Gov. Perry Names Klussmann Chair of Office of Rural Community Affairs

Appoints Seven Memebrs

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry named Wallace Klussman of Fredericksburg chair of the Office of Rural Community Affairs for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2013. He also appointed seven other members to the office, which supports community development, educational and leadership opportunities and health care for rural areas of Texas.

Klussmann is a ranch owner, certified wildlife biologist and retired professor emeritus at Texas A&M University (TAMU). He is a past president of the World Aquaculture Society, and first president of the organization's United States chapter. He was named professor of the year twice at TAMU by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Klussmann received a bachelor's degree and doctoral degree from TAMU, and a master's degree from Sam Houston State University. His term expires Feb. 1, 2013.

David Alders of Nacogdoches is president of Carrizo Creek Corp. and manager of Alders’ Enterprises. He is past president of the Nacogdoches County Farm Bureau and the Pineywoods Groundwater Conservation District, past vice president of the Texas Broiler Council and past chairman of the Texas Forest Country Partnership and the East Texas Regional Water Planning Group. Alders is a board member of the Heartbeat Crisis Pregnancy Center, treasurer of the Slavic Reformation Society and member of the Nacogdoches Economic Development Corp. He received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University. His term expires Feb. 1, 2013.

Woody Anderson of Colorado City is owner of Anderson Farms. He is past chairman of the National Cotton Council where he served on committees for the council’s Boll Weevil Eradication Program, Beltwide Cotton Conferences and Farm Policy Development Task Force. Anderson received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. His term expires Feb. 1, 2009.

Mackie Bobo of Bedias is an education consultant and mayor of the City of Bedias. She is a board member of the Brazos Valley County City of Governments, Grimes County Chamber of Commerce and Bedias Civics Club. She is also president of Bedias Friends of the Library. Bobo received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Sam Houston State University and a doctorate degree from Texas Tech University. Her term expires Feb. 1, 2013.

Charles Butts of Lamesa is CEO of Medical Arts Hospital, Lamesa. He is a member of the Texas Hospital Association, Northwest Texas Hospital Association and Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals where he served on the board of directors for eight years. Butts served in the U.S. Navy and attended California State University at Long Beach. His term expires Feb. 1, 2013.

Remelle Farrar of Crowell is director of the Knox County Visioning Team and the Texas Prairie Rivers Region. She serves on the advisory board of the Ogallala Commons Rural Resource Network and formerly served on the Texas Economic Development Institute Advisory Council. Additionally, she received the Texas Department of Agriculture's 1st Annual Shining Star Award. Farrar received a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma and is a Certified Community Developer. Her term expires Feb. 1, 2011.

Joaquin L. Rodriguez of Eagle Pass is an attorney in private practice. He is chairman of the Eagle Pass Housing Authority Corp. and is past chairman of the City of Eagle Pass International Bridge System. Rodriguez is also past chairman of the State Bar of Texas 12C Grievance Committee and served as pro-bono legal counsel to the Library Foundation of Eagle Pass. He received a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Texas. His term expires Feb. 1, 2011.

Lydia Saenz of Carrizo Springs is a licensed real estate agent and owner of Prime Properties of the Winter Garden Area. She previously served on the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Board. Saenz is a member of the National, Texas and San Antonio boards of Realtors and is a past recipient of the Dimmit County Women of the Year award. Her term expires Feb. 1, 2009.

Patrick Wallace of Athens is an administrator at East Texas Medical Center of Athens. He is an American College of Healthcare Executives fellow and member of the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals and the American Hospital Association. He is past chairman of the Texas Hospital Association and served on the executive committees to both the Office of Rural Community Affairs and the Center for Rural Health Initiatives. Wallace is director of the Athens Economic Development Corp. and on committees for Trinity Valley Community College and First Baptist Church of Athens. He received a bachelor's degree from Southwestern University and a master's degree in hospital administration from Trinity University. His term expires Feb. 1, 2011.