Gov. Greg Abbott named Bryan Daniel as director of economic development and tourism as part of a larger restructuring that has the Texas Film Commission, the Texas Music Office, the Women’s Commission and the Workforce Investment Council now report to Daniel. Abbott also named a new director for the Women's Commission, LaChristian Taylor, and the music office, Brendon Anthony.
Tonya Baer has been reappointed by Abbott to the Office of Public Utility Counsel for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2017. She was first appointed public counsel in October 2013.
Cynthia Meyer has been named deputy press secretary and spokeswoman for Attorney General Ken Paxton. She most recently was the press secretary for the 2015 inaugural committee and, before that, was on the communications team of Abbott's gubernatorial campaign.
Kirk Cole took over as interim commissioner of the Department of State Health Services this week as the state searches for a successor to David Lakey, who announced his resignation in early January. Cole had been serving as associate commissioner at DSHS.
Senate Republicans elected their leadership this week, selecting Kelly Hancock, R-N. Richland Hills, to serve as caucus chairman and Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, as vice chairman.
Crystal Perkins has been named the new executive director of the Texas Democratic Party. A San Antonio native, Perkins most recently was national financial director for Michigan gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer. She succeeds Will Hailer, who stepped down to take a job with BerlinRosen Public Affairs in Washington, D.C.
The Alamo has a new director. Rebecca Bridges Dinnin of San Antonio will take the post, a new senior-level position in the Texas General Land Office, on Feb. 17. She previously worked for more than seven years at the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
Caddo Associates announced it is adding Wayne Hamilton and Tiffiny Britton as senior directors. For Hamilton, it is a return to the firm. Most recently, he was the manager of Abbott's gubernatorial campaign. Britton previously was the assistant vice chancellor for government relations with the Texas A&M Engineering Program.
Disclosure: The Texas General Land Office was a corporate sponsor of the Tribune in 2011. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.