[ad_1]
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Rebecca Contreras to the Texas Racing Commission for a term ending February 1, 2025. In addition, Governor Constance C. McNabb, DVM and Arvel “AJ” Waight, Jr. reappointed until the end of February 1, 2027. The commission oversees pari-mutuel betting on horse and greyhound racing.
Rebecca Contreras of Hutto is the majority owner, co-founder, and President and CEO of AvantGarde, LLC (AG), a minority and women-owned small business consultancy with skills in human resources, strategy, organizational change, business process and information technology. Previously, she held senior leadership positions in the Texas Governor’s Office, the White House, and the Treasury Department, working on driving great people and organizational change initiatives. She is a member of the National Academy of Public Administrators and the Women President’s Organization. She is a past president of the National Women’s Business Council and Board of Visitors at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and served on the Board of Governors of the American Bible Society. For the past decade, she and her husband have run LaunchPad, an Austin-based nonprofit that they co-founded, to enrich and enrich the lives of disadvantaged youth and underserved families through targeted programs and services. Rebecca has earned many professional certificates including the Senior Executive Development Program of the US Office of Personnel Management and the Governor’s Executive Program of the University of Texas at the Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs.
Constance C. McNabb, DVM, BrigGen TX (retired) of Montgomery is retiring after more than 30 years of veterinary service and 26 years of military service, including 3 years as chief veterinarian for the Texas Racing Commission. As a citizen / aviator, she had a horse performance practice and also served in various roles and executive positions with the United States Air Force, Texas Air National Guard, and Texas State Guard. She is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lions Club International, and Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae. Governor Abbott first appointed McNabb to the Texas Racing Commission in 2018. She earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Ohio State University and completed the Governor’s Executive Development Program at the University of Texas at the Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs. She also earned a Graduate Certificate from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University in nonprofit management. Her professional military training included the Joint Forces Staff College, Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, and the Squadron Officer School.
Arvel “AJ” Waight Jr. of Willow City is a rancher and past president and title company owner. From 1966 to 1972 he served in the Texas National Guard, after which he was honorably discharged. He is actively involved in a number of civic organizations. Governor Abbott first appointed him to the Texas Racing Commission in 2019. Waight attended the University of North Texas and the University of Texas at Austin.
[ad_2]
