Political People and their Moves

Craig Stoddart of Rockwall was named justice of the 5th Court of Appeals by Gov. Rick Perry for a term to expire at the next general election.

David Cabrales of Dallas was named by Perry to the Texas Economic Development Corporation for a term to expire at the pleasure of the governor.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst announced his appointments to a select committee set up to make recommendations on what constitutes a healthy balance in the state's Rainy Day Fund. Those appointees are: Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, co-chair; Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville; Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury; Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler; and John Whitmire, D-Houston.

House Speaker Joe Straus announced the hire of two new senior staff members in advance of the next legislative session:

•    Heather Fleming is the new senior health and human services policy advisor. She previously served as the health and human services budget analyst at House Appropriations and before that was former state Rep. Jim McReynolds' chief of staff.

•    Erika Akpan is the new senior business and regulatory affairs policy advisor. She most recently was state Sen. John Carona's legislative director. She also handled energy and telecommunications issues for the Senate Business and Commerce Committee.

Todd Kimbriel was named Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Department of Information Resources, effective Sept. 1. In this role, he will also function as the state's Deputy Chief Information Officer.

Ruth Guerra has left U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson's shop — where she was his press secretary — to become director of Hispanic Media for the Republican National Committee.