GBRA Board Welcomes Three New Directors
SEGUIN, Texas – Three new directors joined the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) Board of Directors today, taking the oath of service at the Board’s regularly-scheduled monthly meeting. Robert Blaschke of Woodsboro will represent Refugio County, John Cyrier of Lockhart will represent Caldwell County and Patrick Cohoon of Boerne will represent Kendall County. Director Emanuel Valdez of New Braunfels reaffirmed his oath of service, having been reappointed to represent Comal County.
Per the appointments made by Governor Greg Abbott and confirmed by the Texas Senate, Blaschke, Cyrier and Valdez will serve terms set to expire on February 1, 2029, while Cohoon will fill the vacant Kendall County seat for a term set to expire on February 1, 2027.
“On behalf of the entire Board, I want to extend a warm welcome to our new directors,” said GBRA Board Chairman Dennis L. Patillo. “Director Blaschke, Director Cyrier, Director Cohoon and Director Valdez bring a unique mix of skills and experience that will be invaluable to us as we work to fulfill our mission of enhancing the quality of life for those we serve through responsible watershed protection and stewardship, quality operational service, and the promotion of conservation.”
Patillo concluded, “I would also like to thank Oscar Fogle and Dr. Kenneth Motl for their service and dedication. We are grateful for their numerous contributions.”
Robert Blaschke 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.
John Cyrier 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 chair of the San Marcos Airport Advisory Board. Additionally, he is on the general staff for the Commemorative Air Force, and is a captain in the Texas State Guard. Cyrier received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering technology from Texas A&M University.
Patrick Cohoon 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 chair of City of Boerne Planning and Zoning Commission, chair 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 from South Texas College of Law.
Emanuel Valdez retired from BMC Software, Inc. after 25 years of service. He volunteers with Vintage Oaks Veterans Organization. Valdez honorably retired from the United States Army Reserves after 30 years of service as a command sergeant major. He earned a certification in system programming from International Business Machines (IBM).
GBRA is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, each 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. Appointed directors are volunteers who meet monthly to provide policy development and leadership for the river authority. The GBRA General Manager/CEO and staff conduct management and administrative duties in accordance with policies established by the board.
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About the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority
The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) provides reliable high-quality water and wastewater treatment services, conserves and protects the Guadalupe River Basin, generates hydroelectric power, manages recreational areas, offers laboratory services, and creates educational programming while planning for and supporting community growth and development. Established as a water conservation and reclamation district by the Texas Legislature in 1933, GBRA has evolved to serve as a leader and steward of the water resources across a 10-country statutory district. GBRA’s district begins near the headwaters of the Guadalupe and Blanco rivers and ends at San Antonio Bay, including Kendall, Comal, Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Gonzales, DeWitt, Victoria, Calhoun and Refugio counties.