Tryon Lewis of Odessa has been named chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission by Gov. Greg Abbott for a term to expire at the pleasure of the governor. Lewis is a former state representative, having served House District 81 from 2008 to 2015. He is currently a partner at Atkins, Hollman Jones, Peacock, Lewis & Lyon Law Firm.
Andrew Cobos of Houston was appointed by Abbott to the Veterans Land Board. Cobos, an attorney in McKool Smith’s Houston office, replaces Alan Sandersen. The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
Arthur Roger Matson of Georgetown was reappointed by Abbott to the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners Board. Matson, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, is currently an admissions liaison officer for the United States Air Force Academy. The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
State Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, has received a White House appointment to the board of directors for the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) and the North American Development Bank (NADB).
Former state Comptroller Susan Combs and Fort Worth attorney Jay Rutherford have been named to the board of the Texas Institute for Education Reform (TIER). In addition to her time as comptroller, Combs has served as agriculture commissioner and state representative. Rutherford, meanwhile, has served previously as chairman of the Texas Association of Business and the Texas Lyceum.
The Texas Democratic Party announced Emmanuel Garcia as its new deputy executive director. He is transitioning back to the party from former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte's San Antonio mayoral campaign. According to the announcement, Garcia will assist the party's executive director, Crystal Kay Perkins, in party and infrastructure building.
Texas Medical Association CEO and Executive Vice President Louis J. Goodman has been named CEO of TMA PracticeEdge, LLC, a company created by the medical society to offer physicians tools to make the most of the latest health care payment models.
Disclosure: The Texas Medical Association, the Texas Institute for Education Reform and the Texas Association of Business are corporate sponsors of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.