Brandon Hurley of Grapevine was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission. His term runs until Sept. 1, 2019.

Doug Shaw has been named Texas Water Development Board's (TWDB) first Agriculture and Rural Texas Ombudsman. He has worked in the agency's water planning division since 2006.

Monica Martinez was named Associate Commissioner for Standards and Programs at the Texas Education Agency with oversight over division areas related to Curriculum; Instructional Materials and Educational Technology; and Federal and State Education Policy.

Manny Garcia, the Mexican American Legisltive Caucus' policy director, will move to the Texas Democratic Party where he will be its new communications director. Garcia's position at MALC will be filled by Lyndsey Rodriguez, the group's current deputy communications director.

The Texas Trial Lawyers Association has installed Michael Guajardo of Dallas as its president and Bryan Blevins of Beaumont as its president-elect for 2014.

Former Texas Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman has been hired as vice president of Starr Insurance Holdings, Inc.