State Rep. Veronica Gonzales, D-McAllen, is leaving the Legislature early, allowing her to take a job at UT-Pan American as vice president for university advancement. Gonzales had already decided against another term in the House, where she's served since 2005. She starts the new job July 1 and has to resign to accept it. That sets up a special election for her seat; Gov. Rick Perry could set that as late as the general election date. The contenders for her spot in the regular election are Democrat Bobby Guerra and Republican Miriam Martinez.

President Obama nominated Gary Blankinship to serve as United States Marshal for the Southern District of Texas. He has been employed by the Houston Police Department, where he worked his way through the ranks to the position of senior police officer, since 1982.

Karen Amacker is leaving the Texas Department of Transportation, where she was director of media relations to spend more time at home. She was at the agency for nearly four years and at the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault before that. 

Scott Stewart, most recently with Rep. Jim Murphy, R-Houston, is joining the Texas Lobby Group (Richard Evans' shop) to work on government affairs. 

Anne Brown has been selected as executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Since 2002, she has been with National Audubon Society.

Gov. Rick Perry appointed William “Bill” Heine III of Austin and Dennis L. Lewis of Texarkana to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission. Heine is CEO and president of American Constructors. Lewis is a military advisor and liaison to the Texarkana College Red River Army Depot.

The governor appointed Gary Aber, a Simonton veterinarian, to the Texas Racing Commission.

Baylor University announced that it received a major gift from Sheila and Walter Umphrey, of Beaumont, for Baylor Stadium, the university’s new on-campus football stadium.

Deaths: S.M. True of Plainview, who led the Texas Farm Bureau from 1982-93, died in an accident on his Hale County farm. He was 88.