AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Gene Seaman and reappointed Daphne Brookins, Annette Juba, Mike Morath, Kathryn Timmerman, and Kate Williamson to the OneStar National Service Commission for terms set to expire on March 15, 2019. The Commission serves as the state’s liaison to the Corporation for National and Community Service, fulfilling the duties prescribed and oversees Texas’ participation in Corporation for National and Community Service programs, and prepares a comprehensive three-year national service plan for the state annually. Additionally, the Commission helps to oversee the Rebuild Texas Fund to help Texans recovering from Hurricane Harvey.
Gene Seaman of Corpus Christi is owner of Seaman Financial, and is a real estate developer in the Coastal Bend area and former State Representative, where he served as vice chair on the Calendars and Insurance committees. Additionally, he was previously appointed to serve as a regent to the Texas State Technical College System and as a member of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Board. He is a member of the Ingleside Rotary and immediate past president of Corpus Christ Symphony. He earned a Charted Life Underwriter degree, a Masters in Financial Services, and a Masters in Management from The American College. Seaman served in the Marchant Marines, and went to Officer Candidate School and Flight School to become an Army Liaison pilot. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army at the rank of Captain.
Daphne Brookins of Forest Hill is a human services and special projects specialist with the City of Fort Worth working in the Neighborhood Services Department focusing on education and social services, where she has launched local initiatives and programs for youth and adults have become nationally recognized. She was previously appointed to the Governor’s Committee on People where and with Disabilities and is currently a board member of the YMCA and an advisory board member of Expand Your Horizons and TexPrep at Texas Wesleyan University. She also serves on the District Advisory Commission for Fort Worth Independent School District and is a former City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Forest Hill. Brookins received a Bachelor of Science from Texas Wesleyan University.
Annette Juba of Austin is the deputy director for AGE of Central Texas, a regional non-profit organization serving older adults and their family caregivers. She is former co-chair of the Aging Services Council and a University Field Affiliate in The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work. Juba received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Master of Science in social work from The University of Texas at Austin.
Mike Morath of Austin is the Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency, he was appointed by Governor Abbott in 2016. He is a former board member of the Texas Association of School Boards and Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees. Morath received a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from George Washington University.
Kathryn Timmerman of Austin does commercial business development for Prominent Title. She volunteers at and serves on the Development Council for Austin Can Academy. She is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Real Estate Council of Austin. Timmerman received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and economics from the University of Georgia.
Kate Williamson of Midland is owner and president of Katherine E. Williamson LLP. She is chair-elect for the High Sky Children’s Ranch, member of the Midland Chamber of Commerce, and former chair for the Midland Crystal Ball. Additionally, she is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Midland, and a graduate of Leadership Midland. Williamson received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Texas Tech University.