During the 80th Legislative Session, legislators expanded the TDRA governing body from a nine member executive committee to a governing board of 11 members, appointed by Governor Rick Perry.

Board Member Photos


Photo of TDRA Board members taking the oath of office

April 3, 2008
(l-r) Justice Phil Johnson, Texas Supreme Court; Patrick Wallace; Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples; Charles N. Butts; Dr. Wallace Klussmann, Chair; David Alders, Dr. Mackie Bobo, Mayor of Bedias, Texas; Woody Anderson.
Photo by Rance McDonald, ORCA Staff


June 12, 2008
(l-r) Justice Nathan L. Hecht, Texas Supreme Court; Remelle Farrar; Joaquin L. Rodriguez..
Photo by Rance McDonald, ORCA Staff

Wallace Klussman of Fredericksburg 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.

Dora G. Alcala of Del Rio is a management consultant, trainer and motivational speaker for her own company, Alcala & Associates. In 2000, she became the first woman to be elected mayor of the City of Del Rio. She was re-elected in 2002 and again in 2004. In her previous career, she served 37 years as a civilian for the Department of Defense, United States Air Force, and received a Presidential Appointment from former President George Bush, as the Deputy for Equal Opportunity for the United States Air Force. She serves on numerous boards and commissions, and was recently appointed by Governor Perry to the Texas State Military Planning Commission, the Regional Review Committee and the Board of Regents for the Texas State University System. She holds a master's degree in Management from Webster University. Her term expires Feb. 1, 2015.

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, 2015.

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 Lampasas is retired 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.

Charles W. Graham, DVM of Elgin is a self-employed veterinarian and rancher. Dr. Graham has been inducted into three Hall of Fames: American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame. He is a Director of the American Quarter Horse Association and Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo. He is the Past President of the Texas Thoroughbred Association, Texas Quarter Horse Association and President of the American Breeds Coalition. Dr. Graham has been named Most Worthy Citizen and Agriculturist of the Year in his hometown and Horseman of the Year by the Texas Thoroughbred and Texas Quarter Horse Associations. He is an active volunteer for M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and serves on the Research Committee for Texas A&M University where he is a member of the Distinguished Alumni. Dr. Graham served in the United States Army and later received a bachelor's degree and veterinary degree from Texas A&M University. His term expires Feb. 1, 2015.

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.

Charles S. (Charlie) Stone is the agency’s Executive Director. A native Texan, raised in the City of Cuero and graduated from Cuero High School. After serving in Viet Nam as an Army helicopter pilot, he attended Southwest Texas State University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Law Enforcement. He served as a Trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

After leaving state service and entering private business for ten years, Charlie Stone returned to the public sector as county judge of Refugio County where he worked to bring community and economic development opportunities to the county and its incorporated cities. He was active in the Coastal Bend Council of Governments and ultimately served as chair of the COG’s Executive Board. He served eight years as county judge of Refugio County

After his judgeship, Charlie Stone worked for State Representative Judy Hawley of Portland, Texas for three years as her legislative assistant during the 76th and 77th sessions. During that time he worked on rural issues and provided staff support while Rep. Hawley served as chair of the Rural Caucus.

Charlie Stone serves on the Texas Rural Leadership Board of Directors, the Board of the Texas Leadership Institute and currently serves as an at-large member of the 50 state National Board of Directors for the Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA). He also serves on the finance committee of his local church.

Charlie Stone joined the Texas Department of Rural Affairs (TDRA-formerly ORCA) in February 2002 shortly after its creation and was selected to serve as the second Executive Director of the agency in December 2004. TDRA successfully responded to the Hurricane Rita disaster and was subsequently selected by Governor Perry to be the lead agency for Hurricanes Dolly and Ike disaster recovery. Texas has received a total of $3,057,991,440 from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Hurricane Dolly/Ike recovery efforts. When not responding to disasters, he runs the day-to-day operations of the agency whose focus is on rural economic development, community development, healthcare and housing issues.

Mr. Stone can be reached at 512-936-6704 or charlie.stone@tdra.state.tx.us.

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF RURAL AFFAIRS
GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
September 30 - October 1, 2009
Texas State Capitol Extension
1100 Congress Ave., Room E1.028
Austin, Texas 78701
1:00 PM

Agenda

The Board will discuss, consider and take appropriate action on the following agenda items on beginning Sept. 30 starting at 1:00 PM:

A. CALL TO ORDER BY THE CHAIR

1. Roll call and certification of a quorum.

2. Consider approval of the minutes of the August 6-7, 2009 meeting.

3. Consider a proposed revised Action Plan for Hurricanes Dolly/Ike round 2 funding. (Action needed)

The Board will then recess the meeting until 9:00 AM on Oct. 1 for the following:

NOTICE: Three sub-committees will meet in consecutive order on October 1, 2009 starting at 9:00 AM in E1.028 to review agenda items with TDRA staff. The sub-committees and respective meeting order is as follows:
1. Community Development
2. Finance and Disaster Recovery
3. Rural Health
The public is invited to attend the sub-committee meetings.

