Gov. Perry Names DeCluitt Chair of Brazos River Authority Board of Directors

Appoints 10 Board Members

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry named Christopher DeCluitt of Waco as chair of the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors. He also appointed 10 members to the board, which is responsible for developing and conserving the surface water resources of the Brazos River Basin.

DeCluitt is vice president of the Sovereign Corp. He is past president of the Waco Jaycees and vice president of the Waco Texas A&M Club. He is also a member of the National Apartment Association, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rotary International. Additionally, DeCluitt is a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas and American Intellectual Property Law Association. He received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a law degree from the University of Tulsa. His term expires Feb. 1, 2011.

Patricia S. Bailon of Belton is a retired political consultant. She volunteers for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and Scott and White Hospital. Bailon attended Rogers State College. She replaces Roberto Bailon of Belton for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2009.

Richard L. Ball of Mineral Wells is owner of Wes-Tex Vending Co. He is president of the Palo Pinto General Hospital Area Foundation and the Mineral Wells Industrial Foundation. Additionally, Ball is a member of the Mineral Wells Planning and Zoning Commission, and past board member of the Texas Merchandising Vending Association and National Automated Merchandising Association. He replaces Martha Stovall Martin of Graford for a term to expire Feb.1, 2013.

Grady Barr of Abilene is president of Double Barr Corp. He is chairman of trustees for Hendrick Home for Children and former mayor of the City of Abilene. Barr also serves on the Abilene Industrial Foundation Executive Committee and the Military Affairs Committee for the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. He replaces Ronald D. Butler of Abilene for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2013.

F LeRoy Bell of Tuscola is president of Compass Financial Strategies. He is past president of the Texas Leaders Roundtable, Texas Association of Life Underwriters and the Boys Scouts of America Chisholm Trail Council. He is a volunteer pilot for Grace Flight of America, which provides free transportation throughout Texas and New Mexico for individuals with medical needs. Bell received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. He replaces Fred Lee Hughes of Abilene for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2013.

Peter G. Bennis of Cleburne is president and CEO of First State Bank Texas. He is founder and trustee of Johnson County Education Foundation and advisor to the Southwestern Adventist University Board of Trustees. He is also past president of the Keene Chamber of Commerce and past chairman of Johnson County Economic Development Corporation. He received a bachelor's degree from Texas State University and master’s degree in banking from Southern Methodist University. He replaces John Skaggs of Amarillo for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2013.

Zachary S. Brady of Lubbock is an attorney in private practice. He is director of the Lubbock Area Foundation and treasurer of the American Museum of Agriculture. He is also a member of the Texas Tech University Chancellor’s Council Advisory Board, the Agriculture Advisory Committee for Congressman Randy Neugebauer, and Lubbock County Young Lawyers Association. Brady received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and a law degree from the University of Texas. He replaces Suzanne Baker of Lubbock for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2013.

John Brieden of Brenham is a self-employed insurance agent. He is a past chairman of the Texas Veterans Commission, and a member of the American Legion and Washington County Chamber of Commerce. He also served in the U.S. Army and was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism in a non-combat situation. Brieden received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University. He replaces Pamela Jo Ellison of Brenham for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2013.

Jon Sloan of Round Rock is president of First Texas Bank, Round Rock. He is a director and treasurer of the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation and the Round Rock YMCA Corporate Board. He is also chairman of the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce Development Review Committee. Sloan graduated from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. He replaces Steve Pena of Georgetown for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2011.

Scott D. Smith of Cedar Park is a financial consultant with A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. He is past president of the Capital City A&M Club and committeeman in the Boy Scouts of America. Smith served in the U.S. Navy and received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University. He replaces Rodolfo Garcia of Marfa for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2009.

Salvatore Zaccagnino of Caldwell is a registered administrative associate with LPL Financial Services. He is treasurer of the Burleson County Industrial Foundation and vice president of the Burleson County Health Care Foundation. He is also past president and CEO of Caldwell National Bank, and past chairman of the Texas Bankers Association Services Company. Zaccagnino is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force. He received a received a bachelor’s degree from the U. S. Naval Academy and a master’s degree from the University of Southern California. He is being reappointed to the board.