GBRA is governed by a board of nine directors appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Texas Senate. Each director serves a six-year term, with three directors appointed or reappointed every two years. Prior to each regular monthly meeting, board committees meet to recommend and review policies, programs and actions for consideration. The General Manager and staff conduct management and administrative duties in accordance with policies established by the board.
Victoria County
Reappointed: 2021
Term Expiration: 2027
Dennis Patillo, of Victoria is president of Evangelynn Hospitality LLC. He is the former president of Stewart Title of the Coastal Bend Inc.
He is the past chairman of the Victoria Economic Development Corporation, the Houston Association of Realtors and the Texas Association of Realtors. Mr. Patillo has served on a number of boards and commissions including the Texas Tax Reform Commission, the University of Houston Commission on Downward Expansion, the Victoria County Airport Commission and DeTar Healthcare Board of Trustees.
Mr. Patillo received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston.
Guadalupe County
Appointed: 2021
Term Expiration: 2027
Sheila L. Old, a resident of Seguin, is president of The Old Law Firm, where she also serves as a practicing attorney. She is vice president of the Guadalupe County Bar Association and is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Association of Family Defense Attorneys and the Comal County Bar Associations. She has held leadership positions in a number of charitable and service organizations, currently sitting on the board of the Navarro Education Foundation while also serving as past president of the Guadalupe County Aggie Moms Club.
Ms. Old received a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from Texas Tech University and a Juris Doctor degree from Baylor University School of Law.
Gonzales County
Reappointed: 2020
Term Expiration: 2025
Steve Ehrig, of Gonzales, is owner and partner of Ehrig Brothers Ag, E Barr Feeds, and E Brothers Ranches. He is a member of the Gonzales County Young Farmers, a director with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and past president of the Texas Young Farmers. He is also a member of the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program, Gonzales County Agents’ Advisory Board, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, and Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, and a past board member of the Gonzales County Underground Water Conservation District.
Additionally, Mr. Ehrig is a past vice president of Gonzales Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, past president of the Gonzales County Farm Bureau and the Gonzales County Appraisal District Agriculture Advisory Board, and a former announcer for Gonzales Livestock Show Association.
Refugio County
Appointed: 2023
Term Expiration: 2029
Robert Blaschke of Woodsboro is a retiree from the DuPont Company and previously served as the Refugio County Judge. He is a board member of the Refugio County Community Development Foundation and is president of the Woodsboro Education Foundation. Blaschke attended Texas A&M University in Kingsville.
DeWitt County
Reappointed: 2020
Term Expiration: 2025
William Carbonara of Cuero is an account executive at JHC Insurance Agency and represents DeWitt County. Currently, he is on the Resource Development Committee for the Boys and Girls Club of DeWitt County and is vice president of the Cuero Little Dribblers Association. He previously served on the boards of the Cuero Development Corporation, Cuero Chamber of Commerce Agriculture and Visitors Center, Visionaries in Preservation and the Cuero Rotary Club of which he remains a member.
Mr. Carbonara is a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and a volunteer coach for his children’s sports activities such as baseball, basketball, soccer and football. He earned a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration from the University of the Incarnate Word.
Kendall County
Appointed: 2023
Term Expiration: 2027
Patrick Cohoon of Boerne is managing member of Leger, Ketchum and Cohoon, PLLC in Boerne. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Kendall County Bar Association, College of the State Bar of Texas, and a sustaining member of the Texas Bar Foundation. He is vice president of the Boerne Volunteer Fire Department, vice chairman of City of Boerne Planning and Zoning Commission, chairman of the Boerne Kendall County Water Committee, member of the Boerne Chamber of Commerce, and board member of Boerne Kendall County Angel Network. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University and a Juris Doctor degree from South Texas College of Law.
Caldwell County
Appointed: 2023
Term Expiration: 2029
John Cyrier of Lockhart is the owner of Someday Strategies, LLC. He is the former Texas state representative for Texas House District 17 and a former Caldwell County commissioner. He is chairman of the San Marcos Airport Advisory Board. Additionally, he is on the general staff for the Commemorative Airforce, and is a captain in the Texas State Guard. Cyrier received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University.
Hays County
Reappointed: 2020
Term Expiration: 2025
Don Meador of San Marcos is a retired rancher and registered engineer with Procter & Gamble Company, and represents Hays County.
Mr. Meador is joint owner of Dreamcatcher Ranch at the headwaters of the San Marcos River. The ranch is protected in a conservation easement to safeguard the watershed for perpetuity. He also is past president of the Hays County Farm Bureau, past board vice-chair of the Hays County Water Conservation District, and a former commissioner of the City of Coppell Planning and Zoning Commission. Additionally, he is a past member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and American Angus Association, and a past board member of the Texas Angus Association.
A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Meador received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Oklahoma State University.
Comal County
Reappointed: 2023
Term Expiration: 2029
Emanuel Valdez, of New Braunfels, is a Software Consulting Manager with BMC Software, INC. and an active volunteer with the Vintage Oaks Veterans Organization. Valdez honorably retired from the United States Army Reserves after thirty years of service as a Command Sergeant Major. He holds a certification in System Programming from International Business Machines.