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AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Nancy Yeary, Tom Kelley and Laura Figueroa and reappointed Raymond “Ray” Gill and Stephen “Steve” Cooper to the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Board of Directors for terms to expire on February 1, 2023.

Nancy Yeary of Burnet County is an educational consultant with Learning Keys, in addition to operating a family cow-calf ranching operation. She recently retired from Lampasas ISD, after over 30 years of service. She is a member of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, secretary of Lampasas Salvation Army Board of Directors, and secretary and administrative committee member at Lampasas First United Methodist Church. Yeary received a Bachelor of Science in education from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Education from Tarleton State University.

Tom Kelley of Eagle Lake is owner and manager of Wiese Crop Insurance and 3TK Cattle and Rice Co. He is a fifth generation rice farmer and cattleman. He is president of the Colorado County Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors, board member of the Colorado County Farm Bureau, and a director at First National Bank of Eagle Lake and the Eagle Lake Rice Dryer. Kelley received a Bachelor of Science in agriculture business from Texas A&M University.

Laura Figueroa of Brenham is a founding member and current president of The Arbitrage Group, Inc. She is a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a teacher and bible study leader with Champion Fellowship, and a volunteer and supporter of Compassion International and KSBJ/NGEN Radio. Figueroa received a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from The University of Texas at Austin.

Raymond “Ray” Gill of Horseshoe Bay is owner of R. Gill and Associates. He is a member of the National Association of Realtors and Texas Association of Realtors and a member and past exam committee chairman for the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He is also a member of the National Association of Home Builders, past director of the Building Industry Association of Highland Lakes, past chairman of the City of Round Rock Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Committee, and past charter member of the Round Rock Ethics Commission. Gill received a Bachelor of Architecture from The University of Texas at Austin.

Stephen “Steve” Cooper of El Campo is owner and principal of Emerald Ag Investments and is the former 28-year president and owner of La Tierra de Esmeralda/Emerald Sod Farms, specializing in turf grass, sod and services. He is vice chairman of the El Campo Memorial Hospital Board of Directors and a member of the Texas Water Development Board Region P – Board of Directors. He previously served as chairman of the Leadership Advisory Board of Wharton County AgriLife for 10 years, and is a member of the Texas A&M University System Chancellor’s Century Council. Additionally, he is a recipient of the Texas A&M University Distinguished Alumnus award and is a member of the Department of Agriculture Economics’ Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry and the Association of Former Students Leadership Council. Cooper received a Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University.