On Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott made an announcement solidifying the leadership of the Texas Historical Commission. He named three new appointments and two reappointments, ensuring these commissioners will lead Texan historical preservation efforts through February 2031. As reported by the Office of the Texas Governor, the commission is tasked with maintaining Texas' historical treasures, providing services to various organizations and serving as a center for historical information.
The new appointments include Mike Hagee, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Commandant and former CEO of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. Hagee, who received his educational grounding in electrical engineering and international relations from notable military academies, has previously bolstered his reputation with roles in several organizations aimed at securing America's energy and global leadership. Along with Hagee, Governor Abbott has appointed Kay Hindes, the archaeological authority who formerly served as San Antonio's city archaeologist. Her investment in Texas' past is deep-rooted, having been a member of multiple archeological societies within the state and worked towards the preservation of its ancestral grounds, according to the Office of the Texas Governor.
Dick Tips, a San Antonio native, joins the commission bringing a legacy of restoration work on Texas landmarks such as the historic Fairmount Hotel and the Espada Dam. As the chairman and CEO of R.D. Tips, Inc., his dedication to safeguarding the historical infrastructure hints at a proactive tenure. In reappointing two esteemed members, John W. Crain and Gilbert E. "Pete" Peterson, III, Abbott secures continuity for the commission's leadership. Crain, bearing a strong history background from UT Austin and Texas State University, and also holding certificates from Harvard and UC Berkeley, has been an instrumental figure on various historical and educational boards, as stated by the Office of the Texas Governor.
Similarly, Peterson boasts over five decades of wide-ranging experience across education, investments, and ranching. Having helped to manage construction of the Alpine Public Library, Peterson's familiarity with grassroots historical projects will continue to serve the panel. His broad network, including his tenure as vice-president of the Friends of the Center for Big Bend Studies, reflects a hands-on approach to heritage preservation in Texas, as per the Office of the Texas Governor.
