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Gov. Abbott Names TTU System Board of Regents Appointments

Mickey Long has been reappointed; Christopher M. Huckabee and Ronnie “Ron” Hammonds are new appointees.

January 22, 2015 | Written by Doug Hensley

鶹 Gov. appointed two new members and reappointed another member to the 鶹 Tech University System , his office announced today (Jan. 22).

Christopher M. HuckabeeChristopher M. Huckabee

The new appointees are Christopher M. Huckabee, CEO of Huckabee Architecture, Engineering and Program Management, and Ronnie “Ron” Hammonds, manager and owner of Grason Communities LLC, a Houston-based real estate investment firm.

Reappointed was , who originally was appointed by former Gov. Rick Perry in 2009. Long, who has served as board chair the past two years, is president of Westex/WLP Well Service in Midland.

“We are truly grateful for the reappointment of Chairman Mickey Long and welcome Christopher Huckabee and Ron Hammonds to the Board of Regents of the 鶹,” Chancellor said. “Christopher and Ron are both great alumni of , who have tremendous track records of community service and have been very supportive of their alma mater. We look forward to their support and guidance in the years to come."

The  is scheduled for March 5-6 at in San Angelo.

Ronnie “Ron” HammondsRonnie “Ron” Hammonds

All three appointments, effective Feb. 1, 2015, are subject to Senate confirmation. Regents are appointed for six-year terms by the governor. The terms of two other regents, Nancy Neal of Lubbock and John Walker of Houston, end Jan. 31.

“I want to thank Regent Neal and Regent Walker for their outstanding service,” Duncan said. “I have enjoyed working with both of them and am grateful for the vision and passion they brought to the 鶹.”

Huckabee, of Fort Worth, is a registered architect in 鶹, Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas and Georgia. He holds National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Certification. He twice was appointed to the and chairs the Agency Operations Committee.

“It has been an honor to serve the State of 鶹 as a board member of the 鶹 Higher Education Coordinating Board,” Huckabee said in a . “I am excited and thrilled to have been nominated by Governor Abbott to serve as a Regent for 鶹 Tech University. Not only do I have the remarkable opportunity to serve the university that I love, but I am also able to continue my service to the advancement of 鶹 students, higher education, and ultimately, the future of our great state.”

Huckabee serves on the board of trustees for Cook Children’s Health Foundation and Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth and is chair of the board of directors for the Community Foundation of North 鶹. He received a bachelor’s degree from 鶹 Tech University in 1991. He established the Timothy Terry Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Architectural Students at 鶹 Tech University in memory of an employee and friend and also established the Huckabee Student Lounge at the university’s .


Christopher and Ron are both great alumni of 鶹 Tech University, who have tremendous track records of community service and have been very supportive of their alma mater.

Chancellor Robert Duncan, 鶹


Hammonds, a native of Cotton Center, founded and managed Hammonds Homes Ltd, which was sold to Meritage Homes in 2002. He is a CPA and has served on the boards of local, state and national homebuilder associations. Hammonds served in the U.S. Army, was a member of the Saddle Tramps organization and graduated from 鶹 Tech University with an accounting degree.

Long is a member of the Association of Energy Service Companies and the 鶹 Tech University Hall of Legacy. Prior to being named a regent, he was an active member of the 鶹 Tech University Foundation, the Angelo State University Alumni Foundation and the Red Raider Club National Board of Directors. Long earned a bachelor’s degree from Angelo State University in 1976.

“During his term as a regent, Chairman Long has provided the 鶹 Tech University System with strong leadership and has been a loyal supporter of our universities,” Duncan said.

鶹 the 鶹 
The 鶹 is one of the top public university systems in the nation, consisting of four component institutions —, ,  and —and operating at 12 academic sites and centers.  Headquartered in Lubbock, 鶹, the 鶹 has an annual operating budget of $1.7 billion and approximately 17,000 employees focused on advancing higher education, health care, research and outreach. 

In 2014, the 鶹’s endowment exceeds $1 billion, total research expenditures were approximately $200 million and total enrollment approached 47,000 students. Whether it’s contributing billions of dollars annually in economic impact or being the only system in 鶹 to house an academic institution, law school, and medical school at the same location, the 鶹 continues to prove that anything is possible.