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Governor Abbott Appoints Three to Texas A&M University System Board of Regents

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Jay Graham, Mike Hernandez, and Michael J. Plank to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents for terms set to expire on February 1, 2025.

Jay Graham of Houston is chairman and CEO of Spur Energy Partners. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), and has served SPE in various capacities including, member of the SPE Gulf Coast Section Board of Directors, Community Services chair, inaugural board member of the Emerging Leadership Program, and as Scholarship chair. Additionally, he is a member of the Texas A&M School of Petroleum Engineering Industry Advisory Board, College of Engineering Advisory Council, 12th Man Foundation Board of Directors, and the Chancellor’s Century Council, board member of Spring Spirit Baseball, former chairman of the American Heart Association Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award, and former director of the Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association. Graham received a Bachelor of Science in petroleum engineering from Texas A&M University.

Mike Hernandez of Fort Worth is owner and CEO of D&M Leasing, and owner and dealer principal of Four Stars Ford, Four Stars Chevrolet Buick, Four Stars Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, and Four Stars Toyota. He is a member of National Automobile Dealers Association and the Texas Automobile Dealers Association. He is a member of the Advisory Committee to Chancellor Sharp for the McAllen Campus of Texas A&M University and the Advisory Committee to Lt. Governor Patrick on workforce training. Additionally, he is founder and president of the Hernandez Foundation and a member of the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate. He has served on the boards of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation of Fort Worth, The Family Shelter of Arlington, and the River Legacy Foundation of Arlington and founded the Brownsville Scholars Program. Hernandez received a Bachelor of Science in industrial distribution from Texas A&M University.

Michael J. Plank of Houston is Chairman and CEO of The Plank Companies, Inc. and three affiliated companies; National Property Holdings, Rail Logix and Speed Shore Corporation. He is a member and past chairman of the Young Presidents’ Organization, past president of the Trench Shoring & Shielding Association of America and the Houston Equipment Distributors. He is a gubernatorial appointee to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Governor’s University Research Initiative Board. Additionally, he is a board member and past president of the Children’s Museum of Houston and is a board member of the Greater Houston Partnership, YMCA of Greater Houston, Houston Methodist Hospitals President’s Leadership Council, and Texas A&M’s Engineering Advisory Board. Plank received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University, where he was named a Distinguished Graduate of the Mechanical Engineering department in 2000.

These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.