New National Board Members Elected
February 23, 2012
Written by: Jennifer Ritz
Congratulations to the six new members of our National Board of Directors!
Ginger Gurss Francis, '79, El Paso
Francis graduated from Texas Tech University in 1979 with a bachelor of arts in telecommunications. She is active in the El Paso community as a volunteer. Her current activities range from that of an alumnae director position with the FBI Citizens Academy, to a lifetime member of the El Paso Symphony Guild. In the past she has been involved in more than 20 organizations in a volunteer capacity. Currently she chairs the Texas Tech University Public Art Committee-El Paso.
Neal Leonard, '95, San Antonio
Leonard graduated from Texas Tech University in 1995 with a bachelor of science in agricultural economics. He is CEO of Leonard Holding Corporation, which owns three different businesses. L & H Packing, a beef slaughtering and rendering operation; Surlean Foods, a total food solution provider, with offices in both San Antonio and Dallas; and New Earth, with offices in San Antonio and Houston, which recycles organic waste and offers more than 15 types of garden soils and mulches.
Vicki Vannoy Nixon, '73, Lubbock
Nixon graduated from Texas Tech University in 1973 with a bachelor of science in history She worked until 1984 for Chancellor Kent R. Hance while he was a congressman and practicing attorney in Lubbock. Subsequent to that, she has worked as a political consultant and is an active volunteer in the Lubbock community. She has served in a volunteer capacity at Texas Tech on the Chancellor’s Council, as a Panhellenic adviser and task force member, and was on the board of the Friends of Music for the Visual and Performing Arts College.
Jerry V. Smith, '65, '66, Dallas
Smith, who holds a CPA’s license, graduated from Texas Tech University in 1965 and 1966, respectively, with a bachelor of business degree in accounting and a master of business degree. He owns J.V. Smith Professional Corporation, CPAs; The Royal Gorge Company of Colorado, Inc., an entertainment and scenic park; Espuela Gas Partners; Extreme Realty, LP, a management company for office real estate; and Caprock Capital, LLC, where he serves as a registered investment adviser. He was named a distinguished alumnus by the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University in 2001 and is a member of the college’s advisory council. Smith has held volunteer positions at the university including a directorship for the university’s Foundation and memberships on the chancellor’s council and investment committee.
Bobby G. Waddle, '55, DeSoto
Waddle graduated from Texas Tech University in 1955 with a bachelor of science in agricultural education. He owns Waddle Partners, Limited and Arnold Waddle Partners, Limited. He was named a distinguished alumnus by Texas Tech Alumni Association in 2010 and has represented the Association through his local chapter. Waddle has maintained strong ties to Texas Tech—he still attends sporting events and supports the university financially.
L. Bryant Williams, Jr., '61, Kerrville
Williams, who graduated from Texas Tech University in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum geology, is a partner in Williams, Kothmann and Chao, a petroleum investment company with offices in Houston and Kerrville. He has spent his entire career in the petroleum industry, and worked for oil giant Exxon in various capacities for more than 30 years.