In a recent move by the Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, Walter “Frank” Coppersmith, III and Keith Halman have been reappointed to positions on the Department of Information Resources, overseeing the management of information resources within state government. The terms for these appointments are lengthy, stretching until February 1, 2031, reflecting a commitment to long-term planning and strategic oversight in the realm of state information management. However, these appointments will not be set in stone until they pass through the scrutiny of Senate confirmation, according to the Office of the Texas Governor.
As CEO of Smarter Reality, LLC, Walter "Frank" Coppersmith, III brings to the table a blend of legal and technological expertise. Appointed by Governor Abbott, his credentials include memberships across a swath of professional organizations inclusive of the State Bar of Texas and Maryland State Bar Association, as well as his involvement within entrepreneurial circles like the Entrepreneurs' Organization. Coppersmith has not only led in legal and gaming industry communities as president of the International Game Developers Association–Austin Chapter and vice president of the Association of Corporate Counsel–Austin, but he is a figure familiar with the academic rigor, bearing degrees from The Citadel, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and Samford University Cumberland School of Law, as stated by the Office of the Texas Governor.
Complementing Coppersmith's appointment, Keith Halman's reappointment brings his wealth of experience as the associate vice chancellor and chief information officer for the Texas Tech University System to the forefront. Representing Lubbock, Halman's expertise is also recognized through his service on the board of the Lonestar Education and Research Network. His educational background is rooted in Texas Tech University, where Halman earned both his Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Systems and Master of Science in Business Administration in Management Information Systems, as reported by the Office of the Texas Governor.
The duo's collective experience is intended to strengthen the Department of Information Resources as they coordinate, monitor, and direct the state's information technology strategies. As stated in the Office of the Texas Governor recent announcement, the responsibilities entrusted to Coppersmith and Halman at the Department are as crucial as ever, as technology continues to permeate and complicate the machinery of governance.
