Originally published in 2007
Governor Perry Appoints Two New Members to the Texas Transportation Commission:
On January 8, 2007, Governor Perry appointed two new members, Fred A. Underwood of Lubbock and Ned S. Holmes of Houston, to the Texas Transportation Commission. The five-member commission oversees statewide activities of the Texas Department of Transportation.
Mr. Underwood is president and CEO of the Trinity Company, a cotton bale storage facility. He is a vice president and past director of the National Cotton Council and is a director of Plains Capital Corporation. He also serves as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the Cotton Warehouse Association, where he previously served as president. Underwood also previously served as chairman of the Lubbock International Airport Board, as a board member of Covenant Medical Center, and as a board member of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. He received a bachelor’s degree in management from Texas Tech University.
Mr. Underwood is a pilot and owner of a Piper Meridian which he flies for business and personal use.
Mr. Holmes is chairman and CEO of Parkway Investments, a company that develops and manages real estate nationwide. A member of the Urban Land Institute, Mr. Holmes previously served on the City of Houston’s planning commission and was appointed commissioner of the Port of Houston Authority. In April 2003, he was appointed by Governor Perry to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. He will resign that position to serve on the Texas Transportation Commission. He also served as chairman, board member, and as an executive committee member of the Greater Houston Partnership, and as chairman of Commercial Bancshares. He was chairman of Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. from 200 l to 2006. Mr. Holmes received his bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
FAA Grant Funds for FY 2007 Still Not Received:
Federal funds for TxDOT’s Airport Improvement Program, which comprises the major part of our annual grant funds for airports, has yet to be approved by Congress. This delay, together with escalating material costs resulting from the increase in the price of petroleum products, could result in some airport development projects being delayed. We will do everything we can to prevent this from happening. However, if you have specific concerns about your project, please contact our office at 1-800-68-PILOT.