Governor Greg Abbott has recently made six appointments to the Nueces River Authority, as per the official announcement from his office. The appointees are tasked with various responsibilities, from managing water resources to developing parks and recreational areas in the Nueces River Basin. The terms of the newly appointed and reappointed members vary, with some set to serve until 2031 and one until 2027.
Among the appointees, Olen "Feller" Hughs, Daniel "Danny" Kelley, and Daniel Suckley have been selected for terms ending in 2031, while Shannon Freund's term will conclude in 2027. Hughs, who is now retired, has a history in agriculture as a former president of Consolidated Beef Producers and experience serving his community as a volunteer firefighter. Kelley also enters retirement, bringing his engineering expertise and a longstanding commitment to community service through organizations like Meals on Wheels. Suckley, still active in finance, is a senior lender and has a past rich with contributions to civic and charitable boards.
The reappointments of Jane Bell and Lisa Greenberg signal continuity and confidence in their ongoing contributions. Bell, with her background in advocacy for the American Diabetes Association, and Greenberg, an attorney with a strong foothold in the Texas Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, bring diverse but no less crucial skills to the authority, as reported by the Governor's Office.
Shannon Freund steps into her role bringing expertise from the corporate arena of customer development at Advantage Solutions – Mars Wrigley. Her previous involvement with education through the Beeville Education Foundation indicates a likely emphasis on community relations and improvement initiatives in her new position. All appointments made by Governor Abbott, including Freund's, await confirmation by the Senate, a step that formally ratifies their positions on the Nueces River Authority.