ALL ITEMS BELOW WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR ACTION BEGINNING AT 1:00 PM ON OCTOBER 1, IN E1.028

B. PUBLIC COMMENT

1. The Board will provide interested persons the opportunity to offer public comment on any matter within the jurisdiction of the agency and, if time permits, may offer this more than once. The Board may limit the time of each speaker to three minutes or less and exclude repetitious comments.

C. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

1. Hear an update from TDHCA related to Hurricane Dolly/Ike housing activities.

2. Consider the annual report of the Texas Rural Foundation and consider appointment of Board members to the TRF Board. (Action needed)

3. Hear a report on the activities of the Outreach and Special Programs Division.

4. Consider amending the Internal Audit Plan and hear report on audit activities for FY 2009. (Action needed)

5. Consider approving a request to increase the FTE cap for the agency. (Action needed)

6. Consider proposed complaint system rules by adding Section 256.600 to Title 10 in the Texas Administrative Code and authorize publication in the Texas Register for public comment. (Action needed)

D. TEXAS CAPITAL FUND PROGRAM (TCF)

1. Hear report on TCF activities.

2. Consider approving proposed rule changes for the Texas Capital Fund Program. (Action needed)

E. FINANCE

1. Hear an update on the agency’s Fiscal Year 2009 Operating Budget.

2. Hear an update on the agency’s Fiscal Year 2010 Operating Budget.

F. STATE OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH PROGRAM (SORH)

1. Hear a report on the status of collection efforts by the OAG and TDRA staff related to grants and awards made by the agency.

2. Consider accepting the 2009-2010 Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program award from HRSA. (Action needed)

3. Consider the annual report of the activities for the Rural Communities Health Care Investment Program (RCHIP). (Action Needed)

G. TEXAS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (TxCDBG)

1. Hear an update on disaster declarations and applications received and approved under the Disaster Relief Fund.

2. Consider funding additional TxCDBG projects. (Action needed)

3. Hear report on the HUD CDBG Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

4. Consider proposed amendments to the Texas Administrative Code covering the Texas CDBG program. (Action needed)

5. Hear report on the accessibility of smaller cities to the TxCDBG program.

6. Board acceptance of HUD grant covering ARRA funds (“Stimulus funds”). (Action needed)

7. Consider a proposal on establishing forward commitments beginning with Program Year 2011.

H. DISASTER RECOVERY DIVISION

1. Hear update on the status of disaster recovery for Hurricanes Dolly/Ike.

2. Hear an update on the procurement of Design Engineering, Grant Administration, Environmental, Application Review, and Project Management Company professional services and a staffing update for the division. (Action needed)

3. Hear a disaster recovery status report on TxCDBG non-housing Rita Round 1 & 2 supplemental disaster funding.

4. Hear an Update on HNTB Activities

I. OLD BUSINESS AND OTHER ITEMS

1. Consider setting the date and location for future meetings.

J. EXECUTIVE SESSION

THE BOARD MAY GO INTO CLOSED SESSION ON ANY ITEM LISTED ON THE AGENDA WHERE AUTHORIZED BY THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, CHAPTER 551, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.

1. Executive Session Pursuant to Section 551.071 Government Code to consult with the Board’s attorney concerning contemplated litigation, and all matters identified in the agenda in which the Board members seek the advice of their attorney as privileged communications under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas and pursuant to Section 551.074(a)(1) Government Code, for purposes of discussing personnel matters including to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, compensation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of the Executive Director.

2. Action, if any, in open session on items discussed in the Executive Session.

K. ADJOURN

AGENDA ITEMS MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE CONSIDERED IN THE ORDER THAT THEY APPEAR. TIME SPECIFIC ITEMS ARE SO NOTED ON THE AGENDA.

Persons with disabilities, who plan to attend this meeting and are in need of a reasonable accommodation in order to observe or participate, should contact Sandy Seng at 512-936-6706 at least four (4) working days prior to the meeting.

To access this agenda and details on each agenda item in the Board book, please visit our website at www.tdra.state.tx.us.

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF RURAL AFFAIRS
GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
Annual Meeting on Rural Issues
October 2, 2009
Texas Association of Counties Board Room
1210 San Antonio Street
Austin, Texas 78701
8:00 AM

Agenda

A. CALL TO ORDER BY THE CHAIR

1. Roll call and certification of a quorum.

B. ANNUAL MEETING WITH AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES PURSUANT TO SECTION 487.054, GOVERNMENT CODE

1. Hear a presentation on TDRA programs and services.

2. Hear from invited agency heads or designated representatives to discuss rural issues and provide information showing the impact that the respective agencies have had on rural communities. Information gathered will be used in developing rural policy recommendations and compiling the annual Status of Rural Texas report.

C. CONSIDER ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS FROM THE SEPT. 30 – OCT. 1 TDRA BOARD AGENDA.

D. ADJOURN

Persons with disabilities, who plan to attend this meeting and are in need of a reasonable accommodation in order to observe or participate, should contact Sandy Seng at 512-936-6706 at least four (4) working days prior to the meeting.

To access this agenda and details on each agenda item please visit our website at www.tdra.state.tx.us.

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