Border Security Council Report - Office of the Governor - Rick Perry
Border Security Council Report - Office of the Governor - Rick Perry
Border Security Council Report - Office of the Governor - Rick Perry
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Section Two: <strong>Border</strong> <strong>Security</strong> <strong>Council</strong> Charges and Members<br />
The <strong>Border</strong> <strong>Security</strong> <strong>Council</strong> was created in Senate Bill 11 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 80th Legislative Session to advise <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Governor</strong> on <strong>the</strong> allocation <strong>of</strong> state homeland security funds.<br />
The mission <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Border</strong> <strong>Security</strong> <strong>Council</strong> is to aid <strong>the</strong> <strong>Governor</strong> in streng<strong>the</strong>ning <strong>the</strong> security <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Texas/<br />
Mexico border. The <strong>Council</strong> is charged with <strong>the</strong> following:<br />
1) Recommending performance standards, reporting requirements, audit methods and o<strong>the</strong>r procedures<br />
for homeland security funding allocation and use; and<br />
2) Advising <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Rick</strong> <strong>Perry</strong> on <strong>the</strong> allocation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> funds.<br />
In order to accomplish this mission, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Council</strong> has conducted a series <strong>of</strong> five public hearings along <strong>the</strong><br />
border to receive input from members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> public regarding <strong>the</strong>ir security concerns and needs. The<br />
<strong>Council</strong> also held three open meetings in Austin, TX to discuss <strong>the</strong> various performance standards to be<br />
adopted, as well as to determine how discretionary state homeland security funds should be allocated.<br />
Members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Border</strong> <strong>Security</strong> <strong>Council</strong>:<br />
Carlos Cascos, Chair, County Judge, Cameron County<br />
Carlos Cascos is a certified public accountant (CPA) and partner in <strong>the</strong> accounting firm <strong>of</strong> Pattillo Brown<br />
and Hill L.L.P. Mr. Cascos previously served as Cameron County commissioner and is a past member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Texas Department <strong>of</strong> Public Safety Commission. He is a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Texas Society <strong>of</strong> CPAs, <strong>the</strong> American<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> CPAs, and <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> Government Accountants. Mr. Cascos received his bachelor’s<br />
degree from The University <strong>of</strong> Texas at Austin.<br />
Robert Holt, Vice Chair, Former Chairman, Texas Department <strong>of</strong> Public Safety<br />
Robert Braxton Holt is an independent rancher and oil producer. He is a past chairman and board member<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Texas Department <strong>of</strong> Public Safety Commission and past member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Governor</strong>’s Energy <strong>Council</strong>.<br />
Mr. Holt formerly served as a city council member and mayor pro-tempore for <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> Midland. He<br />
is a board member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Texas <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Permian Basin Development Board, <strong>the</strong> Midland<br />
College Financial Command, and <strong>the</strong> United Way <strong>of</strong> Midland. Additionally, he is a founding member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Bush Library Foundation at Texas A&M University and member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers<br />
Association.<br />
Phil Wilson, Former Secretary <strong>of</strong> State and <strong>Border</strong> Commerce Coordinator<br />
Phil Wilson is <strong>the</strong> Senior Vice President for Luminant. He served on <strong>the</strong> <strong>Council</strong> as <strong>the</strong> 106th Texas Secretary<br />
<strong>of</strong> State. He served as <strong>the</strong> Texas <strong>Border</strong> Commerce Coordinator and was <strong>the</strong> <strong>Governor</strong>’s designee to <strong>the</strong><br />
Texas Enterprise Fund and <strong>the</strong> Emerging Technology Fund. Mr. Wilson formerly served as deputy chief <strong>of</strong><br />
staff and director <strong>of</strong> communications for <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Perry</strong>, and state director for U.S. Senator Phil Gramm.<br />
He received a bachelor’s degree from Hardin Simmons University and a Master <strong>of</strong> Business Administration<br />
degree from Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Methodist University Cox School <strong>of</strong> Business.<br />
Val Beard, County Judge, Brewster County<br />
Val Clark Beard serves as Brewster County Judge and formerly served as Brewster County Attorney. She is<br />
past president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rio Grande <strong>Council</strong> <strong>of</strong> Governments and volunteers as an advisory board member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Rio Grande Electric Coop. She is a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> State Bar <strong>of</strong> Texas, <strong>the</strong> County Judges and Commissioners<br />
Association, and <strong>the</strong> Trans-Pecos Bar Association. Judge Beard received a bachelor’s and law degree from<br />
The University <strong>of</strong> Texas at Austin.<br />
Section Two: <strong>Border</strong> <strong>Security</strong> <strong>Council</strong> Charges and Members