Governor Appoints Four to Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed John Bash, Mark Stone, Ph.D., Dean Teffer, Ph.D., and Angela Wilkins, Ph.D. to the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council for terms set to expire at the pleasure of the Governor. The Council studies and monitors artificial intelligence systems developed, employed, or procured by state agencies.
John Bash is the founder and co-managing partner of the Austin office of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP and co-chair of the firm’s National Appellate Practice. He was appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas from 2017 to 2020.
Mark Stone, Ph.D. is the CIO for The Texas A&M University System. He is a member of The Texas Society of CPAs and Information Technology Council for Higher Education and board member of Training Leaders International, To Every Tribe, and the Lonestar Education and Research Network.
Dean Teffer, Ph.D. is a cybersecurity expert, most recently serving as vice president of IronNet Cybersecurity. He is co-chair and an AI Policy Subcommittee member for The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – USA.
Angela Wilkins, Ph.D. is the executive director at Rice University’s Ken Kennedy Institute. She advises several companies on the application of AI. With over a decade at Baylor College of Medicine, she has specialized at the intersection of AI and health and is the founder of an AI company.
Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Gary Halbrooks as the presiding officer of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority for a term set to expire on February 1, 2026. The Regional Mobility Authority is a political subdivision created to finance, acquire, design, construct, operate, maintain, and expand or extend transportation projects in 14 counties in North East Texas.
Gary Halbrooks is the CEO and president of Venue Properties, Inc. He has served as a Smith County appointee on the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority Board since 2012 and as presiding officer since October 2021.