oklahoma State University—and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification. SPHR certification demonstrates mastery of strategic and policy-making aspects of human resource management with an emphasis on the “big picture,” according to the HR Certification Institute. Furthermore, Abercrombie is an expert in the collaborative leadership model.
“The fact that President Young created an advanced administrative position in human resources that reports directly to him reflects the immense value he places on his employees,” Abercrombie said.
“I am honored to join one of the best universities in the nation with an obvious commitment to providing a positive and flexible workplace for its employees, and I look forward to working closely with the leadership team to create work-life initiatives that other institutions of higher education will emulate.”
Janelle Ramirez has served as Interim Vice President for Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness since the position was created.
“We are truly thankful for the excellent stewardship provided by Ms. Ramirez during this time of transition in human resources,” Young said. “Her input and perspective will be extremely valuable in helping Dr. Abercrombie settle into her new role.”