Texas Governor Greg Abbott has made new appointments to Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. As reported by the Governor’s official website, Julie Ruehle joins the team alongside reappointed members Stacey Neal Combest and Ellen K. Ramsey. Their tenure on the board is expected to last until December 31, 2027.
Ruehle comes to the position with a background as CEO of the Ruehle Family Office and as an active member of various educational and investment boards, including the Austin AI Hub, the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at The University of Texas, WIN Angel Network, and Ligo Partners. With a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Houston, an MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, and completion of an executive program at Columbia University, Ruehle’s experience merges the spheres of business and education, as detailed by the Office of the Texas Governor.
Stacey Neal Combest returns to Humanities Texas with a history of public service, having chaired the Texas Commission on Special Education Funding and holds credentials as a certified mediator. Combest’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Houston and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law.
Ellen K. Ramsey, a Public Stakeholder Consultant for Energy Transfer and partner at Ramsey Petroleum, L.P., has been active with the Midland Chamber of Commerce, Midland Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, and is a PTA lifetime member. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UT Permian Basin. Along with her fellow appointees, Ramsey brings professional expertise and civic involvement to Humanities Texas, supporting public programs in history, philosophy, and related fields. Humanities Texas, part of a national network of 56 nonprofit councils, promotes educational initiatives that strengthen Texas communities and civic engagement. Governor Abbott’s office highlighted these appointments as vital to sustaining the state’s cultural and civic life.
