Rick Perry Appoints New Board of Regents to Texas Tech University System

Texas Tech University will have new members on the Board of Regents and another retaining his post.

Governor Rick Perry reappointed L. Frederick Francis of El Paso to the board for a term ending January 31, 2019.

Francis received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.

Francis is executive chairman of WestStar Bank and Francis Properties. He is a board member of the Medical Center of the Americas Foundation, Western Refining Inc. and BorderPlex Bi-National Economic Alliance, a board member and past chairman of Sierra Medical Center/ Providence Memorial Hospital and Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and past co-chairman of Paso del Norte Group.

The two new regents appointed for Texas Tech are John D. Esparza of Austin and Tim Lancaster of Abilene for terms to end January 31, 2019.

Esparza received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. Esparza is president and CEO of the Texas Motor Transportation Association. He is an executive officer of HELP Inc., and a member of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Trucking Association Executives Council, Texas Society of Association Executives, and TTU College of Media and Communication National Advisory Board.

Lancaster received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in health care administration from Texas Woman’s University.

Lancaster is president and CEO of Hendrick Health System. He is past board chairman of the Texas Hospital Association, a member of the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board and Healthcare Coalition of Texas Executive Committee, and a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

The two departing members of the board are John Field Scovell of Dallas and Jerry Turner of Blanco.