On Friday, Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System Glenn Hegar and the Board of Regents announced that former State Sen. Tommy Williams has been named Interim President of Texas A&M University.
“Tommy Williams has a deep understanding of the mission of Texas A&M and the values that define our university,” Hegar said via a release. “His experience in public service and his commitment to the Aggie community will serve us well as we continue to move forward.”
A 1978 graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in Accounting, Williams, 68, served as a member of the Texas State House of Representatives from 1997-2002 before serving as a state Senator for 10 years from 2003-2013.
After serving The Woodlands in the state legislature, the Republican was hired by the Texas A&M University System as its vice chancellor of federal and state relations on Dec. 2, 2013. In 2017, Williams joined the Office of Governor Greg Abbott, serving as a trusted confidant on a variety of fiscal matters, including pivotal school finance and property tax legislation, until his retirement on Dec. 31, 2019.
A CPA, Williams has also served as the president of Woodforest Financial Services, an affiliate of Woodforest National Bank.
WilliamsPublicAffairs.com
Former State Sen. Tommy Williams graduated from Texas A&M University in 1978 with a BBA in Accounting.
“I’m honored to return to Texas A&M in this capacity,” Williams said via a release. “This university means a great deal to me, and I look forward to working with students, faculty, staff and former students to support the continued excellence of this great institution.”
Friday’s announcement comes after Mark A. Welsh III resigned from his post as President on Friday, Sept. 19.
Additionally, Dr. James Hallmark, the System’s Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, served as the University’s “acting president” beginning the same day as Welsh’s official exit.
The school continues its search for what will be the 28th full-time president in the institution’s history.
The following is a press release from the Texas A&M University System
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System unanimously approved Tommy Williams, a former state senator from The Woodlands and longtime public servant, to serve as interim president of Texas A&M University.
Williams previously held the role of vice chancellor of governmental relations for the Texas A&M System, where he worked to advance System priorities at the state and federal levels. His understanding of higher education policy, leadership experience and ties to the Texas Legislature make him uniquely qualified to guide the university during this transitional period.
Chancellor Glenn Hegar said Williams is a thoughtful leader and a faithful Aggie who graduated from Texas A&M in 1978 with a degree in business administration.
“Tommy Williams has a deep understanding of the mission of Texas A&M and the values that define our university,” Hegar said. “His experience in public service and his commitment to the Aggie community will serve us well as we continue to move forward.”
Williams represented Southeast Texas in the Texas Senate from 2003 to 2013, where he chaired the Senate Finance Committee and played a key role in shaping the state’s budget and education policy. He later joined the A&M System in 2014 and served until his retirement in 2018. He also served as a senior advisor to Gov. Greg Abbott from 2017 to 2019.
“I’m honored to return to Texas A&M in this capacity,” Williams said. “This university means a great deal to me, and I look forward to working with students, faculty, staff and former students to support the continued excellence of this great institution.”
Robert L. Albritton, chairman of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, said Williams brings integrity, experience and a deep respect for the traditions of Texas A&M.
“We’re confident in his ability to lead the university with steadiness and purpose while we continue the search for a permanent president,” Albritton said. “Tommy Williams’ respect for the institution, its students, its staff and its faculty along with his understanding of the needs of our state make him the right fit to serve as interim president of our great university.”
The appointment comes as the Texas A&M System Board of Regents continues its search for a permanent president.
