Yesterday, Governor Greg Abbott announced the appointment of two new members to the Department of Information Resources (DIR), with missions to oversee the management of information resources within Texas' state government. Joining the board are Walter "Frank" Coppersmith, III and Catherine Bellah, their terms slated to end on February 1, 2025, and February 1, 2029, respectively.
Walter "Frank" Coppersmith, a Round Rock local and the CEO of a company specializing in training and simulation software for the Department of Defense, Smarter Reality, LLC, is well-versed in both the tech and legal industries. Coppersmith, boasting memberships in multiple professional organizations including the State Bar of Texas and Entrepreneurs' Organization, is also the former president and vice president of prominent gaming and corporate counsel associations, as reported by the Governor's official news release. His education spans electrical engineering, business administration, and law, with degrees from esteemed institutions such as The Citadel, the Wharton School, and Samford University's Cumberland School of Law.
Catherine Bellah, appointed alongside Coppersmith, comes from a diverse background in law, government service, and philanthropy. With her past roles, including serving as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy White House Staff Secretary, Bellah brings a wealth of experience to the DIR. As active member of multiple state bars and previously serving in high-profile law and commerce positions, her expertise is set to contribute significantly to the board's objectives. Bellah's academic credentials are no less notable, with an undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond and a Juris Doctor from The University of Texas School of Law.
