Thursday, November 12, 2020 Dr. Luis Torres Research Economist Real Estate Council of Austin An overview with emphasis on commercial and residential real estate in Austin Dr. Luis Torres Dr. Luis Torres received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico. He received a master’s in economics from the University of Texas at El Paso, where his dissertation received honors. He later earned a scholarship to participate in the American Economic Association Ph.D. Summer Minority Program. His Ph.D. is from the University of Colorado at Boulder where he specialized in international economics and econometrics. During his doctoral studies, he worked at the El Paso Branch of the Dallas Federal Reserve. From 1995 to 2012, he was with Banco de Mexico in the research department and the institutional liaison department. He has more than 15 years of central banking experience. Dr. Torres studies the Texas economy and real estate market as well as researching the U.S. and world economies. He developed regional indicators that measure economic activity in the real estate industry and forecast housing and commercial markets. Luis also oversees the following Center publications: Texas Housing Insight, Outlook for the Texas Economy, Texas Border Economy, …
Update from The Association of Former Students
Tuesday, September 8, 2020 Porter S. Garner III President & CEO The Association of Former StudentsPorter S. Garner III ’79 Porter graduated from Texas A&M University in 1979 with a BBA in marketing and began his career with Hughes Tool Company before joining The Association’s staff as Field Director in 1981. After nearly 18 years of service to The Association, Porter was unanimously elected by the Board of Directors to lead the organization, making him only the seventh chief executive in The Association’s 141‐year history. Over the last 21 years as President and CEO, Porter has inspired innovation and led initiatives to achieve The Association’s vision to become the premier alumni organization, enhance Association programs and services, and broaden the organization’s reach and relevance to the worldwide Aggie Network. He serves as a non‐voting member of The Association’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, working closely with the Board to ensure that donated funds are used in the most efficient and effective ways to benefit Texas A&M and the Aggie Network. Under his leadership as President and CEO, The Association of Former Students’ total assets have grown from $55 million to $117 million and the organization has raised over $321 …
Leadership Lessons from the System Office
Tuesday, July 12, 2020 Phillip Ray Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs, Texas A&M SystemPhillip Ray ’87 As Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs, Phillip Ray is responsible for all real estate development projects involving a public-private partnership, negotiation of operational efficiencies opportunities, financial accounting and reporting oversight, direction of tax and fiscal activities, financial functions related to the legislative appropriations process, annual operating budget process, Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) initiatives, Facilities Planning and Construction, and aircraft operations for the A&M System. CAREER 2012-present Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs, The Texas A&M University System 2008-2012 Associate Vice President for Finance & University Contracts Officer, Texas A&M University 2006-2008 Assistant Athletic Director, Texas A&M University 2001-2006 Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs and Contracts, Texas Tech University 1999-2001 Director, Procurement & Contracts, Katy Independent School District 1993-1999 Director, Procurement & Contracts, Texas A&M University-Commerce 1982-1993 Financial Analyst/Program Management, E-Systems-Raytheon EDUCATION 2008 Governor’s Executive Development Program, LBJ School of Public Affairs 2006 Executive Leadership and Management Institute, Stanford University / WACUBO 2004 Institute for Management and Leadership in Education, Harvard University 1991 M.B.A., Southern Methodist University 1987 B.S., Texas A&M University-Commerce LICENSES AND CERTIFICATION 2011 Certified Auxiliary Services Professional, National Association of College Auxiliary …
Leadership Lessons from the AD’s Office
Tuesday, June 9, 2020 Ross Bjork Texas A&M Director of AthleticsRoss Bjork Ross Bjork began his position as Texas A&M’s Director of Athletics on July 8, 2019. He came to Aggieland from the University of Mississippi, where he served as the Director of Athletics for seven years. There, he oversaw a department with a staff of over 250 employees. During his tenure at Ole Miss, revenue generated within Athletics more than doubled, from $57 million to $117 million. His many achievements include back-to-back Top 40 Directors’ Cup finishes, ranked 39th in 2016-17 among Division 1 institutions, and 38th in 2017-18, as well as the university’s first appearance in the College World Series in 42 years in 2014. New facilities and renovation improvements flourished under his leadership including the Manning Center, the Pavilion at Ole Miss and a large renovation at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Bjork arrived in Oxford after a stint as Director of Athletics at Western Kentucky University where he quickly established an atmosphere of success. After Bjork made a midseason coaching change, the Hilltopper men’s basketball team went on to capture the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Tournament title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Women’s Volleyball …