A friend made who suggested looking into the opening, started the path that led to Bryan lawyer Bentley Nettles becoming the next executive director of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
The retired general and former general counsel for the Texas Army National Guard says he asked about the leadership expectations of the agency.
When Nettles was asked about his experiences that he thought would apply to the position, he brought up his experiences in the military and state government.
Nettles, who was one of six finalists and 80 applicants, plans to continue chairing the local BV Cares military non profit agency and participating on the BTU board of directors.
Click below for comments from Bentley Nettles, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.
Original story:
The Bryan city council ended Tuesday night’s meeting by applauding the choice of the next executive director of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC).
The applause followed city manager Kean Register’s announcement that the TABC board named Bryan lawyer Bentley Nettles.
Nettles, who serves on the Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU) board, is also a retired brigadier general and former general counsel with the Texas Army National Guard.
Nettles appointment follows the resignations of six high level TABC officials following criticism of taxpayer funded trips and ties between the agency and the beverage industry it regulates.
Additional information from The Associated Press:
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ A Central Texas lawyer and retired Army general has been named the lone finalist to lead the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
A TABC statement Wednesday said Bentley Nettles was the commission’s pick for executive director.
Chairman Kevin Lilly says a meeting was held Tuesday to find a replacement for Sherry Cook, who resigned in April and then formally retired in May. Cook’s resignation came amid criticism over taxpayer-funded trips to Hawaii and San Diego.
The acting TABC director, Ed Swedberg, resigned Monday after barely a month on the job.
Nettles owns Nettles Law PLLC in Bryan. He served in the military and retired as a brigadier general, with tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Nettles was general counsel for the Army Element Joint Force Headquarters of the Texas Army National Guard.
Additional information from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission:
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has named Adrian Bentley Nettles as the lone finalist to serve as the agency’s newest executive director. The pick was announced by commission Chairman Kevin J. Lilly following a special meeting Tuesday, July 11. The commission made the selection to replace former Executive Director Sherry Cook, who retired in May.
“This is an extremely important day for TABC,” said Lilly, who joined Commissioner Ida Clement Steen in choosing the new executive director. “This selection is the first step in restoring the public’s trust and making TABC a model of public service, transparency, and accountability.”
Nettles is an attorney and owner of the Bryan-based Nettles Law PLLC, and a former member of the U.S. Army who held the rank of brigadier general. During his military career, Nettles served as general counsel for the Army Element Joint Force Headquarters of the Texas Army National Guard. He is a recipient of the Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars for service in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Lilly, who was appointed chairman of the commission by Governor Greg Abbott in May, said selection of a top-quality candidate for executive director was his first priority when he accepted the position.
“TABC is comprised of hundreds of remarkable men and women who are serving Texas every day,” he said. “My primary goal was to appoint someone who will be a worthy leader to these outstanding public servants.”
During Tuesday’s special commission meeting, Lilly and Steen interviewed six candidates for the executive director’s position, who were themselves selected from more than 80 applicants during the past weeks.
Lilly said he expects the new executive director to hit the ground running once he formally takes the reins at the agency.
“First and foremost, TABC serves the people of Texas,” he said. “It’s my expectation that the new executive director find ways to improve customer service statewide while upholding our public safety mission and acting as a careful steward of taxpayer funds. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for this agency, and I’m confident General Nettles will lead TABC to a bright future.”
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the Commission named TABC Executive Chief Robert Saenz as Interim Executive Director, who will serve until the new executive director takes over the position later this summer. The commission also named Assistant General Counsel Julie Allen to serve as Interim General Counsel following Emily Helm’s resignation from the position on July 3.
The new executive director will begin work following formal acceptance of the job offer and the various background checks required for employment by the state. The next regular commission meeting is set for 10 a.m. July 25.