On August 31, 1995, the Texas Transportation Commission appointed two new members to the Texas Aviation Advisory Committee. Blair Bisbey and Bill Knowles will replace Derald Lary and Herschel Spencer. TxDOT greatly appreciates the contribution made by Mr. Lary and Mr. Spencer in serving as members on this committee.
Mr. Bisbey holds a private pilot’s license with instrument rating, and flies for business and pleasure. He received his B.A. degree, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1975, and his Doctorate of Law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1978. He was admitted to the Texas State Bar in 1979, and the Louisiana State Bar in 1980. For the past 16 years he has practiced general civil trial law with the firm of Seale, Stover, Coffield & Bisbey in Jasper, Texas. He is a member of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association, and has served as Chairman of the Jasper County Airport Advisory Committee. He is a past President of both the Jasper Lions Club and Jasper Lions, Inc. An Eagle Scout and former scoutmaster, Bisbey is still involved with the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Bisbey was appointed to the Advisory Committee on August 31, 1995, and his term will expire on August 31, 1998.
Mr. Knowles, a licensed pilot since 1960, and A&P mechanic, is Chairman of the First National Bank of Palestine. He was owner/operator of Palestine Flying Service, Inc. (FBO at Palestine Airport), for 15 years. Mr. Knowles was a U.S. Army Captain during the Viet Nam conflict and was awarded the Army Commendation and Bronze Star. He received a degree in Business and Economics in 1966, from the University of Houston and graduated from the Colorado School of Banking in 1976. He also attended the London School of Economics. He serves with the Palestine Chamber of Commerce and the Volume 3 – Number 3 Palestine Industrial Foundation. He serves as a counselor with the Texas A&M University Research Foundation. Mr. Knowles was appointed to the Advisory Committee on August 31, 1995, and his term will expire on August 31, 1998. Mr. Knowles was a member of the Texas Aviation Board from 1989-1991, prior to the Texas Department of Aviation becoming a division of TxDOT.
The Aviation Advisory Committee assists in formulating policy for the future development of the Texas aviation system, and provides a forum for the exchange of information between the Texas Transportation Commission, the Texas Department of Transportation and users of Texas’ aviation system.
Members are:
George F. Mitchell, Jr., Chairman – Beaumont
Judge Bill McCoy, Vice Chairman – Odessa
Jose L. Flores, Secretary – Laredo
Blair Bisbey – Jasper
Bill Knowles – Palestine
Loretta Scott – Grand Prairie